Are There Really Two Different HL10 Handset Lifters?

I ordered the HL10 Handset Lifter as a replacement for one that broke after two years of operation. The replacement is 99% the same, I say 99% because of one small problem, the 3.5mm plug is different…

Unfortunately it can really be easy to get the wrong plug type when you don’t know or don’t realize that you have a choice in lifters.  Plantronics actually does make two different versions of the HL10 Handset Lifter; the standard HL10 Handset Lifter (Plantronics part number 60961-32) and the HL10 “straight plug” Handset Lifter (Plantronics part number 60961-35).  They both go by the same “HL10” model, but they have different manufacturer part numbers.  The only difference between the two versions is the shape and design of the actual 3.5mm plug on the end of the cable; the standard HL10 lifter has a 90 degree angled plug, while the HL10 “straight plug” lifter has a longer straight plug with no angles.

The standard Plantronics HL10 Handset Lifter (Plantronics part number 60961-32) was designed to be used with the Plantronics wireless headset systems that have the lifter jack on the bottom of the base unit, such as the Plantronics CS50, CS55, CS70, CS70N, CS351, CS351N, CS361, CS361N, Voyager 510S, AWH-54, etc.  The standard HL10 Handset Lifter (part number 60961-32) is the more universal plug model and therefore will also work on the newer Plantronics CS500 series and the Plantronics Savi W700 series headset systems as well (the lifter jack on the newer wireless headset models is located on the back of the base unit, as opposed to the older units where it is located on the bottom).

The Plantronics HL10 “straight plug” Handset Lifter (Plantronics part number 60961-35) was designed to be used with the newer Plantronics wireless headset systems that have the lifter jack on the back of the base unit such as; Plantronics Savi WO100, Savi WO200, Savi WO300, and Savi WO350; the newer “CS” models, CS510, CS520, CS540; and the newer Savi models, W710, W720, W730, and W740.  Although the Plantronics HL10 “straight plug” Handset Lifter (part number 60961-35) was made specifically to work with these newer headset models, just remember that you can still use the standard HL10 Handset Lifter (part number 60961-32) on these too.  So as long as your existing Handset Lifter is working fine, you can upgrade your headset without needing to upgrade your HL10 Handset Lifter.

However if you have the Plantronics HL10 “straight plug” Handset Lifter (part number 60961-35), it will technically work with the older headset models that have the lifter jack on the bottom of the base unit, but it will not fit properly.  And you may be able to buy an aftermarket 3.5mm extension cable that has a 90 degree plug that will better adapt the HL10 “straight plug” to the older Plantronics headset system, that way the base isn’t “jacked up”, but you are probably better off to just get the correct lifter.  The standard Plantronics HL10 Handset Lifter (Plantronics part number 60961-32) with the 90 degree plug may be the better choice simply because it is more universal.  Hopefully this information gives a little clarity and understanding to the Plantronics HL10 Handset Lifter conundrum, that there really are two different ones, and helps you to make the right choice between the two versions for the proper lifter that you need.