When you think of Parrot, the car kit system with the well-known rotary knob probably comes to mind first. But Parrot has also moved with the times and launched the advanced Asteroid series in 2012. I got to work with the new Asteroid Tablet; a very complete multimedia system.
Parrot Asteroid Tablet
Price: approx. € 349,-
Operating system: android
Screen: 5 inch touch screen
Connections: Wifi, bluetooth, GPS, USB, iPhone/iPod, line-in (3.5mm jack), SD card
Music formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV, OGG
Tablet dimensions: 133 x 89 x 16.5mm
Weight: 218 grams
Remote control dimensions: 49 x 45 x 21mm
8 Score 80- Pros
- Many functionalities
- Easy in use
- Lots of connections
- Sound quality
- Negatives
- Limited placement
- No storage cover
Parrot has launched three new products within the Asteroid line: the Parrot Asteroid Smart (double DIN installation), the Asteroid Tablet and the Asteroid Mini - all running on Android. So it's high time to subject the Asteroid Tablet, with its 5-inch screen (in terms of price the middle class of the three), to an extensive test!
Installation
By purchasing the Asteroid Tablet, you as a user are not there yet in most cases in terms of costs. It is good to know that self-installation is not for everyone, because some actions have to be performed that require some dexterity and technical knowledge. If you are unsure about your expertise in this area, it is advisable to outsource this process to a built-in specialist. In our case, we had this job done by InCar Support, taking into account my personal wishes and the characteristics of the car.
The attachment of the tablet takes place as standard with the help of a tablet holder suction cup. This limits the suspension options (only on top of the dashboard or on the window) and the tablet can obstruct the view of the road. InCar Support has ensured with a separate bracket that the tablet has been placed next to the steering wheel, on the ventilation grille in the middle. Pay attention; this bracket is therefore not included as standard.
Connections
When unpacking the box, it is immediately apparent that 'old-fashioned' options for connecting peripherals are also available. For example, there are no fewer than three USB connections on the switch box (which is mounted in the dashboard out of sight) and there is a line-in (aux). Included as standard are a 3.5mm jack cable (audio), a USB cable and an iPhone/iPod cable (for iPhone 4S and older).
The cable spaghetti around the dashboard due to external navigation systems, charging cables and the radio/smartphone connection are definitely a thing of the past with the Asteroid Tablet. And then it's a relief. All cables can be concealed in the dashboard and the connections are placed where it is most practical.
Wireless connection options are available in the form of Bluetooth and WiFi, so you can connect to the internet by entering a WiFi zone by car or by using your phone (or dongle) as a WiFi hotspot. Apart from all this, an SD card can be inserted into the tablet itself. If a device or memory card with music is linked to the Parrot system, the collection is converted into a well-organized library surprisingly quickly.
Functionalities
The Parrot Asteroid Tablet runs on Android, which also brings all the conveniences of the well-stocked app store. To install apps, you must of course log in to the Play Store. Within this platform you can find various apps that work well with the Parrot, such as Waze, Flitsmeister, Affordable fueling and Wikango.
Of course, there are many different navigation apps available. However, most of these come with a price tag, such as TomTom (€ 69.99) and iGO (€ 69,-). I chose the free app Navfree, it works great and has maps available from all over the world. Downloading this app and/or individual maps costs quite a few MBs, so make sure you are close to a WiFi hotspot.
In addition to supporting apps, there are of course also apps for entertainment and information. For example, on the Asteroid Tablet you can get started with apps such as Spotify, Deezer, Facebook, VLC Video, Weather and Asteroid Mail.
To call
We are dealing here with a product from Parrot, so of course you can also make calls with this system. If you spend a lot of time on the road, hang on the line a lot (and you don't have a built-in car kit system), then this product is certainly an excellent solution.
When starting up, there is an immediate bluetooth connection, which makes it possible to use two phones at the same time for the car kit. A total of ten telephones can be connected, and in total up to 50,000 contacts can be automatically imported and saved. By means of a voice control, which works remarkably accurately, you can consult the telephone book and call someone (this also applies to looking up an artist or the title of a song). Handy!
Sound
The sound quality is perfect, for both music and calls. When calling, the voices on the other end of the line are perfectly understood. Background noises are well filtered out, even at high speed and a lot of wind. When playing music, it appears that the Parrot performs better in terms of sound than an average car radio. The difference in quality is particularly noticeable when listening to radio stations or a CD.
A small remote control is included as standard that you can mount on the handlebar. This small remote control automatically connects to the tablet and has a round touch area with four buttons around it. With these buttons you can choose between the different sources. It also allows you to control the volume and music. A missed opportunity is that you cannot operate the entire tablet with this, but only a few (standard) functionalities.
Conclusion
Parrot's Asteroid Tablet is a product that gives your car's multimedia applications a major upgrade in one go. It is also a good replacement for the navigation system and the car kit, which may already be present in your car. If this is the case, you will have to consider whether the apps and multimedia options are worth the high purchase price. The fact is that the countless functionalities of the Asteroid Tablet make a very complete system. And with the periodic software updates (via WiFi or USB), the system will undoubtedly become even more extensive and user-friendly. In addition to the hefty price, a small disadvantage is that you must have some technical knowledge to install the system.
