Parrot MKi9200: iPhone Car Bluetooth Device Review

Posted by Cyprian on April 30th, 2009 at 07:14pm Comments

iPhone Car Bluetooth Device Review: Parrot MKi9200
Reviewed by: Cyprian Peters
-Official website
Price: $299.99

For a long time, I’ve been in search of a device that can give me hands free calling and still let me use my iPhone to play music. Until recently, I had been using a line in jack to my deck with a separate hands free bluetooth system. The MKi9200 merges these things quite beautifully and simplifies your technology needs in your car.

I’ve been using the MKi9200 for about a month now and it’s safe to say that I’m totally hooked. The box comes with a few things in it which need to be installed. There is a 2.4″ dot matrix screen, double microphone, remote control, a control module, and a fair bit of wiring. Parrot recommends a professional installation, but, being an avid wiring enthusiast I decided to give it a go myself. It really isn’t that bad for the do-it-yourselfers out there. You just need to find the right adapters for your car and in my case, an aftermarket deck. If you’ve never done any car wiring though, it might prove a little tricky, but not impossible.

The kit comes with a double microphone with DSP-3 signal processing which eliminates the background noise, meaning you can use the system in a convertible or with the window down. When making phone calls, the audio comes through the car speakers and the quality is awesome. People on the other end said they could hear me just fine as well. I mounted the microphone on my steering column and that seems to be working out great.

The phone features on this device are very similar to the MiniKit Chic I reviewed a while back. As soon as your iPhone or other device is paired to the unit, it automatically syncs your contact information over to it. The voice recognition technology is also there, making it completely hands free. To call someone, you simply need to press a button on the remote, and say ‘Call John’. It can also distinguish between home, cellular and work numbers if you say to call a specific number.

There is a cable that runs out from the control module which has three different attachments: USB, line in, and an iPod/iPhone adapter. This makes it really functional for whatever device you are using. You can even update the firmware straight from a USB stick! In my case, I use the iPhone adapter. The MKi9200 is certified ‘Works With iPhone’ so these two work together beautifully. When the system fires up, the iPhone automatically connects to it via bluetooth if already paired. It displays the network information as well as the name of the device on the screen. Once the cable is plugged in, the iPhone automatically connects to the MKi9200 and music starts playing where it was left off last time. It even charges the iPhone at the same time, no need for an additional charger in your car.

The MKi9200 is controlled by a little wireless remote that is ideally suited for steering wheel mounting. there are play/rewind/fast forward controls for the music as well as initiate and end call buttons. The most convenient thing on the remote though, is a jog wheel/button which controls the menu’s. Using these buttons and the wheel, you can navigate through menus, scroll through your music library, make calls, etc. All from your steering wheel. Album artwork and song information is displayed on the screen and when a call comes in, the music fades out and the caller ID comes up in its place.

This kit is everything I need for driving all in one system. My only complaint is that it almost makes my aftermarket deck redundant. It also isn’t cheap, but very worth it I think for all the different capabilities it offers. When it comes to audio/hands free in the car, it’s hard to find one to do everything. The Parrot MKi9200 sure comes close though, and all you ever need to touch is your steering wheel.

Score:
9/10

Related posts:

1. Parrot unveils MKi9100 and MKi9200 iPhone compatible Bluetooth car “music kits”
2. Parrot MINIKIT CHIC: iPhone Bluetooth Device Review
3. A hands-free device for an iPhone - the Vibe Duo from V-Moda.
4. Flying, iPhone / iPod Touch (WiFi) controlled, camera equipped Parrot AR.Drone is here with some cool gaming features
5. mr Handsfree Blue Smart Review

(5 votes, average: 4.60 out of 5)

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