Fresh Gear: Logitech Mobile Headset

March 28, 2007

This is a "Fresh Gear" post, but it also fits under "Travel Light" - it's all about a travel headset that's impressed me quite a bit. This one is called the Logitech Premium Mobile Headset, and I have been using it for about a month and just love it.

I'm a traveling dictater¹ once again

Me, a dictater? No, I'm not a tyrant - I just use software to do dictation while I'm traveling.

Last year, I posted about how I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking (voice recognition software) to perform a number of tasks like creating speaker notes in presentations, responding to email, and even composing blog posts. I still do that, but I have not been traveling with my old headset since I wore it out (actually, I rolled a chair over the cord and sliced it so it got all staticy²).

I was looking for a replacement and found the Logitech Premium Mobile Headset. Here are some of the highlights:

This new headset folds up very flat and I can fit it easily into one of the inner pockets on my laptop bag
It has adjustable earpads so it is very comfortable
It includes an adapter so you can use it with USB or standard microphone/headset jacks
It works with any voice-related software, such as NaturallySpeaking, Skype, and even voice-capable instant messaging clients
It has inline controls for volume control and microphone muting
The microphone sound quality is excellent (I'm using the USB interface, primarily)
It has stereo sound so you can listen to music on it, should you wish to do so (and the sound is decent)
Its the behind the head design keeps you from getting "headset hair"
It also includes a carry case - however, I found the case to be too bulky for my needs

I'm very impressed with this one so far, and it has earned a place in my 'permanent checklist' for what goes in my laptop bag for every trip.

¹ Yes, I know dictater isn't a real word. Some of my jokes are meant for me. Feel free to enjoy them with me, if you like.
²I'm not sure "staticy" is a word to anyone but me, either.

Related items:

Fresh gear: IPEVO and Skype (3/10/2006)

Fresh Gear: Why use a headset that isn’t handsfree?

December 10, 2006

Free headsets - are they worth the price?

A lot of people use the headset that comes with their mobile phone. Free is a great price, I'll grant you. Unfortunately, most of the manufacturers include headsets that don't work all that well. They ones that come with my phone usually have an earbud speaker, and a microphone that hangs down on the microphone cable. The problem? I've found that I can't use these because a) people can't hear you when you use one, and b) these pick up tons of background noise.

You'll see an interesting phenomenon when you walk around airports, etc. - people that use these headsets end up using one hand to hold the microphone near their mouth so the other person can hear them. That seems a little odd to me.

If you're going to use one hand to constantly hold your headset's microphone up to your mouth, why not just hold the phone itself?!

Use a handsfree headset that really is handsfree

I have a headset I really love - it's a Plantronics MX150 headset, pictured at left. This is my second one - the first one was an OEM version that Verizon included with one of my phones a couple of years ago (very cool that they didn't go with the cruddy ones I mention above). I still use my first one in my car, and bought a second one (non-OEM) which I carry in my laptop bag. Available from Amazon for less than $20, I think it's well worth it.

This thing is tough, doesn't crackle, has great noise canceling so you don't get all the background noise, picks up your voice very well, and is comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time. Best of all, the adjustable boom is built into the speaker assembly so you don't have to hold the thing next to your mouth. In other words: this headset really is handsfree!

Here's some trivia for you, too - Plantronics has been in the headset game for a long time. They made the first headsets for the first voyage to the moon, for example.

My thoughts on Bluetooth headsets

I've dabbled in Bluetooth headsets a few times, but I always end up back with my trusty old Plantronics MX150. I still haven't found a Bluetooth headset I love - most of them still have problems with background noise and wind. I even have a Plantronics Discovery Bluetooth headset. It's good, as far as Bluetooth headsets go (very small, can charge it from a AAA battery, etc.), but the sound quality isn't as good as my MX150. Also, most Bluetooth headsets have those Borg-like blue flashing lights and look distractingly geeky - I'm geeky enough without flashing lights on my head, thank you!

Free your hand...

Bottom line: if you're still holding that dangling microphone to your mouth, consider trading up to something better. You'll be thankful for it, I'm sure!

Fresh Gear: My favorite presentation remote

October 24, 2006

I do at least 10 live presentations a month, and I love my presentation remote. I've been using the Logitech 2.4GHz Cordless Presenter for about a year now. Having used lots of other remotes that left me dissatisfied for one reason or another, this one has been perfect. When I was shopping for it last year, I created a list of selection criteria:

Compact size
Easy operation "by touch" (i.e. simple enough to operate without looking at it)
Must use standard batteries (not button-cell or other batteries that are tricky to find while traveling)
Must have an on/off switch to prevent accidental draining of the battery
Must be plug & play in Windows XP

The Logitech Cordless Presenter exceeds this short list of "must haves." It is small, easy to operate "by touch", uses two AAA batteries, has an on/off switch, and has built-in driver support in Windows XP. It also has additional beneficial aspects (lagniappe, where I come from):

It has a built-in countdown timer that you can set to help keep you on your time schedule. It provides a silent, vibrating reminder when you have 5, 2, and 0 minutes left.
It has a built-in laser pointer.
It is quite comfortable and natural to hold while presenting.
The controls provide forward and backward slide navigation buttons, as well as a button to blank the screen.
The range is very good - I've operated the controls from 45 feet away with no problems.
The remote includes a USB receiver that actually plugs back into the remote itself for easy storage - and you won't lose it this way.
It includes a neoprene, custom-fit storage sleeve to protect it during travel.

If you do much presenting, I think this is the remote you've gotta have.

Gadgets

Lifehack Darwinism: Legal cleanliness

August 17, 2006

One of my more popular recommendations (through the blog as well as word-of-mouth) has been to use hand sanitizer when traveling. I believe my regular use of hand sanitizer on planes is part of what's kept me from getting a major cold or illness these past two years (see my previous post for more).

Unfortunately, the new restrictions that prevent me from taking liquids or gels on planes have forced me to quarantine my Purell bottle at home.

Never fear - I've found a solution. Once again, Purell comes to the rescue - this time with sanitizing hand wipes. I used it today with pleasing results and just bought a bulk pack on Amazon.

As I mention in my previous posts, these can be used to clean your hands before you eat. They are also excellent for cleaning the tray tables in planes - I still have a gut feel that they are infested with germs.

So, pick up some sanitizing hand wipes, drop them in your laptop back, purse, or other carry-on and enjoy some clean livin'.

Travel Light: Kensington Charger

August 4, 2006

I like my laptop, but it came with a big, clunky power adapter that took up a lot of space in my bag. Additionally, my laptop's "default" adapter only worked on AC power outlets.

iGo is a no-go

For that reason, one of the first "Travel Light" purchases I made was an Auto/Air/Wall combo power adapter. The first one I tried was an "iGo" brand adapter. It was very pretty, and had all the functionality I was looking for, but I was very disappointed in the iGo. It was too bulky, the connectors weren't tight and kept coming undone, it overheated and shut off when I used it on planes, etc. I couldn't get my money back so I sold it for 10 bucks at a garage sale and vowed never to buy another one of their products again.

Kensington makes me happy

Next, I purchased a Kensington travel adapter that includes adapaters so I can run my laptop on AC or DC power, at home, on planes, or in cars.

The Kensington adapter also has multiple, interchangeable power tips so you can use it with a variety of devices or continue to use it if you change laptops. As you see in the picture above, can get a "Y" adapter to charge multiple devices at once.

As I mentioned in my post earlier this week, I tend to charge most of my extra devices via USB so I only really use this charger to charge my laptop (I then charge my other devices from the laptop's USB ports).

However, for devices that can't charge via USB, this adapter supports a large variety of devices with optional tips (the only tips it comes with are for laptops - you have to buy additional tips for other devices for a nominal fee). Mine came with a complimentary adapter to charge iPods.

Bottom line, this adapter is much thinner and lighter than the default adapter for my laptop, and has lots of expandability. I have found it to be very portable and extremely durable in a variety of situations. If you want to travel light, this will help.