[Android General] swyner:
Completely Satisfied

Hi all.

First off, sorry for the long post. I really just wanted to ensure others, like me, can see some reviews and opinions on this unit and help make a decision for themselves. Like many others I have been on the fence with the PAS and after reading over 200 pages, I was still on the fence!! However, I took the plunge and have installed this last week. All I can say is NICE!!! Just so you can see clearly how I can properly judge this unit vs others, I have owned pretty much every single aftermarket stereo known in a variety of cars over the past few years. I am a "tinkerer" (and probably impatient and get bored easily :cool:) and am never happy with one unit for whatever reason and move on to the next. I have owned FlyAudio OEM replicas, Kenwood top of the line Excelon, Pioneer Premier (before they stopped making them), App Radio with full mirroring, Generic Chinese Full Android with 4.1. Like many of you, I never really believe what other people say until I experience it for myself but trust me.....save your money and time and if you are in the market for Android with high end audio sound, the PAS is 100% perfect for this. Everyone has different requirements and tastes but if a Head Unit has to have "Excelon" sound quality, be customizable with Android with easy to use interface, have great integration with the car (SWC, RVC, Can information), again, this is it. All of this is my opinion so please remember that. No haters....no "you are wrong", it's just my opinion to help those, like me, who were searching for a more well rounded car audio/entertainment experience.

Sound Quality (subjective I know but this is my opinion based on many comparisons with similar equipment):

I can say without a doubt that the D/A converter combined with 6V pre outs has better sound quality (in my opinion) than 5V Kenwood Excelon, 4V Kenwood normal and of course beats the pants off 2.5V Generic Chinese Android. I could NEVER get the sound quite right with the Generic Android unit....highs were to high, no mids for voices and sub lacked....I have JL HD series amps, focal speakers and JL sub.....so that stuff was just waiting for these 6V preouts. The sound is so freakin crisp and clear on ALL sources. I have not rooted my PAS yet but using SD, Radio, TuneIn (from Asteroid market) all have impressive sound quality vs any other aftermarket (and OEM) unit I have ever heard....seriously. Most importantly, even TuneIn, which has not sounded so great on Generic Android units, sounds amazingly crisp and clear. I have seen on other posts that people are getting "pops" and clicks from their amps. I have NOT had any of that on 2.1.9. I have tapped the same 12V trigger (blue wire) that the PAS uses for my AMP. Simply split that off to my AMP and to the PAS. Do NOT use the antenna wire. I honestly do not believe this is a PAS problem. Each vehicle has a different setup, different amps, different wiring, no matter if OEM or aftermarket. Perhaps those that are getting the "pop" have an amp that is not turning off quick enough or is turning off too quick. There are many variables here but all I can say is the PAS on 2.1.9 does not cause this problem in my car.

UI (Operating System and general easy of use):

I know many of us (me included) always thought that Android 4.X is needed, when will Parrot figure this out, why the heck would you go with 2.3.7, etc, etc. I have used Android 4.1 and yes, it has features well all know about over the Gingerbread but guys...we are in our cars. I came to the realization that while Adnroid 4.X has more features, nicer, smoother experience on a PHONE or TABLET, this is not something we are going to fully take advantage of in a car. Yes I realize some newer APPs are not "made" for Gingerbread and that probably will leave some people pissed but again, always come back to "what are your requirements for a CAR stereo system". PAS 2.3.7 simply flies!! No joke here, it moves around with swipes and clicks faster than my 4.3 Moto X. The font is big, buttons are big and in general is significantly easier to use in a car compared to any modified version of 4.X I have used in the car (Generic Chinese units). One day Gingerbread will be gone, not supported, etc but TODAY, this, in my opinion is the perfect "base" for automotive entertainment platform. Parrot has used Gingerbread and made it simple, fast, easy and I am extremely pleased everytime I get in my car. One "not so easy to use" point was the volume control. Everyone has mentioned this and the lack of knob or even hard buttons does make it difficult to control. However, with the Asteroid Tweaker app, I have remapped the "open apps" button to volume up and the volume button to volume down. Brilliant. This makes it easy to adjust. Also, as noted below, SWC when I get it, will make it easier again.

Integration with Car:

I am waiting on my UNIKA SWC (should be here tomorrow) but so far I have only hooked up my rear view camera and it works great. Even when the PAS is on a cold boot, the RVC will show up. I haven't timed it but I think after starting my car, it's about 3-5 seconds before the RVC will show which is fine with me. Like I said, I have used many different brands of headunits and one constant requirement for me was being able to use RVC before the system actually boots up. I was NOT going to change my driving habits to work around this so was nervous about some previous posts that the RVC did not work until the system booted up. Well, not sure if it was a software improvement but on 2.1.9, I can say it works perfect. When I get my UNIKA, I will better know how steering wheel controls work and from Paser website, looks like they are working on Can information integration (climate, sensors, MFD (I have VW GTI with display in dash)). Look forward to seeing this come about. My previous stereos had Canbus module that allowed Climate info and controls on the screen, put audio information on the MFD all to varying degress. The only signficiant improvement I have seen in this space is with iDatalink Maestro RR (ADS out of Montreal Canada). They will have a VW specific harness and RR module software that will allow some Kenwood, Pioneer and Apline headunits to have integrated information far beyond what we see today. It will even allow you to use OEM BT, Satellite radio, etc. Finally, the PAS is probably one of the best looking stereos I have used (again opinion). It's flush and seamless and with the right trim kit, makes it look OEM with no odd protrusion of buttons that screws up the "flow" of your dash.

After all that, I do have some questions that others may be able to answer (after all this forum is meant more for that :p)

1) Rearview camera image - with the "soft buttons" PAS uses on the left, these do not disappear ever (as we know) but the RVC image on the left side goes behind those buttons and cuts off the image a bit. Is there someone that has "fixed" this so the image just shows in the normal screen area?

2) I saw that used horn34 has the same issue as me with the BT OBDII dongle (generic ELM327). It sees it in the Bluetooth settings but have to use 1234 as the password and then it pairs for 2 seconds then disconnects. Has anyone figured out a workaround for this? I know the PAS is compatible with many, many of these BT dongles so just curious.

3) I know the PAS contacts uses the normal Android Contacts "container" allowing it to better integrate with other contacts you store on the PAS (ie Google contacts). Has anyone found a way to integrate/sync their google contacts with the same contacts used by the PAS for phone calls WITH THE PICTURE? I have read on Parrot forums that the only way to get picture to show is to "push" a contact, one by one, from and Andorid phone only (not iphone) and this will move over the picture and all the contact details. Would love a simple sync solution to work.

Great work by all on this (Asteroid Tweaker, Root, Donalda's significant contributions to pretty much everything LOL).