I bought this unit looking for a completely wireless way to do precisely two things:
1) Listen to music;
2) Take/Make phone calls
I wanted to do this all via my iPhone, streaming audio through Bluetooth. Because of the iPhone's recent addition of support for A2DP stereo, I figured now was the time to roll the dice on the Parrot.
First off, the good:
1) The unit is well made, and packaged nicely;
2) It is designed well, and the components are set up - mostly - to do what you think they are supposed to do.
I had very high hopes for the Parrot, as I've researched this problem nearly endlessly. Initially, after I set the product up and read the woeful user guide (a far superior guide is available on the parrot website), it worked decently - the headset was easy to install, reasonably loud (for bluetooth), and the blue blinking unit was not egregiously heinous attached to my Shoei RF1000 helmet.
Then, I hopped on my bike for a quick jaunt around the block and that's when things started to go awry. The bluetooth cut in and out, and when it cut back in after going out it would skip and play catch up. The source button - to toggle between the phone and music capabilities of my iPhone, would work unpredictably. I moved my iPhone to my chest pocket and it seemed to improve things somewhat. The track advance and rewind buttons did not have any impact on music played on the iPhone, and were essentially useless. Though the unit showed some promise, I needed to do some digging.
So, off to Google I went. First off I learned that while the new iPhone software is great for streaming bluetooth, it has handicapped the protocol somewhat by NOT supporting AVRCP - Audio/Visual Remote Control Protocol - which explained why I was not able to manipulate tracks via the handlebar mounted remote control. No biggie, I thought, as I can suffer through a bad track or two while I wait. Even better, I usually stream Pandora anyway. I can live with it, I thought, until Apple decides to get it together and support the protocol.
Then I learned that the software the device shipped with was a 1.14 release, and that a 1.15 release was available. This lifted my hopes greatly. The 1.15 release of Parrot software promised to add a clicking sound to pressing the remote buttons, so you'd at least know you'd pressed a button properly if it didn't function as expected. It also mentioned that it would improve remote connectivity with the headset. I figured this would be my savior.
It wasn't. When I pared it again with my iPhone I found that when I had the music playing, NO BUTTONS would allow me to switch over to the phone mode - not on the helmet unit OR the remote, and that I was essentially screwed if I wanted to make a call after listening to music. Also, there was no appreciable improvement in the skipping experience I was having.
I called Parrot tech support who was essentially unaware of the problem, but sympathetic. They are now aware of the issue and working on a bug fix.
Bottom line, if you have an iPhone and want to go bluetooth to your helmet, you may want to rethink things. At the very least, if you do acquire a Parrot, install the 1.15 release at your own peril. They cannot rollback the software to 1.14.
I returned this product and have temporarily given up my quest for wireless audio to my helmet.
I had the same results, essentially waiting for the iPhone update and then discovering the bluetooth interference thing. It's just not useable for streaming audio. It works fine as a phone, but that's not really what I wanted it for.
So now it just sits in a drawer waiting to see if an update comes out from Parrot.
Can you move this to Gear? I think it would get more attention there.
Interesting review. It sounds like half the problem is your iphone. I guess neither of you have a normal mp3 player to test it with?
You might try the intercom-type chatterbox units like this (http://www.chatterboxusa.com/cbxbi2okit.html). They're cheaper and smaller than the transmitter (cb radio-like) units.
sorry that the bluetooth is not working out for you,
i use this for just music. you still are stuck with the wired headphones but the remote works pretty flawlessly and straps to the triple easily
i usually leave it in the map part of my tankbag and press through the plastic
walmart price $70 bucks
ebay brand new $13-17 bucks i think i paid
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2006/10/10.10.06-iezclick.jpg)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Monster-Cable-iEZClick-Wireless-Remote-for-Apple-iPod_W0QQitemZ320397280660QQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_MP3_Player_Accessories?hash=item4a992a8594&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_2034wt_1165 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Monster-Cable-iEZClick-Wireless-Remote-for-Apple-iPod_W0QQitemZ320397280660QQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_MP3_Player_Accessories?hash=item4a992a8594&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_2034wt_1165)
I have an Iphone as a personal cell and love it BUT- I have yet to find a Bluetooth headset that works properly with it. That has also been the case with two different Bluetooth headsets my SO purchased for her Iphone
On my (company supplied) Blackberry I use a Jawbone and it works amazingly well, but it is awful with the Iphone.
I wonder if Iphone's Bluetooth just has issues.
I took the leap to iPhone two weeks ago, and while it is a fantastic device (trapster, pocketdyno etc) the update for iPhones running version 3 broke all the blue tooth devices.
I bought (returning it tomorrow) the Scala Rider Q2 system. System does not work. There is something going on with the iPhone software. I will either wait for apple to get it right or buy a hard wire system.
I even went through apple support and they were unable to fix it. If you do have a system not working, call apple support so they know you have an issue. 1-800-694-7466.
There are some nice ABS plastic water proof enclosures for the iPhone, but none so far with the option to run the charging cable. May have to fab one into working since if you use any gps or an app that requires internet communications, you will run the battery down.
I was running GPSed on my black berry, and it was nice, but very battery intensive for uploading live gps tracking info. Cool app none the less. I've put the latest one for the iphone on my iphone, but haven't run it.
It's really unfortunate that the there are so few really good options for in helmet phone/music. The parrot is on the right track (at least someone is thinking about it), but the streaming audio part just blew.
Quote from: billg69gmc on August 04, 2009, 10:51:21 PM
I took the leap to iPhone two weeks ago, and while it is a fantastic device (trapster, pocketdyno etc) the update for iPhones running version 3 broke all the blue tooth devices.
I bought (returning it tomorrow) the Scala Rider Q2 system. System does not work. There is something going on with the iPhone software. I will either wait for apple to get it right or buy a hard wire system.
I even went through apple support and they were unable to fix it. If you do have a system not working, call apple support so they know you have an issue. 1-800-694-7466.
There are some nice ABS plastic water proof enclosures for the iPhone, but none so far with the option to run the charging cable. May have to fab one into working since if you use any gps or an app that requires internet communications, you will run the battery down.
I was running GPSed on my black berry, and it was nice, but very battery intensive for uploading live gps tracking info. Cool app none the less. I've put the latest one for the iphone on my iphone, but haven't run it.
AFAIK, the Scala Q2 doesn't have A2DP for bluetooth devices so won't work with most mp3 players. You need to get the Q2 Multiset to be able to plug in mp3 players with an audio jack but it still doesn't have A2DP. They're supposed to be coming out with a new unit that does support the A2DP bluetooth profile.
Quote from: Wonked on August 05, 2009, 07:17:36 AM
It's really unfortunate that the there are so few really good options for in helmet phone/music. The parrot is on the right track (at least someone is thinking about it), but the streaming audio part just blew.
I think there are quite a few good units. I think your choice of music source is the problem. ;D
Quote from: erkishhorde on August 05, 2009, 09:07:19 AM
I think there are quite a few good units. I think your choice of music source is the problem. ;D
Fair enough. But, I'm not going to step back in time in my everyday life to accommodate a sporadic need on the bike [roll].
Quote from: erkishhorde on August 05, 2009, 09:06:29 AM
AFAIK, the Scala Q2 doesn't have A2DP for bluetooth devices so won't work with most mp3 players. You need to get the Q2 Multiset to be able to plug in mp3 players with an audio jack but it still doesn't have A2DP. They're supposed to be coming out with a new unit that does support the A2DP bluetooth profile.
You are totally correct. The model I was sold was an older one, no MP3 input, plus the communication to the iPhone did not function at all.Maybe the next model release will have it.
Volume or "auto-volume" was not too bad on the Street Fighter. A very quiet helmet will be a must to begin with.
Anyone have experience with a REAL quiet helmet. I'm using a scopion, which works well with my glasses.
I guess the moral is to do more research before purchase, I thought I had the basics down but the A2DP caught me. Thanks for the info!
billg
My Shoei RF1000 is pretty darn quiet.
Hey I know this is a bit off-topic, but what do you guys think about this?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/38/17571/ITEM/Element-Fastrack-Bluetooth-Solid-Helmet.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/38/17571/ITEM/Element-Fastrack-Bluetooth-Solid-Helmet.aspx)
(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/OG/2009-Element-Fastrack-Bluetooth-Solid-Helmet.jpg)
Its for 269.99 plus free shipping.