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 StarTac Phone Upgraded to V710 on a W220 (S500)
Mik-Box Installation | Published on Sunday, November 28th, 2004 by Skylaw |
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The Mik-Box interface (http://www.mikbox.com) is an elegantly-designed, inexpensive, and simple to install device that allows the integration of a wide range of newer non-Mercedes Motorola phones (Nokia and Ericsson are also planned) with the COMAND system. The basic installation in my S500 took under an hour as a DIY project (and I am not an installation tech).
With MIK's StarTac firmware now complete, I installed a Mik-Box 100 in my MY 2000 S500 which was equipped with an OEM single-band, dual mode Motorola StarTac installation. The photos and observations supplement, but do not replace, those found in the phone bulletins on Paul H. Dick's website (http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/index.htm), and the instructions provided with the Mik-Box. By the way - if you're going to do any phone installation, don't miss Paul's site.
Installation work should be performed with the COMAND system power off and ignition off, key removed.
This publication deals with cars already having a StarTac installation, not just pre-wire. However, installation of a Portable Support Electronics (PSE) module and brackets, the PSE Y-cable, a dual-band linear compensator (and possibly an antenna switch) and brackets would permit the installation discussed below for pre-wired cars.
Photo 1 above shows what you find when you remove the left side trunk liner on the S500. See the phone bulletins on Paul's site for detailed instructions on how to do this - http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/phone_bulletins.htm - I do not know why the first photo above is reduced in size (I have tried repeatedly to solve that problem), but I suggest that you copy it to your computer and enlarge it; it' a .jpg file. There is also a larger photo at http://forums.mbnz.org/gallery/pics/1267228265141252004124339PM.jpg
Photo 2: Because my OE StarTac installation was a single-band (800-900 Mhz), dual mode (analog/digital) setup, and I was moving to a dual-band, tri-mode, GPS-enabled Motorola V710, I had to replace the single-band linear compensator and antenna switch (pictured) with dual-band models in order to be able to use the upper (1800-1900 Mhz) band in addition to the lower band. Most newer phones are either Tri-mode or GSM, and will need dual-band equipment.
Mercedes Timeport and V-60 OE installations were dual-band originally, and should already have the proper compensator and switch installed.
The linear compensator is a low-powered amplifier that makes up for loss of signal in the antenna lines and connections; I used part SYN 8486A ($50 or so on e-bay). The antenna switch controls whether the cell phone or Tele-Aid transmitter is connected to the bumper-mounted antenna; I used part Q 682 0652 ($40 used). If you do not use Tele-Aid, you can omit the antenna switch altogether. MIK advised that where an antenna switch is used, a dual-band switch improved reception markedly over the single-band switch. A dual-band linear compensator is a necessity.
I was never able to determine whether I have a single or dual band antenna installed (the bumper must be removed to see the part numbers). With the dual band compensator and switch, the installation seems to work perfectly well without the added expense of removal of the bumper and replacement of the antenna. I verified this on a 950 mile trip recently; in areas where my single-band setup used to get an average signal strength of 3, often completely losing signal, I got strengths of 5 bars with occasional 4s, and never lost the signal - indicating I was receiving both bands.
Mercedes uses a bumper-mount antenna in the W220 because cell phone emissions inside the car can damage electronics, especially for the airbags.
Photo 3: On the S500, the Mik-Box is most easily installed where the Y-Cable from the PSE (Portable Support Electronics) module (for the cell phone) connects to the car's pre-wiring harness. On the S500, this connector is tucked away between the wheel well and the CD changer/amplifier/PSE units. In the photo above, I have removed the connector from its storage location. MY 2000-2003 Mercedes models with D2B fiber optics (except the M-Class) will be able to use this connection. The M-Class requires a short DB-25 cable to connect the Mik-Box directly to the PSE, because the connector shown is not present in the vehicle (see MIK's site); and a very nice (and inventive) alternative installation for the M-Class has been written up by Paul H. Dick on his site at http://www.benzworld.org/publications/pub.asp?id=143.
Photo 4: Shows the Mik-Box installed per MIK's instructions. The wire ties are necessary because certain locking components of the connector are removed during installation. With the ease of reaching the connector in the S500, installation of the box itself, including removal of the trunk liner, took about 20 minutes. A Torx (star) driver is necessary to remove both the cargo net tiedown and the connector locking components.
Photo 5: I placed the Mik-Box just behind the linear compensator, affixing it to the compensator bracket with wire ties around the wiring bundles. This keeps the trunk liner from being pushed out where the electronics cover must fit when things go back in place; and it provides a snug fit for the box when the trunk liner is put back in place, so the box won't vibrate.
Photo 6: Moving on to the interior installation, remove the false floor of the center console (4 screws on the underside of the flip-up portion hold it in). Then, remove the StarTac cradle (four screws on the underside of the false floor), and unplug the coiled cord's RJ-48 connector and antenna wire (not shown, but they connect where the new wires are shown connected above).
The grey wire is the new RJ-48 connecting cable to the V710 cradle; MIK has these custom-made. In addition, he provides an adapter (silver) for the antenna connector (thin black wire) that is part of the V710 cradle. Connections were fast and simple. The third wire bundle is for the Tele-Aid buttons.
Photo 7: Another shot of the false floor, with the V710 cradle mount in place. The holes in the V710 cradle mount match up to the holes for the StarTac cradle, so no drilling or adaptation was required. The removed StarTac cradle and coil wire are on the seat.
Because of the length of the antenna connector adaptor, I trimmed a strip 1/4" wide and 1" long from the back edge of the vertical portion of the covering for the connectors (at the back of the false floor) to get a snug fit; the trimming is not shown in the photo; it was just above the notch at the back edge.
Photo 8: Connect the grey cable to the V710 cradle, place the antenna wire and the Tele-Aid wiring around the periphery of the floor, and replace the false floor. I chose to coil the excess grey wire behind the cradle (http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/1267228265141252004124746PM.jpg). I have since replaced the long grey wire with a shorter one that requires no coil as pictured above - thanks, MIK! I also found that adding some thin felt adhesive discs to the Motorola cradle helped to slide the phone into the cradle more accurately. See http://forums.mbnz.org/gallery/pics/1267228265141162005101635PM.jpg
The main part of the cradle is then affixed to the cradle mount with a single screw. The phone no longer needs to be plugged into a cable; you just slide it into the cradle, and you're connected!
With the trim job to accommodate the antenna connector and the thickness of the grey cable, you get a snug fit all around. The interior portion of the installation took about 30 minutes.
The phone is functional, and thanks to MIK, I am free of the Mercedes-branded StarTac and able to use a modern phone purchased directly from my service provider. The Mik-Box provides all of the features of the StarTac PSE; I can access the phone book from the COMAND 2.5 LCD as well as from the instrument cluster display, and I get all information normally displayed on both. With future firmware updates and purchase of a new cradle (if required), I can use even newer phones when they become available.
However, the StarTac PSE lacks caller ID for incoming calls. This is a limitation of the PSE, not the Mik-Box; right now, the Mik-Box does not provide greater display capability than the PSE used with it.
Therefore, after verifying all functions with the Mik-Box/StarTac installation (they all worked perfectly!), I replaced the StarTac PSE with a TimePort PSE ($100, used), which provides caller ID. MIK will work on providing a visible message waiting indication for the TimePort PSE, which it is capable of providing, but which is not implemented in his firmware as of late November, 2004. With the TimePort PSE, I also get the special ring tones I have assigned to VIP callers, through the car's audio system.
The PSE I used was Q 682 0648; it was not an autosense model (one that could be used with a TimePort or a V60, SYN 9266A, Q 682 0754). If you get an autosense PSE, please check with MIK to determine which version of the MikBox to order.
The same Mik-Box firmware supports the StarTac and the Q 682 0648 TimePort I used (this may not be true for the autosense PSE). Mik-Box installation requires no re-coding of the COMAND system for either the StarTac or TimePort, if one or the other was already installed. Upgrade of an existing V-60 installation should also require no new coding, though I cannot confirm from my own experience.
Photo 10: a final shot. Costs: Mik-Box, $199; V710 cradle, $59; Cable, $49; shipping, $15; Linear compensator (used), $55; antenna switch (used), $40; V710 phone (new, with contract), $150. I also bought a computer-to-RJ48 cable from MIK for programming firmware updates, in the event of problems doing so through the phone; however, this is a backup, and is not required.
Thus, if you already have a dual-band installation, the upgrade runs around $325 ($475 including the V710 handset)! That is less than the cost of a refurbished StarTac phone from the dealer, if you already have one you can trade in ($500); and half the cost of buying a StarTac handset outright without trade ($900). Plus, you're free now to use modern phones that do not have to be bought from Mercedes. Most newer Motorola phones are supported by the Mik-Box even now, allowing replacement of Mercedes StarTac, Timeport, and V60 handsets; MIK is working to incorporate all PTT features for NEXTEL phones, and will move on to Nokia and Ericsson after. If there is enough interest, he may undertake a Bluetooth version of the Mik-Box.
If you must upgrade the linear compensator and antenna switch, the total comes to around $420 (depending on used equipment prices), plus the cost of your phone. However, this cost will affect only MY 2000 cars; later years should already have dual band original equipment.
Compare these prices with retrofitting with a UHI interface (made for cars outside the US, and not available for installation through Mercedes in the US). The kit (including a new PSE) is around $600-800; installation is anything but simple for the average DIY, and may require a technician (pinouts on connectors often do not match); and on top of it, you still need a phone. If you're retrofitting UHI to a MY 2000 car, you also must do the dual-band component upgrade. The total cost for a UHI retrofit in the U.S. can easily exceed $1000, and you'd still need to add the cost of the phone.
MIK was great to do business with - my car was one of the earlier StarTac upgrades he sold, and he was very responsive to my questions and concerns. I was able to provide him with some feedback to confirm his StarTac implementation. His Mik-Box grants a wonderful new freedom in choice of cell phones, but lets one retain the beautiful integration and voice control that Mercedes designed with its COMAND system.
Incidentally, after installing the Timeport PSE I also upgraded my Voice Control Module with one for MY '01 (control of phone, radio, CD, and tape). See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1193674
And, I have installed the Dension IceLink Plus to integrate my iPod with the COMAND system replacing the CD changer. You can see that at http://forums.mbnz.org/publications/pub.asp?id=330
In addition to MIK, I also thank SledDog and Manny Alexandre in particular, for their advice throughout, especially that which indicated that I did not have to replace my bumper antenna; and Paul H. Dick for the wonderful information posted on his website. I also appreciate the advice provided by other contributors to the forums.
For those with SLs, xtianpel has done a super Powerpoint documentation of his MikBox installation in his '04 SL500 at http://www.xtianp.com/MikBoxInstallationSlides/MikBoxSlides.ppt - if you have trouble getting the download, Cristian's post is at http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=103638 - give it a look. Plus, Cristian's brother-in-law does installations in the L.A. area.
And if you have read through all of this, a treat - Paul H. Dick has added a really neat Mercedes logo wallpaper to his website at http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/mikbox.htm You can see it there and on my V710 at http://forums.mbnz.org/gallery/showlink.asp?page=2&order=id&CatID=12672&parentid=28&parentname=&subname=Mik-Box/Motorola_V-710_Installation | |
