I've looked and looked and can't find any threads on this.

My state is about to pass a law making using a cell phone while driving illegal unless it's a hands-free system.

Last I remember reading, the Mini cell phone system is still MIA. I just got a new phone and there are several hands-free accessories available. So what does this *really* do to the car's electronics?

Success stories, anyone?

 

While our state (MD) doesn't have any laws about cell phone use (although it should, IMHO), I felt that I was better off with something that let me keep both hands on the wheel where they belong.

The fairly inexpensive but still pretty good solution I found is a suction cup-mounted holder with a goose neck that clamps the phone in place. I mounted it to the lower left corner of the windshield and it hovers an inch or so above the dash and right up against the "A" pillar (side of windscreen). An ear-mounted headset connects to phone's jack with a fairly long cord. It all cost about $50 at the Verizon phone store.

If I had my druthers (and another $100 or so), I would have preferred the wireless headset that uses Bluetooth technology. It would also be a little handier to have a clip on the window mount that works the same as the belt clip (a little button on the case snaps into a slot).

Mark

 

BlueTooth is the way to go. Unfortunately Spint does not and does not expect int he near future to offer phones with bluetooth. For those of you that wonder, bluetooth is the technology that allows an electronic device to communicate without wires to another electronic device. For cellular phones this means your bluetooth phone can communciate with your bluetooth "headset"

MotorWorf

You'd think with all the laws being passed the car manufacturers would come up with a plug n play system. Sometimes I think that people fiddling with ear pieces is more dangerous than just holding the phone up to your ear,

 

Jabra actually offers a Bluetooth device for non-Bluetooth phones. It has a transciever that plugs into your phone jack. Here's a link (for one that fits my non-Bluetooth phone):

Jabra FreeSpeak

>> Sometimes I think that people fiddling with ear pieces is more dangerous than just holding the phone up to your ear,

I hear ya. I almost wrecked once doing just that. Now I get it all set up before I put the car in gear. If I forget, the call goes unanswered.


Frau Blüecar -- MC IB/W. Motoring since 3-10-2003

 

I hope that law passes here in CA soon too! In preparation, I have picked up the Sony Ericsson T81 phone that has bluetooth capability. Next up will be the wireless headset and then my phone will just live in my briefcase whenever I'm driving.

BTW....using AT & T Wireless. I belive that phones for Verizon, Cingular and TMobile also support bluetooth.

 

The entire hands-free phone issue while driving is a nice gesture towards driving safety. The real issue is inattentive driving. I've seen people "driving" in rush hour traffic on the H1 (the main East-West Interstate here on Oahu) reading, shaving, and brushing their teeth (which of course begs the obvious question ) Tickets should be issued for "driving with undo care and attention" just like they do in the UK. Any driver that makes himher self a hazard should be held accountabe. We should also have more stringent driver training programs to teach proper car control, lane discipline, etc.

 

I agree with everything everyone said about safety issues and cell phones, I just remember the dire warnings on the windshield sticker (must have been written by Bill Gates--fatal error and all that :???:

 

I have a new, permanently on, power outlet located on the panel way forward of and below the toggle switches in that open void. Here I installed my handsfree system that the phone plugs into as well as a mike. The phone sits in a black leather holder that I custom made to fit one of the useless cupholders. The mike is located behind the tiny grille in the headliner. With this system you can hear every word from the speaker and you talk looking straight ahead. Both hands on the wheel! My provider is Sprint and the handsfree system can be obtained from any Sprint store. I imagine Verizon and others have something similar.

 

Get the Baby Phone. It is a small device that clips to your cellphone. When the phone rings you simply swithch to channel on FM (88.7 or something) and you can talk and hear the other party from your car speakers. Works for me. Cost $29 and includes the device and a phone holder. There is some infomercial about it too. I could not find the brand I bought, but here is another that works the same

Hands Free