Driving in California? Save $20 -- Use a Headset

The July 1st California law is in effect: Wear a headset while blabbing in the car -- or face a $20 fine. I think that's a remarkably low price to pay for not having to fiddle with a headset.

Talking with a Headset: Is It Really Safer?
Nope, I don't think using a headset's going to make driving any safer. Stopping people from talking on cell phones would do the trick, but that's about as impossible to legislate as would be making hands-free makeup application mandatory.

I think it's absurd that the legislature skirted the dialing-the-phone issue, something I believe is far more dangerous, by saying the law doesn't stop you from dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving. LOL -- sure, that'll stop 'em.

For a substantial piece that takes a hefty stab at the hands-free myth, read Hands-free cellphone use while driving won't make the roads safer, studies show. Why? Brain overload in the Los Angeles Times.

Headset Options for Procrastinators
A while ago I mentioned that you could get a free headset and just pay for shipping (see Great Deal: An Almost-Free Cell Phone Headset). Well free is good, but some of you have a couple of bucks to spare and may want to see other headset offerings. Jabra's $50 BT500 Wireless Cell Phone Headset get good reviews from readers. Here's a review of Jabra's $70 BT8040 Bluetooth.

I've got a non-Bluetooth cell phone (can you imagine?), so I'm stuck with a wired headset. I'm experimenting with Jabra's C500 behind-the-ear wired headset (about $30) and their GN2100 Noise Canceling 3-in-1, available for about $70.

There are other brands to choose from, of course. The fancy Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth Headset and the Plantronics Voyager 855 Bluetooth Headset are two good choices. Read our March roundup, "Bluetooth Headsets for Cell Phones," for even more reviews. Not enough for you? Browse PCW Shop & Compare for another 60,000 or so options.

And here's an off-the-wall suggestion. If you're a fan of CB radios (I am; I have one in the Roadtrek), take a look at Cobra's latest -- a CB radio with Bluetooth. The radio gives you a way to receive, end, and redial your cell calls through the radio's noise-canceling microphone.

Synch your cell phone to Cobra's Bluetooth CB radio.

Talkback
Have something to say about headsets? You can use Comments below or if you'd prefer, fire an e-mail right into my inbox.

Comments

Mobile phone use—Effects of handheld and handsfree phones on driving performance

Realistic study on phone use and driving skill decreases.

Also, hands-free does nothing to address texting, which is even more dangerous than phone calls and can easily be done lower down, thus distracting drivers even more. Think dialing times 20.

Faraday cages in cars is the only answer.

digitalzen

July 04, 2008

3:45 AM PT