Did the install of the Parrot CK-3100 (www.smartphonedepot.com) to pair with my Blackberry 7100t. Had to iron a few wrinkles from user error in installation (installation instructions really suck), but the phone paired just fine and the sound quality and convenience are second to none.

Phone pairs instantly once car is turned on. You can dial, receive, and much more with either your voice or the ashtray mounted LCD screen. Phone can stay holstered. This is one of the most universally compatible bluetooth units and fully integrates to your car. Call comes in, radio or CD is muted, ring plays, then voice emulates from factory speakers as well. Microphone placed above drivers head on A pillar.

Enough techno-babble (did I mention it's full duplex?), here's a few pics:

 

 

NICE! prob one of the first to do this.

 

thats a cool toy to have...

 

nice job!

only thing i would hate from that unit is when there are people in the car, hate to have people listen to my conversations while i'm driving.

i'm instead using the motorola HS810, compact, can be turned off and on with a single flip out.

 

that's cool, it's a perfect spot for it!

 

Nice work. Install looks real clean too. I like it.

 

Very rarely do I have other people in my car. If I do, it's only my wife and the calls I'm getting are my parents ... or her parents ... LMAO.

The only problem with compacts is they are mostly half-duplex (AFAIK) and I was really looking for the most clear, integrated solution. That's not to say it's for everyone.

 

Why dont you mount the parrot ontop of the vents so you have a better view of the caller id??

 

You know ... I had considered that, but I have other integratio ideas. I may mount it directly in the ashtray (ashtray closed, face of parrot sits flush, looking more integrated), also considered mounting it in the maplight/sunroof assembly, or trying to integrate it into the steering wheel. Alternately, I will use a section of flat wire where it is so that the ashtray can be closed (wire in back is too thick right now to close ashtray) and fill in gaps to make it more integrated.

As you can tell, I'm going for the stealth/OEM look. If I really wanted to wait ... I could leave it as is and when I get a new headunit, I can fab something to hold the radio and the Parrot.

 

That's a good idea. I had no idea they made a standalone to wire up with the bluetooth tech. Now all I need is a bluetooth phone. Good job, I like alot.

 

Great work on that.... I think you're the first one with a Bluetooth upgrade in a 5th/5.5th Gen, at least as far as I know.... anyways... nice work....

Btw, how much wiring work was there to do for this?

 

OEM/Stealth is the way to go. Great job Ham!

 

Actually when i was really interested in purchasing this unit, i was going to fiberglass it in to the top vent..so it looks oem.. shouldnt be that hard

 

Thanks Puppetmaster and Iron Scimitar ...

There was a decent amount of wiring. Basically the thing needs power, ground and acc (obviously) and these can be tapped into easily. Without a bunch of adapters (ISO - harness and ISO - radio adapters), it's those three wires, plus 16 other wires (8 speaker wires in, 8 speaker wires out) and you have to cut them between the connector and the harness and wire this unit in between. Very tedious ... especially the soldering, but not too painful.

Because I don't ever plan on uninstalling this, I didn't want to buy the adapters and would just rather hard-wire. The alternative to the speaker wire stuff is to use the line out on the unit and an audio mute cable, but the OEM headunit does not have a line in.

I was able to tuck the control box next to the shifter assembly and ran the mic cable down the A pillar and under the dash through to the shifter assembly. The LCD sits in there because when you remove the light from the ashtray, the hole there is just big enough to slip the cable through. I did zero cutting/customizing (other than to stock wiring) for this job. The mic is even "clipped" onto the headliner - no tape.

 

I live in FL ... I don't want to constantly expose it to our harsh sunlight. But I would guess you're right ... fiberglassing it shoudln't be too bad.

 

Man... Now you got me wanting to buy the same thing as you..

I am a bluetooth FREAK:

1. Sony Ericsson T637
2. Dell Axim X50v
3. Jabra BT250 headset
4. IOgear bluetooth dongle

I need this bluetooth handsfree to make my life complete...

 

dang..now that's something i haven't seen yet...good job!! i also am just getting into the bluetooth deal, got my first bluetooth headset yesterday for my phone and gotta say I'm loving it. Now if i had one in my car that would be even better!!

 

good job ham....looks great...

wondering if you could take a picture of the mic mounted...just curious...thanks

d

 

There is a pic there ... it's the third pic and that's where the headliner meets the driver's side A pillar.

 

Sweet! I have a similar install in my 00 max - but with wireless Internet

 

yo ghetoo where you live at looks like my neighberhood thats by malba circle over there

 

that looks amazing. it just can't be too safe to have to look all the way down while driving.

 

I'm sure you look down at your center console or armrest from time to time too. Also, it sounds safer than looking for your cellphone and driving while holding the phone. If there's a lot of traffic, don't even look at the Caller ID and just press the button to answer without looking. I think it's a great idea.

 

We all do ... and it is definitely far safer than trying to take/make calls with the phone to your ear.

 

joel, when did you get the 2k3????? last time i saw you, you had the 4th gen. pm me the details.

nice car btw.

 

Not a lot of details, there was a thread in the general discussion about it. Sold my car about a week after I listed it and picked this one up about a week ago today.

15k miles, roof, HLSD, black/black, $18k

Not as nice as yours (TE/leather, etc), but I love it.

 

i don't visit the other sections too much.

15K miles is not bad at all. mine has about 41K now. car still looks good though, sometimes i hate my leather, but love the 6-speed and the sts.

have fun with it

 

Didn't see it answered above, but approximately how much did the components cost you?

I just use my HS810 headset and that works pretty good, but Bluetooth would be a nice toy to have too

 

Components were approximately $230 shipped through www.smartphonedepot.com. No extras necessary (if you chop harnesses and hard wire). Way different than an earpiece ... I can't wear one of those for fear someone may think I've been assimilated into the Borg.

Rey - you hate your leather??? I'm actually going to get some black leather/grey suede installed here shortly from leatherseats.com.

 

Nice Idea......very creative...i like it

 

we've entered another new chapter of mods with the bluetooth...good job

at $200 something, it is very reasonable...for now, I'm using the poor man's speakerphone from my LG VX6100. it does a good job for now.

 

anybody know if this will work with a bose unit or an aftermarket unit?

thanks

 

The unit has a "line out" that is two bare wires. I'm pretty sure you can get a "line in" adapter for the bose and you could probably get a matching adapter, wire it to the unit and use that. If you do that, you must have an "audio mute" cable to use.

It may also work the way I installed it, but I can't say for sure.

As for aftermarket, you could wire it in between the speaker wires the same way I did or again ... with a unit with a line in, you could probably use that.

The way it's wired is very simple, should be able to hook up to just about anything.

 

a dumb question, do you lose steering wheel controls by installing this. I read in the acura forums people lost use of thiers when they put his unit in the 03TL.

 

wow this is a gerat mod great job big ham...first time ive heard of it and it looks real clean

 

Thank god that someone out here shares my concern. I could never walk around with one of those things and keep a straight face. No offense to any of you bluetooth boys out there but man I hate seeing people with those things. I'm just waiting to hear "10-4 unit 193, what's your 20?" from one of these guys. Ok, sorry had to vent.


I've been plannin this for a while now. You no likey?

Anyways sorry for ramblin' but seriously sick install man. I would love to have that. Very nice job man.

Kevin

 

Nope ... no loss of such a thing for me. I don't know what they're tying into that's making them lose their steering wheel controls, but it sounds like an amateur install to me.

 

Thanks. Still haven't managed to get it exactly where I want it, but when I finalize my stereo install, I will take the time to finally get this all finished up.

 

Not sure if you meant the leather or the bluetooth. The leather never did get around to being done. It's an expense I decided to forgo for the time being.

As for the bluetooth kit, it's the only way to go. The SQ of this device is still keeping me very happy.