For MOST systems, Comand HU is a DVD drive, display and keypad. The Audio GateWay ( MOST master, receiver, amplifier, CANBUS interface) is in a separate box. MOST Comand HU has far less functionality within the HU than D2B HUs. So you also need to price out the AGW. MOST Audio20 has the AGW in the HU.
The design intend is modular so that pieces or designs can be reused. But in the field it cost arm and a leg to upgrade. The field service arm has also been instructed to make it difficult to upgrade so new cars can be sold.
CalifSLK - sorry, I think you misunderstood - I never considered switching from D2B to MOST - would have been cheaper to trade in the '04 and get an '05.
I was talking about replacing an A10 head with a D2B COMAND HU - which is actually pretty straight forward, as on the C class, it's a standalone unit. Even with the relative simplicity of the install, I just couldn't justify the costs of a used COMAND vs the costs of a DICE and TomTom..
Speaking of, how do you like the DICE? It seemed like a slam-dunk choice before the new Denison firmware, but the Gateway 500 now has a much cleaner menu setup and is a neater install - one box instead of two. The cost difference is relatively minor, but you can keep the changer with the Denison, plus add Bluetooth fairly straightforwardly. I would do the Blaupunkt again except for one thing: the volume of the incoming call beep was not adjustable and just too loud! It's quite startling.
I've decided it looks like I can just plug-and-play the Audio 30 from Europe. They come up on eBay UK often enough, and several sellers say they will work fine in US cars. That'll leave me with ancient navigation that I will never use, a single slot CD and the opportunity to hook up an iPod interface without losing the ability to just drop in a CD.
The connectors on the back of the Audio30 are different to those on the Audio10CD how do you plan on connecting them?
Speaking of, how do you like the DICE? It seemed like a slam-dunk choice before the new Denison firmware, but the Gateway 500 now has a much cleaner menu setup and is a neater install - one box instead of two. The cost difference is relatively minor, but you can keep the changer with the Denison, plus add Bluetooth fairly straightforwardly. I would do the Blaupunkt again except for one thing: the volume of the incoming call beep was not adjustable and just too loud! It's quite startling.
DICE was an excellent choice price wise compared to the Denison, and with a "non CD_TEXT" head unit, I was not really interested in the "nicer" features of the Denison. I also was not concerned about the changer - all my CD's are on my iPod. It still works fine - no complaints at all.
As I mentioned before, I've got a Denison waiting on me stateside for install in the SLK - it's got COMAND, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how well it "really" works, rather than just installing for others!
The Audio 20 tape unit has the A/B/C connectors. The Audio 10 has the same connectors according to the link you provided. COMAND is different, but I'm not sure I'm going to go with COMAND. Have been looking, though, and considering that the Denison or DICE are $400 or so, COMAND at $650 or so might make sense. The re-wiring seems really minor, just add a GPS antenna, change the C connector to C2 - power, ground and two CAN wires, no big deal. That WIS document explains the procedure, and it seems easier than most aftermarket stereo installs.
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