Parrot CK3000 Evolution vs Motorola IHF1000

I'm going to install a bluetooth kit in my '99, and I'm not sure which one of these models to get please give me your opinions. I'm primarily interested in tech plusses or minuses and not so much aesthetics. For example if you have any info regarding voice recognition, mic performance, Becker compatibility, ease of install etc. Bruce

I'm very happy with the Moto HF1000. Great voice recognition, audible caller ID, integration into the Becker CDR23 radio. I placed the mic on the ceiling near the sunroof button and it works great and looks almost factory. Install took about 1hr, but I had to order the $17 cable from becker to be able to use the car's speaker for the phone. I also found it for $69 (new in box) online from a clearance center...so look around. I think the Parrot is more sophisticated, but for the price I paid, you can't beat the value. Click on my signature to go to my renntech page with more photos and details.

I have the CK3000 in my ML430 and the CK3100 (w/ display for caller ID, etc) in my C4S. Both have been great units. They're clear and sound clear on the speakers. One thing to note if you're installing yourself: Mic placement is important. In our SUV, I moved the mic from the top of the steering column to the A-pillar and the difference was very noticeable. I put my CK3100's control unit same as where pongobaz put his, on the "batwing." I put the mic on my C4S's steering column.

+1 on putting the mic on the A-pillar/roof area. That's where I've had the best luck.

I have the HF1000 with almost the exact set up as above except I have a convertible. With the top up it works great. With the top down you can get a lot of wind noise on the other end of the call so I just switch to the phone for those calls. I have had mine installed for about 3 years now and am very happy with it. I also use the speakers in the car along with the aux input for my iPod. I don't see a need for a display like the Parrott systems have since the caller ID will announce incoming calls on the audio system (ie. "Call from [phone removed]" or "Call from Jim Jones" if the number is saved in speed dial). I generally just use the speed dial on my phone when dialing and it will automatically switch to the Bluetooth connection once the phone dials. Kris

Thanks for the responses. I was planning to buy a tip steering wheel and use the switches to make and end calls with one of them. I was leaning toward the using the motorola module, mainly because the IHF has the spoken caller ID. I had a lead on a 3 spoke tip wheel for $250 so I was going to head down that route then the $250 turned into $900 so I'm probably going to bag that approach and use the IHF and their keypad. I like Phil's install even if the IHF finish is chrome, with a bright blue light, which makes it look like an add on. I'm going to check with the dealer on Monday to see what they get for a steering wheel and airbag before I make my decision and go for it. Thanks, Bruce

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I'm actually thinking of painting the chrome part to match the black plastic. I have another control unit from a Motorola HF850 that I had previously that I can use as a guinea pig to try that out.

let me know how the painting works, I'm thinking of doing the same

I bought the Motorola kit and have two questions(so far) for anyone that has installed one: 1. Where did you mount the blue control unit( I've removed the stereo and lower storage bins but nothing obvious yet, next the passenger footwell underside cover) 2. How does the roof console plastic come off (I'm going to mount the mic up there) Thanks in Advance, Bruce

Here's a link to a pic of a CK3000 Parrot which I mounted to look as factory as possible. The Black and Grey of the device actually blended in really well with the console. I just removed one of the blank switches and moulded the mounting plate of the CK3000 to a tight fit and pushed it in place - voila! Had some sound quality issues with caller hearing me me but after moving the mic to the roof by the rear view mirror improved it somewhat! Check it out: http://picasaweb.google.com/karlgrove/CK3000Bluetooth

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1. I put mine behind the glovebox. Just remove the passenger footwell upper cover (3 plastic screws, I think) and you'll find plenty of room. 2. No need to remove it. I was able to snake the mic wire around the a-pillar and to the front of the headliner without removing a thing. Just use a trim awl (blunt the tip, though) and you can press the wire behind all the trim. I then used some velcro to fasten the mic in place). Make sure you orient it correctly (as per the directions) or else your callers will find you sounding very distant.

thanks for the replies, I've got a '99 (no glove box) but I removed the cover on the bottom and found a nook I think I can use. I may even attach it to the vent system( I think that's what it is), silicone the mounting screws well and cover it up using the original cover. I think the extra space for the glove box partly came out of the ventilation system. It's packed there too. Was figuring I'd have to remove all of the panels, glad to hear you can just push the wires behind them. Bruce

I had mine installed a couple of years ago and it would not "marry" my fourth consecutive device. Parrot was not helpful nor was the phone manufacturer. Turned out, after the memory was full and neaded purging. (Press both left and right buttons for a few seconds.)

The phone kit I got from Becker instructs me to use pin3 of Socket A for the Telephone Mute. I was assuning it would be empty like the phone inputs I'm using. My car has a yellow wire already there, does anyone know what it is? Bruce

Yep, it's the telephone mute... there are some wiring diagrams around. DAS on here and Renntech. However, don't even bother removing it. The Parrot device I fitted didn't even use the end of the Becker kit!!! I installed it and spent an hour trying to remove the stock pin (yellow/Blk wire) so I could put the becker one in it's place!! Don't use it. The Parrot CK3000 I installed doesn't use it and all of the necessary wiring changes are taken care of using the ISO connectors in the Bluetooth kit! http://picasaweb.google.com/karlgrove/CK3000Bluetooth

with the legacy telephone mute connector plugged in does the radio mute when there is an incoming call????

I mounted the blue control box under the lower storage tray in the center console. If you pull off the two side pieces you will have easy access under there. It is also close to the wiring harness for the factory phone kit. I hooked up the switched power wire to the stereo power harness switched power wire. This way the power will stay on until you pull the key out of the ignition. The switched power source in the wiring harness will turn off as soon as you turn the key off. I wanted to be able to continue using the handsfree if I was still on a call when I reached my destination and wanted to turn the engine off. If you use a test light you can easily determine which of the wires this is in the stereo harness. I then just spliced into that wire. Been using it for a few years now with no problems. Kris

Kris, I thought this wold be a great place too, but my car has something there already. Not sure what it is but there are two pieces, one looks like a battery and I'm not sure what the other is, an alarm? Needless to say I left it alone and ended up mounting the control box on the firewall just in front of the gas pedal. Fits real well there. I'm stealing the power like you did, but have heard that these cars come from the factory pre-wired with a connectorr for the factory phone kit but couldn't find it. I figured that all of the switched, unswitched ground mute etc would have already there. Do you know where it is? Bruce

The factory harness is under the carpet behind the center console. If you pull off the carpeted side piece of the center console on the passenger side it should be just under the carpet behind the console. Mine was a 4 prong flat harness that has phone mute, ground, constant power and switched power. The switched power turns off when you turn the key off. The switched power for the radio does not turn off until you pull the key out. That is why I went with that option when I installed mine. The instructions to the blue tooth controller indicated that the power would stay on until the call ended if you were on a call and turn the switched powere off but I don't believe mine would do that. If yours does then you could just use the switched power from the harness with the same result. Kris

I haven't been able to get the yellow/blk wire connector out of the factory radio plug. I have a tool for compressing the tabs on the side of the connector but I've still been unable to pull it out. Does anyone know what the trick is??? It's looking like I'll have to manually mute the radio when a call comes in...

I used a really small screw driver (two of them actually). You will need to slide it in on both sides of teh connector and them move the wire back and forth to get it out.