Xbox Plantronics Gamecon Halo 2 Headset Communicator Reviews

• Not worth the price.

  
  By A2ZY9IWB85LUC on 2004-12-07
  The question on everyone's mind is, "Is it worth the money?" and the simple and only answer is no. Even if price was not a factor, I would never buy this again for even 5 dollars.
  
  Does it sound good? Yes, it sounds okay, but not even as good as the Microsoft Xbox live headset that they give you. Honestly, can you expect good sound from a tiny micro-tweeter (literally about 3 by 3 millimeters wide) compared to a 1 inch speaker? Tinny is the best descriptive word to describe playing halo 2 on it.
  
  Does it fit? For me, no. They give you 4 included earpieces that are supposed to fit. But basically, there's a set of 2 foam and 2 rubber earpieces that are large and small. I have an average size head, and very average ears. I use the typical hands-free set used in cell phones without any problem. The Plantronics device didn't fit well. It sort of hurt my ear canal. The larger one didn't even stay in my ear canal well, while the smaller one went way too deep. Since the whole device is balanced by the earpiece alone, it puts some strain on your ear canal itself. Imagine a putting a cork in your ear. I think that the smaller sized ear pieces are meant for kids, and the larger size earpieces are meant for people with BIG ASS EARS. For the rest of us, it won't feel unnoticed.
  
  If you want something smaller that fits in your ear, try a regular hands-free set that comes with any cell phone. You'll notice that the 2.5 mm jack is the exact same as the one on the Xbox live module. Good luck.
  
  

• comfortable and clear

  
  By A2SJK02F9VSR8T on 2004-10-31
  Plantronics has always been the leader in headset communications, and bringing their technology to the X-Box is a step in the right direction. The new GameCom H2 Xbox Headset by Plantronics is a great step up from the original X-Box Live headset. First of all, it's more comfortable for the long hours spent playing your favorite X-Box Live games. Second, it eliminates outside noise which was a problem with the original Live headset.
  
  One thing you need to know about this headset is that it doesn't come with an adapter. The original adapter that came with X-Box Live works with this headset, so if you've used the older headset, you're ready to play.
  
  Overall, it's more comfortable and the sound is more clear, but you'll need the adapter to plug in and play.
  
  I hope this review helped the uncertain buyers out there!
  
  

• Peeved

  
  By A3E1PQ2CF74SG6 on 2004-12-13
  This is a comfortable and cool looking headset, but what they do not tell you is that after spending $44, this will not work in your xbox. You still need to buy a xbox live communicator (sold separately) in order for this to actually work. I bought this for my son for Chanukah and it was a big disappointment. I have been to several local stores looking for this communicator and have been unable to find it. I have also not been able to find it on the Amazon website.
  
  

• very nice

  
  By A3CQWTOQGTTK78 on 2004-11-05
  Great headset that is very comfortable over long periods of time. Very good sound quality, and, from what I've gathered, sounds great on the other end of Xbox headsets too. It eliminates outside sounds which is great. The only negative I have is that the first couple of times you use it, you wonder how to put the danged thing on. I eventually learned that looking at the directions can help! Awsome headset that is well worth the 50 dollars.
  
  

• Not a great buy

  
  By A2MTM4UQGIYRIX on 2004-11-17
  It's got it's good and bad's defintly jacked up in price though. It is like they say a very nice and light headset, but i had major issues keeping it in my ear, it does come with 4 different kinds of attachments to fit your ear, but i still couldn't find the right one to fit right perfectly in my ear and actually stay without having to adjust it every few minutes. Overall not very happy with the product, and i'm probably going to go just purchase another headset that is actually not over priced
  
  
• Good headset? Yes. Worth $50? No.
  By A3O31BQQ0751PI on 2005-01-07
  Well I bought this headset but the pricetag wasn't on it. I didn't bother scanning it because I only thought it would be about $20-$30. I went to the register and it came up as $49.99. What the f is that? How does a headset cost as much as a game? And get this...you have to spend another $30 or so just to get the communicator. Of course I couldn't find a stand alone communicator so I had to buy the Microsoft Headset that comes with the communicator just to make the Halo 2 headset work. What a freakin scam. All together you will spend at least $70-$80 just to get the thing to work. There is some good though. The ear piece fits nicely and secure. It fits right on top of my ear nice and easy. Although after long periods of play my ear will feel like it is stuffed up like being on a plane. That may be because it is too deep in my canal. The sound is great. Everything is real clear. I haven't used my Microsoft headset yet so I can't compare the two, but the Halo headset is good quality. I don't recommend this product over Microsoft's but I also don't dis-recommend it. The choice is yours though if you want to spend close to $100 on everything you need to get this to work.
  
  
• Perfectly balanced and perfect noise auditory levels!
  By A2Z171AKEASRS on 2005-06-03
  Having been working for the U.S. Air Force for some odd time, the noise in a cramped jet cockpit with a 30,000 lb-thrust jet engine just 20 feet behind you, the noise is just too unbearable and they give us laboratory designed and tested earpices that REALLY help, and might I add these things are perfectly balanced and have the perfect noise-cancelling levels like the ones we get. So if someone in your living room was talking to you, everyone in the Xbox wouldn't hear, but it only takes a soft voice for them to listen and instead of the garbled and echoy noise you get on the standard headset, this comes out crisp and clean. Also it comes with 4 interchangable earpieces (Large and small of rubber and large and small of foam composition.) Now if it had big enough jacks, I'd bring this in the plane with me. Believe me, this thing is worth it's money and then some.
  
  
• Best Headset To Date
  By A195FRDKLVDP8Q on 2005-06-17
  This headset is probably the best xbox live recommended headset to date. Everything on the earpiece is adjustable to fit every size of ear. The big xbox live headsets are uncomfortable and begin to hurt after about a half hours use. Wearing the Halo 2 headset i actually forgot that I was even wearing it because it is so light. They have just released a new version of this headset that also comes the communicator with no difference in price. I greatly recommend this headset to anyone that plays xbox live on a regular basis.
  
  
• This Headset wasn't what is was supposed to be
  By AE376JQ49GTQP on 2005-06-17
  This Plantronics GameCom Halo 2 Edition Xbox Headset was not much better than the original headset that comes with the XboxLive box you can order. The product was givin good reviews, at least until i got it. Maybe its just me, but it seems to have enough ear accessories and it looks great. But when you try to put it on, it takes a few seconds. The earpiece doesn't fit very well in my ear, even though it came with 4 adapters, none seem to be comfortable and work properly. I wouldn't recommend this product. The only reason i bought it was the original headset was build poorly and it broke. This product was built much more sturdy, and has many adjustments; but i still am baffled by how this product doesn't live up to its full potential.
  I don't think this review will change anybodys minds who reads this, but make sure you know what you're getting into paying for a $35-$55 device.
  
  
• REMINDER
  By ATS21VCQ973WJ on 2005-06-09
  this doesnt come with the communicator part that goes in the controller, this is just the headset...
  and it sucks...
  you'd be better off buying one of the cheap ones, with the headset that wraps around your head, this one always falls out of my ear...
  in my opinion, a waste of 25 bucks...
  -Chris-
  
  
• Best Headset Presently Available
  By ACG1DZWRPM3IE on 2007-03-08
  This thing is comfortable for long periods of time and the sound is superb. I once upon a time had a Plantronics headset at the office that was virtually identical to this--same high quality. Since these are on sale relative to their original MSRP, they are a steal.
  
  For 360 players, you will want to track down a "converter" for the 360 controller. It's about a $10 item and is made by a company called Datel (I believe). Basically, it's an exact copy of the plug (with volume and mute controls) at the end of the factory 360 headset. Instead of the permanently attached cable, there is a jack into which you can plug the Halo2 headset.
  
  
• Look elsewhere....
  By A2V4OLYNOBEP2X on 2006-11-12
  This headset works very well. If you're not used to the rubber in-canal ear piece, there are several other tips that are a bit less intrusive. It has worked quite well in the limited amount of time that I've used it on XBConnect.
  
  But the price! You could probably buy a similar Plantronics headset that would be compatable with a Communicator cartridge-adapter (which isn't included in this package; you have to buy it seperately!), but not designed specifically for the Xbox for less than half this price. I was very fortunate to find two at Circuit City as they were being discontinued recently for five bucks a piece! Maybe Amazon will soon drop the price like everyone else....
  
  
• an expensive headset ...
  By A2L80US5QKG8W0 on 2006-12-22
  This is covered in the other reviews, but i would have found it useful if someone had listed out explicity what was included in this headset package. To use the headset, you will need the xbox s-controller (some non-M$ wireless controllers do not support the use of the headsets), the headset itself *and* a connecting component refered to as a "communicator". The communicator plugs into the controller, and has the headset jack. The communicator is *not* included with this item but can be picked up new for less than $20 at places like EB or Best Buy.
  
  One word on the price of this headset - $50 is too much - get it new for $20 from one of the resellers listed above.
  
  
  
• Expensive headset puts others to shame
  By A1CRM12WCKRG78 on 2006-12-29
  The Halo 2 Plantronics headset communicator is by far the best headset one can purchase for the XBox (and, with an adapter, for the 360 as well). While costly at a retail price of $50, it is worth every penny. I would highly recommend finding one at a cheaper price, which is easily accomplished online.
  
  The product itself is sleek and well designed. I've used the 360 Plantronics headset which is mediocre at best. For any XBox Live user, this is the one to get. I have not used a better headset than this one. I can't say enough good things about it. It is rugged and sturdy, and while made of plastic, is tough enough to withstand rough and tumble treatment. The only caveat is the attachment earpieces which may eventually break off. Otherwise, an outstanding piece of equipment.
  
  
• Very satisfied picky person
  By A2T7RKWFJ044EO on 2008-01-20
  I am a very picky person when it comes to any kind of tool that I will be using a lot and ofcourse when it comes to gaming in some Halo action, I don't want to have any problems with the headset. Now I have tried all of the headsets that are made for the xbox and xbox 360, except the wireless one, and I can tell you hands down that this one IS the best. I bought the under the ear kind wich sounds great but NOBODY can hear you so it was a waste of money. I have even bought most of the good cell phone headsets but the noise cancelling system just doesn't cut it. I finally bought this one and the original xbox headset, the one with bad reviews of breaking. Although the original xbox headset has a weak breaking point on it, I do give it a 9 when it comes to sound, not a 10 because sometimes there is just too much bass recognized. But the Halo 2 headset still only gets about an 8.5 for sound which is still incredible to me, I just know that they can make it a bit crisper. But as far as comfort for all day gaming, voice recognition sensitivity, bendable boom mic, and noise cancelling (especially against surround sounds and others talking) this Halo 2 headset is hands down the best headset you will buy as of right now. The only draw back I had being very picky is that I give it an 8.5, not a perfect 10 on sound and it didn't come with an inline mute and volume button. But I just bought the 360 controller adapter and it works perfect like that anyway. So trust a picky person, untill they come out with something WAY better, this is the only way to communicate on xbox live.
  
  
• Much better than the other headset.
  By A2IITV9AEOFI5G on 2005-01-12
  While I did not have to spend retail on this headset(I got it along with an Xbox and several other things on Ebay), I did have to buy the communicator(which can be found on gamestop.com) and it was still worth the money. It blocks out background noises so that the people you are talking to wont hear other people in the household talking or guests that you have with you talking to you. While it is not worth $50, if you can get it as part of a deal with something else, by all means do it.
  
  Note: I said this before in my review but the Communicator can be found on gamestop.com or on Amazon if you type: Xbox Live Communicator
  
  
• Good but not great.
  By A27YODNEOCU6VL on 2005-01-25
  This is a good headset. However, don't just buy it if your normal headset still works. But if your regular xbox headset broke, go ahead and buy this one. It feels real comfortable and sounds pretty good. It doesn't do deep sounds very well so most people sound congested. So I reccomend it if your normal one broke and you already have the controller part, otherwise, stay with your oem microsoft one.
  
  
• Awesome
  By A2J2QT4C0YARCH on 2005-02-19
  This headset is way better than the X Box one, considering the X Box one broke in a hurry. The sound quality is awesome and you don't get any annoying breathing in the mic. Pick this one up!
  
  
• Forgetable comfortness
  By A25669OK1MKCSA on 2005-12-21
  This microphone is so comfortable, I forget I have it on sometimes. I mistakenly wear it even if I'm not playing an online game. If the over the head type microphones bother you alot, then you want this microphone. It is also good for people with glasses as it won't knock them out of place. I wear glasses and the regular xbox live mic always messed my glasses up. With the Halo 2 headset, it does not bother with my glasses at all.
  
  Consider this microphone if you are bothered with the regular Xbox Live headset.
  
  
• I love it!
  By A1IOF6CCNC0PVW on 2007-03-09
  This head set is so much better than the standard 360 headsets. for one thing it puts the sounds straight into your ear, not on the outside of it & i think it's louder that the 360's. It's a must buy if you can't hear anyone on your 360 headsets!
  
  

• The Official Xbox Magazine [1-year]
• Electronic Gaming Monthly
• Play
• Tips & Tricks Magazine

• Xbox 360 Headset Adapter
• Xbox Live Communicator by Microsoft
• Xbox 360 Live 12 Month Gold Card plus 1 Month Bonus
• Xbox Headset Communicator
• Halo 2