[rcboater]

I just took delivery of my 2009 Eos about 2 weeks ago. (Massachusetts, USA) I have a Komfort with the standard radio. I read about the bluetooth kit's availability on the forums, so I had the dealer install it in the car. It cost $460.

I'm not very happy with it-- it turns out that the kit only lets the phone synch up with radio. For $460, I was expecting a hands free button of some sort, but there isn't one, because the Komfort doesn't have any buttons on the steering wheel.

When the phone rings, the radio goes mute and displays "phone active". I then have to dig my phone out of my pocket, and hit answer. Once I do that I have hands free talking. The call sounds fine on the stereo, and the little mike by the map light buttons works well, and is even OK with the top down.

I'm just disappointed that there was no hands free button of any sort-- I've never seen that on any other bluetooth integration in a car. The booklet for the kit seems to assume that the kit is going in a Lux and not a Komfort-- as it shows the use of the Bluetooth with the buttons on the wheel.

All in all, I don't think it was worth $460.... I'd be better off spending that money on a new iPhone!

Finally, the details of the kit were a surprise to the sales staff-- they all assumed it worked like I did. None of us could figure out how to answer a call using the radio controls-- it took the mechanic who installed it to explain the limitations....

Just be aware of the limitation is you are considering this option. I'm sure it is splendid on a Lux.......

 

[Lucari]

I'm surprised they sold you the kit if it wasn't suitable for the car. I don't have the steering wheel buttons and so went for the Parrot which comes with a small control unit that sticks next to the radio. This was £130 fitted and I thought was a decent price. It mutes the radio and I can leave my phone in my pocket.

 

[rcboater]

What is this "parrot"?

I'm new to all this-- my Eos is replacing an 18 year old Toyota Corrolla, so I'm I'm a little behind the times, and playing "catch-up"........

 

[PEN]

It's a UK brand but I have no idea on its availability Stateside.

http://www.parrot.com/uk/products

PEN

 

[cb391]

Several models of the Parrot are available in the U.S. Just Google Parrot and you should find all kinds of info. If you aren't the DIY type then you will need to have it installed. They used to have a model that clipped to your visor that you could take from car to car.

 

[agird]

I went for the factory fitted bluetooth and it works ok. I have to say I was a bit disappointed that all I can do is answer calls with the steering wheel button after it mutes the radio. To make a call I have to use the phone to dial or use my contacts. I would have thought it would work like my Blue Ant earpiece where you press the button and the voice dial on my HTC phone comes up and asks for a name or number.

 

[Dobbo]

There is a member, just_car_kits, who knows this stuff inside out. He fitted a Parrot to my car. I haven't seen him on the forum for a while but you might like to PM him for advice. I know that early Parrot kits didn't work but I believe that the required cables are now available.

 

[Richard G]

If it helps others on this forum I have a Parrot minikit slim - it is a totally portable little piece of kit that retails for about £50- £60 in the UK. It works perfectly with the top down at 70 mph even though it uses its own inbuilt microphone and not the car stereo. It is completely handsfree and uses voice recognition. The only minor downside is the need to re-charge the unit's battery from time to time and to mute the car radio when making a call, but this means there is no installation required - it just clips on the sunvisor..........

So for those of you who want a relatively cheap and easy, but practical handsfree kit have a look at this one.

 

[Scooby Doo]

I'm surprised they sold you the kit if it wasn't suitable for the car. I don't have the steering wheel buttons and so went for the Parrot which comes with a small control unit that sticks next to the radio. This was £130 fitted and I thought was a decent price. It mutes the radio and I can leave my phone in my pocket.

I've got this too! Great little thing and can connect up to 3 phones so hubby is handsfree in Daisy too!

 

[terrencegf]

I got a little clarification from my local dealer on the bluetooth options for the Eos. There is the "post factory" option called Volk-L which provides only basic bluetooth phone integration. The phone button on the steering wheel acts as the answer/green button and the end/red button on your phone (to accept incoming calls and terminate current calls). You still must dial using your phone's number pad.

Then there is a "factory installed" bluetooth option which is supposed to provide better integration including phonebook display and dialing via the nav unit. (The nav unit is required for the factory installed bluetooth option.) Right now, you can't get this option installed after it has left the factory.

Apparently, the factory installed bluetooth is very rare. When I asked about it on June 6th, 2009, there were only 11 new 2009 Eos for sale in the US with it. (The dealer said he did a search throughout the continental US, Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico.) Naturally, there was nothing in my area, but there was one coming in on a boat from the factory that would be available around June 20th.

Disclaimer: I'm not an Eos owner "yet", and there weren't any cars at my local dealership with either bluetooth option installed, so I can't vouch for the difference. So far, my dealer has been unwilling to negotiate anywhere near my desired price even though my research shows that people are paying about $2K under MSRP in my area. Oh well. I can wait.

 

[SiJ2000]

Anyone who has problems with BT Car Kits will find that it's probably the phone which is to blame... Some work better than others with certain kits... My Windows Mobile is a pain on the Parrot and my THB kit... Wife's Blackberry is fine on both... Nokia's seem to best of all...

 

[agird]

Further to my earlier comment. I purchased a HTC Tough HD phone and paired it to the factory bluetooth and now I can play tunes off the phone through the stereo as well as make calls. The sound quality is good too.

 

[Fonefixer]

I agree to a point, it normally is the phone that is to blame, and its normally firmware issues. However car kits can be blamed too.

If you experience problems, its best to make sure that your handset has the latest firmware version that is available. In the case of car kits this also applies but its not always possible. Parrot kits can be easlily upgraded, Nokia kits are a "dealer only" job such as me

If anyone needs help or advice with firmware upgrades for handsets or manufacturer kits ill be glad to advise where I can. Ill also post a FAQ (if permitted) which will help you all in doing so.

Feel free to PM me if you have serious problems.

 

[SiJ2000]

I do indeed keep my parrot and thb kids up to date with the firmware...