Demo

Hands Free Car Kits

Soundracer Tips and Tricks

User Manual summary

Startup SoundRacer

Apply the parking brake and set the gear selector in neutral or park.
Place SoundRacer in the cigarette lighter/12V/24V socket.
The display indicating FM frequency should light up automatically. If not, the ignition key has to be turned to the position where power is applied to the socket. You will see the display light up when power is on.
Turn on the FM receiver and set it to a frequency where no radio station is heard.
Press the + or – button on SoundRacer to set the same frequency as on the FM receiver, then you should hear the sound of an idling engine. Adjust the volume on the radio so that the sound is clearly heard.
Start the engine and rev it up to 2500-3000rpm (revolutions per minute) by quickly pressing down the throttle and then release it. You should hear a short beep in the speakers when the engine is slowing down. The beep indicates that SoundRacer has found the alternator signal. After about 2-4 seconds, when the engine is down to the idling rpm, you should hear two beeps indicating that SoundRacer has detected the idling rpm.
That’s it! Now you can press down on the throttle and hear a Super Sports Car engine rev up.

Drive off and enjoy, but always drive safely!

2.  Tips & Tricks

Engine sound: Adjust volume, treble and bass on the radio to get the best sound experience in your car. More bass brings a more powerful sound effect. Just be careful not to blow your speakers.

Engine speed: If you want the SoundRacer “engine” to run on lower rpm you can adjust it by locking the idling to a higher rpm. This is done by not releasing the throttle fully during startup, after the first beep you keep the rpm at approximately 1500-2000 rpm. This is useful if you drive a “high rev” car or for highway driving.

3. How it works

The technology in SoundRacer is based on signals (electrical noise) on the electrical cables from the AC alternator.

The signal frequency follows the engine speed, SoundRacer detects this signal and transforms it to a simulated rpm. The increase in simulated rpm is then multiplied in order to produce a more exciting acceleration impression without running the car’s engine at high rpm.  Based on the changes in rpm SoundRacer also produces different sounds: idling, acceleration at lower rpm, acceleration at higher rpm and deceleration, etc.

The engine sounds are transferred to the car radio by a FM transmitter.

4. Use the FM Transmitter line in
Use the 3.5 mm stereo cable to connect a MP3 or CD player to SoundRacer to enjoy your favorite music on the car stereo. The 3.5 mm plugs fits in the headset output of the music player and the line in socket under the SoundRacer front. Engine sound is automatically muted when the plug is inserted.

5. If it does not work as expected

The radio will not remain on the selected frequency, changes to another station.
Try deactivating AF function on the radio. AF is used to automatically search for the best station in an area.  Usually there is an AF button on the radio and an AF symbol in the display. Press the AF button until the AF symbol disappears. See the user manual for your car radio for a detailed and correct description.

The radio reception is weak, the sound is low with a lot of noise.
Check the car antenna and radio. The transmitting power of SoundRacer and other FM transmitters is limited by government regulations. This means that the antenna cannot be too far from the transmitter.
Check that no radio station transmits very close to the selected frequency.

The sound quality is low.
The quality of the engine sound is naturally highly dependent on the sound system in the car. With high class radio receiver, amplifier and speakers you will have an astonishing sound experience, with a standard car stereo you will still have great engine sound but maybe less impressive. Especially the low frequency sounds are important so adjust the audio controls on the radio to suit your taste.

SoundRacer cannot find the rpm?
If there is no first beep or second beeps, then SoundRacer has a problem to detect the alternator signal and rpm. This can happen if the alternator signal is very low compared to other electrical noise. Try switching off the fan, air condition, wipers or other potential sources of electrical noise.  If there is still no rpm detection, try in another car. SoundRacer works in most car models on the market.

SoundRacer does not follow the engine rpm?
If the engine sound repeatedly changes to higher rpm when the engine is idling then try to lock the idling to a higher rpm, see Tips & Tricks. This makes the rpm detection avoid the higher noise levels that some cars have at lower rpm. Also other problems with rpm following can be reduced by this action.
.................................
Here we list all car models that we have received positive user reports about.

Alfa Romeo 145 2.0 TD
Alfa Romeo 146 1.6 T.SPARK 16V 1998
Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 TWIN SPARK 2007
Alfa Romeo 159
Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 GTD 2007

Audi 80 2.0 1992
Audi 100 Avant Quattro 1993
Audi A4 1,8T 2004
Audi A4 2.0T Quattro 2005
Audi A4 2.0 TDI Cabriolet 2007
Audi A6 Allroad 3,0 TDI
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 2009
Audi S4

BMW 318
BMW 325 E30
BMW 328 TDI 2006
BMW 525i E61 2006
BMW 530d
BMW 530i 2005
BMW 535d
BMW Z3 2.8 1998

Chevrolet Astra 2.0 Flexpower 2007
Chevrolet HD2500 P/U diesel 2007
Chevrolet Impala 1966
Chevrolet Monte Carlo 3.4L V6 2004
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet S10 4.3L V6 1999
Chevrolet S10 2.2 2001
Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LS 2010

Chrysler PT Cruiser Ltd Edition 2.0 MT 2000

Citroën Berlingo
Citroën Berlingo 1.6 TD 2008
Citroën Berlingo MULTISPACE 1.4i 2002
Citroën C1 2008
Citroën C3 Picasso
Citroën C3 1.1 Exclusive 2009
Citroën C4 Picasso

Dacia Sandero

Daihatsu Copen L881 1,3 2007
Daihatsu Mira 660cc AT 2010

Dethleffs A6881 2006 (Mobile home, FIAT 2,8 turbodiesel 146 hk)

Dodge Dakota V6 2003
Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, 3.7L V6 2003

Fiat Bravia
Fiat Ducato 14 LWB 2.5D 1996
Fiat Idea 1.3 Multijet
Fiat Panda 1.1 2006
Fiat Punto

Ford Cougar(Mercury in the US) V6 MT 2001
Ford Cougar V6 AT 2000
Ford Econoline Van 2010
Ford F-450 6.4 Turbo Diesel 2008
Ford Falcon RTV 4L 2006
Ford Festiva
Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus 1.6 2003
Ford Focus 1.8 Tdci 2001
Ford Focus Flexifuel 2004
Ford Laser 1.6L MT 1988
Ford Mondeo ST220 2002
Ford Mustang 3.8 V6 2000
Ford Mustang 2003
Ford Ranger 4-cyl AT 2004
Ford Scorpio V6 1995
Ford Taurus SHO 1989
Ford Territory
Ford Transit Connect
Ford Transit 2.0 Diesel 2004

GMC Jimmy SLE 4.6L V6 1998

Honda Accord 2.4 AT 2003
Honda Accord 2.4 LX 4-cyl 2003
Honda Civic
Honda Civic Si 1991
Honda Civic SI 2.0 2009
Honda CRV
Honda Odyssey 2003
MOTORCYCLE - Honda Goldwing GL1800 Touring Motorcycle 2005

Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Accent(Excel) 1.6L MT 1999
Hyundai i10
Hyundai i30 2008
Hyundai Sonata V6

Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V6 1995

KIA cee´d 2010
KIA cee´d Diesel 2008
KIA Sephia 1.3
KIA Sorento 2,5 CRDI EX 2008
KIA Spectra 2.0 automatic 2005 (works only with fan motor on)*
KIA Sportage

Lancia Dedra 1,6 1994

Lexus GS400 1998

Lotus Elise 111S

Mazda 3 2008
Mazda 6
Mazda 121
Mazda 323F 1.6 2002

Mercedes-Benz 170 NGT
Mercedes-Benz 300C 1992
Mercedes-Benz A 200 CDI Diesel 2008
Mercedes-Benz B180 cdi 2007
Mercedes-Benz C200 cdi 2008
Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Diesel Station wagon 1998
Mercedes-Benz C280 AT 1998
Mercedes Benz CLC 200 Kompressor 2010
Mercedes-Benz CLK 230 Kompressor 2001 (W208)
Mercedes-Benz ML320 cdi
Mercedes-Benz ML 3,5 2000
Mercedes-Benz SL55
Mercedes-Benz W202 C180 Esprit 1998

Mini Cooper 1,6
Mini Cooper S (R56)

Mitsubishi Minica
Mitsubishi Lancer
Mitsubishi Pajero(Montero) V6 2003

Nissan Almera 1,5 2001
Nissan Altima 3,5 SE
Nissan Frontier crew cab 2001
Nissan Maxima 3,5 V6
Nissan Primera 1,6 2000
Nissan Pulsar N15 1.6L 1999
Nissan Qashqai 2,0 2008
Nissan Teana
Nissan X-trail 2.2 dCi 2004

Opel Astra
Opel Combo 1.4D 2008
Opel Corsa
Opel Corsa EcoFlex Diesel 2008
Opel Meriva
Opel Vectra Diesel
Opel Vivaro 2.0 2009

Peugeot 106 S16
Peugeot 107
Peugeot 206 -02, 2006, 2007
Peugeot 206CC
Peugeot 206 GTI
Peugeot 206 XS 5MT
Peugeot 308 Diesel 2009
Peugeot 407 Coupé
Peugeot Partner
Peugeot Partner Diesel 1,6 2008

Pontiac GrandAm 3.4 V6 1999
Pontiac Vibe 2003

Porsche Cayenne 2006

Renault Clio
Renault Grand Scenic 2.0 2005
Renault Kangoo 1,4i 2002
Renault Megane Coupe
Renault Megane Coupe dCi 2009
Renault Megane Scenic 2001, 2002
Renault Twingo

SAAB 9-3 1,8t 2008
SAAB 9-3 1,9 Tid
SAAB 9-3 Turbo 2002
SAAB 9-3 2,2 TiD 1998
SAAB 9-5 2,0 Biopower 2006, 2007, 2010
SAAB 9-5 2,0 Turbo 2008
SAAB 9-5 2,3t Biopower 2008
SAAB 9-5 2,3 Turbo 2001
SAAB 9-5 Griffin

Seat Altea
Seat Cordoba
Seat Ibiza
Seat Leon Turbo Diesel 2009

Scion TC AT 2005
Skoda Fabia Break 1.9 TDI 2001
Skoda Fabia RS 2006
Skoda Fabia 1.6 16V 2008
Skoda Octavia 1,4
Skoda Oktavia 1,8 Turbo
Skoda Oktavia II 1,9 TDI-PD 2004
Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI 2005

Smart Fortwo 1999, 2009

Subaru Impreza 15i
Subaru Outback
Subaru Outback -98
Subaru Outback Diesel 2009

Suzuki Liana
Suzuki Swift Cab 1992
Suzuki WagonR
Suzuki Vitara 1991

Toyota Allion (Japan)
Toyota Aurion 3.5L V6 2006
Toyota Avensis Diesel
Toyota Avensis 1,6 1998
Toyota Aygo 2008, 2009
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry 1990 (works only with lights on)*
Toyota Camry Solara
Toyota Carina e 2.0Gli 1994
Toyota Celica 2.4L MT 1998
Toyota Corolla 2004
Toyota Corolla 1.4 D4D Diesel
Toyota Corolla 1,6 VVTI 2003
Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 Sol 2005
Toyota FJ CRUSIER 2007
Toyota Hilux 2x4 x-Cab V6 AT 2005
Toyota Hilux SR and SR5 Vigo 3.0 D4D (Diesel) 2009
Toyota IQ 2009
Toyota MR2
Toyota MR2 mk2 SW20 1991
Toyota Platz 1999 (Japan model, like Yaris, Vitz)
Toyota Previa 1991
Toyota RAV4 2008
Toyota RAV4 MT 1997
Toyota Sequia
Toyota Starlet 1.3
Toyota Tacoma 2.4 automatic 1998
Toyota Yaris D-4D

Vauxall Zaphira 1.9 TD

Volvo 440 2.0 1994
Volvo 850 GLT
Volvo 850 GLT 2.5 1993
Volvo C70 -09, T5 2002
Volvo S40
Volvo S40 2,4D 2006
Volvo S40 T4
Volvo S60 Optima 2.4 2004
Volvo S80
Volvo S80 D5
Volvo V50 2008
Volvo V50 2.0D 2005
Volvo V50 DRIVe Note! DRIVe occationally turns off alternator to save energy.
Volvo V70
Volvo V70 140 hp 2004
Volvo V70 AWD Aut D5 2004
Volvo V70 Diesel
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC60 D5 2009
Volvo XC70 2004

VW Beetle 1.6 2005
VW Bora
VW Caddy Life -09 (works only with Clima Automatic on)*
VW Fox 1.6 Total Flex I-Motion 2009
VW Golf Multi Fuel
VW Golf 2
VW Golf 4
VW Golf Variant 1.9 2004
VW Jetta TDI 2009
VW Lupo
VW New Beetle 2.0L 2000
VW Passat Biogas 2010
VW Passat B3 1,9 Diesel 1993
VW Polo
VW Polo GTI 2007
VW Tuareg
VW Transporter Pickup
VW TDI wagon

* see page Problems in some cars for explanation to special conditions

On the following cars a low signal level and/or a high level of electrical noise has caused problems for SoundRacer to perform satisfactory:

Audi A6 3,2 2005

BMW 118d
BMW 318i 2006
BMW 320d
BMW 320d convertible 2009
BMW 325 2009
BMW 328 wagon 2007
BMW 530d GT 2010
BMW Z4 2.5i 2006

Buick Park Avenue Ultra V6

Chrysler 300C 2.7 2009
Chrysler Grand Voyager
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2.7 V6 automatic

Citroën C5

Dodge Nitro 2,8 Diesel, Bj. 2007 (loose rpm after a couple of minutes)**

Ford F-150 302 1993
Ford Galaxy 2,2 tdci
Ford Mondeo Diesel

Holden Vx commodore V6 2001

Honda Accord diesel
Honda Civic diesel
Honda INSPIRE 2008 (Japan model, like Honda ACCORD)
Honda Jazz
Honda Odyssey 2008

Hyundai Elantra 2.0 Liter V-4 2008

Infinity G35

Kia Soul Sport 2010

Mazda 3 1.6 turbo diesel 2005
Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T MT 2006
Mazda CX7 Turbo 2.4 2008

Mercedes Benz A160 Classic MT 2005
Mercedes Benz A190 Elegance AT 2005
Mercedes-Benz 220 CDI Station 2002
Mercedes-Benz E300 Wagon 2003
Mercedes-Benz E500 2005
Mercedes-Benz RL

Nissan Altima SE 4 cyl 2005
Nissan Versa

Opel Zafira OPC 2.0 Turbo 2004

Subaru Forester diesel 2009

Toyota Highlander 2009
Toyota Rav 4 V6

Volvo C30 2008
Volvo S40 2,4D 2005
Volvo V50 2006
Volvo XC70 D5 2009

Toyota Prius Hybrid Car
The present version of SoundRacer is not developed for hybrid or electrical cars.

**Could help with adding electric load on alternator, see page Problems in some cars for explanation to special conditions
................................

SoundRacer compatibility
As you can see on the SoundRacer Listed Cars page, SoundRacer works fine on most car models on the market today.
On some cars SoundRacer does not work at once, then you can try to solve the problem by use the information below:
Problems for SoundRacer to find or follow the engine speed.

If there is no first beep or second two beeps, then SoundRacer has a problem to detect the alternator signal and rpm.
This can happen if the alternator signal is very low compared to other electrical noise. Try switching off the fan, air condition, wipers or other potential sources of electrical noise.
On the other hand, in some cars the alternator signal is too weak if there is no electrical load on the alternator. (Typical for this situation is that SoundRacer works fine a few minutes after start when the alternator is charging the battery and then fails to follow the engine rpm when the battery is fully charged).
In that case it helps to turn on the headlights, seat heating, rear window heating or other electrical equipment.
If the engine sound repeatedly changes to higher rpm when the engine is idling then try to lock the idling to a higher rpm.
This makes the rpm detection avoid the higher noise levels that some cars have around the idling rpm.
Also other problems with rpm following can be reduced by this action.

Locking the idling to a higher rpm: This is done by not releasing the throttle fully during startup, after the first beep you keep the rpm at approximately 1300-1700 rpm until the two beeps confirms the idling detection.

Problems with the FM radio reception.
On some cars the SoundRacer engine sound is weak or disturbed by noice.
One reason can be that SoundRacer is too far from the car radio or the antenna or that the car windows have a metallic coating that prevents the radio signals from SoundRacer to reach the antenna.
By governmental restrictions the FM transmission power must be very small in products like SoundRacer. One solution can be to get a separate 12V plug and socket cable and try other positions of the SoundRacer inside the car.
Another reason can be that there is a radio station close to the frequency you have selected on SoundRacer, try to find a frequency on the radio were no stations are transmitting on nearby frequencies, example if there is no station on 91,0-91,1-91,2-91,3-91,4 MHz you should select 91,2MHz on the radio and SoundRacer and there would be no interference. We know that in some areas there are so many FM radio stations that it is hard to find an empty space.
It is also depending on the selectivity of the car radio, better receivers has a narrow frequency band and are not easily disturbed by radio stations on nearby frequencies.

 

 

Parrot CK3100 Review

Product Summary

CNET editors’ review

• Reviewed by: Kevin Massy
• Reviewed on: 02/26/2008

With legislation on the horizon banning the use of cell phones while driving, we decided to take a look at the options for those drivers with too much self respect to wear Bluetooth headsets. With an increasing number of hands-free speakerphones on the market, Parrot’s CK3100 still manages to hold its own when it comes to features and usability.

Design
The CK3100 is a characteristically simply-designed device from Parrot. Like the more basic CK3000 Evolution, it features the usual call, answer, and hang-up buttons as well as a push button rotary dial for navigating menus. The big difference between the CK3100 and its baby brother is the former’s three-line monochromatic LCD display, which adds another layer of functionality to what is already a very easy to use hands-free calling system. With a cell phone connected to the CK3100, the display shows a range of useful information, including signal strength, battery life, and current call volume. In our experience, installation of the CK3100 is best left to Parrot-approved dealers as the connectors needed are car-specific ISO harnesses, which are difficult to find in the aftermarket. With the device installed its two visible components (the screen module and the external microphone) take up very little room and can be easily mounted almost anywhere within sight of the driver.

Features and performance
As with the CK3000, the CK3100’s simple design disguises an impressive number of features. With the hard work of installation done by someone else, connecting a cell phone to the CK3100 is a breeze: Simply search for the device using your cell phone and enter a passcode. The first time that a phone is connected to the CK3100, the entire phonebook as well as all call records (missed calls, outgoing calls, etc.) are transferred to the Parrot device giving drivers all the relevant information they need to use the device as a proxy for their phone. Those who so wish can still dial out using the phone handset, after which the call is routed through the Parrot device and the car’s speakers.

 

One thing that we noticed was that the system will copy contacts only from a connected phone’s SIM card and not those stored on the phone’s internal phonebook. On our Samsung SGH-T619 test phone, it was a simple procedure to move all the phone contacts to the SIM card in one go and then transfer all contacts at once. With the contacts transferred, to the CK3100, they are then searchable on the Parrot device either by browsing entries by name or by scrolling through a useful alphabetized letter list.

The CK3100 also gives drivers the option of making calls by entering numerical digits via the “Dial Number” menu. For safety purposes, the CK3100 has a spoken menu option that reads out numbers and other menu entries at the same time that they appear on the display. This can lead to the device being a little too chatty at times (it can, thankfully, be turned off) but the feature is useful when dialing by number while maintaining focus on the road. As the CK3100 has voice-recognition capabilities, we are a little disappointed that there is no way to dial numbers by voice command (as is the case with many high-end factory-installed Bluetooth hands-free calling systems)—perhaps this is something that Parrot can look into for future iterations in the CK series.

 

We found the available features of the CK3100’s voice-command system to be easy to use. To activate the voice-command system, drivers must first go through the one-time set-up process of recording keywords (“phone,” “hang-up,” etc.) into the device’s memory, as well as the more laborious process of voice-tagging all the contacts in their phone book. Each contact needs requires two voice tags—one to enter, one to confirm—to be stored in the system. This process is easier on the CK3100 than on the CK3000 thanks to the presence of the display, which lets drivers select individual contacts for voice tagging on the device itself rather than sending them one at a time from the phone as .vcf files, but it still takes a long time to transfer all the phonebook’s contacts. The CK3100 also provides the option of storing up to three numbers (cellular, home, office) for each contact. With all the requisite information entered, the CK3100 is at its most useful, as drivers can place calls without even pressing a button. (Calling John at home, for example, simply requires the following commands: Phone > John > Home.) While we were consistently impressed with the CK3100’s ability to understand our voice commands to place calls, we were less impressed with its ability to end them (via the “Hang up” command), especially when driving along at freeway speeds. Instead we often found ourselves having to the end the call manually by pressing the red button.

 

When new contacts are added to the cell phone’s phonebook, they are automatically copied over to the CK3100’s phonebook each time the Bluetooth connection is renewed. In our testing, however, we found one occasion in which this automatic transfer did not happen. When the number entered in our cell phone’s phonebook was tagged as a home number, the CK3100 failed to recognize it. It was only after entering a cell phone number that the contact was copied over to the Parrot device (bizarrely, both the cell and the home phone numbers were then available on the CK3100).

One of our favorite functions of the CK3100 is its caller ID feature that calls out the name of an incoming caller if the contact has already been voice tagged. When an incoming call comes in, the CK3100 mutes the stereo and resumes playback after the call is finished. Audio quality for calls through our test car’s stock speakers was generally clear and echo-free, and from the other end of the line we sounded comprehensible, albeit with some noticeable background noise when driving along.

In sum
The Parrot CK3100 is a functional and feature-rich option for those who want to make hands-free calls on the road. Its LCD display differentiates it from the CK3000, making contacts and calling options more accessible, and Parrot’s voice-command function sets it apart from many other stand-alone speakerphones. While the setup and responsiveness of its voice recognition function could do with some tweaking, the CK3100 still presents a cost-effective alternative to factory-installed Bluetooth calling systems.

 

Professional Installation Options

Three easy steps to becoming hands free.
Step 1—- Buy a Car Kit
Step 2—- Get an optional Plug-N-Play Harness for your vehicle
Step 3—- Select an installer (Mobile Installation may be available in the Northen California—Please Call)

Outside of Northern California-
Best Buy can install your Parrot Car Kit, but you will need a Plug and Play Harness,

Best Buy will install the Parrot Car Kit with harness or without, however, they will charge extra fees if you do not have a harness

Best Buy will install any electronics purchased elsewhere, but they are also an Authorized Parrot Retailer, and Safewireless is an Authorized Parrot representative dealer, so it’s a perfect match as you know your entire transaction from purchase of the car kit and harness and installation is fully supported.

If you live in Northern California, mobile installation may be available, please call 408-888-3788 or email ken@safewireless.com

 

User Guides

ck3000_userguide-SFW.pdf

ck3000_userguide-SFW.pdf

product_guide_carkit_us_07sept07.pdf

ck3100_userguide-SFW.pdf

ck3200-ck3400_userguide-SFW.pdf

minikit_userguide-SFW.pdf

mk6000_userguide-SFW.pdf

mk6100_userguide-SFW.pdf

pmk5800_userguide-SFW.pdf

 

Parrot Software Updates

The entire line of Parrot Bluetooth car kits have the ability to update their internal software so that they will never become obsolete in your vehicle. Utilizing a Bluetooth laptop (or a non-Bluetooth laptop with a Bluetooth dongle placed in the USB port) you can update the software at any time without removing the brain box from your vehicle. Simply go to the Parrot website, download the latest software version for the car kit installed in your vehicle, and send the update to your vehicle by Bluetooth. Our team of engineers at Parrot are constantly updating our software to optimize the compatibility, functionality & performance of all of our Bluetooth products. Please refer to the Parrot website periodically to see if there are any upgrades available at www.parrot.biz.

 

Parrot Installation Guide

Parrot’s recommended best practices for hardware installation and training benefit both the installer and customer by keeping processes as smooth and efficient as possible. By adhering to the guidelines in this Manual, Parrot dealers increase their installation efficiency while earning customer loyalty and generating repeat business from satisfied customers.

This Manual can also serve as a resource for Customer Relationship Management, helping employees understand customer interface techniques to use before and after the sale. By performing proper installation and offering proper customer service, the customer’s confidence and trust can be gained and a potentially long-term business relationship can be built. These practices are useful in generating customer referrals and are generally successful in creating return visits for all their future mobile electronics needs.

Download installation-guide.pdf

 

US Hands Free Legislation

 

Parrot CK3000 Review

CNET editors' review

• Reviewed by: Kevin Massy
• Reviewed on: 02/26/2008

We often talk about in-car Bluetooth hands-free systems that let you make calls without taking your hands off the wheel. In most cases, these systems still require the driver to initiate, answer, or end calls by pushing buttons on the car's steering wheel or on a central control panel. Browsing and selecting contacts on these systems usually requires scrolling through a list of names before making a call. The Parrot CK3000 Evolution lets you make calls, select contacts, and hang up all without lifting a finger. With a deceptively simple form factor and control interface, the CK3000 Evolution can also differentiate between cell, office, and home numbers, and can identify incoming callers by name. While it does take some time to initially set up, this simple device is one of the most effective aftermarket calling interfaces we have seen.

Design
Three buttons and dial. That's all there is to the main control module of the CK3000 Evolution. On first impressions, the device looks as if it is going to offer severely limited functionality or is going to require an arcane number of button sequences (a la the Anycom Solar Bluetooth car kit we tested recently) to make it work. Thankfully, neither of these preconceptions turned out to be true. Like many other speaker phones, the CK3000 Evolution has a dedicated (green) button for placing/answering calls and another (red) button for ending them. The control module is so small that it can be easily attached almost anywhere in the cabin as can its external microphone, which on our test we attached behind the rear-view mirror. We found the installation of this and other Parrot devices to be something of a challenge because of the requirement of a standard ISO harness/jack, which we had difficulty in locating from local 12-volt stores or resellers. The device can be hooked up without an ISO plug, but this requires the complex task of connecting each of the device's wires in turn to the stereo. In the end, we took our car to a Parrot-approved professional installer.

Features and performance
The CK3000 Evolution lets drivers make, receive, and end calls via a Bluetooth-connected cell phone either manually or using voice commands. Connecting a handset to the device is a simple matter of searching for the Parrot device on the phone and entering a passcode: for our test of the device, we connected a Samsung SGH-T619, as well as a Sony Ericsson S710a. (We did not connect the two phones simultaneously; however, there is the option to do this for up to five phones at a time). Like many Sony Ericsson models, the S710a has a built-in Parrot menu, making it easier to set up calling options and push contacts to the device.

When connected, drivers can dial out using the handset, after which the call is transferred to the CK3000 Evolution with the audio routed through the car's speakers and all outgoing sound transmitted via the system's external mic. Drivers can redial the last number by holding down the green button, but there appears to be no way to dial individual numbers using the device itself. This is less of a problem than it first appears however, as the CK3000 Evolution offers an excellent voice-command system for making calls without having to touch a button.

To activate the voice-command features, drivers have to go a time-consuming one-time programming process, which involves recording certain keywords (or "magic words" as Parrot calls them) including telephone", "hang-up," "office," "home," and "cellular." The process involves recording each of the words twice—and sometimes three or four times as the system tries to understand the command. With the keywords recorded, the CK3000 Evolution gets a whole new level of functionality, as users can initiate calls just by saying the word "telephone" and hang up by saying "hang up." The simplicity of placing and ending calls this takes some time to get used to even if you are used to using hands-free calling systems. In our testing period, the CK3000 Evolution's voice recognition system responded to voice commands with an impressive level of consistency.

To make the most of the CK3000 Evolution's voice-command feature, drivers need to record voice tags for each of the contacts in a connected cell phone. This is done by pushing the contacts' details to the device one at a time as V cards (.vcf files) and then voice tagging them individually. For owners of Sony Ericsson phones, this process is made easier by the phones' built-in Parrot menu, although there is still no way around assigning voice tags one by one (we have recently raised our hands-free calling expectations because of our experiences with the Ford Sync system, which automatically downloads the phone's contact book and indexes the entries, making them available by voice command). With contacts successfully voice tagged, the CK3000 Evolution also provides a very useful caller ID service for incoming calls, which are accompanied by the name of the caller.

For our test of the CK3000 Evolution, we installed it in our Chevy Aveo test car with stock speakers. Incoming audio quality was generally good, although at higher volumes, the system suffered from distortion. We do, however, like the way in which the device automatically overrides the currently playing car audio when a call comes in. From the other end of the line, we were comprehensible when we phoned a friend, but our test caller did notice some intermittent echoing.

In sum
The CK3000 Evolution is a very useful device for making hands-free calls on the road. Considering its price tag of about $100, it offers an attractive alternative to factory-installed systems for owners of new cars, as well as a cost-effective means of upgrading older cars with an increasingly necessary safety technology. Despite the challenges of nonprofessional installation, the CK3000 Evolution's intuitive control interface and impressive voice command options make it an excellent alternative to Bluetooth headsets and chunkier standalone speakerphones.

 

 

Parrot CK3200 Review

 

Plug-N-Play Harness

Our Parrot Bluetooth Car Kit Harness Adapters will save you time and make installing Parrot hands free car kits much easier. Our Parrot Bluetooth adapters are plug and play for a quick and simple installation.

Note: We have made every attempt to provide model, make and year information which is as complete and accurate as possible. If for any reason, the Plug N’ Play harness does not fit, we offer a 30 day money back guarantee, less $5 shipping and handling charge if it was not our error.

You are responsible for verifying your own vehicles wiring and the suitability of this Plug N’ Play harness to your particular vehicle. Our maximum liability is limited to the original purchase price of the Plug N’ Play harness. Professional installation is always recommended.

 

Parrot MKi9200 3D-Demo

 

Parrot MKi9100 3D-Demo

 

2009 Honda Accord EX-L MKi9100

 

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Honda Odyssey MK6100

 

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CK3100

 

2007 Honda Pilot CK3200

 

Parrot MKi9000 3D-Demo

 

Parrot Minikit Slim 3D Demo

 

Parrot Minikit Smart Demo