Parrot Asteroid Smart Review & Install
 

I recently purchased the Parrot Asteroid Smart from Crutchfield and wanted to share with the GT86 community my experience with the installation and my initial impressions about the unit. For those unfamiliar with the specs here are some good websites: 1.) Crutchfield and 2.) [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Asteroid-Smart-Bluetooth-Car/dp/B00A6UTZ32/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top"]Amazon[/ame]


In general, the Asteroid Smart is a well-executed Android-based car stereo with good GPS integration (with included iGo maps so you don't need to be connected to the internet), above average Bluetooth capabilities, effective Parrot voice recognition technology, and a wealth of expandability options (probably more than any other unit in the market). It is easy to use yet is highly customizable. Make no mistake, this unit is for early adopters of technology and although it is definitely ready for the market, most people do not need (should not) access the internet while driving. It is still a bit annoying that you need internet access to realize the full potential for this unit (I may turn on the hotspot on my iPhone 5 for a bit to see if I want to continue to pay for tethering). I think this unit (and units like it) are paving the path and defining how future car audio products will be in the next 5-10 years.

Pros:
+Beautiful & responsive screen
+Voice recognition for music and phone works very well
+Native iPhone 5 support
+Near endless expandability options (4 USB, 3 sets of 6V RCA outputs, camera input, internet)
+Good sound quality without external amps
+Easy to sideload Android apps (non-native Asteroid)onto unit
+Should/will work with Android Torque app to show ODB-II engine metrics on screen

Cons:
-No physical volume knob/buttons
-Multiple touches of screen to change volume/track/station while in non-music app (ie navigation, etc.) (if the 86 had steering wheel controls it would have alleviated this)
-Longer boot-up compared to other stereos which typically don't have [much of] a boot-up lag
-Limited native Asteroid apps at product launch
-No built-in HD Radio

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One of the main reasons I was excited about the Smart because I should be able to get Torque going and have a poor-man's GTR display going. I've been able to install the app itself, but haven't been successful in getting it to communicate with the ELM327 Bluetooth device I bought on Amazon for $15. The carbon fiber Torque background goes well with the interior of the FRS. And everyone needs Youtube going in there cars. (j/k) Also Google Maps Navigation works relatively well even after loosing internet connection.

From Crutchfield, the Parrot Asteroid Smart unit also came with three additional items that made installation much easier:
1.) Wire harness so I didn't need to cut into the stock FRS wiring
2.) Antenna adapter
3.) the two side-fascias to fill in the gap next to the Double-DIN unit

Wire crimping was relatively straight forward. I chose not to solder since I have confidence in my crimping. :) #crimpinainteasy #bigcrimpin #C.R.I.M.P. I did not hook up the reverse light signal (for backup camera). I did tie the handbrake signal to ground so I can access everything all the time (otherwise many of the unit's functionality will be locked out when you're driving).

The stock brackets holding the stereo in place needed to be slightly modified to accommodate the Smart unit. There is a slight knob that sticks into the side of the Smart that makes it not flush with unit so I simply drilled it away on both brackets. Also the side fascias pieces need to be Dremeled to make it clear the stock metal brackets. Check out the random pictures below. From there, it was relatively straight forward. Although I'm still looking to install the Parrot microphone and finalize where all the various USB ports will come out.

I decided to run one USB port to the stock USB plug, another to the center console for my iPhone 5, another to the glove compartment, and the last one is being occupied by the GPS antenna.

Let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to try to clarify.

My smart will be in on Tuesday. Think I already have root ready for it :)

Photos from install...
 

Note the drilled hole on the stock bracket to make items fit...

Are you familiar with Android and the use of ADB?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Not really I've been an iOS guy for the past few years. But after purchasing this Smart unit, I also bought a refurb'd Nexus 7 to get more use to the Android environment to learn more about it.

What would ADB get you?

ADB is the android debug bridge. Essentially it gives you shell access to an android device which is needed in most cases for rooting and the like.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

And what would rooting do? (I generally understand rooting, but unclear why you would want to do something like that) If I can get Torque to work relatively well, I may not mess with the unit's SW much more... might just build around it with some amps and better speakers/sub.

Interesting but no digital outputs, no optical drive, and no HD Radio really hurt it.

Torque will not work on it because these head units limit bluetooth connectivity to just phone usage. They don't allow data connections beyond that (which is necessary for Torque). I had to root my Ca-Fi knockoff head unit to get Torque running over a separate bluetooth dongle.

My understanding is that Torque would work if you can find a ELM327 Bluetooth dongle that has passcode "0000". Also heard from another forum member (@sav) who also as a Smart that Parrot is working on making the Torque app a native app that can be purchased within Parrot's Asteroid's marketplace. So perhaps we'll get Torque without having to resort to rooting the OS.

Digital outputs - how many car stereos actually have digital outputs? Also how many amps take digital inputs. I think it is great idea, but I haven't seen too many consumer-grade products with digital (not sure why). It would definitely help with simplifying installation.

Optical drive - who uses CDs/DVDs anymore? I'd rather have 4 USB ports and a unit capable of playing all forms of digital music/video like the Asteroid Smart does.

HD Radio - yeah it would have been nice to have HD Radio, but not a deal breaker for me. The RDS info does give more of a "digital" feel over regular FM. The deal breaker for me so far is AM radio isn't working at all. (I still listen to some sport radio). I may just return the unit hoping my next unit will have better working AM radio.

thanks for the review. looks nice and simple. I think it would be the perfect head unit if it can be rooted and had a volume knob. good to know I can run google maps on it, since I would just tether it to my iphone.
how long does the unit take to start up?

About 30 sec or so