Tools of the road to help you go hands-free

Better 'pairing' is coming
A new Bluetooth specification, 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) was approved last year by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, which developed the technology and named it after a 10th-century Danish king.

2.1+EDR adds a feature called “secure simple pairing,” eliminating the need to enter a four-digit code for pairing, and also provides for improved battery power for Bluetooth devices such as headsets.

But products using the new specification are just starting to come on the market. And there are very few phones out so far that come with the Bluetooth chip for it. Among them are some phones made by LG and Samsung, according to a Bluetooth SIG spokeswoman who checked the organization’s “Qualified Products Database.”

Speakerphone choices
If you opt for a hands-free speakerphone, hang onto the receipt and make sure you can return the unit if you’re not happy with it. You may need to try out two or three before finding one you like. User comments at various Web sites about speakerphones note that sound quality can be an issue. Among some of the choices:

Motorola MotoROKR T505 Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone, $139.99. Like many speakerphones, it clips to a vehicle’s sun visor. The T505 has a 2-watt speaker, and features “Audio Caller ID” which speaks the number of the person calling you. It has 18 hours of talk time.

The VR3 Bluetooth Speaker Phone, by Virtual Reality Sound Labs, can be clipped to a vehicle's visor. It retails for $55.

BlueAnt Supertooth 3, $109.95. This speakerphone announces an incoming caller’s name or number, and all you need to say is “OK” to accept the call, according to the company. There are also voice prompts to help you connect the speakerphone with your cell phone and to upload your address book. It has 15 hours’ talk time.

Jabra SP5050, $99. Resembling a large garage-door opener in size, the SP5050 also clips onto a sun visor. It comes with a “Night Driving Mode,” which turns off the unit’s LED lights to reduce distractions, according to Jabra. It has 12 hours of talk time.

Parrot MiniKit, $70. This 3.5-ounce unit is compact at 4.3 inches high, 2.5 inches wide and 1.2 inches deep. It provides 10 hours of talk time and has a 2-watt speaker.

VRBT 300V Bluetooth Hands-Free Cell Phone Car Kit, $55. Available at stores like Costco and Home Depot, it is not the most modern-looking of devices with its blue, backlit LCD screen, but is a reasonable price. Estimated talk time is between 8 and 10 hours.

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