In order to end up with the car phone system best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of car phone systems are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a car phone system.
Research the market: Car Phone System essentials
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the car phone system market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Type: There are many choices to consider, including cell phones, satellite phones and hard-wired car phones. Some offer a prepaid plan, while others have a yearly or monthly fee. Some include a GPS system that connects to a satellite. Others are voice activated; they can recognize vocal commands, such as 'call home' or 'call Frank' and make the call automatically.
Size: Modern phone systems are usually installed under the dashboard then wired through your existing speaker system. A microphone is also installed inside, usually at the top of your window, either in the center or near the corner pillar.
Features: Some features you might want to consider are voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, hold, optional speakerphone placement, and speed dial.
Cost: Cost will vary depending on how much you use the phone but you may be able to reduce your costs by being on a monthly or yearly plan. If there is a yearly membership fee or other amenities, like automatic emergency call placement or satellite communication help with a live operator, your fees could increase considerably.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a car phone system. For example, will you use the car phone system only for those times you need to call someone in transit, or do you spend most of your working hours on the road?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Have I used a car phone system before? |
| | If you have used a car phone system, work out what you did or didn't like about the car phone system. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| Why do I need a phone system? |
| | It might now be illegal where you live to drive while talking on a cell phone or you may just believe that doing so is quite unsafe. |
| What will I use a phone system for? |
| | You could be a busy professional who needs to be accessible at all times, even while in transit or you may feel safer if you had an onboard phone system that would allow you to contact family members in the event of an emergency. |
| How often would I use the phone system? |
| | You may be using it all the time, or only from time to time. |
| How much do I want to spend for a phone system? |
| | You might not mind paying monthly fees and prefer a calling plan that offers you flexibility and other extra features. Perhaps you need it for basic calling, or just for emergencies. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of car phone systems and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
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