| When setting up a home office with a new | | | | feels much more secure. The CT12 has a feature |
| computer, fax machine or perhaps even a copier, | | | | that the manufacturer calls "Firefly". This is a small |
| be sure to pick the right telephone. Your phone | | | | red light at the end of the headset that blinks to |
| will be an important link to the outside world and | | | | let others know when you're talking on the phone. |
| chances are you'll be spending a lot of time on it. | | | | The sound quality, both incoming and outgoing, is |
| If you've ever tried to work with a computer or | | | | really quite good. The microphone's noise canceling |
| other office equipment while talking on the phone, | | | | technology helps to suppress background noise, |
| you know how frustrating it can be. A hands free | | | | such as air conditioners. The CT12's range is 100 |
| telephone is one item that you cannot afford to | | | | FT. from the base. You can walk around your |
| be without. Fortunately, there are many hands | | | | house, into another room or even outside with no |
| free phones to choose from. | | | | loss of reception. The lithium ion battery provides |
| A good choice might be the Plantronics CT12 | | | | 5 to 6 hours of talk time or 14 days on standby. |
| Cordless Headset Telephone. The CT12 2.4 GHz | | | | The CT12 comes with all of the standard |
| DSS model is about the size of a cell phone and | | | | features: speed dialing, a phone book that has |
| comes equipped with a 2-way headset. This | | | | enough room for 100 numbers, call waiting, caller |
| design allows you to make and receive calls hands | | | | ID and chain dialing. Chain dialing allows you to |
| free while working and moving around. The | | | | store numbers that are used once your call |
| handset maintains a wireless connection to the | | | | connects, such as extension or account numbers. |
| base, which plugs into a land line jack. | | | | There is no speaker phone however, as the CT12 |
| The CT12's hand set is well laid out and solid. Its' | | | | was designed for hands free use. |
| small measurements (3 1/4" x 2" x 1") make it | | | | The CT12's only drawback is the occasional |
| perfectly pocket sized. The display is a three line, | | | | interference with wireless computer networks. |
| backlit LCD. The CT12's keypad is easy to use | | | | This problem can be overcome by pressing the |
| but the tiny buttons seem a bit awkward at first. | | | | channel selector button. Alternatively, you can |
| The only problem is the belt clip: it allows the | | | | change the channel on your wireless router. |
| phone to fall off. It's best to carry it in a pocket. | | | | The overall quality of the CT12 is very good. This |
| The lightweight headset can be worn over the | | | | is a phone that can take a lot of abuse. All things |
| ear or over the head. Either position is | | | | considered, I'd say it's a good buy. |
| comfortable but I prefer over the head. It just | | | | |