Take Your Hands Off The Phone! - Special Feature

We installed the T605 module on the center stack, below the head unit. It was within arm's reach. The buttons on the module are self-explanatory and intuitive with volume up and down, call and end call functions. Pairing up our test phones proved to be quite simple.

While the music through our A2DP phone was decent it was only slightly better than listening to music via FM mod. We like the idea of having music in our phones and being able to access those files, but we like our CDs or even iPods with lossless files even better. Still, it's nice to have the option. And for a retail price of $179.99 this is on the inexpensive side in terms of getting hands-free with A2DP. Check with your dealer on the cost of installation. The T605 is simple, but successful in fulfilling the functions it set out to accomplish. -Eric Holdaway

Vizualogic CiG Bluetooth Phone System $299
With hands-free being more of a must-have, a quick and inexpensive do-it-yourself Bluetooth kit is a convenient solution. The Vizualogic CiG Bluetooth phone system is an easy-to-install standalone unit. What's best, if you are willing to brave only a little more wiring than more basic kits, it leaves your auxiliary input free for other uses.

Using the cigarette lighter outlet for mounting the button, you have an integrated look without having to drill any holes-of course, you can mount it anywhere if you want to keep that outlet free. The inexperienced need only glance at a simple diagram and play with a few wires. Once the control module is wired to the speaker and power input in the head unit and tucked away out of sight, the only items visible are the button and the magnetic microphone piece. The result is a quick install that goes far in convenience

Linking up is simple and will support up to three phones at a time. Hold the button down for 12 seconds and for the next five minutes pairing mode will join with any phones that are Bluetooth-ready. After that, the system automatically pairs with the phones anytime they re-enter the car, beginning with the last one used. With different presses of the same button, the user can adjust volume, answer calls, transfer back to the handset, mute the call and redial the last number. Plus, much of the same commands still work from your handset. The system also adjusts the music volume level for an incoming call. The only bummer is that you can't see or choose commands from the head unit itself.

With this system it's important to talk at a normal level and, whatever the road noise, avoid the inclination to shout. The DSP is pretty sensitive on this one so the louder you speak, the more the sensitive microphones will adjust to reduce volume-making you end up sounding even quieter or more distorted. Still, the Vizualogic CiG is an alternative to the flashing hands-free earpieces, so at least you won't look like a fool. -Eric Simpson

State Regulations
At the time of writing only five states (plus the District of Columbia) had hands-free laws. Many states, however, are studying the issue and crash data. If the trend continues, they will probably enact similar laws soon. Check out the Governors Highway Safety Organization at www.ghsa.org for a listing of current regulations.

Hands-free only: California (in July 2008), Connecticut, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York and Washington (in July 2008)

Young driver restrictions: Seventeen states restrict use of mobile devices with or without hands-free usage for novice drivers. If you're driving a school bus full of youngsters, additional states have rules to stop you from talking behind the wheel.

Distracted driving: Other states treat mobile phone use as a distracted driving issue rather than passing laws solely pertaining to mobile phone use.

Preemption laws: On the other side of the fence, some states have laws that prohibit cities, towns and counties from enacting local laws that ban cell phone use.