alarm chirps and Bluetooth

[dbarrans]

Probably getting a new Passion this week; the dealer needed to order a replacement radio as the one in the car had a lot of static on all stations.

The two things that trouble me are:

1) I haven't found yet if there's a way to turn off the alarm chirps when locking and unlocking the car. I live on a quiet street, and don't want to annoy neighbors with the noise.

2) I haven't yet found a hands-free Bluetooth setup that works with the factory radio. I've seen this in 2007 accessories brochures, but the dealer says nothing is available.

Have I just not found the right data source for these yet?

- dan

[rwjrn]

I have bluetooth in my car and it works great with the factory stereo. It links my phone book automatically and I can call anyone or any number with voice commands. I also have GPS on my phone and can get voice directions through the stereo as well. Sound is muted automatically while calling or using GPS then goes back to normal. My version was installed by my dealer but it's available at Parrot Cellular. Here's the link:
Parrot - CK3100-LCD - First Bluetooth® Hands Free car kit with LCD display

I also purchased a wireless bluetooth handsfree carkit today for my other car for 39.99. It attatches to the visor and has a rechargeable battery. I haven't used it yet, so I'll update this post when It actually works.
I wouldn't worry too much about the alarm chirp. It's very subtle. Not like a horn honking at all.

[rwjrn]

Just finished checking out the $40 Costco version of handsfree bluetooth. It worked like you would expect for the money. It snyced up quickly and easily but no voice commands so you still have to dial with your phone. If you can afford it I'd go with something better like one of the systems from parrot. This is basically just bluetooth speaker phone.

[wdw412]

[quote=rwjrn;84365]I have bluetooth in my car and it works great with the factory stereo. It links my phone book automatically and I can call anyone or any number with voice commands. I also have GPS on my phone and can get voice directions through the stereo as well. Sound is muted automatically while calling or using GPS then goes back to normal. My version was installed by my dealer but it's available at Parrot Cellular. Here's the link:
Parrot - CK3100-LCD - First Bluetooth® Hands Free car kit with LCD display

It would be great if you could post a picture of the dealer install so we could see how/where it was mounted.
Thanks,
Bill

[rwjrn]

I'll see if I can get my crappy camera to work. I ordered another one but it's still on the way.

[rwjrn]

The only issue I have with this placement is that even with it being on the most dim setting it's a little bright. Nothing major, but you do notice it at night. It's also difficult to see, but there's a small microphone head on the end of the upper console opposite the unit.

[dbarrans]

Originally Posted by rwjrn

I have bluetooth in my car and it works great with the factory stereo. ... Here's the link:
Parrot - CK3100-LCD - First Bluetooth® Hands Free car kit with LCD display

Does the CK3100 use the radio amp & volume control, or does it totally bypass the radio output and use its own amp with its own volume control?

Originally Posted by rwjrn

I wouldn't worry too much about the alarm chirp. It's very subtle. Not like a horn honking at all.

I've had my car for about 6 weeks now, and it still doesn't seem subtle to me. Still wish I could turn it off. I noticed a few weeks ago that some Mercedes cars have an identical alarm chirp. I can't imagine the thing isn't programmable.

- dan

[angel]

If you have the alarm it will chirp. No way to disable it that has been made known as of yet.

[rwjrn]

Not being technically inclined I'm not sure about the volume control question. There is an adjustment for volume on the unit so you can adjust how loud you want the voice prompts. I've actually installed a stereo with touchscreen that does bluetooth now so I've disabled the parrot. Although the parrot was easier to use and set up.

[dbarrans]

Originally Posted by rwjrn

Not being technically inclined I'm not sure about the volume control question.

It's more of a user question than a technical question. I guess the best way to explain is by example.

My other vehicle is a Dodge Dakota with AM/FM/CD/Sirius/Bluetooth. For each of these audio sources, I can use the volume control on the radio to adjust how loud that source is, and it remembers the setting independently for each source. I was asking if the Parrot uses the radio's volume control to adjust the phone volume, or if it has its own volume control for that.

- dan