MB_ATL_Driver

Just would like some comments from people that have any of these units installed or even a different option. I need a direct connect/USB component. I don't like AUX or FM radio transmitter. I want the highest sound quality available obviously these prices are outrageous $300-$800. I will be installing myself but just curious on what others think of the units they have installed in their cars. I did a search and been looking around the forums and other ones. most seem to have the first one listed. the MB iPod Integration Kit.


My current car: 2006 Mercedes E350 W211

MB iPod Integration Kit

thanks to Yachtmaster for posting this.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...d-install.html


Neo ProLink PODMBMOST
http://www.neocaraudio.com/cars/2006...lass/PODMBMOST

Dension
http://www.dension.com/product/iPod-...ts/gateway-500

mCar
http://www.mcar.us/index.php/products
http://www.mcar.us/images/pdf/Brochu...I.A2M.V3.3.pdf

thanks

neverclever

It came installed on my car when I got it. I didn't have an iphone or an ipod at the time. I went to a pawn shop and picked up an ipod classic 80gb for $75. It just lives in my glovebox all the time and is available to play about 220 albums or shuffle through songs. The steering wheel controls are a little annoying to navigate with. The sound quality is excellent, but as others have said, is a little on the soft side.

I think it really comes down to what phone you have. I have a basic flip phone that I connect with the BT buck B67876131 that works great. My feeling with iphones is that people don't pass up any opportunity to charge their phone, so some kind of corded solution is best.

cetialpha5

What are you connecting? Mine came with the ipod kit which mean the Aux wasn't plugged in and doesn't work. I mostly use andriod and have been happy never owning an apple product. I ended up picking up a 4th gen ipod touch as a refurb from Apple, it was $109 plus tax. I use spotify so all I do is take it home and have it sync my songs on wifi or if I wanted to, I could turn on my wifi hotspot in the car and have it sync then. Good thing about it is that the steering controls work and I can just leave it hidden in the glove box. Only drawback is that for some reason it won't charge through the connection. I had considered get a used one on craigslist or ebay, but they were $40-$50 at least and then you either have to meet some stranger or get it with parts missing. The refurb looked brand new and comes with a 1 year warranty and had all the parts. Just wasn't worth the hassle. The other option was to take apart the command unit and disconnect the ipod and plug in the aux or get a double plug and have them both plugged in, but I didn't want to bother with having someone take it apart although the instructions on how to do it are probably on here or on youtube. Another option was to get a bluetooth ipod receiver, but I felt it wasn't worth the risk as some work and some say the volume is too low and then the steering wheel controls might not work.

Long Islander

The reason your ipod won't charge is because the output on the connector is 12V and your ipod requires 5 volt. Back when your car was built, all ipods were 12V, so the car manufacturers had their connectors put out 12V. Then, in 2009, Apple unceremoniously changed ipods to 5V. The solution is simple. You need to buy a Scosche converter and plug that between the connector and your ipod.

cetialpha5

Thanks, found a generic one on eBay for $8.50.

GT854T5

So, my '05 E came with the male ipod cable in the G-box; i don't currently own or plan to buy any apple products.
(Side Rant: why did MB & other car makers decide to install only iphone/ipod adaptors . and to make it worse, I am only finding female adaptor plugs that is NOT compatible with MB, Infini, BMW, Audi, cables ). Also, a lot of the 30-pin female adaptor cables i'm finding, only charges my android/mp3 units. Doesn't allow transfer of music/audio.
So, can anyone suggest an adapter/cable (either 3.5mm or micro usb) that will connect to the ipod cable in the G-box so i can play my music on my phone/MP3?

Thanks, D

neverclever

D,
I was in the same boat as you. Android phone and ipod connector in glove box. I discovered in my car if I took the head unit out the original aux cable going to the aux input was still there. I disconnected the aux in (from the ipod adaptor) and reconnected the aux from the headphone jack in the glove box. So with a male to male headphone cable I could play my android. The negatives: having to use the screen of the device to select music, long cord flopping around cabin, and no power to the device in this setup. The other thought I had was running the aux cable to the center console with power and then at least it would be a cleaner install. Ultimately no cable is going to let you control the music through the steering wheel though. I ended up just buying an ipod classic.

cetialpha5

The other thing you could get is a bluetooth ipod receiver. There's a few different versions out there, most of them were made to convert an ipod dock into a wireless receiver. I think prices range from $15-$40 depending on the model. Some get decent reviews, some not so good. Even with the decent reviews one problem seems to be the volume doesn't go up that high for some reason. Ultimately I went with the ipod touch because it was the easiest. When I shut the car off, the music stops and I leave the ipod in the glove box. When I start it up again, it picks up where I left off. No need to fire up a device and hit play every time you get into the car.

Long Islander

I'm pretty sure that on Ebay you can find an adaptor that is female 30-pin ipod on one side and micro USB male on the other. I say this because I bought a couple of adaptors from Ebay that are female micro USB on one side and male 30-pin ipod on the other side (I can use this to charge an ipod using a standard micro-USB to USB charging cable).

btv94

Can you provide link to this, i want to buy one.

Thanks,

cetialpha5

Not that cheap anymore for some reason.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/iPhone-3GS-4G-4-4G-4GS-4S-Car-Charger-Voltage-Converter-Adapter-12v-to-5v-30-pin-/280633610147?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4157110fa3