I recently visited with a friend who was planning on getting some kit installed in his wife's few year old Accord that would allow hands-free blue tooth phone use as well as streaming through the phone. My wife's newish Acura has this and I must say I enjoy it. So I drove over to the local auto audio place near me that I have used in the past and asked what was available. They showed me a Parrott CK3100 that permitted just the hands-free phone use ($250 installed) and the MKi9200 that also includes streaming.

I found this thread from a couple of years ago: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e4/#post430953

Based on that it sounds like a worthwhile upgrade and seems fair at $250. Do any others around here have good or bad experiences with something like this? Is Parrot the one to go for or is there something else?

Thanks,

Doug

 

I have a Parrot CK3000 and like it a lot. Auto connects with my phone when the car starts, the sound is pretty good and it was fairly easy to install. Was one of the first DIY projects I did: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-screen-70526/

I still have a couple of the connectors and pins if you wanted to make plug in harnesses for the mic and console, rather than splicing.

 

My 2001 XK8 Coupe was the only Jaguar I've had recently that didn't have factory OE telephone installation.

After looking at several options, I fitted Parrot CK3100.



If I had another Jaguar without factory Bluetooth, this would be my choice. Pairs to multiple phones (the factory BT to 2005 only pairs to one phone at a time) and connects automatically when the ignition is switched on.

Graham

 

The nice thing about the other model the guy showed me (MKi9200) was that it also could stream music from the phone. I have a Galaxy S3 and assume that the Parrot devices would be compatible with both the car and the phone. Forgot to mention the installed price on the MKi9200 was quoted as $300 which seems fair.

Doug

 

Doug-

There should be no issue installing the Bluetooth phone using any of the Parrot models IF the installer has access to a Jaguar wiring diagram to implement muting properly and phone audio connection properly.

Unfortunately you probably will be disappointed with the sound quality with audio streaming if it is installed the default way that most installers will use unless they are really familiar with this car.

The default connection for the audio with the Parrot is for the Parrot to drive the stereo speakers directly. The audio amp in the Parrot are not very good and the stereo will sound terrible. If you have premium audio it will bypass the power amp in the car.

The proper way to install the Parrot for Bluetooth streaming is to add a line level auxiliary input as I describe the the thread you linked to. I doubt the majority of installers will know to do this unless you give them the write-up and I expect it will cost more that the $250 quoted.

 

I will be checking out another highly recommended audio shop next weekend to compare. What should I say or ask them to accomplish the better sound quality?

 

Ask them to intall an auxiliary input adapter with the Parrot and feed the streaming audio at line output levels into the aux. in adapter.

 

Hey Steve. Went to another highly recommended local car audio shop to talk about the bluetooth/streaming and he also said the Parrot 9200 was the way to go. I mentioned to him about routing the output through the car's audio system and he agreed. He said there should be some plug or adapter available and he was going to check his sources on Monday but estimated that the plug/adapter would be about $80 to $100.

Do you know off hand what he will be looking for and if such off-the-shelf items are available?

Thanks,

Doug

 

Here is one option, but unfortunately it disables the CD changer: AUX-JAGCD Auxiliary input Adapter for Select Jaguar with CD Auto Changer :: iPod Adapters & Interfaces

My preferred option is the PIE Alp. AI-Aux, but unfortunately that was discontinued last year.

 

I didn't install a Parrot system; I upgraded the head unit with an aftermarket JVC with Bluetooth. I used a wiring harness I bought from WhiteXKR. At the time I was using a Galaxy Note and was very pleased with the music streaming but not with the telephone. The people on the other end said the echo was so bad they had trouble hearing me. For a while I thought it was my mic but then my galaxy Note broke and I went back to my old Nokia and the echo on the receiver's end went away. My conclusion is that, at least on the Galaxy Note 1, running the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android, the echo cancelation is not good. Just a heads up.

Mark

 

I am surprised that there is not the ability to select between the CD changer and the Smartphone input. Seems like the system should either be smart enough to switch to CD when you hit the CD button or that there should be something manual to do the switching.

Doug

 

I suggest searching for PIE ALP AI-AUX. and seeing if anyone still has one in stock. If you can get one, it connects between the navigation unit and the power amp (this is not intuitive) on cars with premium sound and automatically overrides the radio when there is an auxiliary signal source playing.

It should be used with a PAC LD-10 pre-amp to fine tune the turn on trigger level.

This is all in my writeup.

 

Hey Steve--is the write-up on your website? I think I found it from a link on the forum here.

Doug

 

This is it Doug: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...00-install-pdf

 

Well so far no joy. The guy at the highly recommended shop car audio shop I visited called me back to say there were no connectors available for my car that would allow for using the car's audio amp and that he would need to be "creative". I told him that others had done this and that someone (White XKR) had a write up on how to do it and that I would show it to him. Hopefully it makes sense to him and he will see the general idea.


Doug

 

Well, IF he knows what he is doing there are 'creatiive' ways to get it done.

Another option is for me to put together a prewired kit for you that you install yourself. PM me if you want to discuss it. I have done this for a few folks and it wil probably cost roughly what your installation will.

 

I've got a Parrot CK3100 in my XJ. I took the ash tray out and mounted the Parrot in its place.
It almost looks like it belongs there, it works well and of course prevents my collar from being felt by the boys in blue (who actually now wear black)!

 

Another option would be the IO Play 2, which is supposed to be great. I'm considering getting this one for my car.

http://www.my-io.com/products/io-play2-overview/

Another forum member "theJPster", has worked on the software and graphics of this kit.

 

you remember the part number for the Pie Alp ai-aux?