Plantronics .Audio 45 Headset

Having been introduced to Skype (www.skype.com) recently by a colleague, I though I'd get myself a headset to make full use of this service - ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT A REVIEW OF SKYPE ITSELF.

This pack consists of a set of headphones with an lenglth and angle adjustable (but not very) boom microphone on one side with an in-line mute/volume control switch on the nice long cable (with a clip to attach it to your shirt) that ends in a pair of jack plugs - one to plus in to your PC's headphone socket, and one to plug into the microphone socket. Also in the box is an adaptor that converts those jack plugs to a USB plus - great if your PC doesn't have a soundcard (and hence no jack plug sockets), or, like me and my laptop, you want to plus the headset into a docking station to allow hassle free docking/undocking.

The headset itself is OK - kind of like walkman headphones from 1988 - with an adjustable band depending on how bif your head is (!) - although the foam coverings on the earphones themselves could wear a little thin, but not to worry, I'll just replace them with foam covers "borrowed" from airline headphones next time I fly...

Set up is very easy, it really is just plug and play - although this will clearly vary on whick VoIP system you use - I've used it with Skype (just go to Skype preferences and set the audio input and output to 'Plantronics Headset') as well as MSN's & Yahoo's systems with no problems.

As far as I can tell, or in terms of comments I have had from people I've been Skype-ing with, voice quality at the other end is very good and the sound quality at this end is great too. Youcan also use the headset to listen to CD's, MP3's etc - just fold the boom mic up and out of the way.

There's a code on the pack that when typed into a page on www/skype.com credits your "skypeout" account with 120 minutes of calls. This is not quite true, as the length of calls you can make (to "normal" phones - all Skype to Skype calls are free) with teh 2 Euro credit depends on who you call, mobile numbers, for example,. are more expensive than (even international) landlines, but there is a place on Skype (their "dialling wizard") where prices to dial any number you enter are given.

Of course, you don't have to use a headset like this to use Skype (or indeed, use Skype for VoIP), but it's certainly better than using a computers built in mic & speakers )better voice quality & less echo), and this kit with the USB adaptor is quite a bit more expensive than one without, but overall I'm very please with it.

I hope this helps.