Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

I like it. I don't make a lot of calls, so rarely go beyond the first "one touch" screen if I do make a call. Answering a call is simpler with just hitting a button on the streeing wheel.

Yes uploading the phone book can be a pain, but it is an infrequent operation.

There is one thing I have not tried yet. My Palm E2 is also paired with my cell phone and can dial the phone. If I need to go beyond what is in the Prius phone book, can I dial from the phone book on the Palm and use the Prius hands free? I know I can dial the phone directly if needed, but the other end will usually get to their first "Hello" by the time the Prius picks up on the phone.

 

The main advantage of Bluetooth is not sound quality nor your own convenience. It is about safety. Any kind of hand-free devices free your hands from handling the phone while driving on the road. That is safety for everyone near you, including yourself. Besides, the bluetooth also tunes down the volumn of stereo automatically so you wouldn't miss any calls even when your music is loud.

 

i use a Moto HS 850 BT headset. it works like a champ. AND provides interface to voice commands as 100% of all calls to anyone in my contact list is done by voice command.

btw, i have an LG 8100. the voice recognition is by far the best of any phone i have used and that includes the 710. i did do the training session. took about 5 minutes to train 3 different areas.

i have also tested the voice recognition by spouting off numbers as fast as i could speak them, works about 90% of the time. if i talk normally, the success rate is more like 99%. (nothing is perfect)

 

95% of the calls I make are either to my wife or my parents saying I'm on my way. All of them could be made before I even get in the car. I use the BT because it's easier than sticking on a headset for such a short call. Since I don't make a lot of calls in any case, my Verizon e815 works fine.

 

I absolutely love the bluetooth feature. I've always refused to drive and talk on the phone at the same time. So, I've always had to pull over to take or make a quick call. Now, since I have the people I call most often on speed dial, it's not an issue. I push a couple buttons at a stop light, and its all gravy.
The sound quality is fine, unless of course we talk at the same time.
I have to admit the voice command glitches are a bit of a let down. I'm just crossing my fingers Toyota will address it soon.

 

i think comfort and advances in technology will change a lot of peoples mind. i frequently forget my headset is even on because its so light.

 

It sounds like a lot of the hassles are caused by Verizon making phonebook upload a PITA.

I have a T-Mobile Sony-Ericcson T610 phone. I just gave it the upload all command, and a few minutes later my entire phonebook was in the car (over 100 numbers).

The handsfree bluetooth is great. I use it to most often to answer calls. For that, it's the perfect answer to the usual safety problems of using a phone in the car. No worse than talking to someone esle in the car.....

 

Don't forget the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor.)

Mine thinks its the best thing about the car, bar none.

 

I am a big fan of hang up and drive

 

The quality isn't great, but that's OK. The safety factor is most important (and I don't look like the dumbasses on the road jabbering into their handsets).

It's been said that talking on a cell phone makes you "drive like your grandmother". I've found that doesn't happen with the Bluetooth interface.

Count me as a fan!

David

 

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I agree, safety is the best but I usually have the music on loud and it is nice to have it automatically mute so I don't miss so many calls (one more thing that you don't have to do while trying to answer your handheld phone and driving and drinking your coffee while reading the paper....)

 

I love it.

 

OK I think it is great. The quality depends on the phone. That is based on owing two different phones. The Treo works better. Verizon will not let you access the phone book and now that I have it I love the one touch. I have had real (no headset) hands free for 8 years. I paid almost $400, including installation to have it in my car 8 years ago mainly because of the 3 watt booster. I do not use it a lot but when I do it is for emergent situations. Being able to talk to the hospital while I am driving in an emergency is beyond priceless. I can get information, give orders, get things set up so we are good to go when I get there. Not everyone needs that. At the least having your hands on the wheel when you "need" not "want" to make a phone call. I am a total supporter of hands free. The Bluetooth saves me from having someone install something in my car.

 

Does anyone know which pay as you go phone have Bluetooth for Prius

I have a Tracfone which DOES not have Bluetooth as I am not much of a cell phone user I am not tied to the phone plans being offered by the major cell phone companies I have a Tracfone which does not offer a bluetooth. I ma thinking of getting a T-Mobile pay as you go phone its a Motorola V195 T-Mobile To Go which has bluetooth can anyone guide me as I make this decision

 

Re: Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

Put some punctuation in this question and we might be able to help (at least I think it was a question, from the little I could glean).

Tom

 

Re: Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

My wife has the bluetooth phone option in her Prius and she loves it!

I don't have it in mine, I use a Plantronics Voyager bt headset instead.

Driving while holding a phone to your ear is just plain suicidal.

 

Re: Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

Humm, let's see use the Blue Tooth or risk a fine of $250?

 

Re: Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

It's the law in NY to use a cell with a hands free solution, so it's either the car's audio system or an earpiece. I don't get all that many calls, so I found that using the a bluetooth earpiece is far more of a hassle than using the system in my Prius.

I uploaded part of a phonebook when I first got the car, but for my uses, I don't really see the point. I'm either getting an infrequent call, or if I have to make a call it's usually if I'm stuck in traffic that's not moving, in which case it's easy enough to take my iphone out of my pocket and hit the phonebook on that. The audio goes over the car's system no matter how I dial.


I guess it all depends on your expectations, and the integrated system meets all of my expecations.

 

Re: Is the car's Bluetooth interface worth the effort?

SmartKey and Bluetooth are the two best features of the Prius. They completely change what are accepted as normal interactions. Quite liberating to be freed from handling keys and cellphone, and it really makes the car. Aside from HSD, of course.

I love the Bluetooth feature.