Focus Stereo / Parrot 3200 / USB

condra

Hey lads.

I recently bought a 2002 Focus. It came with the standard CD player, and a Parrot 3200 handsfree kit.



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My last car had a USB stereo, and that's the only thing I really miss.

My mate reckons the Focus stereo is brilliant, and would be a pain to replace, but surely it's just twice the height of most stereos, and the gap could easily be filled.

So, any ideas?

What would be cheaper/easier to replace? - The whole stereo, or could I get a newer Parrot kit that has built in USB, and just use the existing connections?

I could live with CDs, but you can't beat USB for carrying your tunes around on a stick.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Hal1

I have one of these myself:

I need to get a new tray for it to fit, so I got one of these:

ISO wiring harness:


The patch lead for the steering volume controls:


It's very easy to remove the existing stero:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSbzR9lv2OM

condra

cheers

kirving

Have a similar Sony in a Mk1 Focus too, do I just need that single wire to get the controls on the wheel to work with it?

Is it just volume, or will the seek buttons work too?

Hal1

The patch lead is needed for the steering wheel controls (vol/ seek/ etc) to work.

condra

Thanks for all the replies.

Yeah, losing the steering wheel controls would bother me. I'm giving some thought to replacing my Parrot 3200, with a more modern Parrot handsfree kit, which would allow me to use USB, and possibly sell the old kit on.

What about FM transmitters? (allowing me to tune into an iPod from my radio)
Has anyone any experience with these? I hear they can suffer from interference and bad signals.

Owen

Even if an FM transmitter is working perfectly, you only get half of the CD quality audio you'd want. Radio always sounds fuzzy/tinny - it transmits at 22 Khz sampling, CD Audio is double that. The lack of clarity will drive you mad.

condra

Just discovered another possible option - using the CD Changer Port to add a device like this:
http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/product.php?productid=66&cat=19&page=1



I'll have to look into that one.

jenizzle

There is a cheaper alternative to the xcarlink which is called connects2. From what I can gather, they're the exact same, just the latter is cheaper.

condra

Cheers. This looks like a good option as I get to leave the standard stereo intact, as well as my Parrot handsfree thingy.

I was all set to give Halfords my business until I discovered they charge an extra 20 quid for any odd bit of cable needed, and 20 quid for the Focus Fascia adapter, all of which can be bought on ebay for half nothing.

I'll probably go with the CD Changer hack.

Eric Cartman

http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/pioneer-avh3300bt-cddvd-multimedia-system-bluetooth-handsfree-ipod-p-24580.html

if you fancied splashing out something like this is an all in 1 soloution and has everything on it

condra

^ Not a chance of me spending 300 odd euro. I'm a tight git!
Looks brilliant though.

jenizzle wrote: »

.....connects2....

There we go:
http://cgi.ebay.ie/CTAFOUSB003-Ford-Focus-Fiesta-Escort-OEM-USB-Interface-/180556070802?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a09faff92

Might even try to fit it myself. Thanks again.

condra

One little snag:
Apparently tracks have to be organised into folders named "Cd1", "Cd2", "Cd3" etc. :mad: