conference

Polycom Soundpoint Pro SE-225 2-Line Professional Conference Phone with Caller ID
$249.00
When I bought this phone for a home office about 8 years ago it had the features I needed at an acceptable if relatively high price. True, the voice quality was a bit uneven. Voice seemed to be breaking up occasionally, sometimes a bit staticky. But the speaker phone feature was excellent and especially good for waiting on hold then talking with customer service, etc. Speaker tone was clear and loud. Unfortunately it had a recurring problem of keyboard failure that required plugging and unplugging. Best keyboard touch I've found in a landline phone, ergonomically superior to Panasonic, etc., but directory and caller ID interface is convoluted. Now it has developed loud buzzing noises and I've been quoted (by a third-party shop) about as much for a repair as a new unit costs. Like other landline phones, it should really have a backlight or other alternative for more legible display. The reliability of this phone does not match the price. It should have been developed and improved. I would not buy again, even though 8+ years of use might be acceptable to some people. I'd look for newer technology from other makers, unless speakerphone function is really paramount. Too bad, design and concept were unique and on the right track.

The Comprehensive Guide to Successful Conferences and Meetings: Detailed Instructions and Step-by-Step Checklists (Jossey Bass Business and Management Series)
$74.00
Conference planners will benefit from this comprehensive guide that covers everything from conference design to conducting the conference. The book includes helpful examples and a checklist for every area. Then the chapters go into detail, answering each question on the checklist. Chapters include site selection, food functions, exhibitions, marketing, transportation, and others.

Voicestation 500 Analog Conference Phone with Bluetooth
$376.99
At my last job, our conference room had this phone, and as a telecommuter, I got to enjoy being on the other end of the line from this phone quite a bit. The company was a cheap start-up and so we often used Skype for conference calls with this unit plugged into a computer. The audio quality of this compared to the $100 Skype Polycoms is night and day--this wipes the floor of anything in that price range.

I recently purchased this phone for my home office. I spend a lot of time on the phone and was starting to feel some pain and discomfort from my cordless headsets that I had been using with my landline. I am not interested in the Bluetooth capabilities at this time, but it's nice to have the option. Audio quality is excellent for parties on both ends of the conversation, and I have found people can hear me even if I have my back to the phone from several feet away. And best of all, I don't have anything in my ear.

The usual Polycom features are found on this phone: The giant wall-wart, the single cable that consolidates power and phone signal, the sturdy plastic construction, firm buttons with good tactile feedback, green LEDs when "on air" that change bright red when the mic is muted, full duplex conversations, and a nice sounding ringer. The cord is good 20 ft or so, I think--I haven't unrolled it all the way. There is a little audio jack on the phone for wired interfacing with a computer or phone. The range is good too--people on the other end can hear me from anywhere in my 26 x 14 ft office.

If you have a small conference room, spend a lot of time on the phone, want a good speakerphone for Skype or your cell phone, this phone is worth the money.

P.S. One small nit--the "Flash" button is right next to "hang up". This can be embarrassing if I'm not careful when trying to bring a 3rd party onto the line.

Spracht AURA Mobile Hands-Free Bluetooth Speakerphone
$149.99
There are some very mixed reviews for this speakerphone, so I'll try to review it only as I've used it.

I have paired it with two iPhones, a Mac, and a PC, all via Bluetooth. It connected fine to all four items without issue. I have never wired it directly. The pairing with the Mac and PC was done simply to see if it'd work. I tried it with Skype, it seemed to work fine, and I stopped using it and moved it to the car.

In the car, it pairs daily with both iPhones. Never an issue so far (after 3.5 months). It has a visor "clip" of sorts built into the base, but it's flimsy and I don't trust it. I have a place on the dash for it, but if you're buying it to clip to your visor, it seems to me that the clip/base will break easily - but I don't know that it will.

The included microphone provides better clarity to those you're calling when driving, but the built-in mic will do - it just doesn't sound _as_ good. The speaker is loud enough, but not by much. I'd prefer greater volume. Sound quality, both in-car and to the callee, is very good for Bluetooth and approaches wired quality.

I rate it four stars because, as a Bluetooth device, it has worked for me without fail. Many other Bluetooth accessories have failed in that respect for me. Sound quality is certainly adequate, and if your car is relatively quiet, volume is also more than adequate. I basically get in the car, turn it on, see that it has paired, drive to wherever, and turn it off. I keep the volume at max and rarely mute it, so the power button is pretty much the only thing I press on it. I charge it regularly. It has worked without issue for me. Although I haven't used it as such, I like that it comes with an AC adapter and the ability to use it in-home as a speakerphone as well.

If I could improve aspects, I'd do the following:

(1) Add redial, caller ID, etc - as it is, it's basically a headset in terms of functionality.

(2) make the visor clip sturdier (metal clip?) because, as it is, I don't trust it.

(3) make the max volume louder, at least if it's plugged into a power source

Is it perfect? Certainly not. But I've almost always been disappointed by Bluetooth devices, and this one has worked for me.