|
|
 After expressing interest in the CT10, my fiancee did a little shopping around to see if she could find something better. Someone at an electronics store told her about some other brand that claimed "97% voice quality" over the CT10's alleged "78% voice quality" (percentages are approximate based upon my recollection of third-hand info), but since the dealer didn't sell Plantronics (but did sell the other brand), I didn't put too much stock in that assessment. I joined the shopping expedition, jumping from store to store doing the "shop-around" at various brick-n-mortar shops.What I saw in stores made me cringe. Most units' headset was hard-wired to the tranceiver...which is an exceedingly poor idea because once you damage the cord or sit on and break the headset, you're off to the store to buy an entirely new phone. Ick. The Plantronics line of phones (the CT10 included) have plug-in headsets that can easily be replaced. Incidently, the headset also works on cell phones as well, so if you're on your computer and someone calls you on your cell phone, all you have to do is plug the headset into the phone and keep on typing (a big plus for e-commerce software engineers on call :-) Some "hands-free" telephones you find in the store are nothing more than a full-sized cordless phone with a headset jack and a belt clip--which makes you feel like you're carrying a small canteen of water around the house. Uncool. The Plantonics unit is about the size of two beepers stacked back-to-back, and just about as light. I read a previous review in which the writer bemoaned the small keypad, but I don't agree with the writer's opinion. My hands are huge (11 7/8" from pinky to thumb, and my ring finger is a size 14 1/2) and I don't have a problem with the keypad in least bit. Even the mute, redial, flash, channel, and memory buttons (the smallest of them all) are not difficult to pick out. If *I* can dial this thing with my mitts, so can you. Fear not the small buttons. The headsets I saw on all the models I compared usually were a bit on the small size, and uncomfortable to wear at that. I've got a pretty big melon, so when I strapped on "the other guys'" headsets, the side opposite the earpiece tended to dig into my cranium leaving a small, temporary dent--a recipe for a headache. The headset that comes with this unit still isn't quite big enough to fit my skull, but it's a far cry better than what I saw in the brick-and-mortar stores--it's lightweight but not flimsy, and I hardly notice I'm wearing it, save the silver -colored boom protruding in front of my face. (Which, by the way, has a really cool ambient noise-cancelling circuit in it so that nobody hears your background noise but you--I frequently have the radio on during calls and I get more distracted than the person on the other end! :-) Lastly, this phone has great range. I strapped it on and went down to the ground floor laundry room in my thin-walled apartment building and reception was near flawless (there was a spot or two in the tiny laundry room that caused two brief static pulses, but nothing serious). If you've got a house too big to use the CT10, chances are you're rich enough to just use your cell phone anyway. :-) If there is one complaint I have about the unit, it's that the microphone is a *bit* too sensitive and will make you sound like a panting lunatic if the boom is too close to your mouth, as it will pick up every breath you take (and every move you make). To remedy the situation, I typically keep the mic at lip level, but angled out as far as it will go (about 3") and people on the other end hear me just fine. Once I got used to the mic's sensitivity, though, I've gotten quite comfortable with it. It would probably be very useful, however, to have a little foam ball to fit over the mic, like the foam windscreens you see roving reporters use on TV. As for that salesman's claim that Plantronics' voice quality is sub-par, I can only laugh and chalk his comments up to commissioned bias. To christen the phone, I called a friend and after talking for about 10 minutes, asked how my voice sounded. When I told her I was using a headset telephone (and a cordless one at that), she wigged out and said it sounded as if I were basically sitting right next to her. 78% voice quality? Pshaw. Buy this phone with supreme confidence--it's a great buy, and you'll be *very* hard-pressed to find anything better, especially for the price!
I reviewed quite a few units (online and in person) before deciding on this phone. All the reasons I went with this one were accurate once it was in use. First, Plantronics makes a quality product. After working in a company with a large call center that used Plantronics equipment, it was apparent that they knew what professional phone-users need. The headset is light, comfortable and separate from the unit. So, if you don't like it, replace it. Others are permanent and cannot be replaced even if they go bad. It also has a mute, which many others do not. Very important in a potentially noisy environment. The size is incredible - you won't believe how tiny it is, yet the buttons are a breeze to use, even for my large hands/fingers. Other reviewers complained about the volume, but I found it quite acceptable with a reasonable adjustment range. My only complaint - I wish it was digital rather than analog to provide a little crisper sound. Overall a great product.
I am so glad a bought it anyway! When I work from home, it's so much easier to have a headset. The hands free feature is great and the actual keypad is lighter than I thought it would be. I can completely see why people think the earpiece is too soft; however, once you up the volume (and make sure the headset is on properly) it's plenty loud enough. I would absolutely buy this phone again. It's most useful while typing, straightening up while I'm on conference calls, and general I-need-to-use-my-hands-but-I'm-holding-the-phone type of call. (especially if conversations end up going 30 minutes plus) The only downside is the room you're speaking in has to be relatively quiet. If there's a lot of background noise (like the dishwasher, AC, people talking) I find myself unable to hear the person speaking to me on the other end of the line. Other than that, the phone is great. Hope this helped!
|
I almost didn't buy this phone because there were a number of people saying the phone didn't work well, was too quiet, etc.
