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Parrot SK 4000 Bluetooth Headset - A2DP

6K views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  dwsdad 
#1 ·
Does anyone have any experiences with this headset? I've done a search on the forums but no joy.

I'm in a genuine fix at the moment and can't decide which headset to go for - it would be primarily for hearing the instructions on my Zumo 660, listening to a little music on the iPod occasionally and answering the phone / making calls.

I thought I'd decided on the Scala Rider until I realised that it won't bluetooth in stereo as it doesn't have the A2DP profile - the Parrot would seem to get around this. And then I started looking at Autocom's and it really got complicated!

Am now wondering whether to go wireless at all and instead just go for a fully wired-in Autocom system - they seem to get good reviews.

Anyway, back to the Parrot - anyone any comments to make?
 
#3 ·
Just to add that I've since found a load of good reviews on the Zumo forums site - they are largely very positive, in particular about the build quality and sound performance from the unit. I decided to buy one within the next month or so and will post an honest review when it gets some airtime - not too long to wait as I'm currently averaging around 2000 miles a month on my 07 GT.
 
#4 ·
It looks pretty cool. I really like the remote handlebar control. One place I saw says it pairs up to 10 devices, but how many can be active at once? Can you pair the Garmin, a phone, and a passenger?
 
#5 ·
My (limited) understanding from reading all the threads and reviews is that it can't be used as an intercom (won't pair with another unit which surprised me) and that it had a pecking order for paired devices and will give priority to the ones at the top of the list (you decide).

The best set up is meant to involve your phone paired to the Zumo and the Zumo then paired to the Parrot - you can also pair directly from phone to Parrot if you don't have a Zumo and let the Parrot take care of all the call management features. You can also plug your iPod directly into it via the line in (I understand that the lead required comes with it as it has a 3.5m jack on one end and mini-USB on the other).

You can stream stereo audio to it from your phone via bluetooth (but would probably drain your phone's battery very quick) - not sure about from the Zumo as I don't think the 550 had the AD2P profile - not sure about the 660.

It looks quality and as their car stuff is so good, my mind is made up. I also read that Parrot supply Garmin with their bluetooth chips (not sure how accurate this is) so Parrot and Zumo should go great together. The user reviews all say that it knocks the Scala and Camos systems into the weeds and is a class apart (guaranteed to start a row!).
 
#6 ·
I found a review where they say it is NOT an intercom. So, looking on Amazon I find the Parrot, directly from Parrot, for $179. That's what the Camos system is going for and it IS an intercom. I'll interested to hear how you like the sound quality. I showed it to a friend here at the office and he's thinking about getting. So, I'll listen to what he says as well.
 
#7 ·
Well, I jumped off and bought the Parrot. Here's my first impressions:

The kit includes the main unit which is a disk about 2.5" in diameter that slides into a clamp that clamps onto your helmet. When all this is connected, you have a hockey puck sticking out about 1.5" on the left side of your helmet.

The puck has volume up & down buttons, the on/off button, and a usb port that acts as the charging port and a place to plug in an analog device such as an MP3 player or CD player. A cable is supplied with the kit that takes the output of your MP3 player and converts it to the USB plug. It also contains an FM radio, which seems to work pretty well.

You also get an AC adapter for charging, the 3.5mm stereo to USB cable, an L shaped Torx wrench (used to tighten the clamp to your helmet and remove the battery from the remote), and a remote.

The remote is a spring-loaded and just slips over your grip and gives you access to the volume without having to remove your hand from the grip. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! If your using the builtin FM radio, you can move between stations using the remote. There's also a "Source" button on the back side that lets you select between radio, telephone, and Bluetooth audio. This remote also let's you set the device up.

There's an audio menu that you scroll through using the remote. You can set the headset to stereo mode, mono mode (even which speaker you want the audio to come out of), stereo widening, enhanced bass, and automatic volume control.

It paired really easily with my 2G iPhone and we even paired it to a 3GS with no problem. Once sync'd up, the unit will download your contact list from your phone (evidently, not all phones will do it automatically, but the iPhone does). What this does is allow you to voice dial anyone on your contact list. Your phone doesn't need to support voice dial for this to work. One thing I noticed was that you have to say the names in the order you have them sorted. In other words, my list is sorted lastname/firstname, so when I tell it to dial, I have to say "smith john cell" instead of "john smith cell".

When a call comes in, it's announced: "Call from John Smith". You then have the option of saying "accept" or "decline". You can also press a button on the remote to accept the call.

To get Bluetooth from my 2820 to the Parrot, I had to buy a A2DP dongle that plugs into the line out of the Garmin. That little device paired up without a hitch as well.

The sound coming out of this thing is fantastic.............but I'll say that with a caveat. At speed this morning (first chance to test it at speed), I had to turn the volume all the way up to hear it - and then it wasn't all that loud. Keep in mind that "at speed" for me is around 70 or 80. I'm going to play with speaker placement and also the audio settings on the Garmin to see if I can improve the volume. Add to that that I wear ear plugs.

All in all, it's a pretty good unit, but I need to work on that volume thing.

One other thing: this is NOT an intercom system. It's strictly for interfacing with a phone and music source. Oh, yeah, it'll pair with up to 10 devices.
 
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