Choosing a Hands-free Kit for Your Car
Submitted by SharpMan Editorial Team on Sunday 10th October 2010- The different hands-free kits available.
- Making an informed decision.
- Using your hands-free kit.
You’ve heard the news: driving and using a cell phone is dangerous. But does that stop the average SharpMan? No way. Despite the potential danger of holding a phone to your ear as you drive, the convenience of using the phone in the car is just too tempting for most of us to resist. Unfortunately, the fact remains that using one of your driving arms to hold the phone and splitting your concentration between the road and your conversation does cause accidents.
The compromise? A hands-free kit.
Hands-free car kits allow drivers to maintain both hands on the wheel while the phone rests on a cradle, the driver’s lap, seat or dash. Bur before you rush out to buy one, take a look these SharpToys tips for choosing the best hands-free kit for your needs:
Versions to Choose From
Hands-free cell phone kits generally fall into three categories:
Headset/microphone. By simply adding a headset to your existing cell phone, you can speak and hear without holding the phone to your ear. While this type of hands-free device is not limited to car use, it certainly frees hands for driving. Another advantage is the price. Headsets are far less expensive than other hands-free options.
Portable hands-free kit. This type of kit plugs into the lighter socket of your car and usually includes a charger, hands-free speaker and phone cradle. These kits are ideal for traveling SharpMen, or those who use more than one vehicle. The other obvious advantage is that installation costs are not incurred. So, while more pricey than a simple headset, portable kits are less expensive than the hardwire kits.
Hardwire hands-free kits. Unlike the headphone attachments and portable units, these kits must be installed into your car. They provide the best microphone reception and speaker sound, but despite this, are becoming far less popular than the portable kits. These kits require installation, which may bring up the cost of the unit far above a headset or portable unit, and require SharpMen to part with their vehicle to facilitate installation.
Making an Informed Decision
Assessing your individual needs is an important step in choosing a hands-free kit. Do you change cars regularly? Do you rent vehicles when traveling? If so, the portable options may be for you. Are you a one-vehicle guy who prefers high-end car radio equipment and the highest quality sound? If so, go for the hardwire option. On the other hand, if you’re a wanderer who carries his phone around with him throughout the day, a headset may be for you.
Can’t decide what works for you? Ideally, SharpMen should take time to try each one, if possible. Try the kit with your own phone for fit and compatibility. Many retailers will allow you to take a test run with each type of kit. If this arrangement is not available in your area, make sure your merchant has a clear return policy, should you change your mind.
Also, many cellular phone manufacturers produce hands-free kits specifically designed for use with their phones. These "specialty" kits are often more expensive, but may allow you to utilize many of your phone’s special functions in the hands-free mode. For more information on specialty kits, visit the online store of your phone manufacturer or research accessories for your model at AtBatt.com.
Using Your Hands-free Kit
Got your hands-free kit? Congrats. Now take a moment to plan the mounting and use of your device in a way that maximizes road safety:
Cradles. If your kit comes with a phone cradle or other holder, place the kit as close to your line of vision as possible. On the dash or on either sides of the wheel are good placement options, as these allow you to use your phone without turning your eye (or your peripheral vision) away from the road.
Microphones. Sound clarity is also an important consideration. The less you or the person at the other end hears, the more likely you are to fiddle with the kit while driving. Place the microphone as close to your mouth as possible. Velcro and some household adhesive may be your answer for mounting the microphone just over your head, on the ceiling of your vehicle. If this is not possible, attach the microphone to your visor. If you’ve opted for a headset, purchase the kind with an arm that places the microphone in front of your mouth. (This also makes it more obvious to onlookers that you are on the phone, rather than simply screaming at yourself in heavy traffic.) Many hands-free kits also include a feature that minimizes background noise.
Voice-activated options. While voice-activated technology is still in its infancy, the advantage of adding a speech recognition phone book is obvious: autodialing limits manual dialing and maximizes the time your eyes are on the road. SharpToy’s review of Voice-Activated Car Gadgets highlights the newest in car-friendly voice-recognition technology and includes the HOTech's Voicedex and CarKit . This gadget's ability to recognize names and automatically dial numbers from a spoken command can be an excellent addition to making vehicular cell phone use entirely hands-free.
This article last updated on Sunday 10th October 2010