Make your iPhone hands-free for less than the price of a ticket

I like the concept of the RKi8400, but I don't like having to remove the faceplate to connect the iPhone. Instead of removing the faceplate to connect the iphone, there should be a dock on the front of the radio allowing you to attach your iPhone. There should also be a built in screen behind the iPhone in case you want to listen to music without docking the phone.

It seems like such a simple design, I don't understand why no radio manufacturers have thought of it yet.

Ive owned the Parrot Minikit for two years and recently got the Jabra SP720.

the Jabra is MUCH better than the Parrot Minikit. And its cheaper too!

http://www.amazon.com/Jabra-Cruiser-Bluetooth-Speakerphone-Black/dp/B002PY7P2U/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1265866441&sr=8-1-fkmr1

Here is another option that I just picked up last week for $70: http://www.amazon.com/Soundfly-Ultimate-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Player/dp/B001DDE4VY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top. It's pretty cool, attaches your bluetooth phone to your stereo through fm transmission. I've got mine set to 87.7 and it's crystal clear. Plays music from the iPhone, mutes the music for tomtom and even has a mic that you can put up on your visor (it comes on a very long cable that you can route around your car). Only thing it doesn't do that this one does is the voice calling. But the music through the stereo more than makes up for that as I use the music more than I talk on the phone.

I bought this a few weeks ago. I really like it but there are some odd things I am coming to grips with. Maybe I haven't played with it enough.

* The documentation is a lot like Ikea directions. It worked plainly, with picture diagrams, not too wordy. However, I guess I am not quick on the uptake. If anyone has a tip to send my way, that would be great. I feel it has more potential than I am using.
* It took the address just great off the bat. But, well, it doesn't understand a dang word I say, so it never dials the right number. Feeling's mutual, sometimes I can't understand her, either. I even tried creating a Parrot group in my contacts with easy to say names for contacts. Still saw the whole directory and made dialing mistakes. Stopped trying to use that.
*Workaround; forget calling people while driving. The best function of this device is answering the calls that come in. Distracted driving is BAD!!!
* This device is wonderful to take into the house & use in the office for hands free computer operation while taking a calls.
* It seems to hold a charge long enough, I have irregular usage, hard to pin that down for you. It is 'wireless', I take it in & charge it on a USB cable. The car plug is useless to me, because I have too much plugged in already. Don't need to bother, I'd rather have the Kensington stereo hook-up for the iPhone.
* The clip is weird. It won't go on my little Toyota visor, I have to pull out the extender blind and slip it over that. This might be a deal breaker for some but there's so many ingenious car mounts for gizmos. Think it over.
* It works when you are outside & away from the device, but the iPhone gives you 3 choices for picking up the call: Parrot, iPhone speaker or just the iPhone up to your ear. No problems there.
* It can pair up to 5 phones, I think, that would be great for families.

This sounds great. Now I can talk, drive, and still have my hands free for a beer in one and a joint in the other......safety first!!!

Illegal to hold up an iPhone to your ear while driving?
How 'bout /any/ cell phone.
Idiot.

Here - in Queensland Australia (and most other states in Australia) it is illegal to touch your phone in any way while driving. I was stopped at a traffic light, my iPhone rang, I answered it and pushed speaker - told the person calling I was driving would call later - the light changed to green and I was pulled over for using my phone. $250 fine and three points. (It is classified as "reckless endangerment to life" to use your phone while driving).

I am not sure this "kit" or even the full install would prevent the harassment. I like this technology and hope it will be OK to use. I would do the full install but wonder how you can use the GPS of the iPhone while it is in an enclosed "box".

Cheers.

This looked like exactly what I was looking for but when I saw the reviews at Amazon I wasn't so sure. http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B001L5U198/pasbl01-20/
The weak clip is a concern.
This makes it easier to justify getting the Parrot MKi9000.

I just got my wife a Motorola unit that works the same way. Works very nicely, and it was only $49.99.

i really LOVE the Parrot MKi9200.
Almost as much as my iPhone. *Almost*
The Mki9200 can stream BlueTooth Audio FROM ALL APPS!
(Sorry for the caps, couldn't find bold)

It fits most of the newer car, and the microphone works flawless in my convertible (206CC, european car)
You can use your own radio, and use the Dock connector for any iPod and use your iPhone for calling, but even your music streams via BlueTooth to your car stereo speakers.
It has a good display , 2" or something, but this works great with the wireless remote to your steer, and a jog wheel :)
Works up, and down, not many besides the iPod can do that.
Not cheap; it was about €325 (around $446 USD )to have fitted into my car.
but worth every penny.