New Gear: Plantronics Savi Office W430 Headset

Over the past week I’ve been making use of a new headset, the Plantronics Savi Office W430. While I’ve been very happy with the performance of the Savi Go, which has graced my desk for the past year, I thought it time to try something new and different.

Unlike the Savi Go, the Savi Office W430 is DECT-based. Normally DECT headsets comes with a wireless base that connects to a hard phone like my Polycom Soundpoint IP650. In contrast the Savi Office W430 comes with a DECT base in the form of a USB dongle that plugs into the host PC. The result is a wireless headset for use with a soft phone or UC client, but with the range of a good DECT phone.

Oh, and by the way, it’s wideband capable!

I’ve been giving it a workout over the past week with Eyebeam and Skype. You may have heard me using it on last week’s VUC call. After I’ve gained some more experience with it I’ll offer up more details. In the mean time I’ve located a couple of nice reviews for your consideration; one at IT Enquirer and another at TMCNet.com

Plantronics have entered the Savi Office W430 in the CTIA’s 2010 Hot For The Holidays Contest. On the strength of my initial experience I’ve voted it up. If you like Plantronics wares perhaps you can show them some love and vote it up, too?