Parrot MKi9200 Install (56k warning)

Soldato
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So today I received my Parrot MKi9200 Car Bluetooth and iPod kit and thought it would be good to show how easy this thing is to install.

First job is to remove the HU and unplug the 2 ISO connectors from the rear of the HU. The cables provided then plug in to the HU and the existing cables.

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Then you need to decide where you will mount the Mic and Display, I chose to the left of the steering wheel on a nice upright surface. A double sided pad is used which has a seriously strong 3m adhesive on it, but you should clean the surface first, I used a piece of workshop blue roll with brake cleaner to clean the surfaces.

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Wires should be run behind the trim to complete the install, but leave 2 hours for the glue to go off before mounting the Mic and Display in place.

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Next you need to decide where you want your audio interface and USB socket to exit the facia, I decided I wanted the ipod to sit in my cubbyhole below the stereo, so removed that, and proceeded to drill a 20mm hole in the back to locate the provided grommet.

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Everything is then slotted back into place to achieve the final look

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The remote attaches to the steering wheel with a strap or you can mount it on a flat surface if you prefer. I have gone with the strap for now, but will likely move this to a surface mount when I get the chance.

The display has a small SD card slot in the rear which happily reads up to 32gb SD cards, the ipod interface is seamless, and the remote wheel acts just like the controls on the ipod with almost identical navigation to using the existing controls. You can also stream music over the bluetooth from your phone and or plug your phone into the USB connector to charge while in the vehicle.

Things to bear in mind.

You will need a lot of spare space behind your HU to cope with all the extra wires and the Parrot Bluebox, on the Mercedes CLK there was plenty of room.

All the amplifier and sound from the MP3's will be provided by the Parrot, and it really is quite powerful, although the sound quality isn't as good as my HU.

If you have a separate amplifier, the Parrot provides line outs for audio, although these are just wires so you will need the correct plugs to solder on yourself.

Call sound quality is excellent, and is fed through all your speakers, so no need to worry about not hearing your call again, and the volume can be adjusted on your remote jog wheel.
 
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Resize the images to no larger than 1024px wide please.

Er I have done, the cache is the issue, every photo is no more than 1024 wide.

Just moved them to a new Album and redid the links, all fixed now :p
 
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Nice write up, I've had a a parrot kit in 3 different cars now for the past 6 years :D I transport it between them when I sell one and buy the next.
 
90's car in 90's interior shocker :rolleyes:

EDIT: Ugh interior criticised by an MG ZS driver... Irony or what.

Haha I just think the font on the Parrot looks a bit chinese knock off, I'm sure its a good phone thing though as everyone raves about them.
 
What is the sound quality on these like at high volume?

I've been looking at Headunits with ipod control, but for the price this looks like a better option whilst also keeping the stock headunit.
 
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What is the sound quality on these like at high volume?

I've been looking at Headunits with ipod control, but for the price this looks like a better option whilst also keep the stock headunit.

For the price it seems great.

I have only used it at about 10% volume so far, at that level it was already much louder than the stock HU.

The controller has a lot of options including an equaliser to allow you to tailor the sound to your needs, whilst it is not a pioneer, the sound quality with MP3's was more than acceptable.

I was torn between a new HU and this, my scooby had a Sony bluetooth HU, and I have to say, this is much better, and I only have the stock speakers, although the stock CLK Speakers are far and away much better than most cars I have owned (4 in front doors mid/tweeter, same in rear doors, and subs in rear shelf).

I have tried playing the same tune on the built in CD changer and also on my
ipod (the CD was created from the MP3) and you do notice some slight loss of quality, but way way better than any FM transmitter I have tried.
 
I have only used it at about 10% volume so far, at that level it was already much louder than the stock HU.

The controller has a lot of options including an equaliser to allow you to tailor the sound to your needs, whilst it is not a pioneer, the sound quality with MP3's was more than acceptable.

I was torn between a new HU and this, my scooby had a Sony bluetooth HU, and I have to say, this is much better, and I only have the stock speakers, although the stock CLK Speakers are far and away much better than most cars I have owned (4 in front doors mid/tweeter, same in rear doors, and subs in rear shelf).

I have tried playing the same tune on the built in CD changer and also on my
ipod (the CD was created from the MP3) and you do notice some slight loss of quality, but way way better than any FM transmitter I have tried.

I suppose anything will be better than playing through a tape-to-3.5mm adapter!

For about £140 it doesnt seem bad at all, considering decent headunits are a lot more than that and often dont come with the iPod cable either.
 
I suppose anything will be better than playing through a tape-to-3.5mm adapter!

For about £140 it doesn't seem bad at all, considering decent headunits are a lot more than that and often don't come with the iPod cable either.

You also gain a lot of other functionality, like a USB charging point and SD card reader as well as the class leading bluetooth phone software.
 
Looks ok, but i'd have mounted the mic up towards the sun visor and hidden the display unit wire better, it looks a little 'thrown in' tbh.
 
Looks ok, but i'd have mounted the mic up towards the sun visor and hidden the display unit wire better, it looks a little 'thrown in' tbh.

I tested the mic before installing it, and it is perfect where it is, so was no need to remove half the A-Pillar and ceiling trim to get it all in. As long as the mic is pointed towards the mouth it will cancel all outside noise effectively.

Fair comment on the display wire, however, it really is much less easy to see without a camera flash, and routing it behind the display and in through the trim behind it was a total ballache for such a tiny improvement. The biggest issue is actually finding somewhere to mount the display so that it can be removed and also access the SD card slot behind it.

If I have to remove any trim at a later stage, I can always tidy it some more.
 
Haha I just think the font on the Parrot looks a bit chinese knock off, I'm sure its a good phone thing though as everyone raves about them.

Fair point, you can change the backdrop by uploading pictures from the SD card, not sure about the Font, but it is a bit like those fonts on the Chinese HU's :)
 
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