1----- from  Read Gilgen  [log in to unmask]

Search the LLTI archives for Califone and you'll find several posts on
this.  We use the Califone headset which is cheap ($20 for regular, $35
for USB connectors), very functional, ugly (i.e., won't likely be
stolen) and rugged.  Look into this at least.

2----- from  John Graves   [log in to unmask]

You should check out the Logitec USB Headset 250
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=103,CONTENTID=1001
2 USB is a great option if you don't need to plug these headsets into tape
players. Onboard soundcards or motherboard sound cards are never as good as a
pure digital USB signal. 
 
Another great headset is the Sennheiser PC140 that we are currently using in our
lab. I know how hard it is to find a good headset. It took me a good month of
research to finally decide what was good for our lab. 

3----- from  Edith Paillat    [log in to unmask]

We have been using Plantronics Audio 90 for the past year in both our
classroom and our self-access lab and despite their being heavily used
by students, they are still in good condition. 
http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/cat640035/cat143
0032/prod440020;jsessionid=3CPIEQDN20UHCCQBGNUSFFAKAEZWQIV0 
Hope this helps
****************************
Edith Paillat
Language Technology Specialist
Language Learning Centre
Victoria University of Wellington
P.O.Box 600, Wellington
New Zealand
+64 4 463 5792
http://www.vuw.ac.nz/llc/about/projects.aspx

4-----  from Lee Ramsdell   [log in to unmask]

The Arts Resource Centre has a number of labs and currently have 100 MB
Quart headsets.  32 of these headsets were first purchased in 1986 and
are still in use today. Most headsets fail after some use for a variety
of reasons.  Due to the robust construction and lack of a moving
microphone boom, these units do not develop the problems you have
listed.  Having headsets that are in use for 9 hours a day and have
provided trouble free service for 20 years for a cost of $120 Canadian
per unit is a very reasonable cost.  The MB Quart headset, model #TLH
82ECMPC will plug into your computer and provide you with trouble free
service.  At least that has been our experience.
Regards

Lee Ramsdell, Technical Supervisor
Arts Resource Centre
Room 130 - A1, Arts Building 
 
Phone       780-492-2142
Cell        780-952-8820

5-----  from Laura Atkinson   [log in to unmask]

RadioShack has a good set for $19.99 that seems pretty durable, and unlike 
most of the ones I've found, doesn't have a volume controller in the cable. 
I dislike those volume controllers because it introduces yet another way 
for the user to accidentally mute the sound.

<http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2036282>

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Laura Atkinson
Instructional Technology Lab Specialist
Center for Instructional Technology /
Foreign Language Instructional Technology Support
Duke University
[log in to unmask]
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6----- from   Regina DeAngelo   [log in to unmask]

Bob,
We use the indestructible Telex DS-8v. They are about $53 each -- not 
exactly cheap, but worth it. Not sure if they're still being 
manufactured. We last found them on http://www.thenerds.net/

Regina
Regina DeAngelo
Training and Resource Specialist
Center for Language Study
Yale University
(203) 432-8056






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