Practical Headset for a Plantronics Practica T50?

First, let me start off by saying that Plantronics does not recommend using any headsets on the Practica units other than the one that came with it.  However, since the Plantronics Practica A100, T100 and T50 units are discontinued, what are you supposed to do if your base still works great but you just need a replacement headset?   Well you could of course purchase a brand new complete system such as the Plantronics S11 or the Plantronics S12 which is like the Practica A100 that works with most single and multiline phones, or the Plantronics T10 which is a single line telephone like the Practica T50 and T100.  These systems can range from around $88.95 to $129.95 in price.

Now these are all really good systems, but it may seem kinda silly to throw the whole thing away just because the headset stopped working.  And that is usually the case, the headsets wear out (maybe because of the thin cord) but the bases are durable and last a long time.  So that being said, we have yet another option for you other than buying a complete new system…  This would be the Plantronics S11 replacement headset (model# 65388-02), which is around $29.95, considerably less than buying a complete new system.  The Plantronics S11 replacement headset is just a simple headband (over the head) headset that has a noise canceling microphone and covers one ear.  I have sold the Plantronics S11 replacement headset to several customers that still have the Plantronics Practica bases but were unable to find a replacement headset.  And so far, these have worked out very well.  Not to mention, a very budget friendly practical solution for the Plantronics Practicas.

Problem: I work in two different locations, is it possible to pair the Voyager 510 headset to two different 500A bases or devices?

Solution: Yes, although the headset can only be connected and switch back and forth between two devices at a time, the Voyager 510 headset can be paired with up to 4 different devices.  This is in general for most Bluetooth headsets with Multi-point technology.  You can also use different Bluetooth headsets other than the Voyager 510 with the 500A base, however, the 500A base will only charge the 510 headset (any other headsets would need to use their own charger).

Will the CT14 battery work in a CT12 remote?

Unfortunately they’re not compatible and interchangeable.  Although the Plantronics CT12 and Plantronics CT14 systems look alike, they do use different batteries.  The CT14 battery ( part # 81087-01 ) is much smaller than the CT12 battery (part # part # 63421-01 ) , not just in physical appearance, but also in power specifications.  The much smaller CT14 battery does have the same plug as the CT12 battery and can physically “plug in”, however it does not have enough power to even turn on the CT14 remote.  The specs are as follows:

CT12 battery – DC 3.6v, 800mah  /  CT14 battery – DC 2.4v, 600mah

Although the Plantronics CT12 and Plantronics CT14 systems look alike, they do use different headsets.  The CT12 headset (part # 64378-01) has a red light on the end of the microphone that illuminates when in use (on a call), the remote unit sends an “electronic pulse” to the headset which makes this happen.  Other headsets, including the CT14 headset (part # 81083-01), will “technically” work with the CT12 system, but we only recommend using the actual CT12 replacement headset.  When using any other headset besides the original on a CT12 (including the CT14), you will more than likely hear the electronic pulsating sound fading in and out, and you could possibly also have a buzzing issue as well.

Problem: My Plantronics 10U100 wireless headset stopped working, what can I replace it with?

Solution: The Plantronics CT14.  The 10U100 was typically used with the Avaya Partner phones, such as the 18D and 34D models.  The CT14 would be the closest model replacement for the older discontinued 10U100 system.  The CT14 has a slimmer and more modern design with longer range (300ft) and talktime (10hrs), while still having the basic features of being able to answer, dial and transfer calls when used with the Avaya Partner 18D & 34D phones.  And because the CT14 plugs into the “AUX” (auxillary) jack on the bottom of the phone, the HL10 Handset Lifter is not required for remote one-touch answering.

The SPA504G is a VoIP Phone from Cisco which seems to be geared towards smaller companies.  This model comes with 4 individual call lines with dedicated buttons for Headset, Mute, Volume, Hold, Menu settings, Speakerphone and Voicemail access.  No AC power supply is needed, it can use POE (Power Over Ethernet).  This phone has a 2.5mm headset jack, as opposed to the more common Cisco 7940, 7960 and 7970 series phones.  As far as we can tell, the headset jack should be a standard 2.5mm jack so you should be able to use any of the Plantronics “cordless phone headsets” which have a 2.5mm plug, or any Plantronics commercial grade “H-series headsets” along with a 2.5mm patch cable (model# 43038-01).  If you are a user or have had any experiences with this particular line of Cisco phones, please feel free to blog with us, as this will help other people.

A customer recently told us their homework assignment was to find out, “What is the difference in a Plantronics headset and a multimedia headset bought from Radio Shack?”

That is a very good question, and a great homework assignment!  Typically the headsets that you find in retail stores are what is considered to be “consumer grade” headsets for home use, and the multimedia headsets are usually marketed more for listening to music and certain computer applications.  And to be honest, these consumer grade headsets usually do just fine for average home use, and we do sell some of these types of products as well.  However, our specialty is “commercial grade” headsets.

The commercial grade headsets typically have better sound quality and are more durable than most consumer grade headsets found in retail stores. They are also more universal than consumer grade, you can use the same commercial grade headset on your corded business phone, cordless phone, cell phone, computer, etc… just by changing the bottom cable or adapter.  Commercial grade headsets can also be used at home, but are more commonly found in companies for office applications and places like call centers where there is heavy phone use on a daily basis.  Here are just a few examples of where our commercial grade headsets are used: doctor’s office, credit card companies, phone companies, police and fire departments – 911 emergency operators, schools, and by our military.

Q:  I am looking at Plantronics Headsets for my office phone.  How does the phone lifter work with 12 lines?  I presume I can hang up whatever line I’m on, but can’t pick up any of the 12 lines except at my phone, correct?

A:  When you have a wireless headset with a handset lifter, you can answer and hang up away from your telephone.  As long as your telephone lets you answer any line that is ringing just by picking up your handset receiver and not having to press a button on the phone itself, the wireless headset will work the same way.  However if you need to answer a specific line, transfer a call, or need to put someone on hold, you will need to go back to your telephone to perform these tasks.  Just remember that a headset only takes the place of your handset receiver, and does not change the way that a telephone functions.

Q: I’m using a Plantronics CS50 wireless headset and handset lifter.  I no longer get the beep notification for incoming calls.  Is something wrong with my CS50?

A: It is the handset lifter that actually picks up the ring tone from the telephone, and not the CS50 itself.  The first thing that you want to do is make sure that the ring tone or ring volume didn’t change on the phone, because this could throw off how the lifter ”hears” it.  Also, I’m not sure which lifter your user has.. if it’s the larger HL1 (this one has a base that the phone sits on), there is a sensitivity adjustment on the back of the lifter.  If is the smaller HL10 which sticks onto the phone (and should be positioned over the speaker grill where the ring tone comes out of the phone), the internal mic may have stopped working and that could be why it doesn’t hear the ring anymore.  If you have the HL10, you can try using a ring detector cable, this is a little accessory that should have come with your lifter (it looks like a wire with a small speaker on the end of it with double-sided tape).  Plug this into the back of the HL10 (there are 2 jacks back there but it will only fit in one, you may need to remove the rubber plug), then stick the little speaker over the speaker grill on the telephone.  If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace the lifter.  Here is a link below with a picture to take a look at the ring detector.

http://www.headsetsdirect.com/accessories/46780-01.html

Q: I use the H91 Plantronics Headsets and the M10 amplifier.  I am looking for a dual headset training adapter to use with this equipment.  Will this product work or is there another that you can suggest?–Wireless Headset Training Adapter 03929-63?

A: The Wireless Headset Training Adapter 03929-63 will work with with some corded headsets, however it is designed for the wireless headsets.  I would suggest using the regular Y-Training Cord 27019-03 with the H91 and M10, it will be a little cleaner connection because it was made for use with the Plantronics “H-series” headsets.