Matutino

Guys,
Have anyone purchased this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_11032wt_941

Thinking about buying it, I read about our stock audio system and the main issues is fiber optic. Im sure my CLK has fiber optic, I sent an e-mail to the seller and he provides both hook ups (for fiber optic and for regular audio)
Thoughts?

Matutino

Not one reply?

davidatucker

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...head-unit.html

However, maybe things have changed.. I for one would be interested if they did get them in stock if they fit clk pre 2002 provided they maintained sound quality. Please be sure to post if you lean anymore.

MarcusF

Part of the problem may be people are unclear which CLK55 you have.

I can tell you the ONLY fiber line in a non-COMAND W208 is from the headunit to the OE CD changer. If you don't use the OE changer on a 208, it won't matter. What car do you have, 208? 209? COMAND? Year? HK? Bose?

Matutino

I have a 2003 w209 Bose system with cd player

davidatucker

I have a 2001 clk 55 amg (w208) with the Bose Nav. and the trunk cd changer.
I was hoping to find a new system with bluetooth for my phone, and an input for my ipod or android phone. Playing dvds could keep my kid busy, an updated nav system would be a bonus at a good price. That is why I've been hoping these ebay systems would be recomended by a satisfied customer.

Cartronics

We have a ton of stuff for the CLK from 2000 - current. This thread seems to want different things... so take a look and we can answer questions.

davidatucker

Ok, lets see what is being offered.
1. GPS Nav System
2. Stereo AM/FM Radio
3. support for bluetooth
4. input for ipod and mp3
5. steering wheel control support
6. usb/sd card slot
7. tv
8. input for rear view camera
9 the video supports mpeg(DVD) compressed video divx and wma
compressed images jpeg ect.
All for $799.00

All this begs a few questions?
1. Does this unit work in my (w208) 2001 clk 55 amg?
2. Does it fit reasonably well in my w208?
3. Is there any compromise in sound quality?
4. Does the bluetooth sync consistently with alacrity to my phone? (android -evo 3d)
5. Does it need any converters like the pac2?
6. Is it complicated to install?
7. Will it damage any of the electrical components of the car? assuming its correctly installed.
8. Will it be high enough quality to last the normal amount of time expected for a reputable aftermarket nav/stereo unit?

For this purpose I was hoping someone with personal experience with these units and vendor could render us a report and review.

Cartronics

We have done EXTENSIVE testing and written several reviews of both the Dynavin and Haulingan units:

We received 3 Dynavin and 2 Haulingan radios for testing. Of the 5 radios, 4 have failed in one way or another. Both Dynavins had buttons failing on them rather quickly (both under 2 months). One Haulingan failed at the touchscreen. It stopped responding to input on about 1/2 the screen. One Haulingan is still running, although we have terminated official testing.
However, the failure rate statistically is VERY high. Normally we demand a failure rate of less than 1% (a requirement of most dealers and installers as they cannot afford to do work twice) - Obviously this failure rate exceeded 66% for one and 50% for the other.

NONE of the radios were really ready to be put in a Mercedes. They all required us to make adapters, and both companies actually supported us downloaded pirated Navigation!! They do not include sanctioned nav software, or even complete operating systems. It took two of our very seasoned product testers nearly 5 hours just to get them to a usable state. Again, not very good. We have seen some dealers including some nav software, but most of it seems to be the pirated stuff on the internet.
They do not support any instrument cluster functions, and the one unit that will work with the fiber optic amp has VERY inferior sound quality.
The Dynavin had a slight operational edge as it ran two operating systems, one for NAV (windows CE) and one for other functions. This allowed it be FAIR in changing functions (radio to cd to iPod, etc) but NAV always took about 6-10 seconds just to load. The Haulingan only runs Windows CE and is VERY VERY slow.
Curiously the BMW units do work a bit better, but in a BMW, the head unit does not do double duty as a central processor as it does in many classes of Mercedes.
The dealer cost on these units is around $400 in quantity and the manufacturers have profit built into that. It pretty obvious to us when we started that we should not expect much. Both units weigh less than 1.5lbs, where the Mercedes COMAND weighs in at about 6 pounds. A small measure of materials quality. Cars are harsh environments with lots of heat and cold and expansion and contraction, and these don't even run well on a bench, let alone in a car.

Hope that sums it up.

davidatucker

Yep, thanks for the heads up.

betrezra

I have an 04 clk55 with base radio, glove box cd changer, bose system. How do I replace the Cd Changer for I-pod hookup?

This is all I want to do... I'm totally happy with my stereo quality/power/sound... just want to replace the cd changer (which dies at random) with an ipod hook up.

Thx. Pardon the hi-jack......

Cartronics

Just use our iPod Gateway... see it at Cartronics.com

betrezra

Perfect. Is there a discount for MBwrld members... or just go through your website?

Thanks.... this looks like just what I need.

Jeff

Cartronics

Give Scott a call, and he may be able to work something out for you. I am a tech.... THANKS!

betrezra

Do I just order the unit for my year clk55? 2004?

Ready to ditch the cd-changer. What a POS!

Thx,

Matutino

I finally decided to go the stock route... Bought all the parts last weekend. Hope the install go smooth. I now need to get a bluetooth system

ashutt

I have the Kennwood DNX 996 and love it. It has everything you could want and fits perfect in my 2001 CLK 55. Not sure about your year but it fits in my double-din spot. Purchased on ebay and had local installer put it in. I Blue-Tooth my IPhone. Phone quality is just ok. You can play your music from IPhone through Blue-tooth, hook-up/charger or through a SDCard. I play my music from my 16 Gig SDCard which I love. Navigation is Garmin 3D. Movies are great and play while the car is moving. Sound quality is exceptional but made better by the Focal speakers. Good luck.

I have the stock Nav for the 2001 and 2002 if anyone wants it for a very good price.

davidatucker

Ashut, Did you need to buy any converts like the PAC? Did you need to buy a harness and or cage or did the Kennwood DNX 996 just plug in? btw thanks for sharing your upgrade experience.

ashutt

My local installer did purchase a PAC unit. There are at least two models but any installer should be able to determine which ones you need. I can't remember if he bought a harness or not. I also bought the optional HD Radio unit. That being said, I can only control the volume from my wheel. All other functions are done on the touch screen but buttons are big so it really doesn't matter. The unit fit very snugly in my double din spot so not trim was needed around it (2001-2001 models). Everything is heads above factory but I will say the phone quality on those hearing you is just average not great. Inside the car the functionality and sound quality is exception. To play movies while moving your installer can hook a wire to the brake. He should know how to do this so you don't have to spend $20 to buy the same thing on ebay. Everything you need can be bought on ebay for much less than the installer will sell it to you for.

davidatucker

Thanks Ashutt, thats helpful info.

Matutino

Ok, guys, ended up buying a new OEm unit with alll the parts to retrofit it into my car. I got everuthing with thexception of the wire loom (adapter) which I should be getting shortly. At the end of the day the China option would have been much cheaper as it comes with DVD, CD, 3d maps, bluetooth etc for $700. The OEM nav + OWM bluetooth ended up costying me $1200... but at least the car is 100% stock

Matutino

I just finished installing the OEM system. Very easy and fast!
Now I have to route the aux wire to the glove compartment