Customer Reviews

Plantronics Mobile Convertible Headset M175C

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(58)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

I have used the M-175 with our Uniden cordless phone (Digital Spread Spectrum) for over a week now. I have attended extended conference calls and various other calls, using the M-175. I asked the called parties if they could hear me clearly and the response was always positive. The sound quality of the headset from the user perspective is also very good. There is a volume adjustment as well as a very handy, mute switch. The headset is very light and comfortable. It comes with enough hardware to configure it to fit with a headband or an over-the-ear clip. Both modes are very comfortable and can be worn for extended periods without fatigue. The construction seems fairly sturdy however; it is all plastic so I would not be overly rough with it. Over all I would recommend this product, I'm sure it would work very well with a cellular phone as well.

I have to use a headset ALL of the time for both my cordless and cellular phones because I have permanent nerve damage in my neck and right shoulder from a car accident, that prevents me from holding a phone to my ear for more than a few seconds. So, I have been through over 15 headsets since my car accident in 2000. NONE of them have EVER lasted longer than 4 months! It's not that I "abuse" the headsets, it's just that I use them every time I use a telephone. It didn't seem to matter whether I sat still while using the headsets, or whether I walked and moved around alot while using them - they ALL began to breakdown within only 4 months of owning and using them. There is nothing more annoying than being on a headset in the middle of a phone conversation and all you hear is a loud crackling noise and the person's voice with whom you are speaking to, cutting in and out. This is my 4th Plantronics headset. I have 2 Plantronics M175's, and 2 Plantronics M170's. I've had the M175's for over 8 months and the M170's for over 16 months! ALL of them work so fabulously, that absolutely noone can tell I'm using a headset when I'm talking to them on the phone. As a matter of fact, my own husband did NOT believe I was using the M175 when I was on my cellular phone - OUTSIDE! Plantronics is obviously the leader in headsets for a good reason - they are the most reliable and best performing headsets on the market today! I recommend the M175 and M170 Plantronics' headsets to anyone that needs or desires a headset for their cordless and cellular phones. I hope this review was helpful to you in your purchasing decision.

As others have noted, sound quality is a hit or miss venture - it depends on the combination of phone and headset. Frustrating, but reality. I use my Plantronics with a Uniden TRU346, I've had to max out the volume on the phone and in both places on the headset to achieve adequate enough volume where no one complains about not hearing me. Fortunately, both the M175 and Uniden have excellent volume control features, otherwise I'd have had to return this headset. The only downside to this is that when dialing, if I forget to turn down the volume before dialing it's too loud, after connecting I then can max the volume - a minor annoyance.

I use a business level (read: very expensive) Plantronics headset with amplification module at the office, but that ties me to my desk, when working from home, I use the Plantronics M175, put my phone in my pocket, and can roam hands free for as far as my phone will take me. Plantronics quality of materials, design, construction and sound is among the best. A handy mute button and volume control dial located mid point on the cord makes quick adjustment a breeze. It would have been nice to have had a call end button on the cord, but for this price, it's a deal without it.

I actually prefer the shortened boom, my headset at work has a longer and adjustable wire boom, but it gets in the way most times - being bumped by my hand (makes for an audible shock to the other party), getting in the way while taking a sip of coffee, etc., and with the shorter boom on the M175, when my allergies are in full swing, I can hit the mute button and blow my nose or sneeze without moving the boom, and the caller doesn't know what I just did - sounds funny, but think of how often one's immediate needs are limited by being on the phone. Also, Plantronics does a better job than most at eliminating background noise.

Buy this unit if your phone has excellent volume control abilities and you want the option of using as a headset or ear setup. Shop around, you'll be surprised at how low priced Amazon is for this unit.

I wanted an improvement over the headset that came with my AT&T 900MHz cordless phone where the people I was speaking with had problems hearing me and the earpiece hurt. This is a huge improvement, I particularly love the volume controls for both the microphone and speaker, and the easy mute button. I find this headset extrememly comfortable and it comes with three sizes of earclips. I did not rate it with five stars because on our other cordless phone, a Panasonic 2.4 GHz, I cannot hear the other person as clearly.

The M175 headset is Plantronics' most versatile and expensive wired mobile headset product. It can convert between headband and ear-loop modes, has earpiece and microphone volume controls, and a microphone mute control.

Although the M175 has two modes of wear, most users will likely use only one mode out of laziness. To actively use both modes the user must keep track of (and not lose) several pieces - the earpiece / microphone boom, the headband and earpiece cushion for headband mode, and an ear-loop or two for ear-loop mode; and have the patience to disassemble the handset's old mode of wear and reassemble the headset to its new mode.

The headband mode is very comfortable due to the earpiece cushion. However, the headband is not easily pocketable, so in this mode you will likely leave your M175 in one place e.g., the car, instead being able to use it in multiple scenarios. Like other headband designs, the M175's headband can get caught in one's hair. Like other ear-loop designs, the M175's ear-loop may be uncomfortable for eyeglass and sunglass wearers. If you plan to use only one mode, then consider other, less-expensive, Plantronics models. I like the MX153-M1 (from the MX150 family), which does not have the setbacks associated with these two designs.

The volume controls are somewhat superfluous because they are dependent on (limited by) the power provided by the phone. Other headsets (i.e., the Jabra ProBoom) provide external battery-powered volume earpiece amplification.

The M175 provides the good earpiece and microphone sound trademark of Plantronics. The headset's versatility has a price though, and as of this writing (October 2003), there are better values available in the market.

I just got through using the Plantronics live chat available on their website. This M175, according to the technician I spoke with, are not designed to be used with phones over 900 MHz. If you have a 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz, you should buy the MX500C or M220C, which are designed not to fry with today's phones.

Are you wondering why some of the reviewers really love this headset while others seem to hate it?

I believe the quality of the sound that your callers will hear depends on your phone more than the length of the boom. I've tried this headset with both a Uniden EXS9900-series cordless phone and with a Motorola Startac 7797 wireless phone. It works great with the Startac, but when I used it with the Uniden, callers consistently complained about the volume, even though Plantronics does list this phone on its website as compatible.

I found the headband much more comfortable than the over-the-ear and in-the ear configurations.

I recommend this headset, but only if you're going to use it with the right phone.

This headset is worth every extra penny. I've used this model and its siblings for 3 years and attest to the quality and value of Plantronics equiptment. I've bought three of their phones (2 as gifts) and have never had a problem. When one of their products eventually wore down from high use, they replaced it promptly with no hassle. They make most of the call center equiptment in the world and it shows.

This is a great product made by a great company.

I bought this unit based on a few reviews that said it was great. Well, I find that the earphone has sufficient volume, but the microphone boom is inadequate. The boom is too short and I am forever trying to find a position where people can hear me. I don't understand why Plantronics made the boom so short and without any adjustment!

I have tried maximizing the volume and have found that the only position that works is to have the headset twisted around so the earphone in half off my ear. That is the only position wher other parties can hear me.

Quite frankly this product stinks.

Generally, I'm a big fan of Plantronics. I've had one of their Supra (commercial grade headsets) for going on 10 years. It's a wonderful product.

Unfortunately my experience with the M175 has been less than stellar. I've purchased several over the last few years and they all start out working great. Really outstanding. But after about 6 months they gradually begin to stop working.

I've called their technical support department several times and been told by representatives that they've never heard of such a problem. Frankly I'm a bit dubious. I suspect there's some sort of design flaw with this product.