ASUS Travelite HS-1000W Wireless Headset

I've owned these for about 8 months at this point and I love them. I initially payed $60, which was the right price.

They are the only pair of headphones I use at home; plugged in when I'm at my desk, unplugged while I walk around.

Pros:
- No manual software installation required (Windows 7 - plug in the USB adapter, and it's working).
- Charge lasts for a few hours (at least 2)
- Range of ~8 meters between floors
- Charges over USB
- Button for "Skype" emits Alt+PgUp, this hotkey can be mapped to a different application
- Volume buttons change system volume (similar to volume keyboard buttons)
- Can have the microphone muted on the headphone itself (the light changes color for feedback).
- Works while charging
- Works on a Mac (at least once for me)
- Travel case is convenient

Cons:
- The included USB cable for charging is too short to comfortably use while charging
- Can sometimes end up in a bad state, where they shut off immediately (paperclip in reset button fixes this).
- USB dongle is large and a little wider than most memory keys
- When plugged into a USB hub audio may become choppy (I imagine it's a bandwidth issue; my hub might just be slow)
- Tight on the ears, could due to be more comfortable (leaves me sore at times if I use them for hours)
- The microphone has to be re-positioned (bent) to pack into case

Very good product but had to return for a replacement as the battery was defective. It did not hold much of a charge which is highly inconvenient for a wireless headset as it tends to shutoff mid-conversation without warning. The controls were intermittent when used with Windows XP Pro but did not use it long enough to be sure it is not an XP Pro problem rather than the headset. This product is also marketed under the FREETALK label which, I believe, is the OEM. It is sold on the Skype web site under the FREETALK label. I advise you do NOT try to purchase it through Skype as the associated online vendor has a mixed reputation. My own personal experience trying to buy one was very bad. Amazon shipped it within a day of ordering and honoured my return very quickly and professionally.

* range: excellent
* comfort: very good
* sound quality: excellent
* battery useable charge: poor but was probably due to a defect unique to the unit evaluated
* controls: intermittent with Windows XP Pro but more time required to test properly.
* build quality: seems okay
* comes with convenient flat format carrying case which is an excellent accessory
* no installation required when using Windows. PC Linux OS 2010 and kUbuntu 10.04 also recognized it.
* used to listen to music, Skype, VoIP telephony. All were very good.

This product has mixed reviews on various Internet review sites. The two problems cited above (defective battery and intermittent controls) have been listed enough times to be of concern. If you simply want a replacement for a wired headset and don't care about the controls on the headset itself and don't mind charging it frequently, then this is a buy. With a battery that is properly working and controls that work, this would be an excellent product.

Very happy with this headset. I can wander all over my house with it. Very few troubles with it, which for wireless seems rare. Would recommend it