Hands Free Bluetooth Solutions
Keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road! Stream music and talk safely with hands-free Bluetooth wireless solutions.
Bluetooth Technology
Most aftermarket hands-free solutions use Bluetooth wireless technology. Bluetooth is a radio frequency-based protocol that allows enabled devices to communicate with one another. These devices (Smartphones and Bluetooth electronics in the car) connect wirelessly through a process called pairing.
The Bluetooth Advantage – A significant advantage of Bluetooth is that its 33-foot range (about 10 meters) does not require ‘line of sight’ between the paired devices. Infra-Red (IR) devices, such as most TV remote controls, do require an unobstructed ‘line of sight’ to communicate with other devices. This difference makes Bluetooth technology ideal for placing and receiving phone calls or streaming music wirelessly.
The Bluetooth Advantage – A significant advantage of Bluetooth is that its 33-foot range (about 10 meters) does not require ‘line of sight’ between the paired devices. Infra-Red (IR) devices, such as most TV remote controls, do require an unobstructed ‘line of sight’ to communicate with other devices. This difference makes Bluetooth technology ideal for placing and receiving phone calls or streaming music wirelessly.
Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling Devices
Using a hands-free communication device while driving, instead of fumbling with your mobile phone, is not only safer, it is the law in many states. Luckily, many aftermarket devices support Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phones. These include:
• Mounted Speakerphones – These devices support the same features as Bluetooth earpieces and can be installed on the windshield or driver-side visor with supplied clips and mounts. Speakerphones typically use a rechargeable battery.
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kits – Unlike visor or windshield-mounted speakerphones, hands-free car kits are hard wired to the vehicle electrical system for power and connect directly to the vehicle speakers using an integration wiring harness. There is a separate microphone and control pad, which is connected to a hideaway control box, to answer and end calls. Installed hands-free kits are integrated into the car’s interior and offer more functionality than speakerphone devices. Features and benefits include:
o Ideal for Factory Stereos or Non-Bluetooth Aftermarket Receivers - Installed hands-free kits connect to either a factory stereo or aftermarket receiver using an integration wiring harness. The harness plugs into the vehicle’s wiring with a factory-like connector or can be hard wired directly to the speakers.
o Clear Communication - The caller’s voice is heard through one or more speakers in the audio system, providing clearer sound for drivers and passengers.
o LCD Display - Installed hands-free car kits come with at least an answer and hang-up button. Models featuring an LCD screen can display additional information, such as an incoming caller’s number or profile information.
o Audio Streaming - Installed hands-free kits usually support features such as audio streaming over Bluetooth from a Smartphone or other compatible music device.
o Mute the Radio - When an incoming call is received, installed hands-free car kits mute music or media playing on the in-dash receiver. Audio on the receiver remains muted while the call is in progress. When the call is completed, the receiver returns to playing the music or media that was muted.
o Separate Microphone - Most installed hands-free car kits have an external microphone that can be placed near the windshield pillar or the rear view mirror. This allows for separation between the caller’s voice and the driver’s voice and helps avoid an ‘echo’ sound on the call.
• Aftermarket Receivers – Many aftermarket receivers support Bluetooth hands-free calling and streaming audio. Features and benefits include:
o Complete Hands-Free Functions - Most aftermarket receivers with Bluetooth connectivity support hands-free functions, including browsing contacts and dialing right from the receiver’s screen.
o Seamless Hands-Free Communication and Streaming - Enhanced Bluetooth functionality lets the driver simultaneously stream music and support hands-free calling without switching modes or changing settings on the phone. When an incoming call is received, the receiver pauses the streaming music (instead of only muting) and automatically switches to the call. The receiver shows the caller ID or dial pad on the screen for the duration of the call. When the call ends, the receiver switches back to the streaming music, right where it left off.
o Audio Function Control - The play/pause, next/back, and volume on the Bluetooth-enabled phone can be controlled via the receiver’s front panel. The driver never has to touch the phone, even when selecting his/her favorite playlist or skipping past songs.
o Metadata Information - Song, album and artist title information is displayed on the receiver’s screen. This applies to stored music or music streaming from apps such as Amazon Cloud Player, Pandora, MOG, Spotify, IHeartRadio, and TuneIn.
o Bright, Vibrant Displays - single-DIN and double-DIN receivers have vibrant displays that make it easy to see phone numbers, contact information, and metadata information.
o Voice Recognition Support - Many receivers support voice recognition and text-to-speech functionality. This is a safety and convenience feature that allows the driver to speak commands to the receiver in order to place/receive calls or listen/respond to text messages, without taking his/her hands off the steering wheel or eyes off the road.
o Multiple Phone Support - Many aftermarket receivers that support Bluetooth functionality allow pairing with and recognition of more than one phone. This feature is ideal for families with multiple drivers for a single car. The receiver will either recognize multiple phones and allow only one to be paired at a time (chosen by the driver if more than one phone is recognized in the discovery process) or allow two devices to be paired so either the driver or passenger can place/receive a call, but not at the same time.
• Mounted Speakerphones – These devices support the same features as Bluetooth earpieces and can be installed on the windshield or driver-side visor with supplied clips and mounts. Speakerphones typically use a rechargeable battery.
• Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kits – Unlike visor or windshield-mounted speakerphones, hands-free car kits are hard wired to the vehicle electrical system for power and connect directly to the vehicle speakers using an integration wiring harness. There is a separate microphone and control pad, which is connected to a hideaway control box, to answer and end calls. Installed hands-free kits are integrated into the car’s interior and offer more functionality than speakerphone devices. Features and benefits include:
o Ideal for Factory Stereos or Non-Bluetooth Aftermarket Receivers - Installed hands-free kits connect to either a factory stereo or aftermarket receiver using an integration wiring harness. The harness plugs into the vehicle’s wiring with a factory-like connector or can be hard wired directly to the speakers.
o Clear Communication - The caller’s voice is heard through one or more speakers in the audio system, providing clearer sound for drivers and passengers.
o LCD Display - Installed hands-free car kits come with at least an answer and hang-up button. Models featuring an LCD screen can display additional information, such as an incoming caller’s number or profile information.
o Audio Streaming - Installed hands-free kits usually support features such as audio streaming over Bluetooth from a Smartphone or other compatible music device.
o Mute the Radio - When an incoming call is received, installed hands-free car kits mute music or media playing on the in-dash receiver. Audio on the receiver remains muted while the call is in progress. When the call is completed, the receiver returns to playing the music or media that was muted.
o Separate Microphone - Most installed hands-free car kits have an external microphone that can be placed near the windshield pillar or the rear view mirror. This allows for separation between the caller’s voice and the driver’s voice and helps avoid an ‘echo’ sound on the call.
• Aftermarket Receivers – Many aftermarket receivers support Bluetooth hands-free calling and streaming audio. Features and benefits include:
o Complete Hands-Free Functions - Most aftermarket receivers with Bluetooth connectivity support hands-free functions, including browsing contacts and dialing right from the receiver’s screen.
o Seamless Hands-Free Communication and Streaming - Enhanced Bluetooth functionality lets the driver simultaneously stream music and support hands-free calling without switching modes or changing settings on the phone. When an incoming call is received, the receiver pauses the streaming music (instead of only muting) and automatically switches to the call. The receiver shows the caller ID or dial pad on the screen for the duration of the call. When the call ends, the receiver switches back to the streaming music, right where it left off.
o Audio Function Control - The play/pause, next/back, and volume on the Bluetooth-enabled phone can be controlled via the receiver’s front panel. The driver never has to touch the phone, even when selecting his/her favorite playlist or skipping past songs.
o Metadata Information - Song, album and artist title information is displayed on the receiver’s screen. This applies to stored music or music streaming from apps such as Amazon Cloud Player, Pandora, MOG, Spotify, IHeartRadio, and TuneIn.
o Bright, Vibrant Displays - single-DIN and double-DIN receivers have vibrant displays that make it easy to see phone numbers, contact information, and metadata information.
o Voice Recognition Support - Many receivers support voice recognition and text-to-speech functionality. This is a safety and convenience feature that allows the driver to speak commands to the receiver in order to place/receive calls or listen/respond to text messages, without taking his/her hands off the steering wheel or eyes off the road.
o Multiple Phone Support - Many aftermarket receivers that support Bluetooth functionality allow pairing with and recognition of more than one phone. This feature is ideal for families with multiple drivers for a single car. The receiver will either recognize multiple phones and allow only one to be paired at a time (chosen by the driver if more than one phone is recognized in the discovery process) or allow two devices to be paired so either the driver or passenger can place/receive a call, but not at the same time.
Pairing Bluetooth Devices
Compatible Bluetooth devices connect wirelessly through a process called pairing. There are four basic steps to pairing Bluetooth devices:
1) To pair a Bluetooth enabled receiver with a Bluetooth-enabled Smartphone, one of the devices must be ‘discoverable’ or ‘searchable’. Typically, it is easiest to make the Smartphone discoverable. Check the phone’s Bluetooth settings for how to make it discoverable (usually located under Wireless or Network Settings).
2) Once the Smartphone is made discoverable, the car’s Bluetooth device then searches for the discoverable/searchable Smartphone.
3) The Bluetooth receiver will have a PIN-code that must be entered into the phone. Check the installation manual for the PIN-code. After the devices have ‘found’ each other, use the phone’s keypad to enter the hands-free device’s PIN-code (speakerphone, hands-free kit or in-dash receiver).
4) Choose ‘connect’ to pair the devices and the connection is complete.
1) To pair a Bluetooth enabled receiver with a Bluetooth-enabled Smartphone, one of the devices must be ‘discoverable’ or ‘searchable’. Typically, it is easiest to make the Smartphone discoverable. Check the phone’s Bluetooth settings for how to make it discoverable (usually located under Wireless or Network Settings).
2) Once the Smartphone is made discoverable, the car’s Bluetooth device then searches for the discoverable/searchable Smartphone.
3) The Bluetooth receiver will have a PIN-code that must be entered into the phone. Check the installation manual for the PIN-code. After the devices have ‘found’ each other, use the phone’s keypad to enter the hands-free device’s PIN-code (speakerphone, hands-free kit or in-dash receiver).
4) Choose ‘connect’ to pair the devices and the connection is complete.
Hands-Free Is the Law
Many states have laws that prohibit voice calls while a driver holds the phone to his/her ear. Many states also have text messaging laws that ban texting while driving. Many Bluetooth hands-free solutions allow you to safely and legally perform these functions. When in doubt, consult your local state or county laws. Regardless of the option chosen, hands-free calling increases safety by allowing drivers to focus on the road.
THANKS: amazon.com