Utemad replied:

I got a Nokia 3200 12 months ago. I bought the car kit at the same time as the phone (on a contract) and they knocked $100 off the price of the genuine Nokia car kit. So ask them for a discounted car kit if you buy it at the same time.

Reception is heaps better with the kit and I have one of those 3 foot stick antennas.

Smocky replied:

G'day Tim,

Definately pick a phone with a GENUINE car kit. As a project manager/marketing manager, I go through more phones than I care to think about. I've had plenty of Nokia's, most with Genuine's and 1 with an after market (8250). I've had Siemens and am now on an I-Mate with a GBH car kit(German built).

If you can't get a genuine kit, pick a different phone believe me. Also, as Utemad said, the reception is MUCH better. Also very few dropouts as well as the very good point that it will keep the cops away.

Boss's wife has a 3310 and it is fine. Similar phone to the old 5000 series. The more expensive phones have advanced electronic features and bigger memories etc. The basic phone will be fine.

Just looked up the 3120 and yep, that looks the goods to me. When the wife has killed the 8250, I'll be getting her something like that. Good basic phone.

It has a genuine car kit, but can't see whether it comes with a cradle for the phone. Honestly, every time I get a new phone, I shell out the $400 for the car kit immediately. It makes a massive difference. Phone is NEVER flat (as you always charge it while you drive), reception is better, no fines or accidents. Simple a must.

Hope this helps a bit.

Cheers,

Smocky.

Doc replied:

I recently bought one of these myself, and I know what you mean about the product codes for the car kit.

If you buy a Nokia CARK-126 Complete Car Kit (rrp is $329 inc GST) you will get a box with the speaker, microphone, cables, mounting brackets and hands-free unit (the bit that goes under the dash, and all the cables plug into), and also (packaged seperately to the box) you will get the antenna coupler and cradle. This is everything you need except an antenna. Note that the cradle is the bit that is different for some phone models, the rest of the kit is the same. The antenna is not a plug (like it was for the 5110/6110 etc), but rather it is a "coupler" which sits near the internal antenna in the phone, so the advantage of having an external antenna may not be quite as good (it's a bit hard to tell in the city). The same car kit suits lots of different current model Nokia phones, including a 3105 CDMA.

Geoff

KiwiAngler replied:

Just a thought...If u are looking for a new phone why not go to CDMA...they are good for both local and outback...in fact they are now installing more repeaters in the outback and increasing the coverage extensively

Croozer replied:

As Doc mentioned, it sounds like the nokia kit you need is the same one I bought for my nokia 3105's (CARK 126). I bought 2 car kits at strathfield car radio for $199 each when they had a special on them, but you can always try your luck, they can only say no... You can also pick them up on ebay for around $200 last time I looked.
Cheers,
Stu