Travel Technology - SKYPE - Phone or headset

I am now SKYPE'd. I need to buy either a Skype compatible phone or headset. What do you Skype users prefer and why? Where did you buy your device and at what cost? Radio Shack, Best Buy, CompUSA or other?
Wired or wireless? Lots of questions. I intend to use Skype in Asia to call home and other US numbers. I paid the EURO25 fee for SKYPE Unlimited service. No longer free since 1/1/07. Many thanks for your opinions,
bb

We use a Skype phone from http://www.vondoo.com/
It works well. Forgot where we purchased it ... may be Amazon

If you are a laptop user, have a bluetooth enabled laptop and travel a lot, I'd recommend a bluetooth eadset. I use a Motorola Bluetooth headset both for the laptop and my blackberry pearl. Less cack to carry in the travel bag.

/E

As of right now I have the logitech 350. This headset IMO is simply awesome. Its the higher end headset from logitech, but very well worth it.

I also have a bluetooth headset from jabra, however I'm not too happy with it. I like the phones, especially the ones that can use your normal household number as well as skype (they are fairly cheap as well) but haven't bought one yet.

When I am travelling, I typically end up using a wired headset -- and inexpensive Logitech works brilliantly. And Skype duplex is good enough that I can effectively use my laptop as a speakerphone if I want -- although if I am typing on it at the same time, the typing is pretty loud.

The Bluetooth headsets are certainly an option but they can be finicky and sometimes not worth the effort.

Steve

From a family of 4 frequent international travelers, we all use skype with bluetooth and never a problem

Is there any difference in privacy between a headset and phone for VoIP? (e.g., if using a public/hotel network)....

BT Headset all the way. I also recently started using Skype mobile on my IPAQ and Moto BT Headset, truly Capt. Kirk stuff. :cool:

However on my laptop in hotels I use neither - just the computer's speakers and mic, works great and I can move around the room while talking.

If you are a laptop user, have a bluetooth enabled laptop and travel a lot, I'd recommend a bluetooth eadset. I use a Motorola Bluetooth headset both for the laptop and my blackberry pearl. Less cack to carry in the travel bag.

/E

I also have this Motorola bluetooth gadget but always feel that everyone else is paying attention to my conversation - also people on the other end sometimes complain of too much background noise.

If the call is important i"d better rely on the traditional wired mic/headset combo, cheapo and much more efficient.

SIN star gold lounge has the 'USB phone' on each of its' public terminals.

I found the USB phone to provide a better call clarity than a headset, but I'm guessing it's because they bought one's of high quality.

We have a Skype USB Box between our phone and the wall. Incoming Skype or PSTN calls both ring the same phone. You just dial a "*" when you want to a dial a Skype call. You can map speed dial numbers to your Skype contacts.

www.skypnenet.net

We have a Skype USB Box between our phone and the wall. Incoming Skype or PSTN calls both ring the same phone. You just dial a "*" when you want to a dial a Skype call. You can map speed dial numbers to your Skype contacts.

www.skypnenet.net

Link does not work. Is this the US Robotics box lited on the Skype site (USRobotics USB Telephone Adapter)

I've been thinking of this for my vacation home.

Gadget-wise, bluetooth is cool. But it's usually so much easier to plug in a headset if you're using it only occasionally. Bluetooth can be a pain.

agreed, especially if you forget and leave it on

I also have this Motorola bluetooth gadget but always feel that everyone else is paying attention to my conversation - also people on the other end sometimes complain of too much background noise.


never had that problem. I do several busines calls over seas from home. Have actually been told the sound is great.

checked the settings?

/E

Link does not work. Is this the US Robotics box lited on the Skype site (USRobotics USB Telephone Adapter)

I've been thinking of this for my vacation home.

skypemate.net

The grey matter upstairs is getting a little more grey. Sorry.

Stu

PS: Is it "gray" in the USA versus "grey" in the UK or vice versa?

I have the Logitech Stereo USB headset 250, which is obviously not as high end as the 350 and it works great. Of course, you have to put on the headphones to place the calls, but quality is great and most people don't even know I'm calling from a computer.

I previously was using the laptop's own microphone and speakers for it and lots of echo and it didn't sound good, even from my end. Then, tried another analog microphone, but it was slightly better and finally decided to shell out the money on the headset. It was like night and day! It sounds great. The other end hears me like a regular call and vice versa.

I'm curious if any bluetooth headset will work or you need specific ones. I have a bluetooth Treo headset and wondering if I can get it to work. My laptop doesn't have bluetooth so I'll need to get a USB bluetooth connector first. Anyone know if it will work? No point in getting it if I can't use my bluetooth headset. It would be nice to not have to be at the computer but then it's not that important.

...However on my laptop in hotels I use neither - just the computer's speakers and mic, works great and I can move around the room while talking.The problem with most computer speaker/mike pairs (when did people start spelling it "mic?" I know it's become common, but to me that should be pronounced "mick," not "mike") is that the sound from the speakers feeds back into the mike (sorry about that, I'm a traditionalist). I use headphones for the sound, to avoid feedback, and my laptop's built-in microphone. Works fine, and one less piece of gear to carry around since I have the headphones with me anyhow. I can see Bluetooth if you want to walk around while you're talking, but if you're going to be near your laptop and it has a decent microphone (record a few things, play them back and see how they sound) I personally see no need for a full headset.

never had that problem. I do several busines calls over seas from home. Have actually been told the sound is great.

checked the settings?

/E

Thanks - Anyway for the latest few weeks I've been unable to use it as changed my laptop and need to find the cd that's used to install it, prior to use.

Motorola site doesn't have the sw for a swift download :mad:

when did people start spelling it "mic?"

Probably because "mic" is short for "microphone". You think?

Probably because "mic" is short for "microphone". You think?I can see that. I asked "when," not "why."

I'm curious if any bluetooth headset will work or you need specific ones. I have a bluetooth Treo headset and wondering if I can get it to work. My laptop doesn't have bluetooth so I'll need to get a USB bluetooth connector first. Anyone know if it will work? No point in getting it if I can't use my bluetooth headset. It would be nice to not have to be at the computer but then it's not that important.

I'm replying back to my own question. Bought a USB bluetooth adapter and got it to successfully pair with the laptop as well as my old Treo bluetooth headset that hasn't been used for years. Works fine with Skype but of course, the quality isn't the best but works. But that's just the headset itself. Never was excellent quality when paired with the Treo.

Now, the cool thing is that I can hotsync via bluetooth and transfer files via bluetooth. Woohoo!