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Best Telephone For Datacenters?
An anonymous reader writes "I've been struggling to find an effective wireless/cordless phone headset for use in high noise environments, such as a datacenter. I'd love to have something like the helicopter pilots or aircraft carrier deckmen wear, but that can hook up to a pots line (or Bluetooth to a workstation with Skype). Has anybody found a solution they like for datacenter applications?"
Get a pair of DC's and a kneeboard. Pretend you're on a space station.
I bought the Jawbone Prime for my Droid and its been fabulous.
Supposedly it was desighned for Helicopter and tank crews, there is a sensor on the earpiece that sits on your cheek, it it can't match a noise from the microphone with a vibration from your mouth, it filters it out. If your jaw loses contact with the sensor it uses normal noise cancelling tech.
I ask everyone I talk to on it how it sounds and they say that I come through clearly.
Pilot's just use aircraft headsets with a plug that can plug into a cell phone.
There's no magic too it, they're just big foamy headphones with a microphone and cost way too much.
I'll Find You Peer, If It's The Last Thing I Do!!!!
http://www.jawbone.com/ it uses the vibrations in your skull from speaking to do noise cancellation.
There are a lot of noise cancelling headset options:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=noise+cancelling+headset+for+phones
Pick the one that fits your phone/price/ergonomic requirements.
Yes, you could mod an aviation headset to do the same thing, however they are significantly weighty compared to most headsets (I know this because I have tried this, a guy I know built his own out of surplus aviation headset for LAN gaming). If you want to contact him about it his nick is "Cova" and he can be found on the http://www.fragapalooza.com/ forums.
crazy dynamite monkey
Cone of Silence"
The Stenomask!! The picture needs no description. http://www.scscr.org/mediac/400_0/media/Misc$20110.jpg
Kriston
I haven't actually tried it, but I have used other Etymotic products, and they generally work very well. Here's the page.
I'm particularly fond of their hf2 stereo headset -- they sound great!
Your god may be dead, but mine aren't!
Get a throat microphone and a secret-service type earpiece. Wires from those are very standard mono jacks and if you can't find the parts to convert them into the right plug at Radioshack, you can certainly buy the bare plug ends and solder up a harness in 15 minutes.
SIG: HUP
I've heard good things about UmeVoice - http://www.theboom.com/v/products/index.html
We're talking out in the field today. Hi, what's your name?
"My name's Bob Fliber!"
Bob, what do you do?
"I'm in the artillery!"
Thank you, Bob. Listen, can we play anything for you?
"Anything! Just play it loud! Okay?"
they have those nerdy-ass throat mics. Pretend you're Spec Ops in the datacenter. Because you are so cool.
BlueParrot has decent noise-cancelling BlueTooth headsets. Originally designed for truckers. Mine is great, everyone I talk to says I sound like I'm a foot away, and battery life is good. My GFs headset - a newer version, B250 I think - works well, but battery life is a problem. Not sure why. IMO expensive but worth it.
I've used this in my data center, sitting in the hot row on a conference call, and no one complained about the noise & could hear me fine. I've used it paired to my Crackberry as well as my Macbook Pro. Probably the best bluetooth device I've used.
You can find adapters for aircraft headsets that will let you use bluetooth, etc. These will work in -seriously- noisy environments, may be overkill. for example: http://www.marvgolden.com/headsets/adapters.htm
(Celui que tient la peur de devinir nuage)
I frequently use a Plantronics Voyager PRO on the streets of NYC and it works well – much better than the handset alone in a noisy environment.
You know you're not supposed to be surfing, what is that? Slashdot? What the hell is Slashdot? It's not Discover Card applications, I know that for damn sure. If you want to keep working here, get the fuck back to work. And quit bitching about the headset. You see anybody else complaining?
They will also have supervision, for health and safety reasons (minimum number of staff in attendance) so any calls TO them can let someone from the control room go find them.
In short, you shouldn't need any phones that can't be connected up to hard-wired sockets. Even these could easily be specified as phones for the hard of hearing, to get over the environmental noise problems.
politicians are like babies' nappies: they should both be changed regularly and for the same reasons
Lightspeed Zulu looks promising: http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/content.cfm/Products/Zulu
If you want more of a consumer-oriented device, the Nokia BH-905 looks to have quite sophisticated noise cancellation tech (10-microphone array and fancy DSP, instead of the usual 2 mics). It just has the typical non-removable lithium battery of consumer bluetooth stuff, plus it's nowhere near as sturdy or cool-looking as an aviation set. But at $300 it's much cheaper (aviation sets are $600+), and it's much smaller, and has a bunch of cables to use as a wired or wireless headset for many kinds of devices; supports Bluetooth multipoint (i.e. it can communicate with multiple devices at the same time, so if you're wearing the headset and one of the two phones in your pocket rings, you can answer either one without having to reconfigure the headset), etc.
CS361N Binaural SupraPlus (http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-SupraPlus-Wireless-CS361N-Noise-Canceling/dp/B000EZWBS0/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276193660&sr=8-7) is slick. Mute button on the headset, biaural, and noise canceling. Pair it with the handset lifter and you can hang up the phone from the headset. I used it all day every day and charge overnight and have never had the battery go dead. No experience using it in very noisy environments, but it is sensitive to 'wind' so if you have chillers blowing on you, the headset will pick it up.
I use Bose QC2's in the DC for long stays, they have a phone connection kit, the mic seems to be very able to keep things quiet on both ends, they keep your ears warm and while not serving as a phoneset they can be used to listen to tunes, I do not recommend these headsets lightly or for anyone not in a NOISY environment, they add noise to the sound in quiet environments.
Unix, an obscure operating system developed by bored researchers in an attempt to get a better game playing experience.
http://www.clearercom.com/
But the dupe frequency helps us calibrate our network signal strength!
People hear me fine on my Jawbone. I've opened the window while driving and talked in a DC with no problems on their end. Clear as day.
My issue is even at Max volume _I_ still can't hear what people are saying. I've got good hearing, but at best I'm straining to hear a whisper amongst the roar of my jet-engine-powered Dells.
Is there a super volume button I'm missing or something I can do on my iPhone/Blackberry? I've got the unit set to max volume as far as I can tell.
-Matt
--- Need web hosting?
I'm sure you can geek it out but we use a plain old cheap $50 1.9Ghz cordless phone and a cheap wired headset plugged into it (even the free ones that come with some older Blackberry's). KISS, It works perfect. The phone clips on your belt and the headset goes on your head. Hands free and you can hear and speak fine. Sure if the person on the other end is whispering it is hard to hear but tell them to speak up a little. If a little background noise bothers you and you are considering some noise cancelling phones, how do you communicate live with other people in the server room with you?
This is the headset we use on our Fire engine for the operator so they can hear radio traffic while standing next to the apparatus. Blue tooth capable with noise reducing head set.
http://www.aearo.com/peltor.com/comm_detail.cfm?prod_family=BlueTooth%20Headsets&ind_prod_num=MT53H7AWS2001
That never happens! Never in the history of man has such an event transpired.
What? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! WHAT?
I bought Nokia BH-905 headset that is supposed to be good for noisy environments. It was quite pricey and I do not work in datacenter, so I can't comment on that but I liked the headset and its noise cancellation.
How serious about this are you? My jawbone headset works pretty well in noisy environments on one ear but you just can't beat an aviation bluetooth headset for active noise cancellation and two ear sound. See the ones from Lightspeed. I have not tried them but have used other ANR aviation headsets in small airplanes which are so noisy you can't hear yourself shout and they are amazing. I looked around at their website and the Zulu seems to be the bomb for the low low low price of $850. See it at http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/content.cfm/Products/Zulu They have others. Who knows the others might be cheaper. There are also other brands of aviation ANR headsets which support bluetooth. It seems the latest generation of bluetooth chips are quite a bit better for this kind of thing than even a year or so ago. I ride a motorcycle and just tried the Sena SMH10 which integrates into a helmet and it's also impressive how clear and noise free it is + the interface design is very natural and the controls just work.
We've got two datacenters and I've spent ... well, way too much time in both of them. At some point, our network team discovered the Peltor bluetooth headsets -- see http://www.peltor.com/peltor.com/comm_detail.cfm?prod_family=BlueTooth%20Headsets&ind_prod_num=MT53H7AWS2001 -- and stocked up on about 3-4 headsets per datacenter.
These things work beautifully. They're comfortable for wear (I typically put one on even if I'm not going to make a phone call), pair nicely with both the wired telephone and my iPhone, have great sound quality while talking to tech support, etc. Can't recommend enough.
...is to use text/sms.
Or get everyone blackberries.
Your question contains your answer.
Those headphone and microphone combinations you mention in your question are all available with 3.5" and 2.5" (etc.) standard connectors. If that's the kind of thing you want to use, go get one and use it. There are also several that use USB and in-device coding/decoding so if your Skype requirements involve a laptop of stationary computer, those work as well.
There are lots of full ear-cup and direct boom microphone headsets, and fully half can be used with phones, and probably a third of them are available with amplifiers in them so as not to suck the life out of a cell phone etc.
They are all just really pricey.
On my current DoD project we have tried several brands so far.
Go to a pilot supply store and try a few.
Expect to spend $150 USD or more.
Share and enjoy. 8-)
Innocent people shouldn't be forced to pay for inferior software development.
--"Code Complete" Microsoft Press
We don't work there you insensitive...
I know I probably lose geek points, but after fighting with interference on wireless phones (2.4 and 5 ghz) or headsets that don't go loud enough, I went out to Walmart, bought the cheapest POTS phone I could find that didn't have an answering machine in it. Then I bought a 50-foot handset cord, and tie-wrapped it to the side of my network rack. Yeah, I can't make it to rack # 15, but for casual "read me the diag lights" calls to vendors, works pretty good.
You can always get a pair of Lightspeed Zulus - they are highly regarded in the aviation community and have built-in bluetooth.
Keep in mind the ANR range is specific for props for planes - your mileage may vary in a data center environment.
http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/content.cfm/Products/Zulu
The mentioned phone is a DECT unit. Very reliable at DC distances, sound is clear. It can talk to Bluetooth or 2.5 mm jack headsets. Whichever is used works fine as long as it is of good quality, which implies a good deal of background noise rejection among other things.
That provides you not only with a reasonable quality of speech in both directions, but also, just as important, with two free hands AND freedom to move around.
Talking from experience on a well-known (and as noisy as any) DC.
on my blackberry if i plug in a set of stereo headphones, the phones mic stays active but the sound out goes to the headphones.
i have a friend who hooks his up to his car stereo as a music player (through an AUX 1/8" stereo input) while going down the road and when he uses it as a phone, the car stereo transmits the received call while he still speaks into the phone mic on speakerphone. the other thing with this is it mutes the music when you answer a call iirc.
What is the best single ear piece? One that won't make me crazy if worn all day. Like the Secret Service/FBI/etc wear. Mono, not stereo.
For a pilot's ANR in-ear headset (without going to a bulky over the ear style which is more common), check out the Lightspeed Mach 1. They're not cheap.
Where I work we sell super amplified phones for people hard of hearing. I sell a lot of them for people in factories or other loud environments. They are very loud and even have a boost function.
http://shop.clarityproducts.com/products/categories/category333.asp
I'm sure other similar brands exist but this is the only one I have hands on experience with.
We use GN 9120's exclusively. Have several of them in close proximity. The microphone pickup is spectacularly good. The only downside is that the ear-hook can be a bit painful after an hour or so.
I'm developing a set similar to these for gaming and other noise intrusive environments. http://www.clearercom.com/triumph.htm http://www.clearercom.com/pc_throat_mic.htm Throat mics were initially developed for pilots during WWII.
The answer you want is a Land Line coupled with Plantronics SHR2083-01 Industrial Noise Canceling Headsets. I've put these into the last 12 cage buildouts I've done. The mouth piece isn't great, but at least it's audible when you're standing right in-between two 20-ton CRAC units. Don't do a cell phone, life is too short. Avoid VOIP because you can't call up and talk to a vendor if your network is down.
I am a bit confused by the actual question itself as the poster doesn't define what type of telephone/s he wants to use the headset with. Does he want something that works with a mobile/pc/desk/cordless phone as there are different combinations for each setup. Me personally I use a Plantronics Voyagerpro (dual mic) with a USB dongle for my PC and my mobile. If I was looking at a PC/Desk phone rig I would go with a Plantronics Savi Office Pro WO300 or WO350.
http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/office/wireless-headsets/savi-office-wo300
The Nexus One is pretty great in data centers. It kills pretty much all of the background noise. The Motorolla S9-HD headset however, while fantastic for music, is pretty much worthless in the data center or if you have your windows down in the car.
The television will not be revolutionized.
From much of my experience, I'd say that the best phone for many IT workers is the one with the big, red, "Oh Shit..." button on it.
that's the only bluetooth that I can actually hear my field techs over when they're sitting by the cabinet fans or blowin' in the wind.
if this is supposed to be a new economy, how come they still want my old fashioned money?
I would go with wifi headsest that can accept a plug in headphone jack and just get a custom cable to hook into pilot cans.
That way if you have wifi in the datacenter you're not hampered by signal issues. Other wireless solutions tied to your desk will not work with large datacenters I've seen them ineffective in ones of 6000sqft that are full of fun metal cabinets. Wifi though works great because you can deal with dead zones or align the antennas with the walkspaces.
anyone working in data center should use ptt throat mic. it's pain to keep remind yourself to press two buttons on your neck to talk but hell, i can hear dime drops on the other end of the line and you rarely hear person on the other end asking "What did you say? What.. What?"
"Don't let fools fool you. They are the clever ones."
You'll need to find a bluetooth adapter that accepts external mic inputs (good luck with that by the way), but a throat mic and bone conduction headphones work pretty good.
Iasus Concepts has a good throat mic that doesn7t suck, unlike most of the cheaper ones you can find on thinkgeek and elsewhere. You'll need the PC adapter, but will end up not using the headphone line because the headphone link at the neckband is mono. They also have an iphone style 4 conductor pin adapter too, but that also runs into the same mono issue.
http://www.iasus-concepts.com/nt/gp-3.htm
Next, grab from somewhere like Amazon a bone conduction headphone set that doesn't suck. Since it isn't stuffed in your ear, you run less of chance of blowing your eardrums, however it does not protect you from volume ruining the frequency specific cillia in your inner ear, but you usually can just rip off the headphones easily if it comes to that. I like the adjustable version at the bottom of this page.
http://audioboneheadphones.com/products.html
You may need an headphone booster because the bone conduction type headphones use more juice for a given volume. Iasus also sells an inline amplifier that is pretty powerful and allows you manage the amplification.
Please note this setup assumes that you need to keep you face clear of a boom mic, and that you need to keep your ears open to listen to the surrounding environment and people in front of you, and you want stereo sound.
I think what you're looking for is something like this: http://www.ixcessory.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=I&Category_Code=XNCH520E
If that is actually what you need is another matter...
http://www.davidclark.com/
Look into the Type 230 "Confidencer" by Ronwell. These microphones replace the standard microphone that is found on your typical wall phone. They make models for both Avaya and Nortel analog wall phones. I can attest that this product works very well in exceptionally noisy environments. Good luck.
"Trusting every aspect of our lives to a giant computer was the smartest thing we ever did.." Homer Simpson
Been using the GN Netcom headsets (both wired and wireless) in the workplace now for over 10 years. Great quality. Jabra recently bought them.
http://www.jabra.com/NA-US/headsetsolutions/Pages/JabraGN9100.aspx?tab=variants#UID=9
If you have money to absolutely blow, there are some Aviation headsets that have built in Bluetooth. The Lightspeed Zulu comes to mind.
But it's complete overkill for what you're attempting to accomplish. A dual-ear Jabra GN series would work fine in all but the most noisy environments.
+++OK ATH
http://www.theboom.com/v/index.html
i'm sure that loading pulse-audio on all those
servers and adding a plug-in to control cpu-fan speeds
one could make the callers voice COME FROM the whole
data-center : P brrezy voice from god.
The Lightspeed Zulu is a headset designed for airplane and helicopter pilots, but has a bluetooth interface. It has active noise cancellation that's much stronger than that of the Bose QC series, and it also has a music input if you want to pump in an iPod. I've used the Zulu's in a helicopter sitting on the edge with the door removed doing aerial photography, and when calling someone else they couldn't tell I wasn't sitting in a quiet office. Truly unbelievable. They're about $850 though.
Mike
I've worked in a datacenter with very high noise levels (acoustic and electromagnetic). Cellular reception is typically very bad or nonexistent in most datacenters because of all the metal and sometimes steel concrete. The best thing I've ever bought was probably a wifi SIP phone and a cheap headset with mic (like pilots are wearing). Not just that it looked insanely cool but I got perfect reception over our wifi network. There are already a bunch of wifi SIP phones on the market e.g. by Cisco. We've also tried the Skype one but the call quality was not acceptable. Call quality on SIP is crystal clear and you can always use a SIP-POTS provider if you still need POTS for some reason.