Parrot CK3000 intstall with Multican OEM steering wheel control

[Mikey_p]

Just thought i'd put this one out for info on handsfree kits. I have an 8P S3 with the concert II head unit & iPod interface.

I bought a Parrot CK3000 evolution and was planning to install it and have the controller mounted on the other side of the steering wheel beside the sidelight switch (to keep it out of the way, nice and stealth like!!).

Ideally I wanted a solution that used the OEM steering wheel buttons but didn't think this was possible and didn't want to shell out for RNS-E/bluetooth retrofit. After some reasearch i found a steering wheel interface at: http://www.parrotkits.com/steeringwheel.html

This was only available in the US but after some further investigation i found that Parrot themselves have developed an OEM steering wheel interface called MULTICAN. This was only release last month (as far as I'm aware) but I managed to get a hold of one for £60. Since then Parrot have updated their website to include this item. http://www.parrotshopping.com/uk/p_p....aspx?i=149016

Anyway I had it installed and basically it bypasses the CK3000 controller (optional) and allows you to use the steering wheel buttons (which have been annoying me with the "no function" message since i got the car but had to have the RS4 steering wheel ).

The end result is that I have a totally clean install with only the microphone visible (was told by the installation engineer that they have had alot of customers complaining about the microphone being installed in the roof light cover.)

The installation instructions are available from parrot if you wish to do this yourself too, seems fairly straight forward but i couldn't be ar$ed! http://www.parrot.biz/uk/support/ins...atibilite_audi

Hope that helps some folk on deciding which handsfree solution to go for. The application list is quite extensive too.

Mikey P

[erisaman]

Enjoyed reading up on your experience with the Parrot Bluetooth hands free phone kit. I've now read that there is "no microphone to talk into" - so what or where picks up your conversation? Thanks

[Mikey_p]

erisaman,

I ordered my Parrot CK3000 from www.caraudiosecurity.com and in the box there was a parrot CK3000 controller, the bluetooth unit and the microphone along with all associated wiring. (I ordered the ISO conversion loom separately)

Some people prefer to have the microphone installed in the roof light cover but my installation engineer told me that the microphone doesn't pick you up as well as it does from the top of the A-pillar.

I'm not sure where you read that there was no microphone but I can only imagine that this is because either there is one there already (OEM) or that they just mean its hidden???

If you post the link to the thread you read that from I can see for myself

Cheers,

Mikey

[erisaman]

I may have mis-read the comment - it is part of the review where the writer states - "... not having a visible microphone to talk at was a bit disconcerting ..."

Thanks for such a quick response.

http://www.fonejuice.co.uk/products/...FRAFEgodGmBnag

[Mikey_p]

I think its probably just referring to the fact that talking to "nothing" i.e. using any hands free phone kit, for the first time can be weird!

If you look further down the page it says that the microphone is part of the kit.

What do you think about the idea of getting the Multican as well??

Mikey

[erisaman]

I've looked at the pics and have to say that it all looks the business. I've not yet ordered my Sportback but may have to include the multifunctions/wheel to gain full advantage of the multican etc.

Thanks again for your input - it's been a great help to me and I'm sure is something others will refer back to time and time again.