It can be tough for a new buyer to really understand the capabilities of the OEM solution. I went to a dealer today and the sales guy didn't have a clue as to how it really worked. He was really pushing that I should know the address and all would be fine. The problem is that more often than not, I know the kind of business that I want, and I want to find the closest. Today, it was Weinersnitzel for a kraut dog, yesterday it was Radio Shack.

The sales guy played around with it and we finally found that we could first determine a catagory and then perhaps find a hardware store. And digging deeper, we found a phone number. The problem seems to be that it is not a great interface that is intuitive and the data seems to be buried. Not a fun thing. Compared to my $500 hand held Garmin, it is only nicer in that it talks and the screen is bigger (not great resolution though.) For $1700, I was hoping for a great quality resolution and super interface.

Someone please tell me that it is really awesome and I just have to be shown how easy it is to use. Else, I'm gunna have to give up on the James Bond coolness of the GPS in the circular rim and keep buying new handhelds (or aftermarket GPS) every couple of years.

And why o why can't they make use of that screen for mp3 player interfaces. Such a waste.

 

I know that the function sounds super cool... Being able to tell your Nav system "find me a burger joint" and away you go... And in every Nav system I've used (MINI OEM, CoPilot Live, Delorme whatever it's called, I've even used Streets and Trips with a GPS receive in a car), I've always come away with the same feeling... That particular function is more hassel than anything else...

When I did bother to get any of those programs to steer me towards a business, I'd usually find that A)It takes forever to get them to locate what I want, B)The information is out of date and I've driven to locations that no longer exist...

Beyond finding an address and navigating me to it, I've decided the other stuff in all the nav systems is mostly fluff...

 

I did not go with the NAV option with mine. I could not justify the cost of the option. My Garmin is hardrive based and its portable, it also includes XM Radio and live weather/traffic updates that can automaticaly route me around bad weather and traffic...all this for less than $900.I am not knocking the MINI NAV or any other OEM NAV...I just like more bang for the buc!

 

For me, this definately speaks to people having different needs. For me, my data has been accurate 95% of the time. And I use the find me a ... about 80% of the time. Without my Garmin, I'd be up a creek way too often not knowing where to find a place of business that I am in need of.

But what I will investigate is an auto unit rather than a hand held but then I'll only do it if it can look pretty much like it belongs. Else, I'll just continue to pull out my handheld as it does everything but talk to me.

 

MGMRAM, mbabischkin and Mike (of Newministuff)!!

I am deeply grateful to you!!!!!!

In this evening, I have had a conversation with my MINI in private.

My MINI has made me to feel it's life force.

It's wonderful!!!!!!

 

Always good to talk to your MINI from time to time anyway. I found certain words don't work very well with Bluetooth like home.

Motor on!

 

I'm looking to switch to a bluetooth phone. Seems to me that the cheapest and easiest option is to get a headset. I'd like to have it integrated into the car, but...for now, a headset is about $60-70. No labor involved.

 

Yup, cheapest and easiest option is a headset, or even one of the speakerphone thingies...

But it doesn't integrate into the car, and in the case of a headset is something that you need to either remember to have with you or put on just to use the phone... On the other hand a handsfree system turns on and connects with the phone automagically when you start the car (after you pair the phone to the car kit)

In the end though it's simply a matter of deciding what's more important to you and how much your willing to spend...

 

I am using Plantronics Bluetooth Handsfree L510. It's good and convenient.

But it has a weak point. You should not keep inserting the earphone of the headset in your external auditory canal for long.
It may make an infection of your external auditory canal wall.

When you call somebody, you can wear it for short.
But when you wait for someone's call, you should maintain the state wearing the earphone for long.
You may feel that the headset is inconvenient.

Compared to the Bluetooth Kit and the interface for MFSW, the numerical price of the headset is cheaper.
But,,,, you can realize the satisfaction of high level when you use the buttons of MFSW.

I think that it is more safe and convenient to use the buttons of your MINI's MFSW for driving.

Above all things, you can hear the signal sound that your MINI gives to you when you start your MINI.
The sound is something special that your lovely MINI recognizes only you.

 

Just installed the microphone and radio harness for the Parrot Evo kit from www.newministuff.com last night. I switched the sunroof switch and microphone cover plate so as to place the microphone closer to me, and then ran the cord above the headliner and down the A-pillar. I tested it out, and the reception is very good. The best part is that you don't see anything at all!

Tonight, I'll mount the Parrot controller inside the little panel at the driver's side end of the dash, plug in the mike and harness, and start enjoying

 

Parrot EVO kit and it's interface are very nice!
The places for the microphone and controller....

 

If you have a 2006 with a three spoke wheel, do you still need the controller with the Mikey interface cable?

Rich

 

I went with the OEM option....its warrantied with the rest of the car so if something happens to it.... I don't care because they will be fixing it. Works flawlessly...its clear, people on the other end have no issues (I have conducted con calls using it), if I am listening to a CD - it pauses it, easy setup and install, it recognizes any cell phone with bluetooth and as I said before its warrantied for the next 4 years.

 

You need to install the controller (somewhere hidden, like under the dash) so that you can do initial programming on the Evo. But since you're using the steering wheel buttons to do all of the work after that, you'll almost never need to access the controller.

I just installed the Evo controller and hardware on the inside of the driver's knee panel, since it's hinged for easy access. Can't see a thing from the outside!

Also, I mounted my microphone up in the factory microphone location (the "finned" cover opposite the sunroof switch). I did flip the sunroof switch and microphone cover plate so that the mic would be closer to me. But you can't see the mic at all...a good clean install

 

This forum just saved me a ton of $$$ - I was considering the OEM unit, and it seems that I can get the same performance, plus the use of the MFSW for about 1/4 - 1/3 the cost of the OEM unit installed...

Thank You Thank You Thank You!



So - a quick sanity-check...

I've got the factory stereo w/CD (the Boost Model?), and no NAV. My phone is a Motorola Razr, so it should work with just about any of the car kits...

So - which kit do y'all recommend? The EVO and Motorola kits seem to be the top choice - are there others that I should consider? I'd like to use Mike's harness from NewMINIStuff (Thanks, Mike!!!), so I need a compatible kit...

Any guidance most gratefully accepted...

 

I am using Parrot EVO kit. I recommend it.
https://www.newministuff.com/new/sho...uctshow&id=256

Good luck!

 

Second that...the EVO works like a champ

 

Thanks! As I said, I'll take all the help I can get...

Great work on your install, by the way - and thanks also for the pictures - they helped me to visualize the installation much better.

 

I was planning to get the Evo (Amazon has a good price on these at the moment) and Mike's harness to use with my Razr. I sent Mike an email a week ago asking for a final reality check as to the best setup to use as I have a nav & mfsw but have still not heard from him. If I hear from him I will let you know what he says.

 

I'd be interested in what he says...

And, thanks also for the info on Amazon - I'll take a look.

 

Crazypoet, you can just hide the microphone up behind the factory microphone grille...no need to let it show. Same goes for the EVO controller. If you're using the MFSW buttons, the controller can be tucked out of sight

 

Yes, keeping everything out of sight is a basic requirement - I'd like to keep the stock look to the greatest extent possible.

Now, if only my MINI would arrive, so I can get started... He's currently somewhere off the Cornwall coast, hanging with the rest of the crew from Production week 34...

 

When you don't want to use the bluetooth function a little while, you can switch off it with the controller.

 

Crazypoet,

In case you hadn't run across the Evo's on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

A little cheaper than Amazon, but Amazon stands behind theirs, which is a good thing

 

I have my EVO kit now and I'm waiting delivery of Mike's harness from the UK. Can't wait to get started. Thanks to you all for this thread as lots of different inputs make it a very comprehensive resource.

Will let you know when I have some progress.