This is an interesting thread. One thing I haven't read if it has been solved yet is the instrument cluster display. If it still showing just "Track 1"...etc., or is it showing song name now?
The one nice thing about the Mercedes iPod interface is it displays on the instrument cluster. Actually, the only nice thing is it displays on the instrument cluster, since nothing shows up on Comand. This is likely due to the fact it's based on CAN buss instead of connecting the MOST ring, so it really doesn't have any connection to the Comand at all short of the audio input. Everything is programmed with the steering wheel controls, though I must admit that works well. The only thing that sucks about it is you can't skip to the next song if you don't have "iPod" displayed on the cluster.
I suspect the fact the cluster is using CAN Buss might also be the reason the GW500 displays on Command but not the cluster since it's MOST based, and is therefore limited to what Comand sends to the cluster.
Having a display on the Comand would be nice, but not sure it's worth losing the cluster display for.
Comments?
Thanks!
Dang
Personally, I'd rather have the COMAND display than the MFD display - but I can absolutely agree it's a personal choice. I just wish denison would get off their arses and release the CANBUS module so that I can use both!
I also like the fact that you don't need to pre-amplify the iPod signal to make up for MB's crippling of the AUX input - again a factor of dumping data straight onto the MOST network.
All in all, I made the decision to go with a GW500 for my SLK rather than the MB kit. I have a DICE kit in my C - D2B so I had no option to get MB, and since it's not a CD_TEXT compatible headunit I was not going to get real value from the GW500.
I agree with you on the advantages of the GW 500 over the MB kit, UK. Contributor floobydust has used his audio test equipment to show that the GW 500 provides better sound quality that the MB kit, because of the way MB limits the audio input. OEM iPod Adapter vs. In-Dash CD vs. Gateway 500 - MBWorld.org Forums
__________________
2005 S500 4-Matic
with Gateway 500 iPod integration
Formerly: 2000 S500
with Ice>Link iPod integration
Moto V710 phone with MikBox
Upgraded Voice Control
This is an interesting thread. One thing I haven't read if it has been solved yet is the instrument cluster display. If it still showing just "Track 1"...etc., or is it showing song name now?
The one nice thing about the Mercedes iPod interface is it displays on the instrument cluster. Actually, the only nice thing is it displays on the instrument cluster, since nothing shows up on Comand. This is likely due to the fact it's based on CAN buss instead of connecting the MOST ring, so it really doesn't have any connection to the Comand at all short of the audio input. Everything is programmed with the steering wheel controls, though I must admit that works well. The only thing that sucks about it is you can't skip to the next song if you don't have "iPod" displayed on the cluster.
I suspect the fact the cluster is using CAN Buss might also be the reason the GW500 displays on Command but not the cluster since it's MOST based, and is therefore limited to what Comand sends to the cluster.
Having a display on the Comand would be nice, but not sure it's worth losing the cluster display for.
Comments?
Thanks!
Dang
The newest hardware revision (the V3) dension actually has a CAN transciever onboard which they added specifically to address the instrument cluster display issue. The only problem is that its the wrong transciever type. Most mercedes models use a special type of CAN transciever called fault-tolerant. In addition the manner in which the text information is displayed on the cluster uses an indexed system which requires an interface to sit in between the radio and the cluster to properly display the text. I have a feeling that this is the reason why we havent seen a display interface released; its a pretty complex job that might not be financially viable for therm to produce.
The newest hardware revision (the V3) dension actually has a CAN transciever onboard which they added specifically to address the instrument cluster display issue. The only problem is that its the wrong transciever type. Most mercedes models use a special type of CAN transciever called fault-tolerant. In addition the manner in which the text information is displayed on the cluster uses an indexed system which requires an interface to sit in between the radio and the cluster to properly display the text. I have a feeling that this is the reason why we havent seen a display interface released; its a pretty complex job that might not be financially viable for therm to produce.
Sounds like a midnight Rob project! I'll provide the pizza and beer!
I'll provide the pizza and beer!
Linear Mode
