iO Play or Parrot MKi, Worth it , Any good ???Recomendations

[djt100]

As per the title really, Looking at option to get ipod, handsfree into the car, Change of head units seems to be expensive for what it is. So looking at getting one of these.
Parrot systems seem to the most populer, but I find the units themselves ugly.
iO play looks a lot nicer in my opinion but not as easily available.

Anyone got experience of either, or other solutions at reasonable cost. ??

Also are they easy to fit DIY or better off getting fitted, I'd rather get something plug and play then having to cut wires, etc.

[Steve_F]

Parrot centre button ended up not working and I couldn't access the menus. Had to work around using the phone to dial or select music which wasn't the point of the thing. Ended up driving me nuts.

IO Play centre button now doesn't work and makes its own selections. Keeps trying to phone Admiral Insurance so I have to drive with phones off. Is currently driving me nuts.

Alpine headset in the van works like an absolute dream and cost me less than the Parrot or the IO Play.

Wishing I'd changed the headset in the car instead as it looks like the IO Play will get ripped out very shortly.

[djt100]

Head unit change would have been my first option, but silly fibre optic cables in the mercedes mean it cant be done without a lot of grief and silly money.

[Steve_F]

Unit wise, iO gives better two phone functionality. Parrot gives slightly better menu set up IMO.

Generally, if they both worked, I'd probably slightly favour the Parrot as it restarted car audio as soon as it was paused (this may be possible from the setup but haven't investigated).

I'd probably get a Parrot with slightly lower spec if buying again to avoid the wireless remote that caused me problems.

[dave7692]

Do you want a phone function or just music?

[surveyor]

I've had the Parrot in a previous car, now have the IO.

Parrot button played up constantly.

Music sound quality on IO far better, - but some of that might be the car.

I also preferred the colouring of the display, which looks almost OEM in my case.

Like the IO button lighting up.

[djt100]

dave7692 said:

Do you want a phone function or just music?

Both , Ideally, Ipod, Handsfree and Bluetooth music

[aarondbs]

I shall watch this with interest as I would like to get hands free calling in the wife's Swift Sport. Not too bothered about music as I only ever listen to R5 and I'm sure she can make do with CDs

[Jazoli]

We used to have an IO play in the wifes car and it was great, we left it in the car when sold and bought a couple of Motorola TK30'3 for our new cars, they work every bit as well as the IO play did and have some neat touches such as asking if you have forgotten your phone if it doesn't detect it on startup.

Recommended by me, only £69 on ebay now which is a bargain.