Best Bluetooth car-kits

By Ané Theron

As far as Bluetooth car-kits go, they've become a lot more affordable than they were years ago, when Bluetooth connectivity was new and only available in premium cars. Now, almost all modern cars have Bluetooth. But if yours doesn't, there is an array of options available, from very affordable to downright expensive.

These days, you can have a car-kit fitted or you can buy a portable one - the latter is usually not as pricey as the fitted ones.

1. Trusted brand names in Bluetooth car-kits include Parrot (they've been around for a long time and are known for their good sound quality), Bury, and iSimple.

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2. Of course, most of us are counting our pennies. Some cheaper online options include the portable Nokia Originals Speakerphone HF-210 Hands-free Bluetooth car kit, R424.The Tuff-luv Handsfree Bluetooth Car Kit FM Transmitter Car MP3 Player with LED Display costs R504. Then there's this TOMTOM 9UOB.001.09 Hands-free Bluetooth In-Car Kit for Smartphones (Micro USB) with charging/display docket for R999.

3. Some Bluetooth car kits will also charge your phone, serve as a docking station, and enable you to talk hands-free. This iSmart car-kit and charger by Mr Handsfree (see photo) costs R899 at Outdoor Warehouse - but be warned that it will be discontinued soon - but it's available at a good end-of-range price at the moment.

4. This Jabra Freeway Bluetooth in-car speakerphone (also with surround sound - see photo) costs R1999 - also at Outdoor Warehouse or online.

5. If money is no object, the latest range of Garmin GPS products allow Bluetooth phonecalls, and, depending on the model, they offer extra features like real-time traffic and weather, fatigue warnings, driver alerts for dangerous curves, animal crossings etc, built-in Wifi and so forth. From R1799 for the Drive 40LM model at Outdoor Warehouse (see photos).

If there's no way you can afford a Bluetooth-kit for your car, wear your headset that comes with your device for hands-free calling that doesn't cost you extra, but still keeps both your hands safely on the wheel of your car.

If you're caught holding your phone to your ear, your phone will be confiscated at once and will only be released the next day, and once you've paid a hefty fine, of course.