Scosche solVUE Solar Powered Bluetooth Speakerphone Review

Great hands free kit that charges from the sun

May 18 2011, 1:08pm CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Scosche solVUE Solar Powered Bluetooth Speakerphone Review

Today I am checking out the Scosche solVUE solar powered Bluetooth Speakerphone. This is a little solar handsfree kit for your car that uses Bluetooth and can be mounted to your windshield or your visor. If your car lacks Bluetooth from the factory this might be the perfect addition to your ride.

Gallery

3 images

Specifications

The Scosche solVUE comes with a USB charging cable, a DC adapter for USB devices, and a cradle for the visor for your car or the window. It also includes the Scosche solVUE unit itself. It is available to purchase for $109.99.

In Use

I have used a bunch of handsfree kits in the car over the years. The thing they all had in common was that they attached to the visor of my car. I am not a fan of anything hanging up there on the visor, it looks bad and the clips tend to mess up the visor fabric over time. I also didn’t like that some of the units I have tested ran out of power fast and had to be brought inside to charge.

The Scosche solVUE is a little solar panel on the back that will trickle charge the handsfree kit when your car is out in the sun. Eventually you will need to recharge the device and it comes with a DC outlet USB adapter and a USB charge cable for use in the car.

I really like that the Scosche solVUE comes with two brackets. One of them will let you put the Scosche solVUE on your visor if you want. The other has two suction cups and sticks the Scosche solVUE to your windshield where it can charge and is out of the way. If you mount the Scosche solVUE to the windshield the LCD screen tilts towards the driver to make it easy to read the status of the device and see who is calling.

You really don’t have to see who is calling because the Scosche solVUE will speak the name of the caller from your caller ID out to you and will tell you the phone number calling. If you want to answer the call, all you need to do is hit the call button. That same button ends calls as well.

The Scosche solVUE has plenty of volume you will want to turn it down if your car is quiet. In noisier cars like mine or when driving with the windows down the device has plenty of volume so, you can hear what is being said. The pairing process was fast and easy. My iPhone will also allow voice dialing using the Scosche solVUE. You just hit the phone button on the Scosche solVUE once and it activates voice dialing. You can then say who you want to call and the number will dial.

Call quality is very good and the people on both ends of the conversation can clearly hear and be heard. One of the downsides to the Scosche solVUE and other devices like it is that it has too much range. I find my calls in and out are transferred to the Scosche solVUE in the car when I am in the house in rooms close to the garage. That gets irritating after a while. The Scosche solVUE will also automatically pair to your phone when you get back in range after leaving the car.

Verdict

Pros

Mounts to windshield
Reads caller ID info
Solar panel

Cons

Connects to calls when I am in the house at times

Conclusion

The Scosche solVUE is a very good hands free kit that anyone needing to get legal or wanting to make and receive calls when driving will want to check out.

9.0

Updates

Let the sun recharge your batteries

Source: Vancouver Sun

GRIFFIN TECHNOLOGY'S NEW SMARTTALK SOLAR BLUETOOTH SPEAKERPHONE This is further evidence that the Munshi tribe of West Africa has it right in considering the sun to be a supreme being. How else to explain the ben ...
Full article at: Vancouver Sun More like this 14 hours ago

Converge USB docking station

Source: E-Tech Review

is a device which has the ability to chare multiple devices at the same time. In today’s digital age, we are in the constant need to remain connected. Our gadgets form an integral part of our lifestyle and our professional ...
Full article at: E-Tech Review More like this 15 hours ago

G-Project G-Go (blue)

Source: Ecoustics

A few of us here in the office have been looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that will work in the shower. Alas, G-Project's $69 G-Go (G-100) speaker, which is available in Target stores, is splash-resistant but not waterproof, ...
Full article at: Ecoustics More like this 20 hours ago

where to buy

Buy from Amazon

Don't miss ...

I4U Gadget Reviews

Gorillamobile Ori for iPad Review

Shane McGlaun
Leading our review center, Shane knows technology inside out. His extensive experience in testing computer hardware and consumer electronics enable him to effectively qualify new products and trends. If you want us review your product, please contact Shane.
Shane can be contacted directly at shane@i4u.com.