Hands Free Blue Tooth - Luxury now a Law
Auto, Gadgets, Products, Retail, Services, cell phones, electroinics, technology
Written by Andrew Torchon
On July 1st 2008 California enacted into law the requirement of all drivers in the state to use hands free cell phone devices. The once thought of vanity piece of technology has become the epitome of must have accessories, not so much because Arnold thinks we should all look our best while driving, but realistically to prevent accidents from motorists inability to navigate and talk at the same time.
Blue Tooth technology has been around for some time and as more and more people acquire the need to have cell phones, the usage of hands free apparatuses have grown in consumption. Prior to the law taking effect, the blue blinking ear pieces had gain popularity for a variety of reasons, some of them actually having to do with safety but mostly out of convenience.
For some unknown reason the cell phone had been assigned primary blame for an increase in automobile accidents even though the act of using your hands for other things like smoking a cigarette, eating a sandwich, rifling through your hand bag or any number of other actions that would cause a person to be distracted and unable to place both hands on the wheel, had not been acknowledged as equally dangerous.
The California law states a driver must have a hands free device in use if they are driving the car and doing so will be a violation with citation. Although prior to the introduction of Blue Tooth gadgetry any erratic driving would be cause for citation or arrest, the law now gives police additional legal cause to pull someone over if they suspect the driver is talking without their device. So don’t talk to yourself without a Blue Tooth.
Now the question is which one to buy?
Prices and quality are pretty much all over the map.
You can get a Sony Erickson Express or Motorola, both not of the Blue Tooth family as it has the connecting wire to the phone. It’s very old school but legal, functions well and sell for just $9.99. There is something to be said for these ancient models of yesteryear. They are inexpensive, legal to use and because it is a hard wired system the vocal transmission is direct unlike the Blue Tooth.
Yet if you don’t like getting tangled up in thin black cable and like something that sticks out of your ear like Uhura’s audio communication device from Star Trek, then Blue Tooth technology is best way to go.
One of the most popular models, the Motorola H500 has been around for quite some time. It sells for around $33 and although not the smallest of devices, it’s not the biggest either and has the nice blue blinking light.
Motorola has several models with higher prices and better quality. The top of the line, model HS850 hits the $100 price tag and touts better sound quality and comfort.
But for those looking to get the kind of superior high tech functionality used by our boys in the military, then the “Jawbone” hands free ear piece is for you.
Used by our Armed Forces in the Middle East, this little hands free communicator was designed to eliminate outside noise and interference in a land where gun fire, screaming and bomb explosions can really interrupt your phone conversation.
The Jawbone microphone is unique because unlike your typical voice transmitter, the Jawbone will only accept vocalization in a 2 inch parameter. That’s tight!
Since the unit actually picks up the vibrations from your Jawbone, (hence the name), you voice alone is heard on the other end. Any noise outside this two inch radius isn’t picked up by the mike thus creating one of the most effective wind and noise reduction applications available.
The AT&T Motorola MPX200 runs about $80 with the Sprint Motorola Q and the Verizon Q9m coming in at about $77.
LG, Sony, Nokia also have them for the same prices. Depending on where you go as some stores have them as high as $125 so it pays to shop around. Colors run black, red, silver and even gold which is a little more expensive.
With all the choices now available the key things to remember when looking for hands free Blue Tooth gear are:
1. Quality - Don’t buy cheap because if your can’t hear or be heard it will just make things frustrating and ultimately useless.
2. Comfort - Many of the devices feel OK when you first put them on put after a little while the little ear ring that holds it in place can irritate your skin and even cause an abrasion if it’s worn too long. Find one the fits well and has some cushion or covering to it. It’s also wise to not wear it all the time like jewelry. Not only can it become uncomfortable but do you really want to have a battery with microwave pulses that close to your brain for that long?
3. Price - This is the tricky one but not impossible given the wide range of picks out there. The most expensive is not always the best but be sure to check out the first two suggestions before trying to get away with nothing.
One final note in making your decision. Be aware that unlike your phone or other electronic items you purchase, when buying a Blue Tooth hands free gadget make sure it’s the one you want before leaving the store with it. Most places will not take it back if you just don’t like it even if it’s because it was not fitting well.
Once it goes in your ear the store really can’t take it back. After all, you wouldn’t want what someone stuck in their ear to go in yours, would you?
Torchon @ July 19, 2008