Hands-Free Cell Phone Use
Drive Safely, Talk Safely with Bluetooth Technology for Hands-Free Cell Phone Use
Research proves that driver distraction plays a large role in road accidents, and that cell phones, whether in use for texting, talking, or browsing the internet, are the most common driver distractions on our roads today.
Many countries have had cell phone driving bans in place for years, and Canada is following suit with a growing number of provinces introducing legislation banning the use of hand-held wireless communications devices while driving. Currently, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador have laws in place.
What Are Your Options?
If you are going to use your cell phone on the road, in a province that bans the use of hand-held communication devices while driving, you are going to need a product with Bluetooth wireless technology.
Bluetooth is perhaps the most well known wireless standard in use today. Its basic function is to help one electronic device communicate with another device wirelessly, and without human intervention.
If you come across the phrase “Bluetooth capable” in your shopping research, this means that the product only requires a Bluetooth- capable cell phone in order to operate.
“Bluetooth ready,” however, means that the product may require extra accessories to operate (in addition to a Bluetooth-capable cell phone), which will ultimately drive your costs up.
Bluetooth technology is conveniently available in a number of options:
The following is what you should look for when reviewing your options:
Headsets and Earpieces
Regardless of whether you live somewhere with a hands-free driving law or not, a Bluetooth headset or earpiece can help you stay safe on the roads by equipping you for hands-free cell phone use, thereby reducing distractions.
Consider these key factors when shopping for Bluetooth headsets or earpieces:
- Comfort is equally as important as sound quality – Look for headsets that are reversible and can be switched between ears during long periods of use.
- How and where will you use it? Noise cancellation is an important factor for many commuters since cars can be noisy.
- Easy to use controls – Volume controls should be easy to access and commands should be simple to remember.
- Price – Cost does not always determine quality, but sometimes you may get additional accessories, such as a cell phone holder with more expensive models.
- Compatibility – Bluetooth products are compatible with most cell phones, but make sure that your cell phone is Bluetooth capable. You can check by going through the options in your cell phone's settings.
- Design – Choose a design that will mesh with your general style because you may end up wearing it as an accessory if you use it frequently.
- Distinguishing factor – Headsets and earpieces are completely portable so they can be used in the home as well.
Visor and Rear View Mirror Units
visor units clip to the visor and mirror units clip over the existing rear view mirror. They both provide hands-free cell phone use while driving, so you can keep your eyes on the road. Factors to consider:
- Some units include voice dialing and scrolling caller ID to make calling and answering easy.
- Talk time and stand-by time – Talk time is how many hours you will be able to talk before the battery goes dead. Stand-by time represents the maximum battery life when the phone is not in use for conversation. Although both visor and mirror kits can be recharged, talk and stand-by time will probably rank as fairly important in your buying decision.
- Controls –With any hands-free device, you should make sure the controls and commands are easy to use and remember.
- Noise and echo cancellation – Important for clear communication.
- Mirror quality – Because the mirror kit will fit over, and essentially replace your existing rearview mirror, make sure you are happy with its reflective quality.
- Distinguishing factors: Since the Bluetooth rear view mirror is difficult to distinguish from your original rear view mirror, it is not likely to be subject to theft. Users can leave the unit in its place at all times.
- The visor clip can also be left in the car at all times. It can be easily tucked in behind the visor when not in use. This will make the visor clip another item that is less likely to be noticed by thieves.
GPS Units
As hands-free cellular use while driving becomes a matter of the law, many GPS manufacturers are including Bluetooth functionality in their GPS units. Since Bluetooth functionality facilitates wireless communication between two electronic devices, it converts a GPS into a hands-free car kit.
When a call comes into your phone, the incoming call information will display on your GPS unit. Once you answer it, the caller's voice broadcasts from a microphone within the GPS, and your voice is passed back to them from the GPS unit's microphone.
- Compatibility – Not all Bluetooth phones are compatible with all GPS units, so confirm this detail before purchasing. Some vendor websites provide this information, such as garmin.com or magellangps.com
- POI – Some GPS units will allow you to directly dial a point of interest, so you can navigate your way to a restaurant while using the Bluetooth hands-free functionality to call for a reservation.
- Phonebook – Some GPS devices can display your phone's address book and allow you to dial directly from the GPS itself.
- Sound quality – Read user reviews and do your homework on speaker/microphone quality of your top three choices, because sound quality ranges quite drastically from model to model.
- Distinguishing feature: GPS units with Bluetooth functionality consolidate the number of electronic pieces in your car.
Car Stereo Units
Car stereos are becoming a popular choice to facilitate compliance with hands-free laws. Not only do many feature Bluetooth technology to support cellular phone use while driving, but they are also able to stream stored music.
When a call comes in, the contact's name is displayed and the music is automatically muted. When the call is terminated, the music is switched back on.
Buying a car stereo unit to double as your hands-free phone is not all that different from buying a GPS with Bluetooth functionality. Other than ensuring that the unit is compatible with your phone, and has the features you are looking for, such as caller display, voice dial recognition and storing your phone book, you are probably going to look at the features of the stereo for its primary function.
Car stereo units have some distinguishing factors though:
- Recharging – They are automatically charged when you are driving.
- Sound quality – The call is played over the car speakers and as a result it is much easier to hear the person who is calling.
- Distinguishing Factor: Car stereos with Bluetooth functionality integrate right into your car.
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