Recommend me a reasonable hands free device for the car

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elpenguino

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#290832 7-Dec-2021 23:13

Hi zoners,

Can you recommend a hands free device I can use for calls in the car(s)?

It's for Android phones.

Preferably something with decent pairing and reliable function.

I don't know what form they take - is clip on the sun visor still a thing?

It wouldn't have to integrate with car audio at all.

Cheers,

elp

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Technofreak

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#2826328 7-Dec-2021 23:41

Do you mean something like this, https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CARPRM1012/Promate-SMARTUNE-3-Wireless-In-Car-FM-Transmitter

or this https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/HSTJAB4665/Jabra-Consumer-Drive-Handsfree-In-Car-Bluetooth-Sp

The Jabra style will possibly give better audio but the Promate won't need charging.

I don't know about more modern units but one issue was the units like the Jabra one I've linked can reman powered even though the vehicle isn't being used and if you're within range of the unit your phone will connect to the handsfree unit even though you're not in the car. The units like the Promate I've linked are only powered when the ignition switch is on and don't have that issue.

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jonathan18

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#2826404 8-Dec-2021 05:59

If you’re talking about one like the former linked to in the previous post, I bought this off eBay (products I’ve ordered from this seller have arrived really quickly) and have been really happy with it. Selected this style as it allowed better (higher) positioning to reduce the distance from mouth to mic. As much as FM based units don’t provide the highest fidelity, I’m mostly using mine for podcasts and calls so it’s not an issue.

elpenguino

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#2828502 8-Dec-2021 10:02

Thanks posters. Something that didn't use FM would be better and I'd lean towards the clip on sunvisor type. Ideally I'd wire the thing in so it didn't need charging and could disconnect from the phone when ignition is off.

Now you've reminded me of using a Uniden unit years ago. As mentioned can happen with smaller units, the audio was weak when road noise was high so I'd like to avoid that. I can see how piping received audio via FM would allow the larger speakers of the car audio to take the strain so I'll reconsider an FM unit depending on what else is available.

Since the radio is a jap import, any unit would have to handle the very low end @ 88MHz.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

trig42

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#2828512 8-Dec-2021 10:19

Can you replace the radio in the car?

You can pick up a Bluetooth head unit for $100-150ish now. If you car has a DIN slot, then they're pretty easy to install. It'd be soo much better than a standalone Handsfree Unit.

elpenguino

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#2828516 8-Dec-2021 10:27

trig42:

Can you replace the radio in the car?

You can pick up a Bluetooth head unit for $100-150ish now. If you car has a DIN slot, then they're pretty easy to install. It'd be soo much better than a standalone Handsfree Unit.

I'm after a couple of handsfree units. One car will keep its factory radio which, despite being Japanese does everything I want.

The other car radio is definitely changeable.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

Technofreak

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#2828518 8-Dec-2021 10:28

Another vote here for replacing the head unit. Might be a dollar or two more expensive but way way better functionality. No external cords for power, better audio, radio mutes automatically for incoming calls etc etc.

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elpenguino

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#2828521 8-Dec-2021 10:36

Technofreak:

Another vote here for replacing the head unit. Might be a dollar or two more expensive but way way better functionality. No external cords for power, better audio, radio mutes automatically for incoming calls etc etc.

Definitely a good idea for one car which has a radio with a defective display. It's a Kenwood so if I fit another Kenwood no wiring should be necessary. I'm just looking at the Kenwood units online. Might have to play with one in a shop somewhere.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

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trig42

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#2828524 8-Dec-2021 10:40

The wiring is generally reeally easy. Go witha brand you like, and get the OEM to [BRAND-NAME] harness converter at the same time.

Supercheap etc sell all of these (eg Toyota to Pioneer harness). Usually you have to get the Car brand to ISO, then ISO to Stereo brand. You could wire it yourself and splice them all of course, but the harnesses make it so much easier.

Handsomedan

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#2828527 8-Dec-2021 10:44

I'd just go with something like this, if you need one: Jabra unit previously linked from PB Tech

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frankv

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#2828799 8-Dec-2021 15:32

I have a Bluetooth / RF thing that plugs into the cigarette lighter in my car, mainly for playing music from my phone over the radio/stereo (non-BT head unit in the car). An occasionally useful feature is that it also does hands-free call answering, which seems to work just fine. I think there's a microphone in the thing. Cheap as chips from AliExpress. It also provides USB power for the Qi phone charger.

elpenguino

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#2828844 8-Dec-2021 16:39

frankv:

I have a Bluetooth / RF thing that plugs into the cigarette lighter in my car, mainly for playing music from my phone over the radio/stereo (non-BT head unit in the car). An occasionally useful feature is that it also does hands-free call answering, which seems to work just fine. I think there's a microphone in the thing. Cheap as chips from AliExpress. It also provides USB power for the Qi phone charger.

I've just remembered the 'power socket' in my car is just above the floor so probably a bad bet for such a gadget, both for having poor mic performance and the high likelyhood it will be trod on two days after installation.

I'd have to wire and install such a gadget higher up somewhere.

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jonathan18

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#2828890 8-Dec-2021 18:26

elpenguino:

I've just remembered the 'power socket' in my car is just above the floor so probably a bad bet for such a gadget, both for having poor mic performance and the high likelyhood it will be trod on two days after installation.

I'd have to wire and install such a gadget higher up somewhere.

… which is why I went with the one with a cable as per the link in my earlier post!

(But, yeah, if I was looking for real quality audio, I’d try to avoid FM receiver-based units; I only need it for the occasional situation I’m using my wife’s car, the stereo of which for some reason refuses to connect to any previously connected device.)

Technofreak

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#2829020 8-Dec-2021 22:11

I went through this about 12 years ago. I looked at models like the Jabra I linked. In the end I bought a Parrot MKi9100 which is very similar to this MKi9000. https://www.pepsiauto.co.nz/products/parrot-mki9000-bluetooth-handsfree-stereo-car-kit-phone-text-music-wireless

It was certainly much more expensive but gave me the functionality I wanted. I wanted something that was seamless to use everytime I used the car.

No having to replace or recharge batteries
No having to turn the unit ON/OFF everytime you used the car.
No issues with the phone still being connected once you've exited the car.
Voice activated calling and answering and more

While a unit like the Jabra was a cheap option that would work, I figured I'd get frustrated with things like a flat battery at an inopportune time, or the phone still being connected when I wasn't in the car etc and I'd end up buying the more expensive unit anyway. For me spending the extra money was worth it. YMMV. It all depends on how often you will be using the handsfree kit and how important things like I mentioned are to you

If I was doing it today I'd seriously consider changing the head unit. A new head unit can also add functionality like a reversing camera.

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quickymart

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#2829022 8-Dec-2021 22:14

Nissan? It looks like one.