OK, this is a really niche question, but I'm not sure where else to ask. I have the newministuff.com CK3000 Evo kit for my '06 MCS. The kit works fine except for one thing. When the kit is in use and the headunit displays "Phone" (as does the Nav screen), all of my volume controls are inactivated and the phone's volume doesn't affect the call volume, either. Sometimes the call volume is good enough, but most of the time it just isn't loud enough. The Evo kit's control unit does have a volume control, but it's already maxed out.

What I would like is to have the stereo mute the audio when the kit is in use, yet still allow me to adjust the volume coming out of headunit. In short, I'd like the Evo kit to be treated like an Aux in rather than a "phone" function, so I can still use the headunit's volume control.

This is the 3rd Parrot kit that I received from newministuff.com - Mike has been very swift to send replacements for the other 2 - the first of which I didn't like (wasn't the EVO) and the 2nd just didn't work right. The problem is that with each of the 3 kits that I've received, the MFSW integration module treated the whole "phone" and audio situation differently. One of the kits did what I need, but the Parrot module wasn't quite up to snuff.

I'm sure it's just a wire that needs to be changed out, disconnected, etc. between the headunit and the kit, but I don't have the detailed wiring diagram to know which.

I guess what I'm asking is that if anyone has the CK3000 Evo kit from newministuff and also has the ability to adjust the call audio via the headunit's volume control? If so, please let me know so that perhaps I can adjust my kit to match yours.

That, or I can just sell my '06 and get a new '07 with the integrated BT

Thanks!

 

I have the NMS Parrot Evo MFSW kit. I am on my third Parrot controller and microphone. Mike sent me a second controller and mic and when that didn't work as I had hped, I called Parrot USA in New York and they sent me another controller and mic to try. Parrot has excellent, friendly support, IMO.

I have a Blackberry 7250 PDA/phone. I am able to adjust the phone's receive volume to a more than acceptable level with the MFSW buttons. I can also adjust the volume of the call with the volume **** on the phone, and it comes thru louder over the car's speakers. I haven't tried to adjust the volume with the HU's volume **** - and I will give that a shot.

Now - I have yet to be able to get decent transmit audio quality from any of the Parrot bits. I moved the mic from the A-pillar door rubber, where NMS suggests it be mounted. I swapped the location of the moonroof and stock Bluetooth mic cap in the overhead console. I have the Parrot mic mounted to the outside of slotted mic cover, now. It's better than on the door rubber, but still, for the most part, people say I sound like Darth Vader and the transmit audio cuts-out, a lot.

Maybe we can talk on the phone and see if we can sort out the issues with these kits. Send me a PM with your contact info.

 

So I have an idea of what is going on, but it is not fact. Depends on a couple of things. The way the parrot works, it goes in between the stereo and the speakers.

On a car with HK, the MFSW will control volume on the amplifier, which is on the side of the speakers for the parrot. where as a car without HK there is no outboard volume control.

As we all know, the HK and non HK radios are the same. Therefore the only difference is the amplifier. If the parrot os connected in both cars behind the radio. If one car has HK you will still be feeding the parrot into the amplifier still.

I don't know if this made any sense, i'd be more than happy to explain it better if it doesn;t.

Big question does gadget have HK, if not, your only way to get more volume is to add a small amplifier on the parrot output side.

Hope it helps

Paul

 

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the thoughtful and detailed replies. My '06 MCS has NAV and the h/k audio option. With the EVO kit from NMS, I can answer/end the call, but during the call, the volume buttons on the steering wheel and the one on the stereo are useless. Furthermore, the volume is maxed out using the EVO control pod, as is the volume on my phone (which shouldn't do anything when using a BT handsfree).

One of the kits that NMS provided before I landed on the one I eventually kept switched the h/k audio off and the call audio on, but did not put the headunit or nav into "PHONE" mode. In this case, the audio controls worked and I was able to freely raise the volume. I'm not sure what was different- perhaps the phone mute cable wasn't included in that kit and instead it merely shunted the audio without doing the "PHONE" mode. If so, I would definitely be willing to loose the "PHONE" display if I could regain volume modifcation control.

If this is so, any ideas how I disable the "PHONE" mute mode while still shunting audio? Can I simply disconnect the yellow "mute" cable from the kit?

Thanks again and happy motoring!

 

A few comments/questions:
1. I have the same situation H/K audio with the Evo3K, HU volume has no effect and the volume is too low unless at idle or very low speed. Options like a small amp could work. Does anyone have a kit?
2. Also, is there a way to mute the microphone on the 3K kit?
3. Where exatly did you mount the Evo controller?
Thanks, Terry

 

mini_racer...
1. I've found, at times, that the head unitl or MFSW volume control won't work - on phone, FM or any other function. What I've done to clear this is to make a phone call - just dial a number, the H/U switches to 'phone' and then hang up, immediately. The volume control function is restored. You may want to give that a try. Otherwise contact Mike at New MINI Stuff and see what he thinks.

2. I mute a call using the mute function on my phone. Check the instruction booklet to see if the Evo can mute the call, but I don't think it can. I don't have the manual handy, at the moment.

3. Where I mounted the Evo controller... If you remove the knee bolster, or parcel shelf if you have one, you'll see a space alongside the H/U and switch panel, between that and the center-stack pillar. The Evo controller tucks neatly into that space and doesn't rattle.