Bluetooth Car Kit question

I was thinking of getting a Bluetooth car kit, but had a couple of
questions:

Does it actually have an external aerial like a conventional car kit, or
does it use solely the phone but with the simple added benefit of being
handsfree & cordless?

Does the car kit periodically or constantly transmit a microwave signal
within the car, as if saying to any phone within the usual 10m or so "I'm
here and ready for you to use if you want me to", or can the car kit be
switched off or does it switch itself off until it detects a telephone call
needing to use it?

Presumably, without a cradle to put the phone in, you need make alternate
arrangements for recharging?

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I can only speak about the nokia CARK-112, 'cause that's the one I use.

> Does it actually have an external aerial like a conventional car kit, or
> does it use solely the phone but with the simple added benefit of being
> handsfree & cordless?

No. Just uses the phone aerial.

> Does the car kit periodically or constantly transmit a microwave signal
> within the car, as if saying to any phone within the usual 10m or so "I'm
> here and ready for you to use if you want me to", or can the car kit be
> switched off or does it switch itself off until it detects a telephone
call
> needing to use it?

Once you've paired the phone to the kit (you have to enter a kit-specific
code to do this, so not just anyone can connect to your handsfree), and if
BT is turned on on your phone, the kit connects to the phone every time you
start the ignition of the car automatically (with a little beep from the kit
to tell you thats its done it so you don't have to look at the phone). The
kit is always on when the ignition is on (discoverable, so can be connected
to provided its been paired with), but will go into "sleep" mode when the
ignition turns off (unless a call is in progress, in which case it stays on
until you finish the call; then it becomes not discoverable and sleeps). If
the phone is connected to the kit the it stays connected until ignition is
off, or until you're out of range of the BT (same as with a headset I
presume or a physical connection). You can't manually turn the kit off (its
wired into the car), but you can manually disconnect from the kit if you
don't wan't to use the handsfree. Other note, you can have up to 8 handsets
"paired" with the kit at any time, but it can only connect to one phone at a
time and you can set a "default" phone (i.e. if it detects 8 paired phones
within range, it'll choose this one over all the others to connect to).

> Presumably, without a cradle to put the phone in, you need make alternate
> arrangements for recharging?

Pretty much. However there is a connector (you have to obtain a separate
lead separately for it though) on the BT module that is used for a charging
lead, so it can be done (although I can't find an appropriate cradle for my
6310i). Probably easier just to buy a separate cigar lighter socket thing
though (although the battery on my 6310i lasts so long I don't have to worry
too much :-) ).

All in, I like the BT kit a lot and wouldn't go back to a wired version.
It's really handy to have the phone in your bag or pocket or in the boot and
still be able to use it without getting it out. Only down side is the lack
of charging.

HTH.

G

"G" wrote:

> All in, I like the BT kit a lot and wouldn't go back to a wired version.
> It's really handy to have the phone in your bag or pocket or in the boot
> and still be able to use it without getting it out. Only down side is the
> lack of charging.

I'd prefer it to the HDW-2 BT headset, too, cause it doesn't give you the
hump with headset batteries that run empty in the middle of a call. IMO, the
only real downside of that BT car kit isn't the missing charger for the
phone but the missing aerial connector - unless you live and travel only in
well-provided coverage areas. Me thinks the "proper" CARK-91 is still the
best solution for hands-free conversation in the car although it might
appear a touch old-fashioned and not as flashy as a "cool" BT set. And, if
you wish, you can also get an additional handset receiver (HSU-1) for
confidental conversations. OK, I admit that the wiring might be a bit tricky
for people who aren't exactly DIY-gifted, although the CARK-112 needs to be
wired up as well.


Kind regards,
Olaf

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