There a couple of simple options if you just want to hold it. There are holders which attach to the air vents, but a simple screw, there are also holders which plug into the cigarette lighter and charge it at the same time.
It is now a requirement to use a handsfree kit, I think the law changed in April. Therefore driving along holding the phone is out of the question.
You will need an earpiece or a not-very-cheap bluetooth headset if your phone supports it.
The alternatives beyond this are:
1. Easy install carkits. These typically have a holder with a speaker on the back, usually a separate microphone that you attach to the dash with velcro pad, and are powered from the cigarette lighter.
Where you attach them is up to you, or you can leave it to float around in the passenger footwell.
There is no external antenna.
Power output is the same as the phone emits normally.
2. Professional install carkits. Here the holder is mounted on the centre console using a suitable bracket. Alternaitvely it can be hidden in the centre storage box if big enough. Power is supplied by routing a wire through the bulkhead either to the fusebox or the battery. The microphone is mounted on the dash or A-pillar with the wiring hidden in the trim. There are two options for the speaker, either you have a spearate speaker installed high up in the passenger footwell, or you tap into one of the conenctions on the stereo, if it supports it, then the audio is routed to the hi-fi speakers in the car and the stereo automatically mutes.
It may or may not have an external antenna. The external ones are most commonly glass mount ones. Patch antennas are also used.
Power is the same as the phone emits normally, but there may be some antenna gain if an external antenna is fitted.
3. Fully integrated system. Normally this is only available as a factory install or through the dealer (at siginificant cost since it affects the wiring loom).
4. Separate car phone. You just insert a SIM card. Power output can be up to 8W on GSM900 band. Antenna is usually hidden in the bodywork.
The final option which will is hoped to gain in popularity in the coming years is a bluetooth one. Whether this is option 2 or 3 above, you need no phone holder. Just have your phone somewhere in the car and the audio will be routed through the speakers. No wires, no plugging it in, the phone can automatically detect it is in the car and re-route the audio. Downside is that there is no external power supplied so talk time is limited by battery performance.
As you can see there are several options, depending on what phone you have, what you want to do, and most importantly how much you want to spend.
Rgds, Stuart.
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