Review: Plantronics CS70N Headset
The CS70N system consists of a base unit and a DECT 6.0 (1.9Ghz) noise cancelling headset. The base unit is small and unobtrusive. With a dark charcoal gray bottom and silvery gray top, it will compliment most office phones and look right at home on the desktop. The base connects to the phone in one of two ways; If the telephone has a jack specifically designed for headset use, the base simply plugs in there (via a standard RJ-11 connector); If there is no headset jack, the same cable plugs into the phone where the handset is connected, and the handset plugs directly into the base.
The front of the base has a small cradle jutting out where the headset can be stored and charged when not in use. On either side of the cradle is an LED; One to show that the base is receiving power and the other to indicate the charging status of the headset. The top of the base has a green LED which lights when the headset is in use.
The headset itself is an over-the-ear style with a small earbud and an approximately four inch long boom microphone. An assortment of eartip sizes and materials are included for comfort customization. While the headset appears relatively large (most likely due to its specified 6 hour talk time battery), its 0.75 ounce weight is nicely balanced and quite comfortable to wear. After a short time, reviewers actually forgot they were wearing it.
Setting up the CS70N couldn't be easier. After connecting the base unit, reviewers pressed the Call Control button on the back of the earpiece and the Headset button on our phone. We then dialed Plantronics' Automated Sound Test number and were taken through step-by-step instructions for configuring the device for the clearest sound, as well as for adjusting listening and speaking volumes. This allowed us to quickly get the system ready for use, without having to call a friend or co-worker repeating "how do I sound now?".
For those who prefer to only wear the headset when on a call, the base has a feature called Intellistand that, when selected, automatically turns the earpiece on when it is lifted from the cradle (after a short delay to allow time to put the headset on), and off again when it is placed back into the holder.
With a specified roaming range of up to 300 feet, we found the CS70N to be quite capable. We made it into the parking lot right outside the lab's door, and approximately half way down the side of the building before losing the signal. We were also able to use the headset in a moving elevator up to one floor above and below. This is more than any normal user would need. Additionally, the headset will issue two warning tones when reaching the edge of its range, and another two when returning. When out of range, the call will be suspended up to ten minutes before being dropped.
Our evaluation unit came with Plantronics' HL10 Handset Lifter. This is a handy, motorized device that plugs into the base of the CS70N and slides under the handset of the telephone. When the headset is turned on, either by pressing the Call Control button or via Intellistand, the Handset Lifter does exactly what its name implies, lifting the handset a short distance from the phone. This is extremely useful for those who have phones without a dedicated headset button.
In testing the HL10, reviewers found it to work as expected. Unfortunately, it will only work on phones that are lying flat on the desk (most of the Test Center's phones stand upright, making the HL10 futile).
Although not unreasonable, the CS70N's MSRP of $399.95 with the HL10, or $329.95 without it, is a little steep for the casual user. For anyone who is on the phone constantly throughout the day though, it is a worthy investment for their health and comfort.
Plantronics' newly refreshed Partner Program, called Connect, includes four different membership levels, each with increasing requirements and benefits. They also have an award winning mobile channel marketing tool called the Sound Coach that travels around the country and was developed to help train its channel partners.