1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by bonanza34g, Mar 28, 2006.

  1. bonanza34g

    bonanza34g New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2006
    3
    0
    0
    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.
     
  2. jfschultz

    jfschultz Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2004
    635
    114
    0
    Location:
    Germantown, TN
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    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.
     
  3. ceric

    ceric New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2004
    1,114
    53
    0
    Location:
    Fremont, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    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. :)
     
  4. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    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)
     
  5. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2005
    3,862
    18
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    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.
     
  6. xeolem

    xeolem New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2005
    8
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area, CA
    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.
     
  7. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    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.
     
  8. khoult

    khoult New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2005
    20
    0
    0
    Location:
    Lexington, MA
    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.....
     
  9. crichman

    crichman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2005
    36
    0
    0
    Don't forget the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor.)

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

    cellsorter New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2006
    9
    0
    0
    I am a big fan of hang up and drive
     
  11. Armature

    Armature New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2005
    55
    1
    0
    Location:
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    The quality isn't great, but that's OK. The safety factor is most important (and I don't look like the dumbasses on the road jabbering into their handsets).

    It's been said that talking on a cell phone makes you "drive like your grandmother". I've found that doesn't happen with the Bluetooth interface.

    Count me as a fan!

    David
     
  12. Salsawonder

    Salsawonder New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2005
    1,897
    47
    0
    Location:
    La Mesa California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric @ Mar 28 2006, 08:27 AM) [snapback]231393[/snapback]</div>
    I agree, safety is the best but I usually have the music on loud and it is nice to have it automatically mute so I don't miss so many calls (one more thing that you don't have to do while trying to answer your handheld phone and driving and drinking your coffee while reading the paper....)
     
  13. DocToss

    DocToss Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    69
    0
    0
    Location:
    Cordova, TN
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I love it.
     
  14. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2004
    3,650
    6
    0
    Location:
    Olympia Wa
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    OK I think it is great. The quality depends on the phone. That is based on owing two different phones. The Treo works better. Verizon will not let you access the phone book and now that I have it I love the one touch. I have had real (no headset) hands free for 8 years. I paid almost $400, including installation to have it in my car 8 years ago mainly because of the 3 watt booster. I do not use it a lot but when I do it is for emergent situations. Being able to talk to the hospital while I am driving in an emergency is beyond priceless. I can get information, give orders, get things set up so we are good to go when I get there. Not everyone needs that. At the least having your hands on the wheel when you "need" not "want" to make a phone call. I am a total supporter of hands free. The Bluetooth saves me from having someone install something in my car.
     
  15. RolandB

    RolandB New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2006
    2
    0
    0
    Does anyone know which pay as you go phone have Bluetooth for Prius

    I have a Tracfone which DOES not have Bluetooth as I am not much of a cell phone user I am not tied to the phone plans being offered by the major cell phone companies I have a Tracfone which does not offer a bluetooth. I ma thinking of getting a T-Mobile pay as you go phone its a Motorola V195 T-Mobile To Go which has bluetooth can anyone guide me as I make this decision
     
  16. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,073
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Re: Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

    Put some punctuation in this question and we might be able to help (at least I think it was a question, from the little I could glean).

    Tom
     
  17. paulccullen

    paulccullen New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2006
    276
    3
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Re: Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

    My wife has the bluetooth phone option in her Prius and she loves it!

    I don't have it in mine, I use a Plantronics Voyager bt headset instead.

    Driving while holding a phone to your ear is just plain suicidal.:eek:
     
  18. SparrowHawk60

    SparrowHawk60 Happy to be green!

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2008
    411
    0
    0
    Location:
    Town of Newburgh, NY, U.S.of A.
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Re: Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

    Humm, let's see use the Blue Tooth or risk a fine of $250?
     
  19. Trevor

    Trevor Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2004
    352
    8
    0
    Location:
    Staten Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

    It's the law in NY to use a cell with a hands free solution, so it's either the car's audio system or an earpiece. I don't get all that many calls, so I found that using the a bluetooth earpiece is far more of a hassle than using the system in my Prius.

    I uploaded part of a phonebook when I first got the car, but for my uses, I don't really see the point. I'm either getting an infrequent call, or if I have to make a call it's usually if I'm stuck in traffic that's not moving, in which case it's easy enough to take my iphone out of my pocket and hit the phonebook on that. The audio goes over the car's system no matter how I dial.


    I guess it all depends on your expectations, and the integrated system meets all of my expecations.
     
  20. 9G-man

    9G-man Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2005
    1,273
    194
    0
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Re: Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

    SmartKey and Bluetooth are the two best features of the Prius. They completely change what are accepted as normal interactions. Quite liberating to be freed from handling keys and cellphone, and it really makes the car. Aside from HSD, of course. :)

    I love the Bluetooth feature.