Kevin9664

Hi. Longtime MBWorld member but first time in this Audio & Electronics forum. I just want to start by apologizing for not researching for what I'm about to ask.

I have a 2006 CLK500 with iPod Integration. I'm wondering if there is a such device that I can plug into my iPod port in my glove box that can stream audio from my iPhone via Bluetooth.

For example, I'd love to be able to stream Pandora to my car stereo with just having my phone in my cup holder and not have to connect it in the glove box. It'd be nice too if someone called I can hear them through the car stereo as well.

It seems like a simple and easy concept and I'm wondering if this accessory exists or even possible the way I'm picturing it in my head.

Thanks!

bfisher

Depends on if your stereo and phone can handle bluetooth streaming. To my knowledge, the Mercedes bluetooth adapters can not... Anyways, my experience has been that bluetooth streaming has a lower fidelity than plugging it in

Kevin9664

My iPhone 4S definitely can. I've used it in newer cars with built-in Bluetooth. As for my stereo, I'm not sure. It should be okay. I'm well aware that the quality goes down though when using wireless connections. I just want to be able to stream Pandora and listen to phone calls.

Skylaw

I plug my iPhone 4 into my iPod adapter (a 3rd party unit on a '78 450SL, no less) and can listen to music files and to voice instructions from the Garmin U.S. nav software on the phone. It handles calls through the Bluetooth function, and the audio quality is excellent in the music modes.

The one thing I have to do is set the iPhone to the music source I want to use before plugging it in to the adapter. Once I do that, my particular HU "seizes" the music search functions, and I must operate selections, etc. from the radio itself.

I don't use Pandora radio; but you could try the trick of selecting Pandora and then plugging the iPhone into your iPod connector. It MIGHT work - let us know.

Kevin9664

I found this item. Has anyone used this in their car before?

Bluetooth A2DP Audio Receiver for iPod
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-A2...-/190564405467

jakeg104

I'm curious as well. I was going to order the Anystream but i know the company has closed its doors. Any feedback would be huge, since this looks like the same product?

Thanks!

speed7

I did the same thing actually... best buy ever. Its 100% from china and not sure its legal. I don't think apple allows license use of that particular port. I bought 2 of these off of ebay for about $25 a piece. One for my car and another for my wifes.

http://roadtreklife.blogspot.com/201...streaming.html

I am dreading the day this magic box does die. Its been well over a year now and so far no complaints and they are still running strong.

speed7

One thing though... think of it as a one way bluetooth device. You can't really control anything from the command/head unit. But streaming from the phone to it works fine.

Kevin9664

Okay so wait. I messaged a few of the eBay sellers and some of them said they're not compatible with a Mercedes. You're saying that the 'fix' you posted in this link of covering the 2 pins will make it work?? You have this working in your '06 C55?

jakeg104

I'm in the same boat as you.

I just ordered one from 2 vendors to try out on my '07 E63 and '07 GL450. Will post results once i test them out. Ordered one each from here and from here.

Kevin9664

Yeh, I just bought the $11.49 from eBay. With a price that low I figure even if I can't use it in my car, I'll definitely find a place to use it somewhere else. Let me know how it goes.

speed7

The one I bought is just a Bluetooth adapter that feeds audio into the standard ipod cradle. Yes its in my 06 Mercedes. I did however buy the upgraded ipod cable from Mercedes which works with the newer ipods / iphones. So perhaps that is why mine works.

speed7

Also note that one I mentioned is the "Anycom Sprint A2DP BT Receiver"

And looking at the pictures of mine compared to the one you listed on ebay the design is significantly different. If at all possible if this one doesn't work find the one specifically made by Anycom.

Kevin9664

But you did put the tape to block those 2 pins? And if so, did you try it without the tape when you first got it? And did it not work initially? C'mon, you can't just get us excited with a simple fix then take it away by throwing in all these extra variables haha.

speed7

No tape needed.. I just plugged it in and it worked right off the bat.

speed7

AHHH I didn't see that.. no work is needed with that device.. I didn't even read that site before posting the link. I was only looking at the pictures showing the bluetooth adapter I got.

I don't think the mercedes ipod adapters are very smart but if needed you may look into covering those two pins mentioned above. I'll look around for the one I have on ebay and cl in case anyone else wants one of these.

Sorry about the confusion. =)

Kevin9664

Ugh. Total buzz kill. In the event that this 'fix' doesn't work, what new iPod cable did you get and how much did it cost?

speed7

I think the cable is $90 from the MB dealer.. its the one with the higher voltage output for the newer devices.... or something like that.. if you can get the part number I'd just buy it from getmercedesparts.com. They take like 6 years for processing orders. BUT no tax and cheap shipping. For big orders on brakes and routine maintenance I've found them to be the best. Plus its OE not OEM.

speed7

And not to continue to beat a dead horse...

I will ask my friend the to look for this. He has friends that buy large shipments out of china and then re-brand them for amazon. Like those toy helicopters. They are all made by the same company but there are like 3-4 brands online just with different stickers.

I'll see if they can hook us up. I'd like a spare or two for myself and if its possible maybe we can do a group buy. Either way don't lose hope. =) I'll find out this weekend if its possible.

Kevin9664

I have a theory. When I first got the car, the OEM iPod cable allowed music to be played when plugged into new iPods but did not charge it. There was audio but no power. Then I had to buy this little adapter that passed power through so it could stay charged.

That is probably why some of the eBay sellers are saying it doesn't work. It's because the Bluetooth adapter is not getting any power to it. Which is probably what your new cable has built in. I'm hoping that this is the reason why and it will work the the adapter that I have. Just a thought. Thinking optimistically here lol.

speed7

AHHH you're 100% correct.. that's why I got the updated cable. It was to allow my iPod or iPhone to get the charge.. When I would plug my iPhone into my buddies 2008 C350 it wouldn't get a charge.. but the "new" cable fixes that. That's the same cable I got for mine. I'll poke around and see if I can find my receipt from the stealership and if the part number is on it.

Kevin9664

Haha yeh cause the Bluetooth receiver definitely needs to be powered to work.

I have the adapter already that you simply connect on the end that charges the iPod but I'm sure jakeg104 or others reading (if there are any) would be interested to know how the price of the new cable compares to the adapter I have.

Now I have to wait for this stupid thing to get shipped to me from China lol.



Google Shopping Listing for the Mercedes 5V adapter to allow charge:
https://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=o....,cf.osb&cad=b

speed7

A quick look on the dealership I mentioned above:

Part Number 67824531
Part Name IPOD INTERFA
MSRP $50.00
Core $0.00
Online Price $48.75

DubVBenz

Please keep us posted. I have an ipod kit from Dension in my MB and it has a powered ipod cable. I'd like to use an adapter like this to control my android phone through it (it would allow this with a hardwired ipod).

jakeg104

On my '07 E class, the iPod that stays in the car DOES get charged. Wonder if my car has the newer cable/setup? I guess once i get the adapter in, we'll know!