Interesting installation location. I can see why you needed the extra foot of cable - but to tell the truth, Dension should lengthen that cable anyway. The length made for difficulty installing it even where I put it.
Gateway 500 for MOST - not ready for prime time?
Gateway 500 for MOST iPod Integration - Good unit, poor documentation
NOTE: I changed the subject line of this post ; it was originally "Not ready for prime time?" because of the poor instructions in the installation manual, and a less than satisfactory user manual detracting from otherwise good hardware. With Firmware update 2.XX and a new user manual, significant improvements have been made; the installation manual (dated "after 03/13/07") still needs revision, so I hope the post below will help until the revision is in place.
NOTE: Fairly recently I was made a moderator of this sub-forum. That permits edit capabilities I did not have before. This thread is very long, and can be difficult to use. As a result, I am attaching a pdf file (see "Attached Files" at the bottom of this post), which you can download. The pdf is much more recently edited, and hopefully, is easier to follow and understand.
Also: When reading this, and the pdf file, please note that Dension has upgraded its equipment. This post was written for version 1 and 2 hardware; Section 7 of the pdf deals with version 3 hardware, and note that the DIP switch settings may have to be different than those for versions 1 and 2. Also, there are differences in installation for cars with Sirius and those without. Last, Dension has indicated compatibility problems for North American COMAND units that have a red and a green "Send" and "End" button for cell calls. Before ordering, BE SURE to check compatibility with Dension!!
Please also not that I am not an installer; I have Version 2 equipment in my car, and that is the latest with which I have hands-on experience. I apologize that this thread (and even the far shorter pdf file) are lengthy and involved, but they demand attention before buying and installing. I will not be able to provide troubleshooting for problems that are beyond my hands-on experience.
I installed a Dension Gateway 500 (GW 500) for MOST bus in my 2005 S500 (U.S. spec). Below, I document the installation from removing the COMAND unit, including the wood fascia; locating and running the three copper cables from the console to the GW 500 location; locating the GW 500 device; and connecting it to the fiber optic ring. This was a difficult first-time project. I accept no liability for damage to your car or to your GW 500 if you attempt it. In addition, I do not repeat the steps of the Dension supplied Instruction or User Guides, but supplement them. You will have to use the installation guide and user guide. In addition, I am familiar with my own '05 W220 because I have done this installation; I am not familiar with other models in detail, and cannot answer specific questions about them. I hope there is sufficient detail below to carry over to other models.
Most of you will already know that the GW 500 is designed to allow an iPod to replace the CD Changer (CDC) on the fiber optic bus, but allow switching back to the CDC if desired. On COMAND-equipped cars, it will display menus as well as song title, playlist name, and play time on the COMAND display; and track information on the instrument cluster multifunction display.
I located the iPod, USB, and AUX connections and the CDC/GW500 mode selector switch in the console, and the GW 500 unit behind the ashtray in the COMAND console space. The cables (copper and fiber optic) supplied require an installation in the passenger compartment; they are long enough if you locate the input cables in the glove compartment, but are barely long enough for a console installation in an S-Class. They truly need to be at least 6 inches longer.
REMOVE THE COMAND UNIT
The COMAND unit is removed by placing the car in "Drive"� (set the parking brake); pulling the ashtray out; removing two screws behind the wood fascia with a #20 Star driver; then fully removing the ashtray (disconnecting the cigarette lighter connector at the back). See first photo.
With the ash tray and screws removed, the air conditioning controls slide right out; I reached under it and gently pulled it from behind. Only two clips hold it after removing the screws. See second photo.
After removing the ashtray and A/C controls, you may place the shift lever in Park. The wood fascia for the ashtray and A/C controls come out with the units, and do not have to be separately removed. All of the wood fascia are sturdy; they are mounted to a metal or heavy plastic backing, and the only special care needed is not to scratch them. I did not disconnect the A/C unit from its harness, but let it hang to the right of the console.
Next, insert a small screwdriver or knife (covered with tape if you wish) at a lower corner of the upper wood fascia, above the COMAND unit, and pry it outward. The fascia is held in only by sturdy plastic clips and will pull out easily. In the photo below, the clips for the A/C controls and the removed upper fascia (resting atop the A/C control unit) are visible. See third photo.
Removing the A/C controls and upper fascia reveal the four Star screws (#20 driver) at the corners of the COMAND unit that hold it in. At this point I went on to installing the iPod, USB, and AUX input/GW 500 selector switch in the console, and routing the wires to the now-open space below the COMAND unit.
However, for purposes of illustration, the last photo shows the back of the removed COMAND 2.0. The MOST version has only five connections: Two fiber optic leads (orange), a +12 volt wire (red/yellow), a brown wire (ground), and a blue/black wire (I believe the dimmer control for lighting the buttons on the front of the unit). That’s all there is for the MOST unit. We’ll get back to the connections made here, later.
NOTE: I changed the subject line of this post ; it was originally "Not ready for prime time?" because of the poor instructions in the installation manual, and a less than satisfactory user manual detracting from otherwise good hardware. With Firmware update 2.XX and a new user manual, significant improvements have been made; the installation manual (dated "after 03/13/07") still needs revision, so I hope the post below will help until the revision is in place.
NOTE: Fairly recently I was made a moderator of this sub-forum. That permits edit capabilities I did not have before. This thread is very long, and can be difficult to use. As a result, I am attaching a pdf file (see "Attached Files" at the bottom of this post), which you can download. The pdf is much more recently edited, and hopefully, is easier to follow and understand.
Also: When reading this, and the pdf file, please note that Dension has upgraded its equipment. This post was written for version 1 and 2 hardware; Section 7 of the pdf deals with version 3 hardware, and note that the DIP switch settings may have to be different than those for versions 1 and 2. Also, there are differences in installation for cars with Sirius and those without. Last, Dension has indicated compatibility problems for North American COMAND units that have a red and a green "Send" and "End" button for cell calls. Before ordering, BE SURE to check compatibility with Dension!!
Please also not that I am not an installer; I have Version 2 equipment in my car, and that is the latest with which I have hands-on experience. I apologize that this thread (and even the far shorter pdf file) are lengthy and involved, but they demand attention before buying and installing. I will not be able to provide troubleshooting for problems that are beyond my hands-on experience.
I installed a Dension Gateway 500 (GW 500) for MOST bus in my 2005 S500 (U.S. spec). Below, I document the installation from removing the COMAND unit, including the wood fascia; locating and running the three copper cables from the console to the GW 500 location; locating the GW 500 device; and connecting it to the fiber optic ring. This was a difficult first-time project. I accept no liability for damage to your car or to your GW 500 if you attempt it. In addition, I do not repeat the steps of the Dension supplied Instruction or User Guides, but supplement them. You will have to use the installation guide and user guide. In addition, I am familiar with my own '05 W220 because I have done this installation; I am not familiar with other models in detail, and cannot answer specific questions about them. I hope there is sufficient detail below to carry over to other models.
Most of you will already know that the GW 500 is designed to allow an iPod to replace the CD Changer (CDC) on the fiber optic bus, but allow switching back to the CDC if desired. On COMAND-equipped cars, it will display menus as well as song title, playlist name, and play time on the COMAND display; and track information on the instrument cluster multifunction display.
I located the iPod, USB, and AUX connections and the CDC/GW500 mode selector switch in the console, and the GW 500 unit behind the ashtray in the COMAND console space. The cables (copper and fiber optic) supplied require an installation in the passenger compartment; they are long enough if you locate the input cables in the glove compartment, but are barely long enough for a console installation in an S-Class. They truly need to be at least 6 inches longer.
REMOVE THE COMAND UNIT
The COMAND unit is removed by placing the car in "Drive"� (set the parking brake); pulling the ashtray out; removing two screws behind the wood fascia with a #20 Star driver; then fully removing the ashtray (disconnecting the cigarette lighter connector at the back). See first photo.
With the ash tray and screws removed, the air conditioning controls slide right out; I reached under it and gently pulled it from behind. Only two clips hold it after removing the screws. See second photo.
After removing the ashtray and A/C controls, you may place the shift lever in Park. The wood fascia for the ashtray and A/C controls come out with the units, and do not have to be separately removed. All of the wood fascia are sturdy; they are mounted to a metal or heavy plastic backing, and the only special care needed is not to scratch them. I did not disconnect the A/C unit from its harness, but let it hang to the right of the console.
Next, insert a small screwdriver or knife (covered with tape if you wish) at a lower corner of the upper wood fascia, above the COMAND unit, and pry it outward. The fascia is held in only by sturdy plastic clips and will pull out easily. In the photo below, the clips for the A/C controls and the removed upper fascia (resting atop the A/C control unit) are visible. See third photo.
Removing the A/C controls and upper fascia reveal the four Star screws (#20 driver) at the corners of the COMAND unit that hold it in. At this point I went on to installing the iPod, USB, and AUX input/GW 500 selector switch in the console, and routing the wires to the now-open space below the COMAND unit.
However, for purposes of illustration, the last photo shows the back of the removed COMAND 2.0. The MOST version has only five connections: Two fiber optic leads (orange), a +12 volt wire (red/yellow), a brown wire (ground), and a blue/black wire (I believe the dimmer control for lighting the buttons on the front of the unit). That’s all there is for the MOST unit. We’ll get back to the connections made here, later.
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After playing with the gateway 500 for a day, i am impressed but many of the other things posted are very true, the unit works as described and sounds great. Some things i dont like are that the second you change a track or playlist it starts i also dont like that everything says track 1 2 3 ect until a breif second later it shows the playlist, artist, ect i also dont like that once you select a playlist you have to wait 30 seconds for it to bring up the track listings. besides that i love the unit and it is great i even attached some pics below!
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Sounds like a midnight Rob project!
I'll provide the pizza and beer!
41 - 60 of 218 Posts
