Fixed Hands-free Unit Test

For those who chat a lot on the go, a hands-free phone kit that's hard-wired into the car is essential. We pick the best buy from 10.

Auto Express Car Reviews

July 2007

The threat of points on your licence and a £60 fine has turned in-car hands-free kits from useful add-ons to essential accessories.

Although a Bluetooth headset is a handy and cheap option - particularly for multi-vehicle users - a fully fitted in-car set-up has better sound quality. We tried 10 of the most popular Bluetooth systems to find the best.

The type of kit we preferred came ready to link to the vehicle's car stereo via standard connectors. This means the hands-free device detects an incoming call and pauses the sound source to put the phone through the vehicle's speakers. All our test kits were equipped at the very least with a mute lead to allow this.

The latest feature to appear on these sets is the high-quality Bluetooth transmission of MP3 digital music files from your phone to the stereo. For this to work, both the hands-free kit and the mobile handset have to come with Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). In general, Bluetooth sets are universally compatible, but it's worth checking your phone before you buy.

The Test

We looked for systems which had a display, and gave marks for build quality, clarity of instructions, ease of use and mike/speaker clarity. Practical performance was balanced against the features and price. DIY installation is possible, or if you prefer, a specialist will typically charge between £70 and £100.

Verdict

It's a Parrot one-two. The company's 3200 LS-Color and new MK6100 are both excellent, but you have to choose between the larger, full-colour screen of the former and the text-to-speech and music capability of the latter. Mr Handsfree is third, offering a solid performance at a competitive price.

1. Parrot 3200 LS-Color
2. Parrot MK6100
3. Mr Handsfree Blue Smart