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> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Laura Atkinson Instructional Technology Lab Specialist Center for Instructional Technology / Foreign Language Instructional Technology Support Duke University [log in to unmask] ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 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 *********************************************** LLTI is a service of IALLT, the International Association for Language Learning, and The Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning (http://consortium.dartmouth.edu). Join IALLT at http://iallt.org. Otmar Foelsche, LLTI-Editor ([log in to unmask]) ***********************************************