Talkative
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IFrequently asked questions
What is a handsfree car kit?
It is a product/device that is permanently fixed into your car, so that you can use your mobile phone safely, whilst on the move. Whilst in the car kit, your phone is powered directly by your vehicle's battery, and some car kits will also charge your phone battery whilst in the car kit. In addition there is also an external aerial fitted, so that you can achieve the best possible reception from your mobile.
What are the components of a handsfree car kit?
The hands-free car kit is comprised of the following parts:
Cradle – This is the holder that your phone sits in whilst in the car. It is permanently fixed to the interior fascia
of the car, in a position whereby you can reach the keypad. Connected to the base of the cradle is the data cable which feeds all
of the information from the phone
Hands-free microphone – This is literally a small microphone, which is fixed along the ‘A’ pillar of your car. (The strip
between the windscreen and drivers side window) Generally this provides the best location to site the microphone so that you can
continue your telephone conversation whilst on the move, yet still in your normal driving position.
Hands-free speaker – The speaker in a hands-free car kit provides the sound, so that you can hear the person you are
talking to. On some car kits the speaker is combined with the cradle and on others it is a separate component (around 10cm
length), which is generally located in a convenient, unobtrusive position in the passenger footwell. It is possible to purchase
accessory audio leads* so that you are able to hear your telephone conversation through the car audio system.
*This is subject to compatibility with your existing in-car audio system, your vehicle and your car kit type.
Aerial – As we mentioned earlier, the aerial is for improved reception, however there are a number of different types of
antenna, to suit the many different types of car.
Glass mount – This type is generally fixed onto the rear windscreen, by a special adhesive base.Body mount – This type
requires a hole to be drilled into your car roof to mount the aerial.
Tax Disc – As the name suggests, the aerial is concealed within a special holder, and will replace your existing tax disc
mount. It is necessary to use this type in certain vehicles e.g. convertibles
Strip antenna – This is an unobtrusive antenna, with no external parts thereby reducing the potential for damage. It is a
thin plastic strip, around 5” long that is fixed by adhesive to the inside of your windscreen.
What are the benefits of a handsfree car kit?
Most important of all is the road safety aspect. With a fully installed hands-free car kit, you can make and receive calls
whilst on the move,
Your phone is charged whilst in the car kit and so you will find a reduced need to charge it at home or in the office thereby
saving you time.
A professionally fitted car kit has a separate antenna which ensures that you receive better quality reception from your mobile
phone whilst in the car.
A car kit allows you to remain in touch around the clock without compromising on safety.
What car kits do you offer?
We offer both original manufacturer and third party car kits on the majority of current handsets. Our third party kits are supplied by THB Bury and Parrot. Original manufacturer equipment (OEM) kits are branded kits supplied by the manufacturer of the handset. Please see your handset manufacturer's website for technical information about their car kits. When making your purchase you can differentiate between the kits, as they are clearly marked either THB Parrot or OEM.
Why do I need to have the car kit professionally installed?
Due to the requirement to take power from the vehicle's battery and the routing of cables, taking into consideration costly items such as engine management systems, air bags etc. it is imperative that your installation engineer has been fully trained on all of these areas. Many vehicles have different requirements and having installed car kits in vehicles for the past thirty years, We have gained a wealth of expertise that is second to none.
Do I bring my vehicle to you, or will you come to me?
We will come to you! Our engineers cover the whole of mainland, If you require an installation outside of mainland then this will incur an additional charge. Please Contact us and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.
What will happen after I place my order?
You will receive email confirmation after you have placed your order summarising your order details. One of our customer service representatives will then call you to arrange for the installation of your car kit to take place. We will talk to you about where and when you would like us to conduct the installation, making sure that ideally, the location has undercover facilities, so that in the event of poor weather, we can protect your vehicle. We will also discuss with you your aerial choices, your options on non-damaging brackets, so that we do not have to drill holes on the interior fascia (which can be costly to repair when you sell your vehicle) and the possibility of audio leads if required.
What can I expect of my Car Kits Engineer?
Your engineer has been fully trained in all aspects of installation and customer service and is insured to work on your vehicle. We believe that our customers should benefit from ‘timed’ appointments, so that you don’t have to disrupt your schedule to wait for our engineer. If the engineer is held up in traffic, he will call you to keep your informed of his arrival time. When he arrives he will require 5 or so minutes of your time to sit you in the drivers seat and discuss the positioning of the components to suit you. He will also complete a pre inspection of the vehicle with you. Generally, the installation will take around 90 minutes, after which time you will be required to complete the post installation checks with the engineer and a brief demonstration on how the car kit works.
Do I Have a Warranty?
All car kit manufacturers should provide a 12-month product warranty by law. This covers the car kit, and the liability to replace faulty parts. In the event of a fault with your car kit, Talkative Handsfree will not charge you for a call out and labour in order to rectify the fault. Providing it was not deliberate or accidental damage and falls within the terms and conditions of Talkative Handsfree terms.
Legislation
3 Penalty Points And £60 Fine...No Thank You!
Across Kirklees police promise a major crackdown on mobile phone users. It is illegal to use a mobile phone without some form of hands-free whilst driving. Studies show drivers are 4 times more likely to have an accident while using a mobile phone when driving from February 2007 the legislation has been upgraded to 3 points and £60 fine.
New legislation regarding the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving came into force on 27th February 2007, imposing tougher penalties than it’s predecessor bill which failed to effectively ward off drivers. The Road Safety Act 2006 comes as part of government plans to reduce death and serious injuries on the road by 40% by 2010.
The Penalties
The penalties for driving holding a mobile phone will result in a minimum £60 fine and 3 points on your license, which may increase insurance premiums. It takes only 6 points to have your license revoked within the first 2 years of passing, and 9 points otherwise.
If the incident reaches court, the driver risks disqualification and the fine could increase to up to £1000 or £2500 in the case of buses, coaches and goods vehicles.
The Dangers
The government is trying to increase awareness among drivers of the physical risks involved if the mobile phone ban is not adhered to. Much research has been carried out which reveals that driving whilst using your hand-held mobile phone impairs your judgement by almost 50% compared to when driving normally. This is a reaction time 30% slower than that of a person driving under the influence of alcohol.
Research also shows that using a hand-held mobile phone while driving increases the likelihood of a crash by four times.
The Solutions
If it is necessary to make or receive a call, drivers are reminded that the hard shoulder is not a safe place to pull over. The best course of action involves waiting for good traffic conditions and subsequently making, or taking, the call using a hands-free mobile phone, alerting the caller that you are driving and remembering to keep conversation as brief as possible.
Following the new legislation, strong recommendations have been made to employers to provide employees with hands-free equipment, which stands as the only legal method of making and receiving calls while driving.
Driving using a hand-held mobile phone
- Minimum £60 fine
- 3 penalty points on your license
- Four times more likely to crash
- Reaction times deteriorate by 50% compared to normal drivers
- Reaction times 30% worse than drink-drivers