Parrot MKI9200

the corpo

cheapest i can see to get this done in dublin is 239, inc installation in halfords.
any ideas of other places that might sell and fit it, *and* would you trust a halfords installation??

granadaghia

Just a bit of advice , if you are going to let anyone at your car to do any work on it make sure they have proper public and product liability insurance. also make sure they are qualified to do they job , a 1 day city and guilds degree is not a qualification.
with the parrot car kits make sure you are getting the most up to date software version, a few companies here are brininging in parrot kits designed for foreign markets and rehashing to software to make them work temporarily.
BEFORE I WENT TO DO ME FAS COURSE I CUDNT EVAN SPEEL ENDGINEER , NOW AFTER ONLY 2 MUNTHS I ARE ONE. CANT WAIT TO FLY THE SHUTTLE

Owen

EPM posted here about his experience of getting a 9200 fitted by Halfords. They couldn't do it, and damaged his trim inside the car.

I'm getting one installed next week into my work car, I'm paying 300, but that's for the kit, the interface cable for my system (Which will only partly work), and an extension cable to run to the boot of my estate car where all the control units for the TV/Nav are and the amp is. It also needs some wiring done by hand to keep the CD changer in the system, and because it's a harman kardon amp, that needs custom wiring too.

I really wouldn't trust halfords for this type of installation. They're not trained auto electricians, and they don't know how to remove the dashboard correctly on every type of car.

unkel

granadaghia wrote: »

BEFORE I WENT TO DO ME FAS COURSE I CUDNT EVAN SPEEL ENDGINEER , NOW AFTER ONLY 2 MUNTHS I ARE ONE. CANT WAIT TO FLY THE SHUTTLE

rabbitinlights

I was looking to get this kit, but I've heard a few dodgy reports of poor sound quality as it uses it's own amp for music and that the kit is connected directly to your speaker cables and not your stereo to play music?

Is this just a poorly installed one or what?

Paintdoctor, where are you getting it installed for 300?

Owen

rabbitinlights wrote: »

Paintdoctor, where are you getting it installed for 300?

PM me if you want the name of the guy. He's the same person that did EPM's kit.

futurec

You should be getting SW(software) 1.24 when its installed anything less you will have some issues with certain phones

the corpo

car is an avensis, i'd imagine halfords would have a reasonable amount of experience fitting them?

re: sound quality. where had you heard it was poor? i've only heard good reports

futurec

I love halfords they give me loads of business cause they mess up so many installs they pull in the customers with cheap prices but it will always cost you more than the price you see they also dont call to your work or home and they dont do warranty service calls so you pay for what you get

the corpo

fairy nuff, any thought on the parrot sound quality? is it's amp, as suggested above, inferior to the generic one in the car?

futurec

Have fitted roughly 70 of them since Sept and never had a complaint about sound quaility

the corpo

rabbitinlights has me wondering now 8)

how much do you charge, and what kind of turnaround?

EPM

PaintDoctor wrote: »

PM me if you want the name of the guy. He's the same person that did EPM's kit.

That guy's work is excellent.

I won't start on that other bunch of %£*&!^'s

rabbitinlights

I read a few like this but it could easily be the installer who messed it up?

http://www.tyresmoke.net/forum/tyresmoke-reviews/116179-parrot-mki9200-hands-free-car-kit.html

Owen

Got mine installed, and I'm gutted. The sound quality is shocking, but I think it's more to do with my car setup. My car has Harman Kardon, which has a separate sub. I think then that the speakers have crossovers designed to remove bass that the sub normally supplies. And as the Parrot bypasses everything and runs a signal directly to the speakers, I'm now left with absolutely no bass at all from my iPod, it's like listening to a 1989 Fiesta Sound System. I'll probably have to install a separate amp and sub for the Parrot kit on it's own to compensate. Gutted.

So - warning to anyone with a Bose/HK/Mark Levinson System - avoid the Parrot 9200 Kit.

Ush1

I installed a 3200 kit in my Focus with no bother, they're fairly easy if you're handy with a screwdriver and can read wiring diagrams.

Anan1

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Got mine installed, and I'm gutted. The sound quality is shocking, but I think it's more to do with my car setup. My car has Harman Kardon, which has a separate sub. I think then that the speakers have crossovers designed to remove bass that the sub normally supplies. And as the Parrot bypasses everything and runs a signal directly to the speakers, I'm now left with absolutely no bass at all from my iPod, it's like listening to a 1989 Fiesta Sound System. I'll probably have to install a separate amp and sub for the Parrot kit on it's own to compensate. Gutted.

So - warning to anyone with a Bose/HK/Mark Levinson System - avoid the Parrot 9200 Kit.

Had a similar experience in my Forester with a separate sub - the installer eventually gave up, said he couldn't make it sound right.

Owen

Ush1 wrote: »

I installed a 3200 kit in my Focus with no bother, they're fairly easy if you're handy with a screwdriver and can read wiring diagrams.

The 9200 is a far different kit to the 3200. And as I did Electronic Engineering in the CIT, I'm handy enough with a screwdriver The problem is that it actually bypasses your own radio and amps completely, and uses its own amp to send sound to the car's speakers.

Ush1 wrote: »

Had a similar experience in my Forester with a separate sub - the installer eventually gave up, said he couldn't make it sound right.

I just got a glimmer of hope from a UK installer who frequents the Parrot Forum. He says a second amp which will combine the speaker signals, and do a lowpass should drive the factory sub separately. The only problem is that I think it might just pop if 2 amps are sending even a flat signal to the same sub, so I'll have to remove the standard amp from the equation I think.

_Kaiser_

Just to say futurec above fitted mine last year and it hasn't given me any bother, he came out to me and a great guy to deal with - wouldn't hesistate to recommend him to others here.

_Kaiser_

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Got mine installed, and I'm gutted. The sound quality is shocking, but I think it's more to do with my car setup. My car has Harman Kardon, which has a separate sub. I think then that the speakers have crossovers designed to remove bass that the sub normally supplies. And as the Parrot bypasses everything and runs a signal directly to the speakers, I'm now left with absolutely no bass at all from my iPod, it's like listening to a 1989 Fiesta Sound System. I'll probably have to install a separate amp and sub for the Parrot kit on it's own to compensate. Gutted.

So - warning to anyone with a Bose/HK/Mark Levinson System - avoid the Parrot 9200 Kit.

I noticed the bass seemed a bit lacking at first but there's an option in the menu (under settings) to turn on extra bass and it made a big difference. Maybe have a look?

Owen

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I noticed the bass seemed a bit lacking at first but there's an option in the menu (under settings) to turn on extra bass and it made a big difference. Maybe have a look?

First thing I did, no difference though, which leads me to believe that because the car has a standard sound system including a sub, that the door speakers have filters on them to remove the bass.

Anyway, worst coming to the worst, I think I have a spare amp over at the mother's house I can root out. Just need to find somewhere else to put the second sub. Might get one of those shallow Pioneer ones that go under the seat.

cubix

Where possible I try and leave things in the van if they are secured as its a pain having to carry stuff in and out every day. Can anyone tell me when this unit is fitted is it done in such away that it wouldn't be worth any ones while breaking in. Another words would I need to take the unit out to stop smash & grab or is the unit useless without the bits fitted in the vehicle?

Thanks

Owen

Most of the visible parts clip off so you can take them away the same as you would with a radio fascia. The screen clips off, as does the remote control. The only remaining part of value, the blue control box is usually under the dash.

AFAIK, the any screen and any remote can be used with the unit, so if someone still wanted the box, they could steal it if they wanted to and get benefit from it.

futurec

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Got mine installed, and I'm gutted. The sound quality is shocking, but I think it's more to do with my car setup. My car has Harman Kardon, which has a separate sub. I think then that the speakers have crossovers designed to remove bass that the sub normally supplies. And as the Parrot bypasses everything and runs a signal directly to the speakers, I'm now left with absolutely no bass at all from my iPod, it's like listening to a 1989 Fiesta Sound System. I'll probably have to install a separate amp and sub for the Parrot kit on it's own to compensate. Gutted.

So - warning to anyone with a Bose/HK/Mark Levinson System - avoid the Parrot 9200 Kit.

What car do you have that has a HK sound system

Owen

Two cars, both with HK. One's a JCW Cooper S, the other is the car the Parrot went into, my work Rover 75 Estate.

futurec

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Two cars, both with HK. One's a JCW Cooper S, the other is the car the Parrot went into, my work Rover 75 Estate.

Do you know what leads they used to install it

Owen

The 75 setup is the same as you get in an e46, so they used the e46 lead I think with the round connectors - he'd originally brought the one with flat from the newer e46's but that wouldn't work. When the kit was installed first, it was bypassing the HK amp, but the amp was still on, so the sub would still be on pumping out whatever bassline was on the standard headunit, while the Parrot was coming through the cabin speakers.

The installer then connected up a mute wire to the amp to kill the HK dead when the Parrot was being used.

Owen

Sorted at long last. I found a sub and amp unit I'd totally forgotten about at my Mothers house under the stairs, a Pioneer unit which could take a high-level speaker input. So I took a feed from the Parrot's amp's rear speaker output, fed that into the Pioneer, fed it 12v, ground and an ignition sense/remote 12+ and it's perfect again.

Bit weird having two subwoofers in the car, for each need, and the new sub/amp takes up the footwell behind the drivers seat but it can be disconnected very quickly using molex connectors. About 5 hours to do it all, but well worth it.

the corpo

futurec installed mine for me today. utterly delighted with it, sounds great, and he was a pleasure to deal with, even did another job on the car for me while he was at it.

highly recommended him for anyone else thinking of getting the parrot

Owen

Mine's doing funny stuff with incoming calls today, using the iPhone 3gs, outgoings are fine, but when a call comes in, I can press the green button to answer, the phone answers, but the kit keeps ringing. Latest firmware on both the phone, and the kit.

EPM

PaintDoctor wrote: »

Mine's doing funny stuff with incoming calls today, using the iPhone 3gs, outgoings are fine, but when a call comes in, I can press the green button to answer, the phone answers, but the kit keeps ringing. Latest firmware on both the phone, and the kit.

Mine has a habit of doing that too. Not so much since I changed from an N95 to a Hero but it still does it the odd time. I haven't updated the software in mine since the week I got it put in. Might try it tonight and see how it works.

I've noticed that the sync icon stays on all the time too and it freezes at times. Also it's dropped connection a few times for no apparent reason. Haven't been using the car much the last month really and anytime I have I've been a bit busy with the roads. Will try and keep an eye out on it to see if it's anything else interfering with it.

Theta

Safersounds are good or so I hear.

SeanDeng

Hi

I am directing this email to "Futurec".

I am looking for somebody to supply and fit a Parrot Mki9200 in a Renualt Espace (2009).

I also have a friend who is looking for the same or similar system for his 2008 BMW 520d

Can you send me a contact number ?

Sean

BraveDonut

I already have a CK3100 installed in my car. Is it possible to use the wiring, etc that has already been installed behind the dashboard and just upgrade to the MKi9200 head unit?
If so, what would I expect to pay for this?

the corpo

BraveDonut wrote: »

I already have a CK3100 installed in my car. Is it possible to use the wiring, etc that has already been installed behind the dashboard and just upgrade to the MKi9200 head unit?

i wouldn't think so. the head unit is just a display screen, the actual guts of the device is whats wired in behind your dash

i'd been noticing some distortion out of the speakers, bizarrely on any tunes with a piano playing, the parrot amp seemed to have difficulty with those frequencies. new update came out this weekend, and they fixed the eq prob. very pleased, though i'd still like a properly adjustable EQ, not just their presets

The Gambler 101

Thinking of getting the mki9200. I have been giving a prive of €200 with Carphone Warehouse, along with €80 for installation and they said I'd need to get a mute lead VW Golf mute lead, which costs around €70!

They told me it's the best device to work with the iPhone as it also plays your music.

Any one know is there any better car kits available for the iPhone? Or is the mki9200 the best available?

daveharnett

The Gambler 101 wrote: »

Thinking of getting the mki9200. I have been giving a prive of €200 with Carphone Warehouse, along with €80 for installation and they said I'd need to get a mute lead VW Golf mute lead, which costs around €70!

That's not a bad price for the kit. For the adaptors/leads, a search on ebay.ie will provide whatever you need for no more than €20 inc delivery.

The Gambler 101

any one any experience with the thb bury kit for the iphone? heards it another option!

tech

Are the MKi9200 worth buying, is there issues with sound?

ista

Recently tried to update the software and it was taking forever....stupidly I switched off the car without letting it finish the install...hasn't worked since and the display is reading "Screen update in progress please wait...." No way of resetting to factory settings that I can see. Anyone have any ideas on this??

Other than that it works pretty well but as the others have said the sound is not what you'd expect and occassionally doesn't start first time..need to pop the screen from the cradle to get it up and running also the after a song completes and the next tune starts the screen will display the previous track until the unit is powered down...other than that yeah its o.k.

agentgreen

Hi.

Does anyone have contact details for Futurec?

Thanks.

agentgreen

agentgreen wrote: »

Hi.

Does anyone have contact details for Futurec?

Thanks.

Or could someone please recommend someone to fit a Parrot mki 9200? Dublin area please.

Thanks.

freighter

agentgreen wrote: »

Or could someone please recommend someone to fit a Parrot mki 9200? Dublin area please.

Thanks.

There is a thread titled bluetooth carkits a few pages back with all the info

tech

JDM are good can and fitted my mki9200 also, Having issues with sounds quality now lately tough, I have upgraded to firmware 1.65 and still the same

Owen

Anything beyond 1.6 seems to be very buggy at the moment.

tech

hmm, can i go back?

Owen

Only if you have the 1.6 file. There's blue murder going on over at the Parrot forum over the screwups.

tech

I dunno they release flaky firewares!! same in the IT game I suppose!

-Corkie-

Jesus I have no problems

futurec

jmoore wrote: »

<snip>

Jmoore, that must be the cheapest MKi supply & fit in the country €199

-Corkie-

futurec wrote: »

Jmoore, that must be the cheapest MKi supply & fit in the country €199

I paid more than that and I got a bulk purchase price....:mad::mad: