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    We are looking for an inexpensive (sub $100 CAD) headset option that works with OCS. We find that with normal headsets the audio inputs can be a little random using the internal sound card. It is particularrly bad on laptops that use docking stations that also have audio capabilities.

    Any suggestions?
    Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:03 PM

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    Hey, I did not mean to offend you. I'm sorry if you feel it this way. I guess I had a tough day...

    Drago

    I am not upset at all, I thought you were. There is no need to keep defending your suggestion, as I have already said I am considering it and getting the USB soundcard so I can do testing. I was just saying it is is not my ideal solution, not that it was bad or anything.

    Monday, July 20, 2009 11:28 PM

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    Jabra GN mono (that's one ear piece) UC headset - $79 CDN.  I get mine from NCIX (www.ncix.com)

    Designed to work with OC - and work very well.  My phone room guys are using it.

    My mobile sales guys take one with them for use in the hotel calling work / home using OC remotely.


    Regards

    Paul



    Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:38 PM
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    Techhead,

    I know this will throw Microsoft folks in horror, but...

    http://www.cheap-battery.com/bzd195.html (5.1 Sound card USB Audio Microphone Adapter For Laptop)

    http://www.8starshop.com/en/5-headphone-headset-microphone-for-voip-skype-laptop-pc.html?language=en&currency=USD (Headphone Headset Microphone for VoIP Skype Laptop PC)

    I used this to make my first test OCS call and still have it my laptop bag.

    Drago
    Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:12 PM
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    For a client recommendation.deployment I would only give them Microsoft OCS Certified Devices as options.  I have to second Paul's recommendation of the Jabra GN2000 which is a really good unit.  They come in both mon/stereo flavors and with or without Noice Cancelling.
    Jeff Schertz, PointBridge | MVP | MCITP: Enterprise Messaging | MCTS: OCS
    Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:19 PM
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    Although the GN2000 is a solid device it lacks a mute button, not sure whether Jabra have rectified this yet I know there were plans to. PLantronics also have a good variety of low cost headsets, which have a mute button. If you do deploy something I would recommend a mute button as mandatory headset feature otherwise users will complain bitterly. Thats my experience anyway.

    Cheers
    Chris
    http://voipnorm.blogspot.com/
    Friday, July 17, 2009 3:43 PM
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    I am not interested in regular headsets, as some of the suggestions here have been for normal MIC corded headsets, the ones I have like that already work, the problem is that we have a mix of laptops and docking stations. I have found that my early pilot users are having many Microphone issues and need to run the audio / video setup wizard almost all the time because the mic inputs change every time they dock and undock their laptops. That is why I am interested in USB mics as it should provide a standard audio device for them to look for and set. Most of the Higher end OCS optimized units seem to default in OCS as soon as you plug them in which is great.

    When I say under $100 I don't mean $99 on sale, I am looking for something probably more in the sub $80 CAD range to be more specific and that solves my problem by becoming the default Mic and audio out device in OCS when connected.
    Monday, July 20, 2009 6:13 PM
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    You missed my point. What I suggested is:


    a) USB audio Adapted for laptop. Essentially this is USB audio card with Mic. and Headset input.

    b) The headset itself, which is connected to the adapter.

    While connected to the laptop, you set the USB device as “Default audio device”. This way, is disconnected (unplugged), windows will default to whatever is the laptop build in device. When adapter is plugged, it becomes Default device instantly. This way, no changes are necessary in MOC since the installation is set to default to the OS default device.

    I understand the obsession with “OCS certified devices” since makes us look good and sophisticated before the client. However, mobile users (not working from home users) will start their laptop on the airport between flights, make a call and frankly, if they are not embraced from the fact that are using $15 device instead of $99 certified device (I don’t think someone around gives a dime), the call will be the same. Look what Catalina is: $125 microphone and speaker.

    Drago

    Monday, July 20, 2009 10:10 PM
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    Drago Totev I am looking at your recommendation, although it isn't really as clean of a solution. Almost everyone else was recommending the near $100 Jabra which is actually over budget that is why I was clarifying.

    Looking at Plantronics site in more detail I have found several $50-$60 range headsets that are compatible, but not part of the optimized for program.. I am trying to see if I can get some demo units for testing.
    Monday, July 20, 2009 10:15 PM
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    Hi Techhead,

    I have worked with plantronics for a while now and there are certified headsets well under the 100 mark and they work every bit as good as the wired GN headset in that price range and below the GN2000. I would contact them directly to discuss prices. They work well and have a mute button. The lower end Jabber headsets I havent really seen yet and they have been a little slow to release them.

    http://www.plantronics.com/microsoftuc/index.jhtml

    http://www.plantronics.com/microsoftuc/media/msft_muc_recommended.pdf

    Cheers
    Chris

    http://voipnorm.blogspot.com/
    Monday, July 20, 2009 10:22 PM
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    Don't get me wrong, my friend. You and only you can decide the approach.

    I am speaking from my own experience - the college did not wanted to even invest in test devices for 18 months and I end up investing my own funds for the lab environment. I privately purchased Audiocodes gateway, Tanjay and Catalina devices, Snom300 and 370. Believe me, I went through every device on the marked that had the smallest hint it could be used with MOC and OCS.

    “OCS Certified” is good approach when we want to offset or threw out complains from clients with “What do you want – it is certified”. I am not by any means pushing you toward this solution. We are here (this community) because of the will to take a challenge. If I wanted to have a beer nad watch Nascar– I would hire a consultant J

    Drago

    Monday, July 20, 2009 10:45 PM
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    Don't get me wrong, my friend. You and only you can decide the approach.

    I am speaking from my own experience - the college did not wanted to even invest in test devices for 18 months and I end up investing my own funds for the lab environment. I privately purchased Audiocodes gateway, Tanjay and Catalina devices, Snom300 and 370. Believe me, I went through every device on the marked that had the smallest hint it could be used with MOC and OCS.

    “OCS Certified” is good approach when we want to offset or threw out complains from clients with “What do you want – it is certified”. I am not by any means pushing you toward this solution. We are here (this community) because of the will to take a challenge. If I wanted to have a beer nad watch Nascar– I would hire a consultant J

    Drago


    As I said I am looking at that device (thanks), in fact I put an order in for one after seeing how cheap it was for my own personal use. I was just saying that 1 headset is simpler than a headset plus a dongle... fewer parts and risk of users just plugging in the headset to the computer and tossing the dongle.

    I find it interesting that no one has really commented on audio inputs being a support issue, since almost half of my technical test group had issues with it, but that might simply be because I have so many laptop users. On some configurations a laptop could have (laptop mic, laptop line in, dock line in, USB CAM with mic) it is any ones guess which one OCS will default to in that situation so it is my hope that by using a USB headset OCS will default to it, or at least I can list a consistent device for users to select when going through the audio setup wizard.
    Monday, July 20, 2009 10:54 PM
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    Hey, I did not mean to offend you. I'm sorry if you feel it this way. I guess I had a tough day...

    Drago
    Monday, July 20, 2009 11:24 PM
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    Hey, I did not mean to offend you. I'm sorry if you feel it this way. I guess I had a tough day...

    Drago

    I am not upset at all, I thought you were. There is no need to keep defending your suggestion, as I have already said I am considering it and getting the USB soundcard so I can do testing. I was just saying it is is not my ideal solution, not that it was bad or anything.

    Monday, July 20, 2009 11:28 PM
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    I also found the following from Plantronics after searching around a little more and confirming prices:

    Plantronics .Audio 615M - Headset ( semi-open ) $40.99 CAD

    Plantronics .Audio 630M - Headset ( semi-open ) $45.99 CAD
    Friday, July 24, 2009 3:10 PM
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    Nice. Hope they meet your needs. Plantronics are really trying to hit the market with a broad range of devices at a range of prices. The 360 degree speaker phone for about $100 is certainly a cool device as well.
    http://voipnorm.blogspot.com/
    Friday, July 24, 2009 3:45 PM
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    I will report back on how well they work.
    Friday, July 24, 2009 3:47 PM