Parrot CK3100 Review
Review Courtesy of SafeWireless
The good: The Parrot CK3100 is a cost-effective Bluetooth hands-free calling system with some surprisingly advanced calling features including a decent voice-command interface and a useful phonebook-syncing feature.
The bad: Programming in voice tags for contacts can be time consuming, and there is no option for dialing individual numbers by voice.
The bottom line: The Parrot CK3100 combines a simple, easy to use control interface with a good voice-recognition system to provide drivers with easy hands-free calling on the road.
CNET editors' review
* Reviewed on: 02/26/2008
With legislation on the horizon banning the use of cell phones while driving, we decided to take a look at the options for those drivers with too much self respect to wear Bluetooth headsets. With an increasing number of hands-free speakerphones on the market, Parrot's CK3100 still manages to hold its own when it comes to features and usability.
Design
The CK3100 is a characteristically simply-designed device from Parrot. Like the more basic CK3000 Evolution, it features the usual call, answer, and hang-up buttons as well as a push button rotary dial for navigating menus. The big difference between the CK3100 and its baby brother is the former's three-line monochromatic LCD display, which adds another layer of functionality to what is already a very easy to use hands-free calling system. With a cell phone connected to the CK3100, the display shows a range of useful information, including signal strength, battery life, and current call volume. In our experience, installation of the CK3100 is best left to Parrot-approved dealers as the connectors needed are car-specific ISO harnesses, which are difficult to find in the aftermarket. With the device installed its two visible components (the screen module and the external microphone) take up very little room and can be easily mounted almost anywhere within sight of the driver.
Features and performance
As with the CK3000, the CK3100's simple design disguises an impressive number of features. With the hard work of installation done by someone else, connecting a cell phone to the CK3100 is a breeze: Simply search for the device using your cell phone and enter a passcode. The first time that a phone is connected to the CK3100, the entire phonebook as well as all call records (missed calls, outgoing calls, etc.) are transferred to the Parrot device giving drivers all the relevant information they need to use the device as a proxy for their phone. Those who so wish can still dial out using the phone handset, after which the call is routed through the Parrot device and the car's speakers.
Once a phone is paired to the CK3100, all call records are automatically copied over.
One thing that we noticed was that the system will copy contacts only from a connected phone's SIM card and not those stored on the phone's internal phonebook. On our Samsung SGH-T619 test phone, it was a simple procedure to move all the phone contacts to the SIM card in one go and then transfer all contacts at once. With the contacts transferred, to the CK3100, they are then searchable on the Parrot device either by browsing entries by name or by scrolling through a useful alphabetized letter list.
The CK3100 also gives drivers the option of making calls by entering numerical digits via the "Dial Number" menu. For safety purposes, the CK3100 has a spoken menu option that reads out numbers and other menu entries at the same time that they appear on the display. This can lead to the device being a little too chatty at times (it can, thankfully, be turned off) but the feature is useful when dialing by number while maintaining focus on the road. As the CK3100 has voice-recognition capabilities, we are a little disappointed that there is no way to dial numbers by voice command (as is the case with many high-end factory-installed Bluetooth hands-free calling systems)--perhaps this is something that Parrot can look into for future iterations in the CK series.
Contacts can be browsed either through the phonebook or via first letter using an alphabet list.
We found the available features of the CK3100's voice-command system to be easy to use. To activate the voice-command system, drivers must first go through the one-time set-up process of recording keywords ("phone," "hang-up," etc.) into the device's memory, as well as the more laborious process of voice-tagging all the contacts in their phone book. Each contact needs requires two voice tags--one to enter, one to confirm--to be stored in the system. This process is easier on the CK3100 than on the CK3000 thanks to the presence of the display, which lets drivers select individual contacts for voice tagging on the device itself rather than sending them one at a time from the phone as .vcf files, but it still takes a long time to transfer all the phonebook's contacts. The CK3100 also provides the option of storing up to three numbers (cellular, home, office) for each contact. With all the requisite information entered, the CK3100 is at its most useful, as drivers can place calls without even pressing a button. (Calling John at home, for example, simply requires the following commands: Phone > John > Home.) While we were consistently impressed with the CK3100's ability to understand our voice commands to place calls, we were less impressed with its ability to end them (via the "Hang up" command), especially when driving along at freeway speeds. Instead we often found ourselves having to the end the call manually by pressing the red button.
The CK3100's voice commands are very useful, but tagging contacts takes a while to set up.
When new contacts are added to the cell phone's phonebook, they are automatically copied over to the CK3100's phonebook each time the Bluetooth connection is renewed. In our testing, however, we found one occasion in which this automatic transfer did not happen. When the number entered in our cell phone's phonebook was tagged as a home number, the CK3100 failed to recognize it. It was only after entering a cell phone number that the contact was copied over to the Parrot device (bizarrely, both the cell and the home phone numbers were then available on the CK3100).
One of our favorite functions of the CK3100 is its caller ID feature that calls out the name of an incoming caller if the contact has already been voice tagged. When an incoming call comes in, the CK3100 mutes the stereo and resumes playback after the call is finished. Audio quality for calls through our test car's stock speakers was generally clear and echo-free, and from the other end of the line we sounded comprehensible, albeit with some noticeable background noise when driving along.
In sum
The Parrot CK3100 is a functional and feature-rich option for those who want to make hands-free calls on the road. Its LCD display differentiates it from the CK3000, making contacts and calling options more accessible, and Parrot's voice-command function sets it apart from many other stand-alone speakerphones. While the setup and responsiveness of its voice recognition function could do with some tweaking, the CK3100 still presents a cost-effective alternative to factory-installed Bluetooth calling systems.
Safewireless is Premier Authorized Parrot Dealer offering the exclusive special unbeatable Parrot car kit and harness bundles, only at www.safewireless.com
back to top
Parrot CK3100 Description
WORKS GREAT WITH ALL BLUETOOTH PHONES INCLUDING THE iPHONE!
 |
Make calls in complete safety with the voice recognition feature |
 |
Find your mobile phone's information on a small LCD screen |
 |
The car's speakers accurately reproduce the caller's voice |
First Bluetooth® Handsfree car kits with LCD display
The Parrot CK3100 LCD is the most advanced hands-free car kit on the market. With the Parrot CK3100 LCD, you will be able to place and receive calls in comfort and safety, without ever touching your mobile phone. The wireless connection between the Parrot CK3100 LCD and the Bluetooth phone and its voice recognition system is enabled as long as the phone is turned on. At a time when legislation is tightening up to restrict the use of mobile phones in vehicles due to safety concerns, Parrot CK3100 LCD benefits are not just for the sake of convenience and comfort - they are fast becoming a real necessity.
Make calls in complete safety with the voice recognition feature
When users get in their car, they start the engine and the kit immediately connects to their mobile phone. Thanks to the voice recognition feature, drivers say a name and the kit automatically dials the number in complete safety.
Choose a kit that integrates seamlessly into your car for real audio quality
The car's speakers accurately reproduce the caller's voice. The microphone captures the sound of your voice while filtering out the surrounding noise. In the event of a call, the car radio automatically cuts out to allow for a smooth conversation.
Find your mobile phone's information on a small LCD screen
The kit displays your mobile phone's information on an LCD screen : incoming call number, phonebook, last number called, and so on. The ingenious screen can be installed wherever users want on the dashboard and provides an optimized viewing angle for greater comfort and readability.
Key Information
- LCD screen displays standard mobile phone information: incoming calls, recent calls, missed calls, voice mail, directory, ect.
- Hands-free, unidirectionnal microphone provides voice recognition dialling of up to 150 names, while reducing background noise and ambient echo.
- Browser button allows users to scroll through menus and control the volume.
back to top
Technical and commercial specifications
Advanced features
- Seamless hands-free use
- Comfort and safety while driving
- Superior user interface with LCD display
- Works with all Bluetooth® phones
- Can be installed in any vehicle
- Automatically mutes the radio
- Uses the car speakers
- Audio volume control
- Quality audio (Digital Signal Processing)
- Up to fives devices can use the system
- No cradle
- No wire, no headset
- No headset battery to charge
- Voice recognition dialer
- Software upgradeable
Superior User Interface:
- LCD Screen
- 2 Buttons (Red and Green)
- 1 Scroll button with validation
Default Mode:
- Displays carrier name
- Network signal strength
- Pick-up and hang-up
- Scroll button = sound level
Standard features:
- Echo cancellation, noise reduction
- Voice recognition dialing
- Volume control
- Dual call
- Auto connect on incoming call
New features:
- Caller ID
- Dialing with numbers
- Phonebook synchronization including: -last calls received -last calls dialed
- Extension with new voicetags (up to 150)
- User connection priority management (up to 5 users)
- Wordspotting
Characteristics of voice recognition Up to 150 Voice Tags:
- Real time
- Noise-robust
- Dynamic adaptation to background noise
The CK3100 package contains:
- 1 CK3100 electronic control unit
- 1 microphone with cable
- 1 radio mute cable with line output (ISO cable)
- 1 power supply cable
- 1 display with buttons and cable
- 1 user guide in 7 languages
Standard features:
- Echo cancellation, noise reduction
- Voice recognition dialing
- Multi-user, up to three phones
- Volume control
- Private conversation mode
BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY
The Bluetooth® technology enables voice and data transmissions via a short-distance radio link. It connects a wide range of electronic equipment without requiring additional cables.
PHONE COMPATIBILITY
Compatible with all Bluetooth® mobile phones:
back to top
What is a Plug and Play harness?
The Plug and Play harnesses for Parrot Car Kits keeps the integrity of your vehicles car harness, in most cases, there is no cutting or splicing, just plug and play!
This is how it works, after disassembling the dash to get to the back of the radio, you would remove the cars harness and replace it with our vehicle specific Plug and Play harness, you would then pigtail the cars harness back into the Plug and Play harness, there will also be another tail for the harness to plug into the module. Now your'e almost done, just put it back together.
If you ever need to remove the car kit, it can be removed without any sign there was ever an installation of a Parrot car kit, perfect when you are returning a leased vehicle. The installation can save you many hours since you have no wires to cut or splice, in most cases the Plug and Play harness will automatically give you auto radio mute on incoming and outgoing calls, switched power source, and 2 hands free speakers (your vehicles front 2 door speakers). The Plug and Play harness will virtually eliminate the risk of installation error. Our harnesses fit all Parrot Car Kits, Ck3000, CK3100, CK3200, CK3400, CK7000, CK7100, MK6000, MK6100, RK8200, MK9000, MK9100
Safewireless Plug and Play harnesses are the only way to install your Parrot Car Kit! Easy and save hours and frustration, you won't need to even touch your wire cutters.
Learn more about car kit harness solutions at safewireless.com.