Fri, Jul 27, 2001 page24

• Devices allow cellphones to go hands-free

  COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY A variety of products, from simple headsets to high-tech kits, offer ways to make mobile phone calling a safer experience in the car

  • By Susan Stellin / NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE
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  Ever since New York became the first state to enact a law banning the use of hand-held cellular telephones while driving, consumers have been left to figure out the best combination of technology to make wireless calling a hands-free experience in the car.

  After testing a variety of products, from simple headsets to kits that turn a cellphone into a car speakerphone, to more complicated systems built into some cars, I think this law may be an example of the legislative system actually outpacing technology.

  

  A look at hands-free devices for the automobile: The Motorola Easy Install hands-free car kit, left; the Sharper Image car kit, center; the Nokia Express car kit, right.

  PHOTO: NY TIMES

  From my experience, none of the products I tried actually made it significantly less distracting to talk on a cellphone while driving. In many cases, I found myself straining so hard to hear the caller that there was no way I could have concentrated on the road. Instead, I enlisted friends to do the driving so I could plug in equipment, dial numbers, take notes and shout, "Can you hear me?" and "How does this sound?"

  One of the main problems with laws banning the use of cellphones while driving is that they ignore some of the realities of using a wireless phone, even with hands-free technology. Namely, callers still have to look down to dial numbers on ever-shrinking keypads. Moreover, answering a call with many of these hands-free gadgets requires more fumbling than just flipping open a phone -- and the more complicated the technology gets, the more likely drivers are to take their eyes off the road.

  For those who want to comply but who don't want the expense of having a hands-free system professionally installed, here is a roundup of choices and products available. Fortunately, the New York legislation does not take effect until Nov. 1 this year, with violators merely receiving a warning from the police until Dec. 1. (After that, a judge could impose a US$100 fine.) So with any luck, most drivers can at least find the combination that works best for them and, in the longer run, the technology will continue to improve.

  The cheapest way to switch to hands-free calling is to buy a simple headset for US$15 to US$60. For this option, the two main considerations are compatibility and comfort. Since there is no such thing as a universal headset jack (or, indeed, anything universal in the world of cellphones), you need to make sure whatever headset you buy works with your phone. If your phone does not have a headset jack, you may need to buy an adapter, which runs about US$30.

  In general, the more expensive the headset, the better its sound quality. So once you do decide on a comfortable and compatible style, it is worthwhile to spend a bit more for a better model.

  As for comfort, the various headsets available include over-the-head headsets (the type used in most offices), over-the-ear models and in-ear headsets generally known as an "ear bud" (think Secret Service agent).

  For starters, I found it much harder to hear callers while wearing a headset, compared with holding the phone to my ear. Some of the Plantronics models include helpful volume controls for your voice and the caller's.

  In terms of style, I found the ear-bud solution worked best -- the over-the-ear models did not work well with glasses, and the ear bud was generally easier to put on and less likely to get broken when jammed into a bag. Among the ear bud headsets I tested, I preferred the Plantronics and Motorola models to the Jabra "ear gels." Although Jabra's headsets include several sizes of ear gels -- colored pieces that fit into the ear -- I didn't find any of them particularly comfortable and they seemed to block more outside noise than seemed safe in a car.

  The other hands-free option is to buy a car kit, which turns a cellphone into a speakerphone. Those referred to as "easy install" plug into a cigarette lighter, with a cord that plugs into the phone and a microphone that can be attached to the dashboard.

  Again, the key ingredient is compatibility, since the car kits are all manufactured for specific phones -- the downside being you will probably have to buy a new kit if you upgrade your phone. Most of the phone manufacturers make car kits, which cost US$120 to US$150. I tested models made by Nokia and Motorola, as well as the Car Cell Phone System from Sharper Image, which sells systems for Nokia and Motorola phones.

  All of the car kits were easy to install and had similar sound quality. (As with the headsets, the quality of the call depends on the wireless service provider and where you are traveling.) Across the board, I found it much easier to hear callers through a speakerphone than a headset, but callers said it was harder to hear my voice through the speakerphone. (One caveat: I tend to speak softly, so those with loud voices may not find this a problem.)

  The car kits are also a bit unwieldy, with cords trailing around the dashboard and the gear shift. Some phone manufacturers also make car kits that need to be professionally installed. These systems, which generally cost US$200 to US$300, also turn a cellphone into a speakerphone, but they are wired through the car's speakers and usually have a microphone attached near the visor. These models are regarded as having slightly better reception (through an antenna mounted outside the car) and, of course, there are fewer cords lying around. A big disadvantage is that you have to replace the system if you upgrade your phone.

  For those in the market for a new car, some technology companies are working with auto manufacturers to develop "luxury hands-free phone systems" that are installed when the car is assembled. I got a demonstration of a system developed by Motorola, available in some Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar models.

  These systems offer many advantages over the humble headset or the clunky car kit. The stereo is automatically muted during incoming calls, drivers can scroll through their phone book using buttons on the steering wheel and some versions have voice recognition.

  But, alas, hands-free is not necessarily the key to safe driving. Just watching a demo in a parked vehicle, I was overwhelmed by all the commands that need to be mastered simply to place or answer a call. It remains to be seen whether any of this technology will actually lead to safer roads. For those who generally shy away from gadgets and computer gear, your best option is probably to pull over when you need to make a call.
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