With all the Bluetooth car kits on the market today, the Parrot Bluetooth kits are some of the most versatile. The Minikit Slim is a discreet model that clips to your visor, which, when paired with your mobile phone, automatically synchronizes its phonebook with the list of contacts in your mobile phone. This kit is for anyone who wants all the perks of having a Bluetooth car kit, but doesn’t like the large dashboard display of some of the other kits, such as the Bury.

The Parrot PMK 5800 gives you all the benefits of a wired or wireless Bluetooth car kit, without the inconvenient (and sometimes costly) process of installation. This model plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter power supply, and once paired, the device automatically connects to your mobile phone whenever you get in the car, without your phone ever leaving your pocket or purse.

The Parrot MK 6100 is a Bluetooth kit specifically designed for mobile phone users who use their phones to play music. This kit is capable of playing the MP3 files stored on your phone through your car’s stereo. The device is also capable of voice dialing.

Even if you have a moped or motorcycle, there is a Parrot for you. The SK4000 comes with a helmet-mounted earpiece and microphone, allowing users to use their mobile phones while riding. With all of the various models of Parrot Bluetooth kits available, it is quite possibly one of the most versatile and customizable line of Bluetooth kits on the market.

There are a lot of options available to the customer when buying a car phone kit, with all the different car kits out there, what are the main differences between them and specifically a wired car kit and a Bluetooth kit? Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages which must be considered when choosing which kit to purchase.

Wired car kits require the phone to be placed in a cradle upon entering the car. The cradle charges the phone, and calls are routed automatically through the device, and if the device is a hardwired connection to the vehicles head-unit, audio can be heard through your car’s speakers. Any actions you want to perform – making, answering, and ending calls, or using menu options – must be done directly from your phone, so it’s essential that the cradle is positioned correctly for comfort and convenience. There are also negatives to having a cradle, the cradle will only match 1 phone or in some cases a specific brand. This means you can’t use more than one phone, rendering the kit useless if you upgrade phones or if family members or work colleagues have different mobile phones.

With a wireless Bluetooth car kit, calls are automatically routed from your phone to a small speaker or through your stereo and car speakers – your phone never has to leave your pocket or purse. The connection is established automatically when you enter your vehicle and start it. Any functions of your phone that you need to use are controlled from the dashboard control unit or via voice command, instead of from your cell phone. Additional benefits of the Bluetooth kits include the extra options available. Including additional inputs including iPod, AUX Mp3 and on some occasions USB.

Essentially, if you’re on the road for long periods of time and are concerned about phone battery life or you prefer to use your phone to control calls instead of learning to use the dashboard control unit, then the wired kit is probably for you. However, if you like the idea of using the dashboard control panel, or the convenience of not having to place your phone in the cradle when you get in the car, or you like additional music then the wireless kit is a better option.

Some people have had the experience of talking on a cordless or cell phone, and hearing snippets of another person’s conversation, a police radio, etcetera. Therefore, the concern over having someone eavesdrop on your conversation, or even steal data from your mobile phone, because you are using a Bluetooth device, is a legitimate one. However, these kits are designed so that doing so is extremely difficult for hackers.

Bluetooth kits utilize a common frequency for signal; the same frequency used by many mobile phones, cordless phones. However, even though it would seem as though Bluetooth devices would cause, or receive, a lot of interference because of this, the manner in which two Bluetooth devices are paired (or set up to discover and recognize each other) results in no interference. Bluetooth devices must be connected to one another, and once they are they establish a closed network of signal, which is very difficult to hack.

It is possible to take extra steps to protect yourself; if you set your phone and kit so that they are not “discoverable” by other Bluetooth devices, it is much more difficult for anyone who might want to steal your information to do so. Also, because Bluetooth devices operate on an extremely low-powered signal, which only has a diameter of about 30 feet, the likelihood that there is someone within 30 feet of you who is trying to steal the use of your phone is very low. So, despite the concerns of the ease of hacking wireless devices, the manufacturers of Bluetooth devices have safeguarded the technology against most opportunities to do so.

When the time comes to purchase a new Bluetooth hands-free car kit, the first priority is obviously to decide which model to purchase. Price varies, and some have far more features than others. However, once you have decided on the kit that works best for you, the next step is to decide where to buy it, and who should install it.

Most Bluetooth car kits come with an installation guide, which allows the consumer to install the kit himself. The process is fairly straightforward, and the manual walks the Bluetooth owner through the process, step by step (where to position the microphone, et cetera). Often the most tricky areas are routing the wires and positioning microphones. However, there are several important factors to take into consideration. One has to ensure that no part of the Bluetooth device blocks access to the mirrors, controls, gearshift, or any other parts of the vehicle used while driving. Also, some manufacturers consider the Bluetooth’s warranty null and void if a consumer installs the device by himself. This is only usually the case if any part of the kit is damaged during the installation.

The other option, of course, is to have a licensed and experienced technician install your Bluetooth kit. Always ensure that the person who installs your kit is familiar with your vehicle, and has worked on others like it in the past. The installer will be able to provide a guarantee that if the kit doesn’t work when tested, the problem will be fixed. (If it doesn’t work, some installation providers will refund the price of the kit, if you purchased it there, but not the cost of the installation labor.)

Bottom line: if you have done jobs like this before, and you are confident that installing the kit yourself, you should attempt installing it yourself, and save the extra charge. However, while it may cost more, having a licensed professional do the job is usually the better option.

Many studies have been completed, in an attempt to ascertain the safety of using a Mobile phone while driving. The outcome of most, if not all, of these investigations has proven that Mobile phone use is a significant contributor to the likelihood of being involved in a collision. For many,

Bluetooth kits

are the answer to that problem; the kits allow drivers to keep their hands on the wheel, and their eyes on the road, while having a conversation. But just how safe are these kits?

Bluetooth kits allow drivers to keep their hands and eyes focused on the task of driving while using their cell phone. However, the fact remains that while a driver’s senses may be focused on the road, a driver’s mind will most likely be focused on the phone conversation. Then by extension the driver is not fully concentrating. Therefore, while many Counties and towns are prohibiting the use of Mobile phones while driving, some are also considering banning the use of Bluetooth kits.

How much of a distraction is a Bluetooth kit, really? For those who need to use their phones while on the road for business purposes, a Bluetooth kit is a necessity, not a superfluous distraction. As many if not all drivers know distractions can come in many forms. Anyone who has driven with the radio on, or with passengers – especially children – knows that there are other aspects of driving which can be just as distracting, if not more so, than a phone call. A perfect example of this is the Satellite navigation systems on the market today. Many of which are now more detailed than ever before, offering more detailed maps and accurate positioning (Even to the point of the angle of your vehicle on the road). Drivers often rely on these products to navigate around specific areas and motorways. In doing so, often the driver’s concentration is on the navigation unit and not the road. So, while the desire to eliminate any unnecessary distractions behind the wheel is a legitimate one, it is unrealistic to think that it is possible to rid drivers of ALL distractions. It is also unrealistic to think that those who use their Mobile phones for business purposes will be willing to give up the ability to talk and drive, equally as with the need to navigate around the counties or country, Despite the potential consequences. As such, a Bluetooth kit is clearly and not only a safer option but a necessary option rather than using a handset while driving.

The Bury Bluetooth technology is one of the most complex in Bluetooth in-car kits on the market today. The three main kits – the CV9040, the CC9050, and the

Bury CC9060

– feature touch-screens that allow the user to easily utilize the device’s various functions at a touch. The large display makes these kits easy to use on-the-go, and allows users to access various functions of their mobile phone – contacts, text messages, etcetera – without having to locate their handset, or take their eyes off the road to locate small buttons. Touch screens not your thing? That’s okay, the steering wheel-mounted remote controls for these models vary from a simple, 3-button version, to a full keypad, allowing you access to all of the kit’s functions, all while keeping both hands on the wheel. Various other functions of these models, such as text-to-speech software which allows the device to read text messages aloud in up to four languages, and the ability to automatically mute your car’s stereo when a call comes in, make these devices even more desirable for the savvy Bluetooth user.

While some may worry about positioning their Bluetooth device’s display, that’s not really an issue with these kits. The CV9040, for example, has the LCD screen built into a convenient and small flip-style device; the kit automatically rotates the display, so it can be positioned anywhere inside the car. With the other kits, the versatile and easy-to-use mounting bracket makes positioning the kit a breeze. It can be mounted on the car visor, the dashboard, windshield, et cetera.

Most people are aware of the advantages of having a Bluetooth headset – no more searching for the phone when it rings, you never miss a call, and using a Bluetooth while driving is far safer than using a handset. However, what are the differences between using a Bluetooth earpiece, and having an installed car kit? How would you decide which one to purchase?

The Bluetooth earpiece is inexpensive, and its functions are simple; for most earpieces, one button will dial the last number and answer calls, and then there are volume buttons. That’s it. Also, if you get out of the car for some reason – to pump gas, go into a store, et cetera – the earpiece goes with you, making it slightly more versatile than a car kit.

Bluetooth kits, on the other hand, have far more functionality. Many have voice-recognition software that allows you to dial a number or contact verbally; some will automatically mute your car radio when you have an incoming call; there are even models with touch-screens, or steering-wheel mounted remotes, which allow you to perform multiple functions without touching your mobile phone. Some models have text-to-speech functions that allow the driver to hear a received text message. You also don’t have to wear an earpiece.

Essentially, Bluetooth earpieces are a good choice, if you want simplicity, if money is an important factor, or if you want to be able to leave your car and continue using a hands-free device. However, Bluetooth kits are usually the better option, if what you’re looking for is functionality and style, along with convenience.

A Bluetooth Car Kit is a device that provides a safe and convenient way to communicate whilst driving. Your Phone can connect to the Car Bluetooth system and ensure you and other road users remain safe. If your going to phone drive, please make sure youdo it safely