I've used a variety of microphones for DragonNaturally Speaking over the years. I have to carry around a laptop at work, and until recently simply plugged in my trusty Philips SpeechMike Pro as needed. For some reason, software changes in DNS make that procedure crash DNS. So I had to go wireless, as lugging around a laptop + USB mike is problematic. The bluetooth headset I tried was not very accurate and I missed having the buttons on the microphone. After some research, it turns out that the Philips SpeechMike Air is the only real viable wireless option for those with professional needs.I managed to get one on eBay for only $260. It works great. Just a little less accurate than the USB SpeechMike Pro, weighs a lot less than the PowerMic II. Some sellers of the SpeechMike Air advertise it as Bluetooth....it is not. Bluetooth can not transmit very high-quality sound data. The SpeechMike Air needs a SpeechMike AirBridge, attached to a USB port. Fortunately, $1 Velcro makes it easily attached and removed from the laptop lid as needed, nothing dangling. In summary:
PROS: Only option for highly accurate dictation microphone. Using Philips rechargable batteries, only needs to be charged overnight for a full day's use. Fully programmable buttons. Nice track ball.
CONS: One can get somewhat better quality using a USB microphone, at about 1/2 the price. Need to use an additional program to manually configure the buttons (PowerMic II comes with drivers built-in).
BOTTOM LINE: If you really need a wireless microphone for professional quality recording, this is your only option right now. If you don't need wireless, go with another Philips USB microphone.
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