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The Parrot CK3100 bluetooth hands free kit was installed recently in my Grand Cherokee, and first impressions are very favourable. Even though the kit doesn't offer the opportunity to charge a phone, provide an external antennae for weak signal areas or have a cradle in which to secure the phone, it works very well. The user interface is about as simple as you can get. 

Two buttons, whose functions are clear to anyone who has ever owned a mobile phone and a circular dial in the middle. Whose function is easy to work out. The installation of the Parrot is very simple and can be done by any competent auto electrician.  I had mine installed by Logicar (who do all of my auto electrics, including alarms, immobilisers and car stereos you can contact Richard on 07831 453696).

After discussing the installation options, I opted for the display to be dash mounted, with the microphone installed on the display.  Other options include having it on the rear view mirror, or mounted flush on the dashboard, with the microphone installed elsewhere. There is no need to have the Parrot Speaker installed as most head units support mute functions and the passing of voice through the front speakers.

The Liquid Crystal Display lists the name of the phone that it is paired with (The CK3100 can be paired with up to 5 different phones, although only one at anytime) it also displays the signal strength, a bluetooth status symbol and the network provider. Once paired with a phone, very little else needs to be done, when ever you switch on the ignition, the phone and the Parrot synchronise and calls can be initiated from the hands free kit. Pressing the function dial, brings up a number of options, firstly the phone book, which is scrolled through alphabetically. the pressing the function dial will enable you to choose the contact that you wish to dial.

The phone never needs to be removed from your pocket (or camera bag) when in the car, as the bluetooth range is around 10 metres. And once you switch off the ignition the phone reverts back to normal use.

Some users may find that it takes a little while to get used to the fact that  you cannot kill the ignition and continue conversations, however as my head unit also switches off between killing the ignition and moving the key to the Acc's. position I have got used to it.

The Parrot also handles the error tones and message alerts better than the original Nokia kit did through the Pioneer head unit. Having had the Parrot for a few days, there are a couple of short falls, the main one being down to where I have the display installed, when driving into the sun light the display can be a little tricky to see, having the screen flush mounted slightly lower on the dashboard would cure this, however it will also mean taking your eyes further from the road to see the display. 

When having the unit installed it is important to consider how you will use it when driving, do not have the  display by the speedo or tacho, as you will have to reach through the steering wheel to reach the controls. Whenever the phone or the Parrot system is switched off,  and then turned on the Parrot system will re-synchronise with the phone, including adding any new contacts to the on-board phone book.

My phone book contains several hundred contacts and it takes around 7-8 seconds to update. In use the system is very intuitive to use, and the sound quality is impressive, the only issues relate to the inherant shortfalls of the system, that is no external attanae and no charging capability for the phone. 

To access the phone book simply push the central control button and then scroll through the alphabet to the letter required and push the button again to select, you are then able to scroll through the names until you reach the one you require. Then hit the green button and your call is placed, there are a couple of perculiar noises that issue forth from the system when dialling and including the MFDT of the numbers you have dialed.

Once connected the sound is very good quality. When receiving incoming calls, the phone displays the name of the caller (if it is in your phonebook) or the telephone number, if the number is withheld then it simply says "call".  Hit the green button to answer, or hit the red button to refuse the call. As with most bluetooth systems there is a weakness when handling voicemail calls. Most voicemail interfaces require some kind of user input to either review messages and/or delete them. The system doesn't have the option of entering the necessary numbers easily.