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Plantronics CT12

Manufacturer: Plantronics, Inc. Part number: CT12

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$324.99 at 1 online store

CNET Editor rating:
3.5 stars Very good
Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 9 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: As hands-free models go, the CT12 is a good one. But if you can live with a more traditional design, save your pennies and look elsewhere.
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Amazon.com Marketplace	See store profile	See Site	Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price	$324.99 Shop now as of 07/06/2009

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*Total price for the Plantronics CT12 are estimated and may vary slightly based on exact tax, shipping, manufacturer rebate or any sale/promotion on the merchant site.

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CNET editors' review

Plantronics CT12

price range: $324.99

Reviewed by: Rebecca Viksnins
Reviewed on: 11/19/2003
Released on: 05/27/2003

The good: Ultraportable, hands-free design; strong battery life; excellent range.

The bad: Slightly overpriced; no answering machine; no speakerphone.

The bottom line: As hands-free models go, the CT12 is a good one. But if you can live with a more traditional design, save your pennies and look elsewhere.

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If you're a hard-core multitasker, check out Plantronics's roamer-friendly, hands-free CT12. This ultraportable 2.4GHz DSS model is about the size of a pocket calculator and comes with a nifty headset. While it doesn't have an answering machine, and its microphone doesn't do an especially good job of canceling out noise, the single-line CT12 makes a decent pick, especially for the home office. However, priced at $129, it sure doesn't come cheap.

The CT12's handset design is durable, well thought out, and at 4.125 by 3.125 by 4.125 (WDH) inches, it's perfectly pocket-size. Even the slim, unobtrusive base is appealing. Keypad controls are well labeled and easy to maneuver, although folks with larger hands may find the keypad a bit too cramped. You can wear the headset over the ear or the head; both positions are reasonably comfortable. Despite the unit's miniature size, Plantronics still found room to add a very readable three-line, backlit LCD. In addition, the headset features FireFly, a red light at the end of the mouthpiece, which pulses when the phone is in use. The light fell just within our peripheral vision, which we found somewhat annoying.

As for features, the CT12's are fairly standard. You get 10-number speed dialing, a 100-name phone book, support for caller ID and call waiting, and 10 ring tones. There's no answering machine, which could be a deal breaker for some. Since the CT12 is designed for hands-free convenience via the included headset, there's no speakerphone, either. Battery life is quite good. We exceeded the 5.5-hour talk time by a little more than an hour, but we fell 1.5 days short of the 10-day standby time.

Call quality was also pleasing. According to Plantronics, the CT12's maximum range is 100 feet from the base unit. While we didn't push the CT12 to the max, we were able to get excellent range over a distance of more than 50 feet, with minimal breakup. Callers sounded crisp and clear, although in our tests, we heard a lot of the background sounds that the CT12's noise-canceling headset was supposed to block out. It's not horrible, but it doesn't meet the advertised claims. And we heard a fair amount of interference, perhaps because we also run a Wi-Fi network in our testing environment (Wi-Fi networks use the same frequency as 2.4GHz phones). Still, overall, the quality is good, and the design works.

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 9 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 9 out of 9

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2 stars

Best wireless device killer around

by threespirits on July 25, 2008

Pros: comfortable headset

Cons: Will render useless any wireless device in range

Summary: Once I added this device to my home office it managed to make useless any device within range including routers, print servers ect.

Summary: Once I added this device to my home office it managed to make useless any device within range including routers, print servers ect.

1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
2 stars

One of the best Wi-Fi jammers on the market

by swag on May 28, 2008

Pros: Does what it intends to do

Cons: Runs roughshod over any wireless device nearby

Summary: While the phone itself does what it is supposed to -- it's also rather cost effective -- it's absolute disregard for "plays well with others" makes it an ...

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Summary: While the phone itself does what it is supposed to -- it's also rather cost effective -- it's absolute disregard for "plays well with others" makes it an automatic box & return ship. Not only does the device completely jam the wireless Wi-Fi and the wireless Sonos system in our home when it is on a call, but it is meant to be a wireless bully by design.

The manufacturers instructions for wireless interference are to simply switch channels on every other wireless-enabled device in your home, rather than the other way around. And although the handset does offer a wireless channel-switching button, its design has no intention to do so for the working of other devices -- it's purely intended to switch frequencies for "offensive" purposes to get a clearer signal, any other device be damned.

So as a phone, you can't knock that it works. But don't dare try to run anything else on 2GHz nearby. Ironically, its best application seems to be for causing mischief and jamming the wireless signals of annoying neighbors.

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3 stars

Poor physical design

by nigel_self on December 1, 2007

Pros: The phone is small

Cons: Hard to remove from stand

Summary: While my fingers are nimble enough to easily thread a needle, the design makes it hard to remove the phone from the stand in time to answer a call. Note ...

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Summary: While my fingers are nimble enough to easily thread a needle, the design makes it hard to remove the phone from the stand in time to answer a call. Note that the cup in the stand is narrow at the base and widens at the top. This makes a gap at the top, between the sides of the phone and the stand, which is designed to let your fingers grab the sides of the phone. But the gap is only 1/8" to 1/4", which makes it hard to lift out in time to answer a call (you also need time to put on the headset). Basically one can only grasp the very top corners of the phone. Likewise, the top of the phone is lower than the top of the stand, so you cannot grab it from above. So if you wear your phone or leave it out of the stand all day this may not be a problem for you. But if you want to use the stand to keep your workspace neat and the phone charged, simply picking it up could be a hassle. Plantronics ought to redesign the stand so the phone projects well above it just like any other cordless unit.

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3 stars

Shuts down my wireless router

by rogitor on January 11, 2007

Pros: Great portability. Comfortable headset

Cons: Interferes with my wireless router

Summary: I love this phone. I also had the previous 900mhz model and made sure I stayed with the same product line once it went south. Unfortunately this 2.4ghz device ...

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Summary: I love this phone. I also had the previous 900mhz model and made sure I stayed with the same product line once it went south. Unfortunately this 2.4ghz device completely shuts down my wireless router (including the wired connections) on a regular basis when making/taking calls. There is a channel select button, which generally resolves the problem for that call, but the specific channel can not be selected, leaving the reliability of my home network up to chance each time my phone rings.

If you do not have a wifi network I would recommend this phone, otherwise run away quickly.

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7 stars

Can be compatible with the analog phone system at work.

by on January 15, 2005

Pros: Compliment with the analog phone system at work which has speaker phone and voicemail. This system provide mobility, speed dial and hand-free.

Cons:
2 stars

Poor audio

by on January 12, 2005

Pros: Size A unique feature, compared to the RADIO SHACK headset phone at $20.00 less, is a toggle mute switch on the phone. Though one could buy a headset with a mute switch. I bought this phone because I need a good clearly indicated mute ...

Cons: Poor microphone performance. Voice level is low for people on the other end, and little audio feedback to the earpiece so you can't really hear yourself speak. The sound quality is poor, even for a phone the sound is muted, missing both higher and lower
8 stars

Very convenient, love touchpad

by on April 14, 2004

Pros: Touchpad dialing Great battery Small desktop footprint

Cons: Headset poor xmit/rcv volume No answering machine Single line
9 stars

It is light-weight, has great clarity & love the features!

by on December 8, 2003

Pros: I like the features -- I have this for home use, and I like being able to program an addr. book like my cell phone, and to program ring types for the callers. The clarity in & out is sharp.

Cons:
4 stars

Messes up wi-fi

by on November 7, 2003

Pros:

Cons: This unit blows away my wi-fi connection each time I use it. It has a scan channel button but no way to block it from using certain channels. Uggh! I will return it tomorrow if I can't fix this problem.

Showing opinion 1 to 9 out of 9

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Plantronics, Inc.
Part number: CT12
Description: Enjoy professional, effective communication from your home or small office with the full-featured Plantronics CT12 single-line 2.4GHz cordless telephone. A noise-canceling microphone ensures clear conversations, and the stylish headset provides mobility, comfort and flexibility for your busy lifestyle. The CT12 helps keep your workspace tidy - there's no clutter and no individual pieces to lose. The unit is compact and self-contained, with all-in-one storage and a belt clip that stays in place while charging. Ultra-compact dial pad fits in the palm of your hand and features an integrated belt/clothing clip that remains attached even when charging. Improve your productivity - filing, making coffee or using e-mail while on the phone. Keep your finger on the pulse as you move freely around your home or office. Noise-canceling microphone delivers crystal-clear voice quality and eliminates annoying background noise. Enjoy the whole conversation - and nothing but the conversation. Firefly in-use indicator light feature provides no more unintended interruptions, thanks to this unique boom-mounted flashing red light that lets others know you're on the phone. All-day comfort with the style that works best for you: over-the-head stability or over-the-ear convenience.

General
Product Type Cordless phone W/ call waiting caller ID
Phone Features
Transmission Band 2.4GHz
Transmission Technology Digital Spread Spectrum (SST)
Max Handsets Supported 1
Dialer Type Keypad
Dialer Location Handset only
Dialing Modes Tone
Multiline Operation Capability Single-line operation
Intercom No
Caller ID Yes
Call Waiting Yes
Function Buttons Speed dial, Redial, Mute
Volume Control Yes
Ringer Control Yes
Ring Tones 10
Additional Features Noise-canceling microphone
Phone Memory
Speed Dial Capacity 10
Caller ID Memory 100 names & numbers
Display
Display LCD display
Features Backlit

Miscellaneous
Antenna External
Included Accessories Belt clip
Power
Type Power adapter - External
Battery
Battery 1 x battery
Technology Rechargeable
Included Qty 1
Talk Time Up to 330 min
Standby Time Up to 240 h
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 1 year warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year

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