Retrofitting Bluetooth with steering wheel controls

[pr100]

So, I was hoping to be able to retrofit Blue & Me via the steering wheel buttons to our 2007 Brera 2.4 but the local Alfa dealer says it can't be done -- not even with any third party solutions. However, Parrot offer a solution called Unika which does enable the steering wheel controls and they claim it's compatible with the Brera and other Alfas. I'm wondering if anyone has tried to fit it.

We need iPhone compatibility and an iPod connection so the package I'm considering is:

- Parrot RKi8400 (around £270)
http://www.parrot.com/catalog/products/parrot-rki8...

- Parrot UNIKA PI090020AB (around £100)
http://www.parrotshopping.com/uk/p_parrot_item.asp...

...and this was the bit which got me excited as it claims compatibility with Brera, Spider, 159 and Mito: http://dbinstall.parrot.com/Pdf_manual/RKI840040.p...
also: http://www.expansys.com/i/misc/parrot_unika_compat...

This page even indicates that it's compatible with Bose audio systems:
http://www.parrot.com/uk/support/installationdiagr...

Now all I need is someone here to tell me it's true!

[Tallbut Buxomly]

May i suggest this as a secondary option...

http://www.bury.uk.com/

165 for the kit and adapter to plug straight into the back of my audis stereo. Everything is voice control from dialling to chaning track iirc. But if you wait they are going to be launching a new version called the 9060 music which will have the cable to plug directly into the ipod rather than streaming the music over bluetooth.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEZfOYWmR-s&fea...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNxuJKmX-go&fea...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6HiRY7l2KI&fea...

[pr100]

Interesting kit - thanks for the links. But we don't want any "clutter" in the cabin, ie no visible 'phone or iPod and no bolt-on or stick-on keypads. Hence we want to use the factory-fitted steering wheel buttons. AFAIK, the Parrot Unika is the only kit which claims to be able to do this... but I'm still hoping that someone here will confirm before I shell out as the kit is non-refundable once it has been installed.

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Its a bit out there but it might be worth dropping the manufacturers (bury) an email telling them what you wish to achieve and see what they say you never know they may be able to come up with a suitable solution for you....

[herbialfa]

try asking a chap called CJ on alfa156.net

Hes a guru when it comes to all that sort of stuff!

[pr100]

Thanks -- I've now posted over there.

[herbialfa]

Looks like a No No! But at least you tried!