headunit for my bmw...

[seb]

Sony MEXBT3800U Bluetooth CD Radio with iPod Connection

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_774681_langId_-1_categoryId_165474

Alpine CDE-113BTHAL Bluetooth CD Radio with iPod Connection

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_770541_langId_-1_categoryId_165474

Parrot RKi8400 Car Stereo made for your iPhone

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_759291_langId_-1_categoryId_165474

It is for a BMW 320i E46.

I think the Alpine seemed the best. Haven't seen the Parrott in RL but it gets s**t reviews plus is the most expensive...

The sony one seemed nice but i found the controls a bit confusing. Couldn't play with the Alpine as it was nehind a plastic screen and couldn't get access to the usb thingy...

Anyone with any knowledge tell what is best/good etc?

I want a handsfree capabilities for calls aswell as obviously playing music and charging my iphone4.

i spoke to the guys in halfords. They seemed relatively pleasant. However, when i discussed fitting with them they didn't seem able to understand i couldn't do 2pm at anyday of the week. I told them i work all week. but still they said ''how about thursday at 2pm?'' ''er no i am working...'' ''ok, how about friday at 2pm?'' ''er no, like i said, i work all week.''

Shame really as if they could have fitted there and then or tomorrow i would have just bought one.

anyhow, this gives cs the opportunity to assist me in my decision.

Will I need any other cables to fit it to my car? I presume i'll need a plate as the bmw radios are larger than normal.

any advice appreciated.

 

[seb]

no one?

 

[amzss1]

has it got to be from halfords?

 

[AhmedRSi]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_771447_langId_-1_categoryId_165474

 

[ForceIndia]

The alpine works very well (fitted a couple), handles call's well. The display does make ipod control a bit tricky though. I'd personally spend a bit more if possible.
http://www.extremeaudio.co.uk/products/alpine---ida-x100/1131/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000EPQ4C4/?tag=cliospnet01-21

The level of ipod control is brilliant, and the parrot kit handles calls very well. I've had a similar setup for a while, when I change car the kit gets swapped over. With the 113bt you compromise on the ipod control (display is too narrow) and call handling isn't as good.

 

[Rob]

Alpine units always seem to be head and shoulders above the rest Mr Seb.

I'd contact MT_Audio, 1) because he's always willing to help, 2) Because he can normally sort out a good deal on things

 

[seb]

The alpine works very well (fitted a couple), handles call's well. The display does make ipod control a bit tricky though. I'd personally spend a bit more if possible.
http://www.extremeaudio.co.uk/products/alpine---ida-x100/1131/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000EPQ4C4/?tag=cliospnet01-21

The level of ipod control is brilliant, and the parrot kit handles calls very well. I've had a similar setup for a while, when I change car the kit gets swapped over. With the 113bt you compromise on the ipod control (display is too narrow) and call handling isn't as good.

the parrott doesn't do the music side of things though does it? or am i being stupid?

i would spend a little more if there was something that was ace etc.

i don't know a lot about it you see so just went into halfords as it is next to waitrose.

i have pm'd MT_audio already.

the thing is, i want it sorted by not this friday but next friday as i have a 7 hour drive ahead you see...

 

[seb]

plus i'd like a cd player too.

 

[Vish]

I've got the Alpine 114BTi which is essentially the 113 with a iPod/iPhone cable and really like it. I've had two Sony HUs before and this sound better by far. I have written a couple of reviews about the Alpine before, if you want to find them, but essentially:

Bluetooth - very good, has a little mic you can place where you want, I sit mine in front of the speedo on the steering column, people sound clear through your speakers but you may need to speak up if your car is stripped/noisy. It's a bit fiddly finding people to call, you can scroll through the alphabet but it's takes a few seconds and then you can scroll through the names. Although it has a missed/received/dialed section, I find it only stores calls of that journey. Mine's mainly for incoming calls though, so not a big issue if you don't want to regularly dial out whilst driving.

iPod/iPhone control - excellent. I can't compare it to others, but it's very easy to use - select artist/album/playlist/podcast etc, then select song. Menu's same as using the device so quick to navigate. Skips songs just as quick as the iPhone. Only prob I've found is that although CoPilot instructions will play over the music, it won't mute/turn down the music because you can't control the music from the iPhone once connected so CoPilot settings won't work for music playback. I don't remember having this problem with TomTom.

I can't really compare to Warren's kit because I've not used any other systems, but I'm happy for the price due to me not calling out much and I don't store a lot of music on my iPhone so not a lot to control for me.

 

[wozzaa]

I would go with a decent Alpine unit and then drop in their KCE-400BT. It is basically Parrot Bluetooth that integrates fully with the Alpine headunit.

Run the 400BT in my car with my Alpine unit and works perfectly. Also means I don't need to find room to tack on another thing that you can see like the stand alone parrots. Completely hidden behind the headunit.