Parrot MKi9100 Advanced Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit Review

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 by Vera Smith | Posted in a2dp, bluetooth, bluetooth car kit, bluetooth car kits, car kit, General, hands free car kit, handsfree, installation, parrot

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I installed this in our Honda Fit using an aftermarket harness to make it (almost) "plug and play."I decided to purchase this rather than the Bluetooth add-on for the (Pioneer) stereo already installed, as it (Pioneer's Bluetooth unit) received pretty mediocre reviews, cost more, and of course wouldn't work if I eventually decide to put in a different brand stereo someday.

If you're never installed a car radio before, this probably isn't the first thing you should install yourself -- I'd recommend having it professionally installed, since there are a good-sized handful of cables coming out of this thing that need to get routed properly, and you will most likely have to do some minor drilling and/or cutting to count the display and microphone if you want a really "clean" installation.As a yardstick, I probably spent 4 hours total on the installation.

Anyway, then, it does work as designed.The interface is fast and responsive, and I like the quality of the display.The software is pretty well thought out -- perhaps A++-super-nerd programmers don't work at Parrot, but certainly above-average ones do.Pairing works quite nicely, automatically connecting to my phone when I get in the car & turn on the ignition and disconnecting shortly after the ignition goes off.When you're on a call, it asserts the "mute" line to the car's stereo which also pauses CD/USB/iPod playback, which is nice.I haven't had any of the communication failures/lock-ups that another reviewer here did.

Some minor gripes are as follows:

-- While the noise reduction is effective up to ~45MPH (most callers wouldn't be able to guess you're calling from a car), it breaks down at highway speeds: Callers will still find you intelligible, but the occasional piece of a word is cut off and there is noticeable distortion.I attribute this so some degree to the rather noisy interior that is the Honda Fit (and most other inexpensive Hondas, for that matter) -- at some level apparently the Parrot just can't reliably separate your voice from the as loud or louder cabin noise.Those with quieter cabins may not ever experience this problem.(I have tried turning "lateral noise detection" off and it does make things worse.)
-- When hanging up calls, I often have to press the "hang up" button a couple of times.I suspect this is likely to be just as much the fault of the Parrot as my phone (a Sprint HTC Touch Pro 2), but it is a bit annoying.
-- The manual is rather spartan.While it contains information on all the "basics," it does leave out explanations for some menu functions, which you're hence left to guess at.While most have names that make it easy to figure them out, there are a few where it's not quite clear exactly what the option does.

I think that this is a little on the spendy side for what you're getting, but overall I'm happy with it and feel that I've received a reasonable (if not spectacular) value for the money.

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Product Description:
The Parrot MKi9100 Advanced Bluetooth hands free car kit is a unique range of Bluetooth hands-free car kits which install in every car. It combines the latest communication technologies with a full set of services dedicated to music.

The Parrot MKi9100 is a Bluetooth hands-free system with an OLED screen. A wireless remote control can be positioned on the steering wheel or dashboard and allows the driver to control all the functions of the MKi9100.

Parrot MKi9100 kit comes with everything you need to be connected and entertained.
Click to enlarge. In addition to conventional telephony functions (pick up, hang up, dual calls) the Parrot MKi9100 boasts cutting-edge telephony functions: automatic phonebook synchronization, training-free multi-speaker voice recognition, speech synthesis of the names in the phonebook, contact management (up to 2,000 per phone) and call records. Its OLED screen displays the phonebook, caller ID, phone information and user settings. The menus and phonebook are also audible for easier, more intuitive use.
Double microphone for crystal-clear calls
To ensure optimal audio quality when on the phone, the Parrot MKi9100 combines double microphone technology with new signal processing software (DSP-3) that eliminates background and surrounding noise, including noise from inside the car. For maximum listening quality, conversations are reproduced over the vehicle's speakers.
Connectors to use your favorite music player are provided.
Mounts right on your dashboard.
Listen to your digital music in the car
The Parrot MKi9100 kit connect to your car audio system and deliver hi-quality conversations whatever the conditions are. Each MKi kit is delivered with it independent RF remote control. Positioned on the steering wheel or placed wherever is convenient, the remote control gives you the total control you need right at your fingertips.
The Parrot MKi kits propose an incredibly efficient combination of an external double microphone and new software which eliminate environmental and in-car noises with full-duplex and zero-echo crystal clear conversations. Another unique feature of the Parrot MKi9100 is that its screen is detachable from its support when you leave your vehicle, for ultimate security.
Once paired with your Bluetooth mobile phone, the MKi enables you to establish in a few seconds any phone conversations in your vehicle without needing to handle the telephone, even leaving it in your pocket. Connection with your mobile is made in a completely transparent way.
The user-independent voice recognition and voice synthesis are now integrated in all MKi car kits, which dramatically ease the way of using them in every situation. And all the connectors for any type of music are provided with each MKi hands-free kit: iPod, iPhone, iTouch, USB keys, USB MP3 players, Bluetooth Stereo devices, CD players, MiniDisc.
What's in the Box
Detachable screen, External adjustable double microphone, Six buttons RF remote control keypad, Parrot universal 'mute' BlueBox, Music cable with iPod/iPhone and USB and Line-In, Steering wheel mounting kit for remote control keypad, Dashboard mounting kit for screen, Screen cable, Mute / 12V cable with ISO connectors, USB / mini-USB cable, Set of accessories, Quick Start Guide
About Parrot
Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the cutting edge of innovation. The company was founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux as part of his determination to drive the inevitable breakthrough of mobile phones into everyday life by creating high-quality, user-friendly wireless devices for easy living. Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free kits on the market for cars, motorbikes and scooters, including wireless multimedia products geared towards audiovisual applications. In 2008, Parrot launched a new prestige line of high-end products bearing the hallmark of renowned artists. Parrot, headquartered in Paris, currently employs 500 people worldwide and generates 85% of its sales overseas. Parrot is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris since 2006.