Hands-free phone systems?

[Rusty Ghia]

My girlfriend needs a hands-free phone set-up for her car. Not only is it illegal to hold a phone whilst driving here in California, but it's unsafe so I want to get her something. I'm sure that you're wondering why she doesn't just get a Bluetooth headset. You see, she's deaf in one ear and when she uses a headset, she can't hear traffic or sirens.

I vaguely remember that there is a way to put a mic into your car and have the sounds come out through the speakers. How does such a system work? Are there other options that I should look into?

Help me, CAG.

 

[shrike4242]

Here's some options:

http://www.myblueant.com/products/speakerphones/stl/index.php
http://www.myblueant.com/products/speakerphones/st3/index.php
http://www.myblueant.com/products/speakerphones/s1/index.php

I have one of their headsets and I'm very impressed with it.

There are other options from other vendors, though I wanted to give you some starting points.

 

[Rusty Ghia]

Hmm, I'll check with her if she'd like one of those, Shrike. However, she did mention that she would prefer not have to reach up to the sun visor as she is a little thing and drives a fairly large car. She was hoping to get something that has buttons on the steering wheel itself. I'm guessing that is a factory option from the car manufacturer though.

 

[shrike4242]

Wired-in solutions are normally factory-installed options and usually hook in with Bluetooth, though I think there are some aftermarket options you can find.

Google is worth checking into for some ideas.

 

[TC]

Motorola T505 is pretty nice. It broadcasts to FM. I have it linked to a phone and 2nd Gen Touch simultaneously. It switches between calls/music with no problems. Its a visor mount though.