Review: BlueAnt Supertooth 3 Handsfree

It's now illegal to make or receive calls on your cellphone in a car without the use of a handsfree kit.

There has been a huge increase in wireless cellphone kits available here and consumers are scratching their heads as to which one to buy.

Like many hands-free kits, the BlueAnt Supertooth 3 (or S3) uses Bluetooth technology to communicate wirelessly with your phone and make and receive phone calls. It is one of BlueAnt's most expensive units but comes packed full of features and is easy to set up.

It's a lightweight unit at 115g and clips neatly onto your driver's side sun visor. Its unobtrusive design houses a speaker, a send key, an end key, volume adjuster buttons and two status lights to show connectivity to a device.

Installing the S3 was as simple as clipping it on and holding down the send key for three seconds before following the device's voice instructions. The S3 can connect with up to 8 different Bluetooth devices, which should be more than enough for any technophile.

It also features a handy magnetic clip so you can pull it off the visor easily to place in the glovebox for security purposes.

The battery life is exceptional for a Bluetooth device and allows for more than 12 hours of talk time and 800 hours of standby time. The S3 comes with both a standard charger for the home or office and a carkit charger that plugs into your cigarette lighter socket.

Most importantly, the S3 provides excellent audio quality and the voice recognition software allows you to answer - but not make - phone calls without taking your hands off the wheel. When your cellphone rings, the S3's programmed voice will tell you either the name of the person calling or the number they are calling from.

Simply saying "okay" or "answer" accepts the call. Unfortunately though, there is no "disconnect" voice command so you may need to push a button to end calls.

To make a call you'll need to dial the number on your cellphone - only allowed if your phone is mounted and manipulated infrequently.

- © Fairfax NZ News