In-car kit for mobiles

Aiadi · 12 January 2006 at 3:41PM

Apologies if this isn't the right place for this post but any advice would be appreciated. I am looking to get an in-car kit that is easy to install and practical to use as well as being reasonable in price. The choice is confusing especially when looking online and being unable to try these things to get a feel for the sound quality, ease of use etc...

What would MSEs recommend ?

redux · 12 January 2006 at 4:16PM

The simplest versions are a phone holder just plugged into the cigarette lighter, have a speaker in them, and rely on the phone picking up your voice from a few feet away - not easy against road noise.

Then there are versions which have the phone holder in a different place, have a separate microphone and maybe speaker, and either plug in the cigarette lighter, or are fully wired.

Then there are Bluetooth ones, also in versions of both systems above, which mean the phone might not be physically connected, and you might use a headset.

The costs vary from about £20 for the cheapo plug-ins, up to about £150 + fitting. Quite often, you can find clearance offers on particular kits, which might be fine if you have that phone - you might end up swapping the SIM in and out if you get a newer one. I bought a full kit for Nokia 3310 (3510i also fits) about a year ago for £35, and more recently saw a full kit with both Bluetooth and holders for other models like 3120 going for about £60, but sold out now at that dealer ...

Aiadi · 12 January 2006 at 9:31PM

Thanks redux. Presumably the bluetooth ones are better as you would I imagine have a seperate speaker and probably a microphone. How about dialing though ? and what is the best device to use for something like voice dialing ?
Can you also recommend a certain make or model number. Cheers. :beer:

drahcir_2 · 12 January 2006 at 9:48PM

it would also depend on the model of mobile you have as they dont all have bluetooth

rwgibson98 · 12 January 2006 at 9:52PM

If you are going to do any sort of distance driving and talking, get a profesionally fitted kit. The important component is an external aerial, since the car's metal shell insulates your phone from receiving a signal.

I've spoken to colleagues with bluetooth kits, which comprise of a headset linked (by bluetooth) to the handset, and 50% of the conversation was "Please repeat", "say again", or "you're breaking up". You can't rely on the handset's aerial to pick up a strong signal when inside a vehicle.

Whilst something like a genuine Nokia kit http://www.nokia.co.uk/nokia/0,,55548,00.html might seem expensive, it works, it's legal, it allows voice-activated dialling, and it lasts for years (see how many people are buying old 6310i's on Ebay because their 2nd hand car came with a kit in).

In-car kit for mobiles

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