Well, I couldn't stand for the earphone thing when driving, as it's illegal to talk on the phone in CT, so I had a Verizon number stored for the Onstar system..Still couldn't stand that the fact I had 2 cell numbers and no one would call me on the Onstar phone, soooo I went ahead and installed a Parrot Bluetooth CK 3100 Hands free kit. Nice quality and with Cellsite's GMCSS-2 harness and the Parrot adapter, it was all plug and play. Only 1, yes 1, connection to switched power. Works perfectly. Caller ID, phonebook, and the fact that it uses the factory speakers makes it nice. All in all a definite thumbs up..Here's a pic of the control head:

Well, I couldn't stand for the earphone thing when driving, as it's illegal to talk on the phone in CT, so I had a Verizon number stored for the Onstar system..Still couldn't stand that the fact I had 2 cell numbers and no one would call me on the Onstar phone, soooo I went ahead and installed a Parrot Bluetooth CK 3100 Hands free kit. Nice quality and with Cellsite's GMCSS-2 harness and the Parrot adapter, it was all plug and play. Only 1, yes 1, connection to switched power. Works perfectly. Caller ID, phonebook, and the fact that it uses the factory speakers makes it nice. All in all a definite thumbs up..Here's a pic of the control head:

Where did you pick your up at? Which Bluetooth version does it use?

I didn't know they even made something like that. Very cool! I'll have to see if there is one that will work with my Cingular BlackBerry!

It is a Parrot CK3100 that I got on ebay for 160.00 plus shipping. I use my Treo 650 with it and it works perfectly. I'm sure it works with 95% of the new Bluetooth phones and would be very surprised if the Blackberry doe NOT work. I have Verizon and they tend to cripple parts of the Bluetooth on a lot of their phones where Cingular and others do not. That being said, my Treo works fine.

Nice thing about this unit is that it's upgradeable in the software department. Yep, download the update to a computer and upload it via Bluetooth to the unit. Also nice feature is the ability to work with 5 different phones, in case you have more that one driver. Who ever has the phone will come up on the LCD of the unit. Pretty slick and I'm still playing around with it....:ro)

Do a Google and you will find out about all the models..Some even come with built in GPS....

It is a Parrot CK3100 that I got on ebay for 160.00 plus shipping. I use my Treo 650 with it and it works perfectly. I'm sure it works with 95% of the new Bluetooth phones and would be very surprised if the Blackberry doe NOT work. I have Verizon and they tend to cripple parts of the Bluetooth on a lot of their phones where Cingular and others do not. That being said, my Treo works fine.

Nice thing about this unit is that it's upgradeable in the software department. Yep, download the update to a computer and upload it via Bluetooth to the unit. Also nice feature is the ability to work with 5 different phones, in case you have more that one driver. Who ever has the phone will come up on the LCD of the unit. Pretty slick and I'm still playing around with it....:ro)

Do a Google and you will find out about all the models..Some even come with built in GPS....

Yes, I have found out the hard way. I have a Verizon XV6600 Pocket PC/Phone and the have tryed numerous Bluetooth headsets and havent had good luck. Finally settled on the Motorola HS 850 and it still doesnt work well. Thinking that a system like the Parrot might fix the problems.

Very cool, How much? Im sure it would be cheaper than haveing two phones and paying the onstar phones rates

Very cool, How much? Im sure it would be cheaper than haveing two phones and paying the onstar phones rates

I'll say!!! OnStar phone rates are rediculous. I added my OnStar phone to Verizon plan but still dont like having two #'s and having to keep forwarding the phone. Parrot would be much better alternative. You know, be lazy...the American way..:D

Does this set up use the existing onstar mic? Or is there a new mic that comes with it? I too, have a Treo 650, and I use a Cardo Scala bluetooth headset, that works great. But, I think that the headsets look totally rediculous, and the Parrot looks like the way to go! What was your total cost for the kit, harnesses, etc.?? Thanks!

Russ

Yes, I have found out the hard way. I have a Verizon XV6600 Pocket PC/Phone and the have tryed numerous Bluetooth headsets and havent had good luck. Finally settled on the Motorola HS 850 and it still doesnt work well. Thinking that a system like the Parrot might fix the problems.

If you go to the Parrot website http://www.parrot.biz/index.php?countryselect=us they maintain a list of phones that are known to work with their equipment. That doesn't mean others won't, they just haven't validated the other models.

JRKRACE - Obviously you have OnStar, so there is already one "phone" interfaced to the radio. Does the radio mute when you get an incoming call through the Parrot? Does the mute button on the steering wheel function for the Parrot? What do the people on the other end of the conversation think of the sound quality? Does the phone sound come through all the speakers or just the front? I have been looking pretty hard at these for some time. I have bought the wife and I Motorola E815 phones through Verizon specifically to go hands free in the vehicles. I don't have Onstar, but I do have the steering wheel controls. Just curious what your personal experience of it is.

FYI....I see they now have a color display unit. If it anything like my color cell phone, you are better off with the monochrome display when there is bright sunlight.

...soooo I went ahead and installed a Parrot Bluetooth CK 3100 Hands free kit. Nice quality and with Cellsite's GMCSS-2 harness and the Parrot adapter, it was all plug and play. Only 1, yes 1, connection to switched power. Works perfectly. Caller ID, phonebook, and the fact that it uses the factory speakers makes it nice. All in all a definite thumbs up.
Where did you install the microphone? Was their cable long enough?

I installed the microphone up high on the drivers side A-pillar. There was plenty of wire for it to go there.

... soooo I went ahead and installed a Parrot Bluetooth CK 3100 Hands free kit. Nice quality and with Cellsite's GMCSS-2 harness and the Parrot adapter, it was all plug and play. Only 1, yes 1, connection to switched power. Works perfectly. Caller ID, phonebook, and the fact that it uses the factory speakers makes it nice. All in all a definite thumbs up..Here's a pic of the control head:
What Parrot adapter did you get and where did you get it? I have the CK 3100 and the GMCSS-1 (I don't have Onstar), but I don't have a Parrot adapter (so it is definitely not plug and play at the moment). :)

Thanks,

Mike

What Parrot adapter did you get and where did you get it? I have the CK 3100 and the GMCSS-1 (I don't have Onstar), but I don't have a Parrot adapter (so it is definitely not plug and play at the moment). :)

Thanks,

Mike

Mike, the adapter is available at the same place I got the harness.

www.electronicsoutfitter.com

Just tell them that you are using the Parrot Bluetooth kit and they will sent out the adapter. IIRC it's like 4.95 plus shipping. You can opt to splice in the wires instead but the adapter is a little cleaner. Good Luck and sorry for the delayed response...

Jim

Does this set up use the existing onstar mic? Or is there a new mic that comes with it? I too, have a Treo 650, and I use a Cardo Scala bluetooth headset, that works great. But, I think that the headsets look totally rediculous, and the Parrot looks like the way to go! What was your total cost for the kit, harnesses, etc.?? Thanks!

Russ

The setup uses its own mic. The Parrot is nice in the fact that you can adjust for mic volume, and speaker volume independently of each other. Once you set them, you never have to touch them again.
I can't really get into wearing a headset. Too weird for me. And with the Connecticut Cops looking for cell phone talkers to give 100.00 tickets to, I though the Parrot would be nice. It also works well with the Treo 650 and synchs your favorites with the unit automatically. Caller ID works great too..

As far as costs, the Parrot 3100 I got on EBAY for 160.00. The harnesses IIRC were about 40.00 total.

If you go to the Parrot website http://www.parrot.biz/index.php?countryselect=us they maintain a list of phones that are known to work with their equipment. That doesn't mean others won't, they just haven't validated the other models.

JRKRACE - Obviously you have OnStar, so there is already one "phone" interfaced to the radio. Does the radio mute when you get an incoming call through the Parrot? Does the mute button on the steering wheel function for the Parrot? What do the people on the other end of the conversation think of the sound quality? Does the phone sound come through all the speakers or just the front? I have been looking pretty hard at these for some time. I have bought the wife and I Motorola E815 phones through Verizon specifically to go hands free in the vehicles. I don't have Onstar, but I do have the steering wheel controls. Just curious what your personal experience of it is.

FYI....I see they now have a color display unit. If it anything like my color cell phone, you are better off with the monochrome display when there is bright sunlight.

When hooked up with the harnesses, the Parrot uses the front speakers for the call. When your radio is on, the Parrot also mutes it automatically. The steering wheel controls still work to raise and lower the volume of the call. The sound quality is great according to people on the other end. I don't have to yell or repeat my self at all.

The Motorola 815 is a great phone to use with the unit. My Treo works great and pairs up with the truck within 30 secs of starting it. The unit is really easy to use and can pair up to 5 different phones if you have multiple drivers. All in all, I'm really happy with it. It's so nice to keep the phone in your pocket and let the Bluetooth do it's thing.

Mike, the adapter is available at the same place I got the harness.

I went ahead and wired it myself. Just a couple of wires.

I got the cheaper parrot without the display that has it's own built in speaker and external microphone and it sucks. I have a Treo 650. I think I got the voice dialing to work like 2 times out of 100 and I would be like hello, hello can you hear me. Every one I tried to call would tell me to turn it off cause they couldn't understand me. I hope the deluxe version that you have is better. I haven't used my cheap version in about 6 months and never will again.

I got the cheaper parrot without the display that has it's own built in speaker and external microphone and it sucks. I have a Treo 650. I think I got the voice dialing to work like 2 times out of 100 and I would be like hello, hello can you hear me. Every one I tried to call would tell me to turn it off cause they couldn't understand me. I hope the deluxe version that you have is better. I haven't used my cheap version in about 6 months and never will again.

Sorry to hear that. My Parrot works flawlessly, and I have never used the voice dialing. I'll give it a try.

So if I buy one of these from ebay for $160 then I need to buy a harness and an adapter? What do these two things do?

The harnesses makes the install of the Parrot(or Motorola) basically a plug and play affair. The main harness "T"s off the radio harness to supply the power and speaker leads for the Parrot. There is also a Parrot adapter to plug Parrot unit into the harness. Not a big deal, just two wires. This adapter is not needed if you go with the Motorola Bluetooth unit instead. Your 2001 should be cake to install.

cool thx

The harnesses makes the install of the Parrot(or Motorola) basically a plug and play affair. The main harness "T"s off the radio harness to supply the power and speaker leads for the Parrot. There is also a Parrot adapter to plug Parrot unit into the harness. Not a big deal, just two wires. This adapter is not needed if you go with the Motorola Bluetooth unit instead. Your 2001 should be cake to install.

JRKRACE,

Can you provide more specific information on the harness and adapter for Motorola phone?

I'd like to get the CK3100 but I want to get the harness and adapter to make it all plug & play. Electronics Outfitters didn't seem to know what I was talking about. They indicated that the CK3100 comes with all the necessary wiring. (They didn't sound to confident)

Try this...

http://www.electronicsoutfitter.com/store/GMCSS-2.html

Ask them for a Parrot Bluetooth connector also. They will know what you need.