Long Review: Parrot® CK3000 Bluetooth Voice Recognition Handsfree
05-21-2004, 01:09 PM
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Long Review: Parrot® CK3000 Bluetooth Voice Recognition Handsfree
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Review: Parrot® CK3000 Bluetooth Voice Recognition Handsfree
I've put together a review of the latest mod i've added to my Audi Allroad so that everyone could understand how cool and life changing this thing really is for an Audi owner that has never experienced the integrated car kit.
When I got my new Motorola V600 (AT&T Wireless / Cingular) the Bluetooth feature was one of the features that really had me excited. Not only would i be able to wirelessly add my contacts to the phone, but with my Apple Powerbook, i would be able to Sync my datebook and keep my contacts up to date on a daily basis. (I'm still waiting for Apple to make this feature compatible with their iSync software and this phone.)
I never planned to get a Bluetooth headset, because although i consider myself to be a techno-gadget freak, i hate having something blocking up one of my ears and a regular basis. This is why i hate corded hands free earpeices as well - especially in the car where i want to crank music and enjoy my drive.
There have been many times when i've been driving with the iPod blaring, I've missed a phone call or two because i couldn't hear the ring. And when I'm not alone, and am in the car with my wife and 7 month on son, i don't need to be fumbling with my phone while driving around the NYC area.
The Audi comes pre wired with a integrated car phone connection, but i loathe the fact that you have to buy their Motorola V60 and use Verizon service. I would much rather use my own phone with the car's system - but that's not going to happen. In fact most in car integrated phone systems use proprietary phones with special firmware. It has only been recently that Infiniti and few others have been offering open Bluetooth systems in their cars so that users could use any bluetooth phone with the car.
That got me thinking, were there any add-on systems that could do the same thing? Sure enough a Google search directed me to a french company, Parrot, that has been producing a bluetooth handsfree for a few years now. I immediately started my research on the product and it seemed that they had designed the product to be universal for most cars. The beauty in the design is that the system attaches into the already existing plugs in the back of your radio and basically does the same job as the integrated systems.
Here's the technical lowdown:
For simple connections, your car headunit has to have ISO-type plugs -- most European cars, like Audi, have them and a few American cars as well -- if your car doesn't have ISO plugs, there are companies that make adapters that will allow you to easily connect the Parrot to your Non-ISO plug headunit.
Once you have access to the wiring harness connections at the back of the Symphony II headunit, you simply unplug the speaker wire harness and plug it into the Parrot's "Y" Mute cable (all of the ISO plugs have different shapes, so you can't choose the wrong plug and attach it) then plug the other part of the Parrot Mute cable into the connection on the head unit that you just detached.
What you have just done is shunt the speaker connection with the Parrot so that it can mute the headunit audio source (CD, CD Changer, Radio) and route the phone call audio through the car speakers when it detects a call.
Next you have to unplug the Power connection ISO plug from the headunit and plug it into the Parrot's Power cable - then plug the other part of the Parrot power cable into the connection on the head unit that you just detached.
You have just shunted your radio's power connection to allow the Parrot to get power when the car's ignition is engaged.
The last optional part is to connect a loose yellow wire from the Parrot's mute wire to the exact pin that contains the Mute connection on your car's headunit. The Symphony II has a pin diagram on the top of it to explain the wiring schematic. The Parrot's wiring harness has multiple loose wires at the ready to be plugged in depending where your mute pin is in the schematic. Connecting this wire will allow your radio to display "phone" on the display when a call comes in, but is not a necessary connection since the Parrot's mute cable will do the job of muting the audio source and allowing the phone audio through.
The hard part is done. You now have to connect the Parrot's Mute and Power wire into the Parrot Interface box. This is where the Parrot does all the work. On the Interface box are 4 plugs, one for the Mute cable and for the Power cable you just connected up. The other two are for the noise cancelling microphone that you should mount near your visor. The Mic comes with multiple mounting clips. And the last plug is for the wired control panel. The panel consists of two buttons, a Green (Make a call) button, and a Red (end call) button. This small control pad can be mounted anywhere on the dash within arms reach so that you can engage the Parrot system to make or end a call.
The Functional Lowdown:
Once you have all connections made it's time to test out the system. Make sure your phone's Bluetooth connection is 'ON' and that your phone is within 10 feet of the Parrot control box. Start up the car and play any type of audio source on the car's headunit. Depending on your phone, you must locate the Bluetooth headset options in the phone settings and search for Bluetooth headset devices. The phone should find a device called "Parrot 3.xx" -- pair the phone with this device (you may have to enter a password to pair - usually it's "1234") once the phone accepts connection you are automatically paired with Parrot system and will always be connected when you start the car and have your phone nearby.
To test the functionality of the system its good to have another cellphone in the car to call your bluetooth phone. When the Bluetooth phone receives a call, the Parrot will know as well and will mute the audio source and play the ring through the cars speakers. If you have your phone set to auto answer, the phone will automatically answer the call and you can begin your conversation. If you do not have auto answer set, you will have to press the Green button on the Parrot control pad to answer the call. If all went well you should be able to hear yourself over the cars speakers. When you hang up the non-bluetooth cellphone the Parrot will detect the end of the call and switch back to the audio source you were previously listening to -- it works!
Now you have to hide the wires, mount the Parrot control box under the dash and go on your merry way.
Of course the Parrot has killer voice recognition and you can train it to dial any number you want by pressing the Green Parrot button and saying, for example, "home". The system can handle many more names than any phone can for voice dialing. Also, when you store your phone numbers with a voice name, the Parrot will announce the caller by name when it detects a call and knows the phone number based on Caller ID information -- Very cool.
So now I have a wireless, integrated phone system in my car, and the best part is that i can keep the phone in my pocket or in my backpack and the Parrot will always connect with it when i get in the car. No more wired connections to clutter my dash or console.
I highly recommend this product, it truly works and will make both your car and your phone equipped with the most functional of cool-*** technology.
I believe most people can install this kit, but some may have some issues with their car. I think i was lucky, i hope you are to.
Regards,
John Fischetti
Review: Parrot® CK3000 Bluetooth Voice Recognition Handsfree
I've put together a review of the latest mod i've added to my Audi Allroad so that everyone could understand how cool and life changing this thing really is for an Audi owner that has never experienced the integrated car kit.
When I got my new Motorola V600 (AT&T Wireless / Cingular) the Bluetooth feature was one of the features that really had me excited. Not only would i be able to wirelessly add my contacts to the phone, but with my Apple Powerbook, i would be able to Sync my datebook and keep my contacts up to date on a daily basis. (I'm still waiting for Apple to make this feature compatible with their iSync software and this phone.)
I never planned to get a Bluetooth headset, because although i consider myself to be a techno-gadget freak, i hate having something blocking up one of my ears and a regular basis. This is why i hate corded hands free earpeices as well - especially in the car where i want to crank music and enjoy my drive.
There have been many times when i've been driving with the iPod blaring, I've missed a phone call or two because i couldn't hear the ring. And when I'm not alone, and am in the car with my wife and 7 month on son, i don't need to be fumbling with my phone while driving around the NYC area.
The Audi comes pre wired with a integrated car phone connection, but i loathe the fact that you have to buy their Motorola V60 and use Verizon service. I would much rather use my own phone with the car's system - but that's not going to happen. In fact most in car integrated phone systems use proprietary phones with special firmware. It has only been recently that Infiniti and few others have been offering open Bluetooth systems in their cars so that users could use any bluetooth phone with the car.
That got me thinking, were there any add-on systems that could do the same thing? Sure enough a Google search directed me to a french company, Parrot, that has been producing a bluetooth handsfree for a few years now. I immediately started my research on the product and it seemed that they had designed the product to be universal for most cars. The beauty in the design is that the system attaches into the already existing plugs in the back of your radio and basically does the same job as the integrated systems.
Here's the technical lowdown:
For simple connections, your car headunit has to have ISO-type plugs -- most European cars, like Audi, have them and a few American cars as well -- if your car doesn't have ISO plugs, there are companies that make adapters that will allow you to easily connect the Parrot to your Non-ISO plug headunit.
Once you have access to the wiring harness connections at the back of the Symphony II headunit, you simply unplug the speaker wire harness and plug it into the Parrot's "Y" Mute cable (all of the ISO plugs have different shapes, so you can't choose the wrong plug and attach it) then plug the other part of the Parrot Mute cable into the connection on the head unit that you just detached.
What you have just done is shunt the speaker connection with the Parrot so that it can mute the headunit audio source (CD, CD Changer, Radio) and route the phone call audio through the car speakers when it detects a call.
Next you have to unplug the Power connection ISO plug from the headunit and plug it into the Parrot's Power cable - then plug the other part of the Parrot power cable into the connection on the head unit that you just detached.
You have just shunted your radio's power connection to allow the Parrot to get power when the car's ignition is engaged.
The last optional part is to connect a loose yellow wire from the Parrot's mute wire to the exact pin that contains the Mute connection on your car's headunit. The Symphony II has a pin diagram on the top of it to explain the wiring schematic. The Parrot's wiring harness has multiple loose wires at the ready to be plugged in depending where your mute pin is in the schematic. Connecting this wire will allow your radio to display "phone" on the display when a call comes in, but is not a necessary connection since the Parrot's mute cable will do the job of muting the audio source and allowing the phone audio through.
The hard part is done. You now have to connect the Parrot's Mute and Power wire into the Parrot Interface box. This is where the Parrot does all the work. On the Interface box are 4 plugs, one for the Mute cable and for the Power cable you just connected up. The other two are for the noise cancelling microphone that you should mount near your visor. The Mic comes with multiple mounting clips. And the last plug is for the wired control panel. The panel consists of two buttons, a Green (Make a call) button, and a Red (end call) button. This small control pad can be mounted anywhere on the dash within arms reach so that you can engage the Parrot system to make or end a call.
The Functional Lowdown:
Once you have all connections made it's time to test out the system. Make sure your phone's Bluetooth connection is 'ON' and that your phone is within 10 feet of the Parrot control box. Start up the car and play any type of audio source on the car's headunit. Depending on your phone, you must locate the Bluetooth headset options in the phone settings and search for Bluetooth headset devices. The phone should find a device called "Parrot 3.xx" -- pair the phone with this device (you may have to enter a password to pair - usually it's "1234") once the phone accepts connection you are automatically paired with Parrot system and will always be connected when you start the car and have your phone nearby.
To test the functionality of the system its good to have another cellphone in the car to call your bluetooth phone. When the Bluetooth phone receives a call, the Parrot will know as well and will mute the audio source and play the ring through the cars speakers. If you have your phone set to auto answer, the phone will automatically answer the call and you can begin your conversation. If you do not have auto answer set, you will have to press the Green button on the Parrot control pad to answer the call. If all went well you should be able to hear yourself over the cars speakers. When you hang up the non-bluetooth cellphone the Parrot will detect the end of the call and switch back to the audio source you were previously listening to -- it works!
Now you have to hide the wires, mount the Parrot control box under the dash and go on your merry way.
Of course the Parrot has killer voice recognition and you can train it to dial any number you want by pressing the Green Parrot button and saying, for example, "home". The system can handle many more names than any phone can for voice dialing. Also, when you store your phone numbers with a voice name, the Parrot will announce the caller by name when it detects a call and knows the phone number based on Caller ID information -- Very cool.
So now I have a wireless, integrated phone system in my car, and the best part is that i can keep the phone in my pocket or in my backpack and the Parrot will always connect with it when i get in the car. No more wired connections to clutter my dash or console.
I highly recommend this product, it truly works and will make both your car and your phone equipped with the most functional of cool-*** technology.
I believe most people can install this kit, but some may have some issues with their car. I think i was lucky, i hope you are to.
Regards,
John Fischetti
05-22-2004, 01:59 PM
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Install Timing....
Other than the few hours obsessing about the connection with the online documentation BEFORE i got the unit -- it probably took me 1.5 hours.
Doing the actual connections before i tested was about 20 minutes.
Testing another 25 minutes
Mounting mic and button pallete - 25 minutes.
Hiding wires - 15 minutes
Answering your first call wirelessly -- Priceless!
Doing the actual connections before i tested was about 20 minutes.
Testing another 25 minutes
Mounting mic and button pallete - 25 minutes.
Hiding wires - 15 minutes
Answering your first call wirelessly -- Priceless!
05-23-2004, 03:07 AM
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Why didn't you wait for the CK3100 ?
It has a display and acts much more like an integrated system with phone book transfer from your phone. They are due out in a week or so and I'm lined up to get one then ..
I'll let you know how it goes !
I'll let you know how it goes !
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05-23-2004, 01:18 PM
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Re: Long Review: Parrot® CK3000 Bluetooth Voice Recognition Handsfree
nice one - I've got the sonyericsson bluetooth handsfree kit fitted in my allroad - has been working great for about 18 months now
had it fitted in about an hour & only have 1 button on the dash - its a great add on for the allroad
had it fitted in about an hour & only have 1 button on the dash - its a great add on for the allroad
05-24-2004, 06:00 AM
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Re: How much does the Parrot cost?
I've seen it range from $150 to $230 on the net
Expansys.com seems to have the lowest price - unfortunately, i noticed that place a bit late.
I paid $185.00
Expansys.com seems to have the lowest price - unfortunately, i noticed that place a bit late.
I paid $185.00