Hi Folks
Telephones don't seem to last very long over here - I'm thinking it may
be down to juggling with the handset while trying to talk to clients and
'do things' on the computer.

So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

Anybody out there got any recommendations?

From searching on the web, there seems to be a selection of
'headset-only' boxes, but can't find the dual-option thing...

If you have a 'headset-only' box, can it simply connect in parallel on
the phone line, and allow you to start a call on the 'normal' phone and
then 'pick up' on the headset to continue the call ?

Online supplier who ships to Ireland would be good!

Thanks
Adrian

Adrian Brentnall wrote:

Hi Folks
Telephones don't seem to last very long over here - I'm thinking it may
be down to juggling with the handset while trying to talk to clients and
'do things' on the computer.

So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

Anybody out there got any recommendations?

From searching on the web, there seems to be a selection of
'headset-only' boxes, but can't find the dual-option thing...

There are a number of DECT handsets with a headset socket. Mine
happens to be Siemens. However, the socket has recently developed
an intermittent connection, which I haven't yet prised the phone
apart to investigate.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

In article ,
Adrian Brentnall wrote:
Hi Folks
Telephones don't seem to last very long over here - I'm thinking it may
be down to juggling with the handset while trying to talk to clients and
'do things' on the computer.

So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

Anybody out there got any recommendations?

From searching on the web, there seems to be a selection of
'headset-only' boxes, but can't find the dual-option thing...

If you have a 'headset-only' box, can it simply connect in parallel on
the phone line, and allow you to start a call on the 'normal' phone and
then 'pick up' on the headset to continue the call ?

If you want the ultimate (IMO) and make a lot of calls, then get a
Plantronics DECT cordless headset.

They typically connect in-line with the coily cord from base to handset
and have a mechanical "lifter" to take the phone off-hook. To take a
call you just push the button on the earpiece, to make a call, you push
the button (which lifts the handset) then dial on the phone as normal.
You do need a desk phone that's mechanically compatable though. The
base has a 4-way switch to cope with the various coily cord wiring
(which bizarely isn't standard )-:

Expect to pay about £150 inc vat though...

I've bought a couple of these in the past for my customers:

http://www.headsetsolutions.co.uk/pl...ss_headset.htm

Gordon

On 02/11/2011 13:11, Adrian Brentnall wrote:
If you have a 'headset-only' box, can it simply connect in parallel on
the phone line, and allow you to start a call on the 'normal' phone and
then 'pick up' on the headset to continue the call ?

I expect it just looks like any other wired handset as far as the phone
line is concerned so there shouldn't be any problem.

Switching between cordless handsets could be a different matter unless
they have a call transfer or conference call feature.

--
Mike Clarke

Gordon Henderson :
In article ,
Adrian Brentnall wrote:
Hi Folks
Telephones don't seem to last very long over here - I'm thinking it may
be down to juggling with the handset while trying to talk to clients and
'do things' on the computer.

So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

Anybody out there got any recommendations?

From searching on the web, there seems to be a selection of
'headset-only' boxes, but can't find the dual-option thing...

If you have a 'headset-only' box, can it simply connect in parallel on
the phone line, and allow you to start a call on the 'normal' phone and
then 'pick up' on the headset to continue the call ?

If you want the ultimate (IMO) and make a lot of calls, then get a
Plantronics DECT cordless headset.

They typically connect in-line with the coily cord from base to handset
and have a mechanical "lifter" to take the phone off-hook. To take a
call you just push the button on the earpiece, to make a call, you push
the button (which lifts the handset) then dial on the phone as normal.
You do need a desk phone that's mechanically compatable though. The
base has a 4-way switch to cope with the various coily cord wiring
(which bizarely isn't standard )-:

Expect to pay about £150 inc vat though...

I've bought a couple of these in the past for my customers:

http://www.headsetsolutions.co.uk/pl...ss_headset.htm

I second the DECT suggestion but there's a simpler way. I use a
Plantronics C351 (I think) which has a simple charger/stand not
connected to the phone system. The headset is registered to a DECT base
station, not supplied, but fortunately I had a spare so that didn't
cost anything.

To answer: press the button on the headset.

To dial: dial using another phone and press the button on the headset.

To hang up: press the button on the headset.

--
Mike Barnes

On 02/11/2011 13:11, Adrian Brentnall wrote:
Hi Folks
Telephones don't seem to last very long over here - I'm thinking it may
be down to juggling with the handset while trying to talk to clients and
'do things' on the computer.

Assuming you are just sitting and typing/mousing while talking then a
corded headset on a phone with proper headset support works very well.
If you need to move about more, then a DECT one may be better.

So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

Anybody out there got any recommendations?

I quite like the BT branded SOHO range... not sure which model my one
is, but it has headset button, speakerphone, integrated amplifier and
volume control

From searching on the web, there seems to be a selection of
'headset-only' boxes, but can't find the dual-option thing...

If you have a 'headset-only' box, can it simply connect in parallel on
the phone line, and allow you to start a call on the 'normal' phone and
then 'pick up' on the headset to continue the call ?

Some look like a whole phone and sit on the line (sometimes between
phone and line) others look just like a handset and connect between that
and the phone (hence only work on phones with non captive handset leads)

Online supplier who ships to Ireland would be good!

CPC have loads of them...

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

You can still buy those curly leads and yes, these seem to have a high
mortality these days.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff -
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
Blind user, so no pictures please!
"Adrian Brentnall" wrote in message
...
Hi Folks
Telephones don't seem to last very long over here - I'm thinking it may be
down to juggling with the handset while trying to talk to clients and 'do
things' on the computer.

So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the ability
to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller display....

Anybody out there got any recommendations?

From searching on the web, there seems to be a selection of 'headset-only'
boxes, but can't find the dual-option thing...

If you have a 'headset-only' box, can it simply connect in parallel on the
phone line, and allow you to start a call on the 'normal' phone and then
'pick up' on the headset to continue the call ?

Online supplier who ships to Ireland would be good!

Thanks
Adrian

Adrian Brentnall wrote:
So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

When I used to do telephone canvassing I made a
support thingy that sat on my head and gaffataped
the normal handset onto it, and a balancing weight
over the opposite ear.

JGH

Adrian Brentnall wrote:
Hi Folks
Telephones don't seem to last very long over here - I'm thinking it may
be down to juggling with the handset while trying to talk to clients and
'do things' on the computer.

So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

Anybody out there got any recommendations?

From searching on the web, there seems to be a selection of
'headset-only' boxes, but can't find the dual-option thing...

If you have a 'headset-only' box, can it simply connect in parallel on
the phone line, and allow you to start a call on the 'normal' phone and
then 'pick up' on the headset to continue the call ?

Online supplier who ships to Ireland would be good!


Dan used to know all this stuff..

distributor Nimans
Product Plantronic

Google it. Something suitable there

Thanks
Adrian

In article ,
Adrian Brentnall wrote:
Hi Folks
Telephones don't seem to last very long over here - I'm thinking it may
be down to juggling with the handset while trying to talk to clients and
'do things' on the computer.

So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

Anybody out there got any recommendations?

I've had a Interquartz Gemini (I think that's the model - google seems to
suggest images that look right :-)) on my desk for a few year, and a
plantronics headset. Think that ticks all your boxes. If you want to
spend a bit more then bluetooth capable setup is good - but charging can
be a pain and they are a lot more $$$$


From searching on the web, there seems to be a selection of
'headset-only' boxes, but can't find the dual-option thing...

This is a phone, speaker phone, and headset capable

Check carefully - some are better than others at transfering from headset
to normal phone etc. Also, we have some at work where you can't switch
between speaker phone and headset without flicking a switch on the bottom
of the phone - useless.

Darren

On Thu, 3 Nov 2011 02:45:55 -0700 (PDT), jgharston
wrote:

Adrian Brentnall wrote:
So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

When I used to do telephone canvassing I made a
support thingy that sat on my head and gaffataped
the normal handset onto it, and a balancing weight
over the opposite ear.

Hah, when all phones were BT issue there used to be a standard handset
shape which you could buy a shoulder cradle for. Thoroughly bizarre,
even then, given a set of headphones and a mike would have been so
easy to add. I suppose most folk didn't want to delve into their phone
(as it wasn't really theirs, at all).

On 02/11/2011 13:11, Adrian Brentnall wrote:
Hi Folks
Telephones don't seem to last very long over here - I'm thinking it
may be down to juggling with the handset while trying to talk to
clients and 'do things' on the computer.

So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

Anybody out there got any recommendations?

From searching on the web, there seems to be a selection of
'headset-only' boxes, but can't find the dual-option thing...

If you have a 'headset-only' box, can it simply connect in parallel on
the phone line, and allow you to start a call on the 'normal' phone
and then 'pick up' on the headset to continue the call ?

Online supplier who ships to Ireland would be good!

A BT Converse 1200 works for me. It's a corded phone with handsfree and
amplifier. It has a headphone jack on the side. Only about £17 or so .
You can get them from Amazon or BT or all over. I've had one for a few
years with no problems.

In article ,
Bash wrote:
On 02/11/2011 13:11, Adrian Brentnall wrote:
Hi Folks
Telephones don't seem to last very long over here - I'm thinking it
may be down to juggling with the handset while trying to talk to
clients and 'do things' on the computer.

So - wondering about phones that offer a normal handset, plus the
ability to plug in a 'headset' and leave both hands free, with caller
display....

Anybody out there got any recommendations?

From searching on the web, there seems to be a selection of
'headset-only' boxes, but can't find the dual-option thing...

If you have a 'headset-only' box, can it simply connect in parallel on
the phone line, and allow you to start a call on the 'normal' phone
and then 'pick up' on the headset to continue the call ?

Online supplier who ships to Ireland would be good!

A BT Converse 1200 works for me. It's a corded phone with handsfree and
amplifier. It has a headphone jack on the side. Only about £17 or so .
You can get them from Amazon or BT or all over. I've had one for a few
years with no problems.


I have a BY Diverse 6210. Works well. It's a cordless phone and has a
belt clip, so I can go where I like - within reason.

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.16