Logitech USB Headset (980174) for PlayStation 2

Since the Playstation 2 has been able to be used online, there has been one game that started it all: SOCOM, need I say more? This game came available with a headset that allowed gamers to talk to the other opponents online. Since we all know that typing with a game controller is a pain, the headset is an ingenious product that all online gamers should own.

One problem with the original headset was the durability. According to many people, "fragile" is an understatement. Thanks to Logitech, however, the headset has been redesigned. Sony Computer Entertainment happened to work with Logitech when designing it so it is a certified Playstation 2 attachment (according to Epinions there is one made for the Playstation 1. This is false.)

The headset not only feels durable but high quality at that. A speaker is on one side of the headset and there's a small microphone below it (think of those headsets telemarketers wear). On the other side is a soft rubber end that holds the headset on your head. A long cord comes out from the speaker and along the cord is a mute button a volume control button. The last foot of the cord is thicker and there's a black box. There's also a shirt clip for keeping the cord close to you.

Since this is a USB headset, the cord will need to be plugged into one of the two USB ports on the left side of the Playstation 2. After that, just boot up a game that supports it (like SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals) and you're good to go.

I found that the headset works just as good as any set of headphones you can buy. While not as good as my Sony MDR-V150 headset with leather-like padding, mind you, the headphone gives out clear sound. There's no muffling or anything else that would cause lowered sound quality.

There's high marks for the microphone as well. It sits just to the side of your mouth so that the games pick up voices well without having the disadvantage of collecting spit from speaking out loud which usually happens when you shout out syllables with "SP", "P" "SH" or "TH" in them. Sometimes it may take two or three tries to get a word out right, but that is rare.

The mute button happens to buff out almost all the sound that goes into the microphone. Let's say you have the television on and you're playing a game online. When you're not talking it is best to mute out the sound so that players will not keep asking "What'd you say?" when you're not talking. I play the game Lifeline and the game still picks up some sound even with the mute button on. Still, it works greatly.

There are many games that support the USB Headset including most online games (some don't support it though) and one offline game, Lifeline (but I recommend games other than that one).

Overall I find that the Logitech USB Headset is a great device that deserves much recognition and credit. It has helped solve some of the problems associated with controller-typing (with an on-screen keyboard) when chatting with people online. There are some drawbacks though. I would have liked it if it didn't cost so much--$30. It's not worth it if you don't have an online adapter, or if you're not online yet even if you have one like I am. It would be better as well if the cord was a bit longer because sitting five feet from the TV is a little close. Also, the fabric that covers the microphone and speaker collects a lot of lint when not used for a while. Still, those are just nit-picks and I would recommend the USB Headset to any person who owns a game that supports it on the Playstation 2.

~Scott