Advice Centre

Hands-Free Car Kits

• What hands-free products are available?

   

  

  There are a range of options for how to go hands-free, allowing you to still use your phone in the car.

  The main options for staying legal and handsfree are:

  » Portable solutions, i.e hands-free headsets.
  » Fully fitted hands-free car kits.
  » Integrated sat nav units.
  » Integrated car stereo head units.

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• Can Halfords fit my hands-free car kit for me?

   

  

  Yes, Halfords offers a hardwire fitting service for all hands-free car kits bought from us.

  Fitting starts from €29.99.Fitting is subject to vehicle inspection.

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• How do Bluetooth hands-free kits work with my mobile?

   

  

  Hands-free kits offer an effective and integrated Bluetooth solution.

  The keypad button is fitted neatly to the dashboard with the wires and electronic box hidden. If the unit requires it, the tiny microphone is attached to the roof of the vehicle.

  Once installed, just turn on the engine to start the unit working, and it can also be used with multiple devices, with the phone call being transmitted through the car's speakers. Some fully fitted car kits also offer a colour LCD screen/keypad for viewing mobile phone information including phonebook, photos and incoming calls.

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• Will my radio interfere with my Bluetooth device?

   

  

  No.

  Bluetooth radios operate on the unlicensed 2.4 GHz (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) frequency band that is shared among other devices (microwave ovens, cordless phones, garage door openers, etc). Bluetooth radios switch frequencies at such a rapid pace (1,600 times per second) and the data packets are so small that interference from other RF sources is highly unlikely. Bluetooth is a robust communication system.

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• What is the law concerning mobile phones whilst driving?

   

  

  It is illegal to drive a vehicle or ride a motorbike and use a hand held mobile phone or similar device.

  It is also illegal to supervise a learner and use a hand-held phone.

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• What's wrong with using a mobile phone whilst driving?

   

  

  It is dangerous because a telephone conversation (or texting) distracts from the mental concentration needed to drive safely.

  You put yourself and other road users in danger. Research has shown that driver's reaction times are up to 50% slower than normal when driving and using a mobile phone. It also shows that your reaction times are 30% worse than when driving under the influence of alcohol. You are also four times more likely to have an accident if using a mobile phone when driving.

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• When is a driver allowed to use a hand-held phone?

   

  

  There is an exception for calls to 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency where it would be unsafe or impractical to stop.

  Using 2-way radio equipment when driving is not a specific offence. Remember that a conversation could still distract from the concentration needed to drive safely. If you do not have proper control, then the police can still take action.

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• How do I handle my calls in the car?

   

  

  If the mobile phone rings then let it ring and return the call when you are able to park in a safe place.

  If you are driving on your own, we advise that if you do not switch your phone off, instead you should switch it to voicemail, message service or call diversion and ring back when you are safely parked. If however, you are the caller and you phone someone who is driving, say you will phone later and hang up.

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• What about employers?

   

  

  The requirement for an employer to assess risks applies to employees driving at-work.

  Employers therefore need to consider the risks associated with using a phone while driving. They should not ask their staff to make or receive calls while driving. Employers could be liable to prosecution if they require or allow employees to use a mobile phone while driving for work. Remember that all phones affect concentration. Using one could put employees driving at work, and others, at risk.

  As one of the major retailers in the motor industry, Halfords are committed to ensuring drivers are informed about this latest change to the law. We offer a range of hands-free solutions . These solutions allow you to make and receive hands-free calls whilst keeping within the law. Click here to look at our full online range of hands-free solutions and mobile phone holders, or visit your local Halfords store.

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• How secure is a Bluetooth network?

   

  

  Bluetooth is extremely secure in that it employs several layers of data encryption and user authentication measures.

  Bluetooth devices use a combination of the Personal Identification Number (PIN) and a Bluetooth address to identify other Bluetooth devices.

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• What is Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)?

   

  

  FHSS is the unique frequency signal between two devices, making it possible to send and receive data only between the devices connected.

  Without FHSS, all the Bluetooth devices in range will receive the data being sent.

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• Will other Radio Frequency (RF) devices interfere with Bluetooth Devices?

   

  

  No

  Bluetooth radios operate on the unlicensed 2.4 GHz (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) frequency band that is shared among other devices (microwave ovens, cordless phones, garage door openers, etc. ). Bluetooth radios switch frequencies at such a rapid pace (1,600 times per second) and the data packets are so small that interference from other RF sources is highly unlikely. Bluetooth is a robust communication system.

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• Will Bluetooth and Wireless LAN (WLAN) interfere with each other?

   

  

  No

  both Bluetooth and WLAN can co-exist. Since Bluetooth devices use Frequency Hopping, and most WLANs use Direct Sequence Spreading techniques, they each appear as background noise to the other and should not cause any perceivable performance issues.

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• What about power consumption with Bluetooth?

   

  

  Bluetooth is a practical option for use with mobile devices.

  One concern for mobile computing users is power consumption. Bluetooth radios are very low power, drawing as little as 0.3mA in standby mode and 30mA during sustained data transmissions. Bluetooth radios alternate among power-saving modes in which device activity is lowered to maximize the mobile power supply.

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• Are different brands of Bluetooth products compatible?

   

  

  Yes. They have to be compatible.

  The Bluetooth Logo Certification Program requires Bluetooth products to interoperate with products manufactured by other vendors. Those products that don't interoperate will not be allowed to use the Bluetooth logo.

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• What is a Personal Area Network (PAN)?

   

  

  A Personal Area Network is another name for a Bluetooth Piconet which is a collection of devices connected by Bluetooth.

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• Can Bluetooth products be used on aircraft?

   

  

  After careful consideration and extensive tests, the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) decided that Bluetooth devices are not safe to be used on aircraft.

  Although Bluetooth is very short ranged, there is a slight chance it may interfere with aircraft controls and therefore, passengers are forbidden from using it whilst in flight.

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