Did you know that California will be the fifth state (if you include the District of Columbia) to pass a cell phone law? This will present a problem for most of us in California as we rely heavily on it. The law was passed in the fall of 2006 and will go into effect on July 1, 2008. What exactly does the legislation entail? Prohibits the use of any handheld mobile phone while driving. Drivers caught talking on their cell phones will be fined $20 for the first offense and fined $50 for any subsequent offenses.
So what is the solution? Well, the law allows mobile phone chatters to use hands-free kits when talking on the phone. However, older cell phones tend to lack Bluetooth technology and therefore rely primarily on the wired hands-free kits that come standard with most phone purchases.
bluetooth headset
This is probably the cheapest solution for most people. The headset is a simple headset that is usually worn over one ear and consists of a microphone and earpiece. It allows you to use it in and out of the vehicle, so you can go wherever you want while talking wirelessly on the phone. Depending on its features and quality, you can find Bluetooth headphones for as little as $40 and as expensive as $200. The best thing about this is its function as a stand-alone accessory. All you have to do is connect (also known as “pair”) it with your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone.
This hands-free device has some drawbacks. These units contain small power cells that should charge after approximately 6-8 hours of talk time. Also, some users complain that the headphones tend to be more uncomfortable over a long period of time. Some headphones even give off a kind of echo effect and can be oversensitive to noise in certain road conditions. Of course, these complaints can vary by make and model, so be sure to test each of them, especially since there are now so many companies that make them.
Plug-N-Play Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit
These kits simply attach to the top of your dash, an air conditioning vent, or sometimes even your windshield. The Bluetooth plug’n’play kit is a device the size of the palm of your hand and is usually powered by the cigarette lighter. The palm-sized kit contains both the microphone and a small speaker. With this, you don’t have to put anything in your ear, and it’s often loud enough to hear, even through traffic noise.
The price range of these remains fairly constant as there are not that many variations of this type of Bluetooth interface. In early 2008, they cost between $55 and $125. However, the downside of plug and play kits is their bulk. Although they can be noisy, there is no sense of privacy if you have other passengers in the vehicle. Another thing to consider is the quality of the speaker built into the assembled kit. Some speakerphones tend to noise instead of sounding clear. This happens when you overload a small speaker with a ton of volume, and this is quite common in these types of devices.
Some companies that sell plug-n-play Bluetooth car kits include Parrot, Clarion, and Raytel.
Bluetooth in-dash receiver
Due to advances in Bluetooth technology, car audio companies began to integrate Bluetooth technology into standard head units. This allows Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to be paired with the Bluetooth-enabled head unit. A phone call would mute whatever music or radio is playing and channel the call through your vehicle’s sound system, resulting in the clearest sound from your phone. Depending on the kit, the microphone could be built into the head unit or attached (with hidden installation, of course) to the visor. But like plug-n-play units, it offers no privacy as anyone in the vehicle can hear you.
This is probably the best solution for you if you are looking for a clean installation without messy cables and if you feel uncomfortable putting something in your ear. It would also offer the best solution for you if you are looking for the best sound quality for a Bluetooth unit. If you want a built-in Bluetooth head unit, it’ll set you back $200 or more. If you have an aftermarket stereo that is Bluetooth ready, you can get the Bluetooth kit for that receiver. However, it is expensive, costing you around $150 just for the Bluetooth interface.