... As a quintessence the only choice was the Parrot CK-3100 Bluetooth. Parrot is a French company specialized in accessories for mobile phoning.
After I learned from different price-searchers that this system was available in shops for Eur 170,-, I told myself: "let's look in eBay!" I followed ... Read review
For installation of Tablet DVD and multimedia monitors in vehicles. The monitor mount is ... more
placed onto a front seat's headrest. It comes with a tilt swivel so the screen can be adjusted in order to avoid reflection. It's easy to take the screen with you when leaving the vehicle. The installation is quick and will not damage the interior of the vehicle.
Postage & Packaging:£4.99 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: NO MORE plugging the Mobile into the handsfree! Disadvantages: Mounting is not trivial at all
...the only choice was the Parrot CK-3100 Bluetooth. Parrot is a French company specialized in accessories for mobile phoning.
After I learned from different price-searchers that this system was available in shops for Eur 170,-, I told myself: "let's look in eBay!" I followed the different auctions of this system, got where they end. I set a limit to myself: I wanted to pay not more than Eur 140,- for it. The hunt began! ...an auctionator residing near to our home. As I anyway had to drive that way the next days, I decided to buy it and collect it directly. So no delivery fees came supplementary.
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During July 2004, after the "period of grace" of my old Vodafone contract had finished, I had bought my new Nokia 6230 mobile for cheap money, just prolonging the actual contract. As this phone is able to communicate via Bluetooth (which in fact was one of the reasons of buying it), I wanted to have the corresponding hands free for the car. In my thoughts a big display and at both sides a "green" and a "Red" button, as well as the possibility to search and select my call-partners out of the telephone-book in the Nokia 6230 and voice recognition speed dialling.
The original Nokia Hands free, Nokia 610 covering all these conditions costs the considerable sum of Eur 300,- / £ 210,- This was too much for me, wanting to pay less. In that case I would have bought the corresponding adaptor for my actual hands free, Hama Liberty, even having less functionality.
I dived in different forums, looking in price-search-machines. As a quintessence the only choice was the Parrot CK-3100 Bluetooth. Parrot is a French company specialized in accessories for mobile phoning.
After I learned from different price-searchers that this system was available in shops for Eur 170,-, I told myself: "let's look in eBay!" I followed the different auctions of this system, got where they end. I set a limit to myself: I wanted to pay not more than Eur 140,- for it. The hunt began!
Then I found this system offered by an auctionator residing near to our home. As I anyway had to drive that way the next days, I decided to buy it and collect it directly. So no delivery fees came supplementary.
♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ and now the review! ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ ========================================================== Package contents ₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪
The box is similarly in dimensions as the one of a Car-Radio.
Inside you find, well packed, as first the control-unit with display, underneath the black box, the instructions manual, the cables, external microphone and the fittings for the whole stuff.
None surprise, only the things I expected. But not less. Means
As first I have to explain, how such a hands free works =====----====----=====----====----====----====----====----=====----====----===== I want to know: how does a Bluetooth-hands free work?
==----
=----=====----====----====----====----====----=====----====----=====most of you will know how radio-headphones work. When being in range of the sender, the headphones receive the signal sent out. But this function is unidirectional, means in only one direction. For phone-communications you need to talk and hear at the very same time. Means Duplex. You need an intelligent, defects correcting system as well. Both of these conditions are being covered by Bluetooth.
Here the information is digitalized and portioned in packages before being sent out. This packet contains not only the partial information, but also info about the packet-no before and expected afterwards. As the transmission is realized in a very short time, this allows that in case of a transmission error a packet can be sent out one more time, without having the so called "drop-out", means seconds without sound.
Bluetooth makes "talking" together only possible for devices known one another. This allows realizing more than one Bluetooth connection parallel, without upcoming transmission interferences.
A Bluetooth-hands free then works the way that having the hands free switched on, as soon as the "known" phone is in range (independently of where it is, in the pocket, in your coat or attached to the belt) both begin to "talk" one with another, interchanging information about the actual status. Until the moment a phone call comes in or you select to dial from the hands free.
I know it is very technical, but the world we are living is getting more and more complicated. Tried to make it as comprehensible as possible. If something is not ok, please put me a message in my guestbook. I will try to correct the review accordingly. =====----====----=====----====----====----====----====----=====----====----=====
This means you have two parts to be mounted into the car: the display -the part you will see- and the black box mounted invisible. Last one is the sender/receiver.
The mounting is absolutely not a trivial thing, if you want to mount all parts in a reasonably professional way. First a place has to be found where to hide the black box, afterwards a possibility to fix the display adequately in a good reachable place, offering some steadiness as you will press on the buttons and turn the small wheel for selecting your phone partners out of the telephone-book. Would the mounting of the display not be firm enough, this would slip away or even drop down.
This means: "double-left-handed-persons" please assign a specialist to mount this kit in your car! Usually the dealer's garage will do this.
The fixing of the black box has to be made invisible. This has also the reason that it has to be connected with the car-audio-devices in order to 1.) receive electricity 2.) have a connection with the loudspeakers, over which you will hear your phone partner.
I selected the most professional way to mount this: hanging at the cables, behind the central console. One more downer was the question: how do I lead the cables fort the display and the microphone from this point outside??? For this I made two "channels" on both sides of the car-audio-slot where the cables can be led invisibly outside.
For fixing the display three devices are being delivered in the set: 1. sticked on the console. 2. with screws at the roof . 3. fixed with a special cramp at the central ventilation. All of them include the possibility to fix the microphone over or below the display.
For normal people, not suffering the sickness called "Edgarditis" these possibilities are enough.
Only the cramp fixing at the ventilation is deficient. I mounted it this way for trial purposes and everytime when only touching one button, the whole thing came down. Means: here some corrections are necessary. Might be that it can work properly in another car. In my Toyota Camry it did not.
The fixing on the console and at the roof is very good prepared, including the possibility to fix the microphone over/under the display.
BUT: nobody though about the "Edgar-fixing-method". I had to help myself.
I fixed the display on the right side of the radio, the mike on the left side. Both with custom-build metal parts. As the cables have enough length, it was possible to fix the mike in order to have a good pickup of the speech avoiding ambient noise.
This mounting activities claimed high-mental performance from my. Might be one or other grey cells have died in this process. And after mounting the whole stuff I thought with horror about the day when I will be changing my car. But who cares now? It is build in and stop it! To tire the things out will be very much faster!
Due to the many possibilities to built the system into the car, I grant
rating: -------------------------------- 5 Stars from 5 = 100 % -------------------------------- ================================================================ Function (1) - incoming call ₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪
The CK-3100 shows on its display all information which is shown on the display of the mobile phone itself. As soon as the user of the phone is stepping into the car, the phone contacts automatically the CK-3100 and all applications are available on it. It shows the telephone-book and the name of the caller. A central localized turning knob and two press-buttons allow the secure phoning while you are driving. This is the résumé.
As already told in the explanation how Bluetooth works, an authenticated communication between mobile and hands free is set. This way it is being avoided in case of two mobiles "boarding" the car also both would "speak" with the hands free.
As soon as a call comes in, the sound from the radio is put on mute. If the settings on the mobile are this way, the communication begins automatically after the first ring. In the display on the radio you will see the information "phone call" Dependently of the brand of the radio, it may blink.
As the CK-3100 has a system owned amplifier, only the front loudspeakers are being used. The radio itself is not functional here.
You speak through the microphone. Please do not direct your voice to the display if the mike is not fixed at the same place. Your counterpart will not hear anything.
Functional perfect.
rating: -------------------------------- 5 Stars from 5 = 100 % -------------------------------- ================================================================ Function (2) - outgoing call ₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪
Even having such a handsfree, please avoid beginning a call while you are driving. As it affects the attention of the driver, it is also being punished in many countries. Here in Germany this means Eur 80,- and one negative point in the central data center in Flensburg.
Better you stop your car, and then you can dial. There are many possibilities to dial:
1. search the name/phone-no in the Telephone-book. Therefore you press on the central arranged turn knob, pressing on it when you found the right name. Thereafter press the green button and the dialing begins.
2. voice recognition speed dialing most of the actual mobiles have this possibility. If it might be "cool" when you are middle of a room, it is extremely helpful in order to dial from the car. Therefore you press a little longer and (Nokia) when a short soft sound comes you pronounce the name of the called as you saved it in your telephone. It begins to dial.
rating: -------------------------------- 5 Stars from 5 = 100 % -------------------------------- ================================================================ Function (3) - others ₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪
None of the bluetooth-handsfree offered on the market include the charging of the mobile. This would make absolutely no sense, as you bought this system to NOT connect the phone with the hands free, but be FREE!
If you are driving longer, in order to have a charging possibility for the phone if you do not know if the battery is ok, the best is to buy a small charger to be plugged in the lighter. There are many offers in eBay. Costs about £ 10,-
----------------------------------- Not rated -----------------------------------================================================================ The mounting & operation instructions ₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪
This little booklet containing both of them is exemplary.
It is precisely illustrated how to mount the whole system, observing each possibility one by one, allowing you to follow the steps without any problem. Looking at the operating instructions it is such well explained that no doubts are coming up.
Rarely did I find an operating manual offering me this kind of help. Here you really can see, that the producer of the system is a French company, where European standards are king. No comparison with these small manuals you get with appliances produced in Far East, which most of the cases have been translated from Chinese to German by a Mexican guy. ;-)
I have to admit that the mounting of such kind of appliances is ever the most difficult part. Naturally reinforced in case you are suffering by this disease called "Edgarditis", needing to have all things onehundredandfifty percent. Usually, with the set delivered, you will be able to build it in only 2 hours time. You need tools for it, remember!
The use of the system is fool-proof. Therefore the possible mounting stress is only secondary value.
As the system works the same way as the smaller systems, only being a Bluetooth-headphone, if you do not need the big display you may be happy with these types also.
Happily today's electronics has a reliable quality. I do not expect this system to fail in the next years.
It is good to have a system where you do not need to plug in your telephone. Board, you are hands free already. As voice recognition speed dialing and voice commands are supported too, you not even have to take your hands from the steering wheel. Exemplary.
And the good display is an invaluable benefit for my mistreated eyes.
Résumé: recommendable cubed! Actually 6 stars, but ciao offers only 5.
♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ T e c h n i c a l . . D a t a ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ The CK3100 package contains: - CK3100 electronic control unit - microphone with cable - radio mute cable with line output (ISO cable) - power supply cable - display with buttons and cable - user guide in 7 languages Superior User Interface: - LCD Screen - 2 Buttons (Red and Green) - 1 Scroll button with validation Default Mode: - Displays carrier name - Network signal strength - Pick-up and hang-up - Scroll button = sound level Standard features: - Echo cancellation, noise reduction - Voice recognition dialling - Volume control - Dual call - Auto connect on incoming call New features: - Caller ID - Dialling with numbers - Phonebook synchronisation including: -last calls received -last calls dialled - Extension with new voicetags (up to 200) - User connection priority management (up to 5 users) - Wordspotting Characteristics of voice recognition Up to 200 Voice Tags: - Real time - Noise-robust - Dynamic adaptation to background noise Price - actually it is being offered in ebay.co.uk at £ 104,- plus delivery fees. ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫
Advantages: easy to set up and use, great audio Disadvantages: annoying accent on the automated messages.
...known as the CK3100 by Parrot and what a wonderful item it is to use.
Look and Feel.
Very nice. Its silver graphite surround around its large but unobtrusive LCD screen and clear knob controls allow it to blend in nicely with my dashboard while still appearing functional and easy to operate. It mounts anywhere on the dash too so you can put it somewhere that is out of the way or, my preference, easy to access when using.
Usability.
Fantastic. ... ...car. The voices on the Parrot itself can be a little annoying after a while as the American drawl gets a little grating.
A great feature the device has is voice recognition. Match your words to stored numbers on your phone with the Parrot and with 1 click of the button you can dial people directly from spoken word!
Setup/Installation.
I dont know too much about the installation but the installer himself says they are easy to fit. Very little wiring ...
andycharger 15.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Parrot CK 3100
Advantages: brilliant interface for when driving & looks great Disadvantages: came out just before bluetooth audio so no audio streaming
...have kicked off.... but the parrot is second to none
ive got one in my landrover defender, toyota hilux and ford mondeo and they are formidable... automatically sync-ing the phone book onto the parrot when you get in the car means that when searching for a number through the parrot is way quicker and safer than any other handsfree devices; e.g. sony blutooth head units look great... but are so un ergonomically designed its unreal.
the backilght ... ...audio cut off: the parrot automatically cuts off your head unit's playing when call is coming in, and pauses CD play, so you do no miss any of your favourite bits of the track, and when you hang up, it plays back again..... genious
in short... to keep your licence, to have yet another cool gizmo in your car, to have a really practical solution to bluetooth headsets, and have such a durable device ..... go for the parrot
hope this has been useful ...
jonnyotter 02.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Parrot CK 3100
