General: - Could "Parrot" be the answer?

Guru · May 1st, 2009, 13:24

I stumbled upon this Hands free Bluetooth set that can be connected to an iPod, iPhone, mp3 player and any USB flash drive to play mp3/mp4 files.

The best part is that they even say it connects quite easily to the basic audio system of the >04 volvo s40 through an ISO adaptor, just a matter of plugging it in the back side of the OEM CD player or under the passenger seat of the Volvo S40/V50, have yet to verify what's under that seat.

I'm talking about the PARROT MKI9200
http://www.parrot.com/uk/products/hands-free-car-kits

And the special adaptor ref. no. PC000019AA
http://www.parrot.com/uk/support/installationdiagrams
you need to specify car make and model in the Configuration tool on that page.

My question is has anybody tried this out? do you have any experiences with this kit or any other similar kit that can be connected to USB and mp3 players to play music through the car speakers? It would be great to be able to play mp3 in the 04-07 S40/V50 volvos, i know many of us were disappointed due to the missing AUX connector in our cars, this MKI9200 just might be an even better solution than aux... and only at a price of 170€ where i live.

Any infos or personal experiences???

p.s. it even has an SD card reader!

Harvey1512 · May 1st, 2009, 13:58

Guru, I have the previous version of the Parrott handsfree kit which works wonderfully well. I would happily recommend Parrott products after that. Mine does not stream music however, unlike the new one you are looking at. Initial comments I have heard is that it does not work as well as it claims, possibly a case of the product coming out before it is truly ready and tested. Try looking and posting on this forum link to ask those who have one of these already

http://www.parrot.com/forums/english...orum.php?id=27

Incidentally if it does do everything it claims to do, and it does it well, then it would be a bargain at that price.

Guru · May 1st, 2009, 14:49

Thanks you for the quick reply Harvey!

Done some reading on those forums and it seems like issues are solved by software updates, but nothing serious, for example random shuffling of streaming tracks from an SD card...ect. i can live with that, and to tell you the truth it's not about mobile phone bluetooth functionality for me, i seldom if ever use my phone while driving.
It's all about streaming music!

Now tell me pls how do you have it installed? do you have that PC000019AA adaptor too? and are the wires coming from the back of the floating console or from underneath the passenger seat? DIY or did you have it installed?

Thanks.

Harvey1512 · May 1st, 2009, 16:06

I'm afraid I am technically inept and so got a proper man to fit it. One thing I would recommend is to get it fitted on a proper attachment. Mine is stuck on top of the dashboard using some double sided tape. That is too flimsy really. There are specialist mounts, Brodit etc. that give a firm holding to the device near the central console. I will be doing this when I next change my car.

Bigskip · May 1st, 2009, 17:14

Fitted the self same kit in a 06MY S60 a few weeks ago, loaded up an 8gig SD card, haven't looked back. I've tried both a usb stick and my Creative Zen through the line in, both work fine. Haven't tried the ipod interface yet, don't got an ipod.

Install took about 3 hours, 2.5 of which was taking the bl**dy car apart and putting it back again, actual fitting of the kit, with the correct iso adaptor for my car was a breeze. I would highly recommend the kit, it' very good as a bluetooth kit as well.

Tibbsey23 · May 1st, 2009, 17:52

Just to echo Harvey's earlier comment, have had the basic parrot kit for probably over 18 months now and have fitted it to 3 cars in that time. Very very happy with it up to the kit I had before it!

I would imagine that this new kit probably works in the same way as the previous incarnations, where as you say it connects to the back of the stereo, though normally they have nothing at all to do with the original stereo as they just switch off the output and use the speaker wires for their own needs - hence it doesnt matter if the stereo is on or off!

So just be aware that it may bypass the stereo all together, so the quality of the sound will depend totally on what is in the parrot box

mjcourtney · May 2nd, 2009, 11:48

This looks seriously tempting!! Not sure how to get the centre console apart to fit, but I know there are lots of guides available for doing that.

Guru · May 2nd, 2009, 14:05

A forum friend has just ordered one for his V50 from pixmania, i'll wait for his feed back before getting one myself

Taking apart the floating console is simple if you go about it systematically, but if the kit is only to be connected to the CD player then only that has to be shoved out, and the rest of the console can remain intact.

May 1st, 2009, 13:24	#1
Guru Premier Member Last Online: Oct 25th, 2023 07:46 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Between chair and keyboard	Could "Parrot" be the answer? I stumbled upon this Hands free Bluetooth set that can be connected to an iPod, iPhone, mp3 player and any USB flash drive to play mp3/mp4 files. The best part is that they even say it connects quite easily to the basic audio system of the >04 volvo s40 through an ISO adaptor, just a matter of plugging it in the back side of the OEM CD player or under the passenger seat of the Volvo S40/V50, have yet to verify what's under that seat. I'm talking about the PARROT MKI9200 http://www.parrot.com/uk/products/hands-free-car-kits And the special adaptor ref. no. PC000019AA http://www.parrot.com/uk/support/installationdiagrams you need to specify car make and model in the Configuration tool on that page. My question is has anybody tried this out? do you have any experiences with this kit or any other similar kit that can be connected to USB and mp3 players to play music through the car speakers? It would be great to be able to play mp3 in the 04-07 S40/V50 volvos, i know many of us were disappointed due to the missing AUX connector in our cars, this MKI9200 just might be an even better solution than aux... and only at a price of 170€ where i live. Any infos or personal experiences??? p.s. it even has an SD card reader!

May 1st, 2009, 17:52	#6
Tibbsey23 NineForty Nuts! Last Online: May 24th, 2018 18:29 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Gloucestershire/Kent View Photos By: Tibbsey23	Just to echo Harvey's earlier comment, have had the basic parrot kit for probably over 18 months now and have fitted it to 3 cars in that time. Very very happy with it up to the kit I had before it! I would imagine that this new kit probably works in the same way as the previous incarnations, where as you say it connects to the back of the stereo, though normally they have nothing at all to do with the original stereo as they just switch off the output and use the speaker wires for their own needs - hence it doesnt matter if the stereo is on or off! So just be aware that it may bypass the stereo all together, so the quality of the sound will depend totally on what is in the parrot box __________________ Distant Past: 1988 745 GL B200E Past: 1993 945 S B200F Present: 1996 945 CD B230FT South West Volvo Group

May 1st, 2009, 13:58	#2
Harvey1512 Premier Member Last Online: Jan 30th, 2021 12:00 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northumberland	Guru, I have the previous version of the Parrott handsfree kit which works wonderfully well. I would happily recommend Parrott products after that. Mine does not stream music however, unlike the new one you are looking at. Initial comments I have heard is that it does not work as well as it claims, possibly a case of the product coming out before it is truly ready and tested. Try looking and posting on this forum link to ask those who have one of these already http://www.parrot.com/forums/english...orum.php?id=27 Incidentally if it does do everything it claims to do, and it does it well, then it would be a bargain at that price.

May 1st, 2009, 14:49	#3
Guru Premier Member Last Online: Oct 25th, 2023 07:46 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Between chair and keyboard	Thanks you for the quick reply Harvey! Done some reading on those forums and it seems like issues are solved by software updates, but nothing serious, for example random shuffling of streaming tracks from an SD card...ect. i can live with that, and to tell you the truth it's not about mobile phone bluetooth functionality for me, i seldom if ever use my phone while driving. It's all about streaming music! Now tell me pls how do you have it installed? do you have that PC000019AA adaptor too? and are the wires coming from the back of the floating console or from underneath the passenger seat? DIY or did you have it installed? Thanks.

May 1st, 2009, 16:06	#4
Harvey1512 Premier Member Last Online: Jan 30th, 2021 12:00 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northumberland	I'm afraid I am technically inept and so got a proper man to fit it. One thing I would recommend is to get it fitted on a proper attachment. Mine is stuck on top of the dashboard using some double sided tape. That is too flimsy really. There are specialist mounts, Brodit etc. that give a firm holding to the device near the central console. I will be doing this when I next change my car.

May 1st, 2009, 17:14	#5
Bigskip Junior Member Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2018 12:43 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maidstone	Fitted the self same kit in a 06MY S60 a few weeks ago, loaded up an 8gig SD card, haven't looked back. I've tried both a usb stick and my Creative Zen through the line in, both work fine. Haven't tried the ipod interface yet, don't got an ipod. Install took about 3 hours, 2.5 of which was taking the bl**dy car apart and putting it back again, actual fitting of the kit, with the correct iso adaptor for my car was a breeze. I would highly recommend the kit, it' very good as a bluetooth kit as well.

May 2nd, 2009, 11:48	#7
mjcourtney VOC Member Last Online: Feb 24th, 2014 18:11 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Isle of Wight	This looks seriously tempting!! Not sure how to get the centre console apart to fit, but I know there are lots of guides available for doing that.

May 2nd, 2009, 14:05	#8
Guru Premier Member Last Online: Oct 25th, 2023 07:46 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Between chair and keyboard	A forum friend has just ordered one for his V50 from pixmania, i'll wait for his feed back before getting one myself Taking apart the floating console is simple if you go about it systematically, but if the kit is only to be connected to the CD player then only that has to be shoved out, and the rest of the console can remain intact.

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