Looking for a Bluetooth handsfree?

[Rik]

If a simple unit, with no installation is all you're after, take a look at this:

http://www.orangeaccessories.co.uk/sf505_bluetooth_car_kit.html

Orange are selling it at £19.99, I've found it elsewhere at £39.99.

The unit is simple to set up, will auto-answer, auto-connect etc. It isn't all singing, all dancing, and wouldn't be the ideal choice for someone wanting to make a lot of calls. If you only want to be able to answer calls, otoh, it's not a bad choice.

[Simon]

I wonder if it will still be £19.99 when it's back in stock?

[Rik]

I didn't realise it was out, I got mine this morning.

[Simon]

Is it any good?  I have a Sony Ericsson car speakerphone that clips onto the sun visor.  It's great, does exactly what I want, but will only work with SE phones, so if I do decide to change to a Nokia, I will be looking for an equivalent.

[Rik]

It has a carrier with a clip that can go on the sun visor, or it can be removed for use on the desk etc. It's easy to configure, there's a press to answer button, but it can be set to auto-answer independently of the phone settings. It has volume and mute controls on each side. Audio quality is good, once paired it will auto-connect. It can do last number re-dial, but as I said, it's more for taking calls than making them.

The only downside is that they only supply a car charger lead, not a mains charger. Size: about 55 x 75 x 12.

[Simon]

Oh, the lack of a mains charger is a bugger.  Are they obtainable elsewhere, do you know?  I know Nokia make their own versions of these, but that one seems very conveniently compact, and the fact that it's virtually universal is a major plus point.  It would need to have a good sound quality though, for use in the car.  Some of these handsfree kits need the user to have bionic hearing.

[Rik]

I should have thought it would be possible to find a universal charge to fit - otoh, I have a device with three car sockets that I can use.

[Simon]

Charging it in the car would mean the charging lead reaching from the visor to the cigarette lighter, which, in my case, would obscure vision, and would be totally impractical, so I would definitely need a mains charger.

[Rik]

I meant I have a device indoors which provides 3 sockets... Unfortunately, the booklet doesn't give polarity or voltage, so I don't know what is coming out - I'll try and put a meter on it later.

[Simon]

Don't worry too much.  They aren't available anyway at the moment, and I suspect the price will go up when they are.  I still haven't decided whether to upgrade my existing phone or go for a new one, so it may have been a waste of money in any case. 

[Rik]

It might be worth keeping an eye on the Orange shop, they're often quite cheap (online). Their shops, otoh, charge over the odds.

[Simon]

OK, I have asked for an email when it's back in stock. 

[madasahatter]

That's funny - it's showing as "coming soon", but the price has gone up to £21.99!

[Rik]

I'm not surprised, Mad. With a list price of £39.99, it was a definite bargain when I bought it.