Bluetooth headsets
Bluetooth is a new wireless technology that allows Bluetooth-enabled items to connect to each other within a 10m range without needing to be 'in sight' of an infrared sensor. This means the phone can still make or receive calls even if left in a bag, pocket or in the glove box. A Bluetooth headset loops around the ear with a small boom microphone and costs between £20 and £100. Since they all meet the same Bluetooth standards, any manufacturer's headset should work with any Bluetooth-enabled phone, but some combinations of handsets and headsets do not work as they can work on different profiles. Bluetooth headsets are powered by rechargeable batteries, so be sure to choose one that’s going to offer you a suitable amount of talk and standby time. Continuous connection to a Bluetooth headset will deplete your mobile phones battery so you may wish to ensure that you always have a way to keep your battery toped up.
To comply with mobile phone legislation, you must either have the phone fixed to the dashboard or be able to make or receive calls without holding your phone. To get the most out of the Bluetooth headset, dust off your mobile phone's manual and set up voice dialling. This enables you to call out the name of the person you want to dial, rather than fiddle around on the keypad, or invest in a quality mobile phone holder.
Advantages of Bluetooth headsets
The main advantage of having a Bluetooth headset is, unlike the non-Bluetooth version there are no trailing wires. Also, in theory there is no need to change the Bluetooth headset as long as the user’s new handset has Bluetooth. This type of kit also allows the driver to use multiple handsets. The main benefit of this lies with the fact, that if the driver has more than one Bluetooth handset, either handset can be paired up to the headset at different times.
Disadvantages of Bluetooth headsets
The disadvantages a user could encounter with a Bluetooth headset are similar to those associated with the rest of the portable hands free car kit genre. The headset does not charge the phone and leaving a handset Bluetooth active, drains the battery. Also, in order to comply with mobile phone legislation the handset must be in a fixed position and calls cannot be made or received whilst holding the phone.
Other Portable hands free kits
- Personal hands-free kit
A Personal hands-free kit’s advantages are their price, starting at as low as £5. Also, light and portable, there is nothing visible left in the vehicle when the hands-free kit is not in use. You are simply able to store it away in the glove compartment, out of view. A personal hands-free kit also allows you to talk with a number of handsets, using a phone specific adaptor, if required
There are several disadvantages to be found with a personal hands free kit stemming from the price. The kit has no charging facility and doesn’t hold the handset, therefore not complying with hands free car kit legislation. Also, due to the lack of a separate microphone or speaker the sound quality on both ends can be poor. The ear piece and wire are impractical as the lead may be too short and the ear piece uncomfortable.
- Plug-in hands-free
The advantages associated with plug-in hands free car kits is they offer several of the characteristics offered by a hard wired car kit at a smaller cost. A plug-in hands free car kit offers charging of the handset and therefore the battery charges whilst on the move and some also hold the handset in a fixed position. There are also Bluetooth plug-in hands free car kits which could be fixed reasonably discreetly to the sun visor. All plug-in hands free car kits can be moved between vehicles extremely easily.
The disadvantages users often encounter whilst using plug-in hands free car kits are problems experienced genre-wide. The microphone and speaker is built into the hands free car kit and due to their general position in the vehicle, makes sound quality poor. This is important especially when the background noise associated with motorway driving is considered. Also, the wiring associated with plug-in hands free car kits can be messy and unsightly. A purchaser may also require radio muting for minimal driver intervention, something a plug-in solution does not offer.
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