Due to the new California hands-free requirement, I was forced to get something that works hands-free with my car ('99 Chrysler LHS).I first bought a Garmin Nuvi 760 but the fact that this makes my car a target for theft is not desirable.I could hide the GPS every time when leaving the car but that would be a real pain.So I decided on this unit, which hopefully won't be a desirable thing for anyone to steal. Overall the Motorola HF850 is probably a good unit.It comes with a microphone and speaker.Only 3 wires need to be connected, two power and one ground.A fourth wire is useful if your vehicle allows the use of a mute wire (mutes stereo when a call comes through).For best voice pickup I placed the microphone at the top of the column by the window. In most cases the molding covering this column just snaps on and off.The speaker would be too quiet if placed behind too much stuff (or the dash) so you want it fairly exposed.
Power connection is fairly easy.I used T-splices (not sure of what they are called) to connect the ground and power wires.I used a pink line (I think Chrysler's are always pink) for the source of constant power and a black for ground.I tried to locate a Start/Run ignition power line, which will cut the unit off when the car is turned off only if a call is not in progress (will leave power to the unit if a call is in progress).I kind of gave up finding a Start/Run wire (dash wires were really tightly rapped and a lot of them).I just picked a wire that lead to something that switched off with the ignition. I think it was a slow power fade (dimmed lights before going out) but it does not matter that much because it's just a sense line which doesn't need a serious power line.
After installation I noticed it beeps each time it bluetooth connects to the cell phone.Not a huge issue but a little annoying.What's really annoying are the required button procedures for holding call to pick up another, dropping a held call, or disconnecting from the HF850 so you can walk off using the cell phone on the current call.For most phones you press the Send button (HF850 calls it "Voice" button) to make calls then possibly press Voice again to "flash" over to an incoming call and hold the current one. Instead, the HF850 requires you press the large blue middle button (HF850 calls it "Multi-use") for 3 seconds.If you don't press it long enough you'll drop the holding call and just pickup the incoming call. Ridicules, huh?You would think to hold and answer would require the quick press, not the long press.But that's Motorola.They have never been the UI (user interfaces) leaders, or even good followers.To transfer a call from the car to the cell phone (so you can leave the car) requires you to press the Voice button for 3 seconds to disconnect the HF850 from the cell.Because the unit doesn't have a display screen most of the functions on your phone can not be used so why bother with the large button AND the send button?Just one button would make remembering which one to press and for how long much easier.But, if you can keep these, admitted few, steps in mind than this unit should make a fairly easy and cheap (I got mine for $90 here) alternative.
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Product Description:
Motorola Bluetooth HF850 Car Kit.In-car connection automatically links and unit turns on/off with ignition. Car' s audio system automatically mutes for incoming calls (on most cars) . Control buttons to answer/end calls, adjust volume, mute microphone or access voice tags
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