MOTOROLA BLNC IHF1000
TEXT: STAFF
Anyone that has a vehicle that came from the factory with a Bluetooth system for hands-free mobile phone use knows the benefits of having such a system in the car. For people who aren't in a position to purchase a new ride with Bluetooth, Motorola has a new car kit that makes it a snap to upgrade your technological options.
The BLNC IHF1000 is such a simple product to install and so easy to use that this is without a doubt a must buy for drivers that use their mobile phones a great deal while getting around. Although it certainly can't do anything to reduce the risk of inattentive driving, it will cut down your chances of creating an accident due to looking at your phone's dial pad or driving with one hand while making a call with the other. (Studies have shown that talking hands-free while driving won't necessarily make you a safer driver than someone who talks by holding a phone.)
Stinger Electronics is distributing the BLNC and we can assume it was as clear a decision for them as the audio from the BLNC speaker. We used the product for a few weeks and within the first few days we realized that this is a keeper. The connection is simple: power, ground and to your head unit for muting your audio system when receiving or making calls. We placed the speaker in a space at the bottom of our dash and ran the 12' wire for the microphone up the A-pillar, behind the panel. You should make sure the mic and the speaker are not facing each other. All in all, the installation of the BLNC was a snap. We recommend you go to a shop, but do-it-yourselfers with experience working on their systems would have no problem incorporating the product.
Of course you need a Bluetooth phone. For our review we utilized Motorola's Razr. On the phone simply go to the Menu screen and select Connection. A window for Bluetooth will appear. Pairing up the BLNC with your phone is simple and quick. Your phone will locate the Bluetooth device and you're ready for use.
We set the system at automatic so any time we entered our test vehicle the BLNC would communicate immediately with our phone and alert us with a voice prompt that the system was ready.
As great as it is, the IHF1000 is not perfect. Dialing by number isn't foolproof. With the windows down, the voice recognition is likely to mishear your commands. At times we would have to repeat a phone number a few times until the BLNC correctly repeated back the number. You can make a call in various ways: dial on your phone (BLNC will then pick up the call); dial by voice (speaking out the number), dial by phone voice tag (you have to set up those numbers in your phone for that); use speed dial; or redial.
While we did have some trouble with the voice recognition, it was a minor inconvenience. To avoid persisting problems, we did roll up the windows for voice dialing.
In other respects, the system is terrific. The audio for the dedicated speaker is more than sufficient even with the windows down while driving.
While we had an open pocket at the bottom of our vehicle's dash, other vehicles may not have as discreet a location for mounting the speaker. Motorola recommends you mount the speaker in the passenger footwell. Wherever it is placed you will hear the 5-watt speaker loud and clear. We had to turn down the volume significantly.
The control pod can be located wherever most comfortable for the driver. For us we placed it near the gauge panel. It's discreet and still easily in reach, even with it behind the steering wheel. The control pod is made up of five buttons: call (or redial), end call, volume up and down and the main menu button in the center. Pressing the last of these will prompt the system to provide the various options you will use, including setup. The icons for the features on the pod light up so you can easily see where to push during driving at night.
As long as the BLNC is connected to the mute function on your head unit it will automatically cut off any music you might have playing when you receive or make a call. We never missed a call, even when driving around town with the volume up at 28. The only difference between the BLNC and a factory Bluetooth system in your car is the integration. If you already own a vehicle that you're happy with and want to add a fancy option that you find in higher-end vehicles, this is the way to go. For around $200, it's an inexpensive way to add cool technology.