Parrot PMK5800 Review

Introduction:

There is a theory that every tape, which has remained in a car stereo for a longer period, starts sounding worse and worse as time passes… Ever wondered what happens with the CD’s, which share the same fate?

Let aside the sci-fi ideas, storing your favorite music in a car is not very convenient. The same goes for talking while driving. If you are looking for a solution for those problems, Parrot offers you PMK5800.

Installation is easy and is done with no physical connection to the car stereo, but the device still uses the built-in vehicle speakers, connecting via the FM frequencies. By using Bluetooth, it combines your phone with the car stereo, so you can listen to music or talk hands-free. You can also use a cable connection via the 3,5 mm jack if your phone does not support audio streaming or if you want to use a music player. The best part is that the Parrot is compatible with your car lighter(12V), so you can easily transfer it to another vehicle if you have/want to.

In the box you will find:

• Parrot PMK5800
• miniUSB cable with 3.5 mm plug
• adapter ring for 23 mm sockets
• user guide

Design:

It’s hard to like the design of a device, which has a huge car charger connector. However, considering that its purpose is not style, but functionality, the appearance could not be better.

The mechanism used to manufacture the device, allows rotation (more than 270 degrees) of the main module, which in combination with the angle bending capability, should provide convenient positioning in your car, without being an obstacle for the rest of the vehicle controls. However, you should check if that is so for your vehicle, since there is no guaranteed correspondence.


The device is in the upper part of the module. If there is power in the lighter when the device is plugged in, its display lights up and the Parrot becomes operational, indicating the frequency at which it broadcasts. Even though the display is tiny, you won’t have any problem reading it, at any time of the day, and its function is more assisting than a main one. Its orientation can be reversed, so you won’t have to look at it hands down.

The operations are controlled with the buttons situated around the display. On the two sides are the large send and end keys; when pressed, a loud click sounds from their ends, but the other doesn’t move at all. We would have preferred smaller buttons, but with a better response reacting at every press, instead of a false press.

The music shortcuts (previous, next, play/pause)located around the wheel, have similar performance and are smaller which results in requiring your attention when pressing. This is not suitable for use while driving and the handsfree kit should help you operate the phone without paying attention, not the opposite. Only the wheel works fine; as we’ve said, it is typical for Parrot and it seems they’ve learned how to make it good.