Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

[bonanza34g]

I'm curious what other people's opinion are of the usefulness of using their cell phone via the car audio system.

I really like this idea but after doing this myself on a half dozen calls, I question the value of all the hassles of uploading the phone book and such (I have a Verizon V710!).

It seems to me the audio quality is far superior using my cell phone also when both parties speak at the same time, you end up having to say "what" a lot. And lastly, I loose the ability to use the phone's voice commands.

What are your experiences, am I just missing something? Like I said, I really like the concept, but it just doesn't feel like it is ready for prime time yet.

[jfschultz]

Originally posted by bonanza34g@Mar 28 2006, 09:17 AM
I'm curious what other people's opinion are of the usefulness of using their cell phone via the car audio system.

I really like this idea but after doing this myself on a half dozen calls, I question the value of all the hassles of uploading the phone book and such (I have a Verizon V710!).

It seems to me the audio quality is far superior using my cell phone also when both parties speak at the same time, you end up having to say "what" a lot.  And lastly, I loose the ability to use the phone's voice commands.

What are your experiences, am I just missing something?  Like I said, I really like the concept, but it just doesn't feel like it is ready for prime time yet.

[snapback]231339[/snapback]

I like it. I don't make a lot of calls, so rarely go beyond the first "one touch" screen if I do make a call. Answering a call is simpler with just hitting a button on the streeing wheel.

Yes uploading the phone book can be a pain, but it is an infrequent operation.

There is one thing I have not tried yet. My Palm E2 is also paired with my cell phone and can dial the phone. If I need to go beyond what is in the Prius phone book, can I dial from the phone book on the Palm and use the Prius hands free? I know I can dial the phone directly if needed, but the other end will usually get to their first "Hello" by the time the Prius picks up on the phone.

[ceric]

The main advantage of Bluetooth is not sound quality nor your own convenience. It is about safety. Any kind of hand-free devices free your hands from handling the phone while driving on the road. That is safety for everyone near you, including yourself. Besides, the bluetooth also tunes down the volumn of stereo automatically so you wouldn't miss any calls even when your music is loud.

[DaveinOlyWA]

i use a Moto HS 850 BT headset. it works like a champ. AND provides interface to voice commands as 100% of all calls to anyone in my contact list is done by voice command.

btw, i have an LG 8100. the voice recognition is by far the best of any phone i have used and that includes the 710. i did do the training session. took about 5 minutes to train 3 different areas.

i have also tested the voice recognition by spouting off numbers as fast as i could speak them, works about 90% of the time. if i talk normally, the success rate is more like 99%. (nothing is perfect)

[aaf709]

95% of the calls I make are either to my wife or my parents saying I'm on my way. All of them could be made before I even get in the car. I use the BT because it's easier than sticking on a headset for such a short call. Since I don't make a lot of calls in any case, my Verizon e815 works fine.

[xeolem]

I absolutely love the bluetooth feature. I've always refused to drive and talk on the phone at the same time. So, I've always had to pull over to take or make a quick call. Now, since I have the people I call most often on speed dial, it's not an issue. I push a couple buttons at a stop light, and its all gravy.
The sound quality is fine, unless of course we talk at the same time.
I have to admit the voice command glitches are a bit of a let down. I'm just crossing my fingers Toyota will address it soon.

[DaveinOlyWA]

i think comfort and advances in technology will change a lot of peoples mind. i frequently forget my headset is even on because its so light.

[khoult]

It sounds like a lot of the hassles are caused by Verizon making phonebook upload a PITA.

I have a T-Mobile Sony-Ericcson T610 phone. I just gave it the upload all command, and a few minutes later my entire phonebook was in the car (over 100 numbers).

The handsfree bluetooth is great. I use it to most often to answer calls. For that, it's the perfect answer to the usual safety problems of using a phone in the car. No worse than talking to someone esle in the car.....

[crichman]

Don't forget the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor.)

Mine thinks its the best thing about the car, bar none.

[cellsorter]

I am a big fan of hang up and drive