Tech I Use: Volume 4 - Scosche Solar-powered Bluetooth Speakerphone

Recently the province of Ontario passed an in-car ‘hands-free’ law, dictating that anyone who would like to use their cellphones while driving, need to do so with limited hands on interaction. Simply put, you can’t hold the phone to your ear anymore, hold it in your hand while it’s on speakerphone, or hold it while you’re dialing.

When this new law came into effect, I was working at the Apple Store, and I first tried out a bluetooth headset, but didn’t like it for numerous reasons:

• Small, easy to lose (which would need to be replaced), liable to fall off my ear while I’m driving.
• Difficult/inconvenient to charge; likely to bring it back and forth from your car and home… which would raise the risk of losing it.
• Uncomfortable, and inefficient – always having trouble understanding or being understood during conversation.

After trying and return one of the headsets, I picked up one of Scosche’s bluetooth speakerphone units. Much to my surprise, it was actually solar powered too – something that turns out is incredibly helpful.

I’m sure there’s more than one kind of solar powered bluetooth speakerphone unit, but I’m going to focus on the one that I have. The model I have specifically, is called the Scosche solCHAT II, CBHSOL2.

• Hands-free bluetooth speakerphone.
• Integrated solar panel re-charges the internal lithium-ion battery.
• Includes two mounts: one visor, and one suction cup for the windshield.
• Address book import, name announce when receiving phone calls (Up to 1000 contacts).
• DSP echo cancellation ensures a crystal clear conversation even in noisy vehicles.
• One-touch voice dialing (majority of phones).
• Comes with usb cable and car charger… just in case!

The CBHSOL2 mounted on my car's visor.

I have to firmly recommend this device if you’re looking for a bluetooth solution for your car. This device charges with the sun (even with the cloudiest of conditions). You hold the button when you get in the car to turn it on, click it once to answer or to hang up, and if you want, you can just leave it on when you leave the car. As long as the phone and the unit are in range, it’ll stay on perpetually. If you leave your car, after 5 minutes the unit will just turn itself off.

The two mounts are in place, and I slide the device back and forth between them. I put it on the windshield whenever there’s any light, or I’m parked in the light, and when it’s dark out or cold out, I slide it into my visor so it’s closer to me, and so that the cold doesn’t take as much of a toll on the battery.

CBHSOL2 mounted on the top left corner of my windshield. Picture taken from the outside driver side of my vehicle.

For $109 you can buy the device from Scosche’s website, or from your local Apple Store