Bluetooth headset for Skype on Mac
We will soon be announcing details of the phone support we’ll be offering to all customers of our server monitoring application, Server Density, and so I have been looking at options for handling calls. Although I have used more elaborate PBXs before, as a startup, the cheapest and easiest way to handle customer calls is through Skype. This allows “free” UK calls (with a subscription) and very cheap international calls, as well as making it easy for customers to call in.
Skype works well on Mac and I have a USB headset already. USB is better than using the line in / mic because it shows up as another device properly and allows you to route just calls to it, whilst keeping the main Mac speakers working fine. This means I can listen to music and then when a call comes in, Skype will pause iTunes and I can immediately use the USB headset to talk. However, I do not have any spare USB ports so can’t keep it plugged in. With an incoming call, the customer has rung off before I have time to connect it back up again. As such, I wanted to get a bluetooth headset I could wear throughout the day which would allow me to very quickly answer calls.
I did some research on the topic and found a lot of confusing or outdated posts about certain headsets working and some not. There was no real consensus over which headset to use and whether it worked properly with Skype on Mac. I eventually found an old blog post recommending a particular headset and decided to just buy it. It came today, and worked perfectly. So here are the details:
The bluetooth headset
The Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset works with Skype on Mac OS X and with regular calls on the iPhone.
I paid just £35.67 with Amazon.co.uk. It came with the charger and also a free car charger, although I didn’t need it. This is the 510R model, although I’m not sure what the difference is between the 510 and 510R, the 510R is £1.13 more expensive.
Call quality seems to be good and both on the Mac and iPhone, the headset goes into standby mode when not in use. The user guide states that a full charge takes 3 hours but I haven’t used it enough to be able to say how good the battery life is.
Using the bluetooth headset with Skype on Mac OS X
Switch the headset on and make sure Bluetooth is enabled in OS X’s system preferences. Put the headset into pairing mode by holding the pick up / volume up buttons and then run through the OS X wizard to pair the headset. The pairing code is 0000, but it was already entered for me. It will show up as not connected. Don’t click on “Use Headset” as this will route all sound through it. Once it’s done, launch Skype and make sure “PLT 510″ is selected. That’s it.
You cannot use the pick up / hang up button on the headset with Skype on Mac so you will need to manually answer the call from the popup dialog window that appears with incoming calls.
This was tested on OS X 10.5.6 and Skype (BETA) 2.8.0.324 with all the latest updates on an iMac 24″ Early 2008 model.
Using the bluetooth headset with the iPhone
The Plantronics 510 can be paired with multiple devices at the same time. Having paired it with my Mac for Skype and with my iPhone, if a call comes in through Skype on the Mac then I can pick up and use the headset. Equally, without any config changes, if a call comes in on my iPhone, I can use the headset to talk.
Pairing is very simple – just go to Settings > General > Bluetooth and the phone will pick up the headset and pair it right away. And that’s it.
The pick up / hang up button does work on the iPhone. In calls, you can switch between the headset, phone and the speakerphone using the on-screen menu. It works flawlessly.
Skype on the iPhone does not support headsets it seems.
This is on an UK iPhone 3G 16GB with the latest firmware (2.2.1).
Excellent. I’m currently using a Plantronics headset (wired version). The Plantronics customer support is outstanding as I’ve found out a while ago:
http://www.flashcomguru.com/index.cfm/2007/8/16/Great-Customer-Service-from-Plantronics
Thanks for sharing this info!
I have a 510 with a bluetooth Dongle (no built-in BT on my mac). I followed your Sytem Pref instructions and have PLT 510 showing up on list of devices: Type=Headset, Services=Headset, Paired=Yes, Connected=No.
But when I start Skype and go to Preferences/Audio, I don’t see PLT 510 (just Built-in Line Output, Built-in Headphones, and Built-in Digital Output).
I’m using BETA 2.8.0.438
Any ideas?
You can try clicking the “Use Headset” option but I have bluetooth built into my Mac so can’t really help much.
i have the same issue with my 510. it is paired with my windows 7 laptop with no problem. yet it does not appear in the audio settings section within skype.
anyone???
David
Excellent timing. I’ve needed a headset for a few years and I’m just about to go on a podcast, so it was time for me to take the plunge. Hopefully I’ll be as pleased with the product as you are.
Thanks for saving me a lot of time and research!
John
Excellent – thanks for this. I had been trying to find out what the difference between the 510R and the 510 was, and whether or not both or just one of those works with OS X. The Plantronics site implies that the device doesn’t work with OS X, so I’m pleased to find a review to the contrary. Off to buy one now!
good review. I can’t get the headset answer button to work with iPhone which is a shame Apart from that and the button not working with OSX seems like a good headset.
Hi,
Thanks for the detailed description, I tried your suggestions with a Plantronics 520 Headset and it worked just as you describe.
Thanks,
Howard.
Howard,
That’s very funny, and you beat me to it by a couple days. I just did the exact same with a 520, and it’s working perfectly. I love the fact that it just works… Even when both the iPhone and “Mac-Skype” are up and running right next to each other.
Steve
What I meant was that it was “ironic timing” funny, not that what you said was humorous… ;)
Steve
I assumed you meant ironic, since I generally feel the need to point out when I am attempting humor with plenty of ;) ;) ;)
On my MacBook Pro I can use Skype and listen to the sound of Quicktime movies, but wathcing a Youtube movie I do not get any sound. I have found an Apple discussion regarding the problem, but the solution offered is a fairly complicated workaround involving two separate additional applications. I did not even try to do this pirouette…
Anybody?
You’re right. There’s really not a lot of good info out there for bluetooth headsets. Thanks for the recommendation.
In the US, Amazon is selling it for $42 right now: http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-Voyager-510-Bluetooth-Packaging/dp/B0009B0IX4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=wireless&qid=1262988778&sr=8-1
I am still interested in a headset with two headphones. I like the ability to use them for music and for calls… Still looking…