Numpty requires Bluetooth fitting help. [Solved}

[demag]

As in the title. I haven't got a clue about this stuff. I'm fairly convinced mine hasn't got the factory fitment. Is there any way I can say for positive it's fitted/not fitted? I scrolled through the menu and tried my phone on bluetooth but there wasn't any response from the vehicle. I can get hold of a Citroen bluetooth cpu, is that any good on its own or do I need other stuff as well? Or is it easier to fit 3rd party gear like Parrot? Also why do the prices vary so much? From around a fiver to many hundreds of pounds. Is the difference in quality really that great?

I know there have been threads about this before but a lot of it went over my head to be honest. I am an engineer so installation or wiring is no problem. It's just that I've never had anything to do with vehicle bluetooth before. It would be nice to answer the phone on the go. I just need a little guidance. illyme:cratch:

[Fletch]

Don't fit a stereo with built in Bluetooth, I've had 2 now and the call quality is pathetic.
I'm currently looking at getting the Parrot CK3100 they are about £75, my partner had one in his Astravan a few years ago and swore by it. The really cheap ones will be the junk you plug into the fag lighter socket.

[Gadgetman]

This is the stereo I have in my 1999 Berlingo:
http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/archi.../page.html
BlueTooth, USB, Pioneer IP-bus, handles just about any sound format, voice operated(doesn't work for us Norwegians as we use different phonemes), everything.
Uses a separate mic for handsfree mode.
(Yes, it uses Parrot)

[Fletch]

My kenwood ones used Parrot too, was useless, in fact the bluetooth TomTom was better call quality. You get what you pay for I suppose.

[evdama]

My kenwood ones used Parrot too, was useless, in fact the bluetooth TomTom was better call quality. You get what you pay for I suppose.

Its odd that they cant get quality and cheap
I have lots of the 99p (inc P&P from china!!!) ebay usb adapters for computers and they work a treat.

[Gadgetman]

Most of those USB-serial adapters won't work with my Psions, so yeah, they're junk.
(They also won't work with old Palms, my Parallax Basic Stamp microcontrollers, the cash drawers used at the office, or any other equipment that needs Hardware handshaking)

Yes, I have multiple Psions. They're just so Gosh Darn handy.

[finny]

My kenwood ones used Parrot too, was useless, in fact the bluetooth TomTom was better call quality. You get what you pay for I suppose.

my kenwood with parrot Bluetooth is brilliant, im using the the dnx4230dab unit on a nokia 800 lumia, I have read some iphones don't work very well with it

[Steve71]

I've never had much joy with the built in handsfrees. Our C4 picasso is crap, my merc sprinter sounds great but nobody can hear me! The best 3rd party one i found after loads of research was a Supertooth Buddy, there about £30 and clip on the sun visor so can be moved to different vehicles if needed. As long as the windows are shut when in use i've found it to be a great bit of kit.

[jon n roof]

i have fitted a Pioneer AVH-X3500 DAB unit into ours this has parrot built in and a separate wired mic,works a treat.xtr 2010

[Arfcollins]

I'd been thinking of getting bluetooth, but I don't need to use the phone much in the car so decided to try a cheaper way first. Bought a 12" male/male 3.5mm cable for £2.24 (delivered!) and attached the earphone socket of the phone to the aux socket of the hifi. It works OK, caller comes through very clear though I also have to close the windows to make myself properly audible. The mike of the phone picks up well from where it's dangling below the hifi.
The main problem (which difffers from bluetooth) is if I'm listening to anything but music from the phone (CD, USB etc) I'm reliant on seeing the phone lighting up to know there is a call, then switch to aux on the steering stalk and hit the answer button on the phone.
I don't make calls on the move so don't need to think about that.
Now looking at whether there is cheap way to hold the phone in a handy place. Blutac is not being considered!