Parrot Asteroid Smart

techguy

Hi Guys,

I've just gotten myself a GTI Golf with a MFSW and Parrot MKi9200. While the parrot works great with the (flimsy) remote there are a few things I don't like.

- Cant see it in sunlight
- I don't use the main head unit (wasted space)
- I need to use my phone to check maps, read any incoming messages while driving.

I've been looking at the Parrot Asteroid Smart and must say that i'm impressed. It seems like it would meet all my requirements. I plan on setting up a home streaming server in the future that the asteroid could receive.

Has anybody got one of these units and willing to share their experiences?

How much can the unit be bought for over and what should installation cost be?

Thanks

And also, anybody know how much I could sell the stock radio for?

futurec

I have seen these when Parrot came over to do a roadshow for installers they are a nice bit of kit
I know one installer who has installed one and added a reverse camera to it
He says it is quite good but still some teething issue's which i'm sure parrot may resolve with a software update

techguy

futurec wrote: »

I have seen these when Parrot came over to do a roadshow for installers they are a nice bit of kit
I know one installer who has installed one and added a reverse camera to it
He says it is quite good but still some teething issue's which i'm sure parrot may resolve with a software update

Interesting, do you know how much they cost with fitting. Do they integrate with PDC also?

Do you know of any noteworthy alternatives?

The lips

Hi Techguy,

I recently had one of these fitted, I am very happy with it so far, mind you I have had limited time to explore its capabilities.

I paid 720 installed including steering controls.

Alternatives would be dynavin or zenec. I went with the parrot because I heard of some microphone quality issues with the others.

If you have any questions shout.

techguy

The lips wrote: »

Hi Techguy,

I recently had one of these fitted, I am very happy with it so far, mind you I have had limited time to explore its capabilities.

I paid 720 installed including steering controls.

Alternatives would be dynavin or zenec. I went with the parrot because I heard of some microphone quality issues with the others.

If you have any questions shout.

A fair chunk of change, but worth it i'd say. How does it look when fitted with the bezel? What car have you it in?

Does it integrate well with the MFSW? Where did you get it installed?

The lips

It sits well in the dash, I have it fitted to a 2005 Passat(old shape).

I am still waiting on the steering controls to arrive. Some people have had problems with the Parrot Unika steering wheel control adaptor so I am going with the Connects2 one. I have had good cables from them so far.

I have got rid of the iGo nav that comes with the unit as its database is limited.

I have installed;
Google Maps/Nav - works of the bluetooth tether on my phone.
Tune in radio - also bluetooth tether.
Beyond Pod - downloads my podcasts in seconds while connected to my house wifi for playing on the go.
Torque - I have still yet to get it connected to my OBD2 bluetooth adaptor, I need one with a default pairing password of 0000.

The system runs very smoothly, I have tried to get it to crash by running multiple apps simultaneously.

The unit runs Gingerbread 2.2 but doesn't feel glitchy and slow like the 2.2 phones did.

listermint

two options on the sunlight thing are

1) wedge something slim behind the unit to have it tilted slightly up or slightly down giving you a better sun vision angle.

2) purchase a screen protector. Some of them dissipate the sheen from sunlight allowing better vision.


Unfortunately though these screens in this manner are extremely prone to the sunlight vision issues. Which is why OEM systems tend to be recessed down 'tunnels' in the dash to prevent this problem.

The lips

listermint wrote: »

two options on the sunlight thing are

1) wedge something slim behind the unit to have it tilted slightly up or slightly down giving you a better sun vision angle

The asteroids detachable faceplate prob works best with the unit slightly protruding from the cars dashboard.

On my Passat the unit is at a vertical angle and yesterday the sun glared the screen. Luckily it has turn by turn voice guidance and voice command for music selection and calls.