Like many others, I was anxiously following the post concerning the Parrot unit. While I love certain features, the report seem to suggest complicated install and dubious performance with the ipod interface. The law has changed here in pretzel town and I need to get on the stick. (Actually got a warning yesterday for being on the phone!) So what are you guys using that is of good quality and easy to plug and play? I am especially interested in units that turns music off when call is incoming and that has a screen to view the ipod. TIA

 

I have a JVC KD-BT1 and really like it.
http://support.jvc.com/consumer/prod...lId=MODL027884

 

I have the Becker Grand Prix, which I fitted a couple of weeks ago. It is superb, and the phone works fine. It is not voice activated dialing,but with an iPhone, that is not an issue. A little expensive - I got my in the UK, and had a friend ship it to me, as they would not ship to the US direct. About 700. You do have to alter 2 wires as explained on the Parrot posts, but that is easy stuff to do.

http://www.wikio.com/product/becker-...990-24127.html

Philip

 

aribop, how well does the phone work at speed? I keep hearing that most bluetooth units suffer from clarity unless the car is standing still.
Thanks Philip. I researched that unit a while back but really want the voice feature and want to have the ipod feature built in.

 

I have all of the above in the JVC KD-AVX33 http://reviews.cnet.com/in-dash-car-...6.html?tag=sub and http://reviews.cnet.com/in-dash-car-...6.html?tag=sub head unit, comes with Bluetooth which works well, fully automatic, will save 3 phone devices, voice activated, and will script recent calls, missed calls, phone list etc etc, and no drop outs. The head unit also has a DVD screen/player, USB port stored music, CD player, Sat Nav screen, 5.1 surround sound, reverse camera etc ...... and despite the review, if "I" can manage the menu system then I'd reckon "anybody" can.

BTW, check this out - I’ve also hooked it up to a JVC powered subwoofer CS-DA1 http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...VC+CS-DA1.html with remote volume control and auto boost. It simply rests perfectly on the rear seat squab as if purpose tailored to fit, and wow .... packs a wallop too.

 

I have a Sony bluetooth head unit in the WRX. Mutes the music on incoming calls, and it was fairly inexpensive (200 or so)

 

I installed an Eclipse head unit a couple months ago and have been pleased with it. Has built in bluetooth which is nice. Installation was pretty straightforward with the harness Crutchfield supplied. The only trick was that their harness had the constant and switched power leads opposite of those in the car's harness. Just pulled the pins and reversed them in the Crutchfield harness and all was well.

As for looks, it's subjective. I like that the display does not look like a video game. Has 3 full lines of text which is nice. Backlighting is either red or blue, neither of which is an exact match for the instruments. I use the red backlighting as the blue is too bright at night, in my opinion. Works well with the iPod - I have it wired to the glove box.

http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_0...0.html?tp=5684

 

I installed the Kenwood KDC-X993 (you gotta love the model #). The bluetooth phone works well. I especially like the Blue Tooth Audio, which allows me to use my iphone for music without plugging in the cord. If I wish to use the cord to control an iPod, that works too. One other nice feature is the ability to change the color of the light display. I was able to come pretty close to matching the white-yellow color of my 911 instruments.