[mdlug] USB Headset

[Mark Thuemmel]

On 03/04/2011 08:50 AM, rrclark at rrclark.net wrote:
>> Dear All,
>>
>> I'm thinking about purchasing a USB headset that I can use for making VOiP
>> phone calls with Google Voice.
>>
>> Has anyone had any experience with this? Make a suggestion for those that
>> play nice with GNU/Linux? Anything to avoid?
> 
> Jim:
> 
> I'm using Ubuntu Maverick here with a Logitech USB headset, in particular
> this model:  http://tinyurl.com/5ton9vr
> 
> It works perfectly for your planned use, as I've VOIPed with both Google's
> app and with Skype, and used it for many other audio/visual projects here.
> It integrates well w/ PulseAudio. I use the headset mainly when
> transcribing medical transcription, and the USB passthrough works really
> well to connect a USB footpedal to the VMWare virtual Win XP session for
> my employer's transcription app. I also use it when gaming on Warcraft,
> and use Mangler as a Linux Ventrilo client.

I agree with Rich, the Logitech ClearChat and the USB350 model work
flawlessly with any modern operating system, except, the darn things
hurt people's ears.  Not just my fat head, girls at the office complain
too.  Well, that and they tend to break easily.  The sound quality
(while they work) is way excellent on the mic and headset.

For your desktop, they are fine, even with Skype.  However, for
road-warriors, they break too easily and don't pack well.

Lately I've been gravitating to using a usb->analog converter and using
plain headsets that aren't naturally USB.  A lot more choices available.

At http://tinyurl.com/yc3d8e3 you can get an USB->analog adapter for
$3.65 (including shipping) and use a plain analog headset.  I know my
Ubuntu recognized it automatically.

This gives a lot of flexibility, now my phone and netbook can use the
same headset.

Sure seems like by now, someone would have a cheap usb universal headset
that doesn't break in 90 day and doesn't hurt your head after 20
minutes......if you know of one, I'd like to know where to buy.