Plug-in hands-free
For those who don't want to bother with a headset. The entry-level option is an all-in-one unit, which plugs into your cigarette lighter socket. It has a built-in speaker and microphone (some allow an additional mic to be added) and a cable or cradle which connects to the phone. Priced from £30 to £60, the quality of these units isn't the best due to the distance between your mouth and the microphone - but some sound acceptable. In-ear devices will give better results, though.
The plug-in kit's advantages are that it can be moved between different cars easily and the battery tops itself up on the move. Bluetooth plug-in kits, which don't need to be physically connected to the phone to work, are available too. These often simply clip onto your vehicles sun visor and can provide features such as voice dial and last number redial. As well as offering a no wire solution so you can keep your mobile phone in a bag, pocket or glove box and still make or receive calls simply by using the controls on the portable Bluetooth kit. (£40+)
Advantages of 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
Disadvantages of Plug-in hands-free
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.
Other Portable hands free kits
Advantages
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.
Disadvantages
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.
Advantages
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
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.
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