Act of God

I'm about to throw my iPod out the window since it is a POS. I'm looking to get a new MP3 player but I have been constantly unhappy with the FM transmitters. I have a 2003 CLK55 with navigation, completely stock. Are there any axillary inputs that I can use to hook up my new player?

I know on my old M3 we could disconnect the CD changer and connect to that hub with an adapter. Is there anything like that for us?

Act of God

nevermind, I ran a search...my bad

Skylaw

Ahhh, you found the stuff on the Dension Gateway 500.

Act of God

No I didn't see that, I was talking about the AUX input...is that just as good?

Skylaw

If you have an AUX input, that is by far the simplest and least expensive way to route your iPod through your car's audio system. You must still use the iPod itself for music selections and display, but the cost is under $10 for a double-ended male 3.5mm cable. Sound quality will be good.

The Dension Gateway 500 device feeds the audio through your fiber optics. However, navigation of the iPod on COMAND or radio H/U is not particularly easy for a D2B equipped car. You still have an option to navigate using the iPod controls. The advantage is that 1) it permits integration of an iPod in cars without an AUX input; and 2) it also permits control of the iPod via the steering wheel buttons. It's also expensive ($500 or so, sometimes less).

One of the Gateway 500 developers holds out the possibility that the D2B model will be equipped with a CAN Bus link so that song titles appear on the instrument cluster display (right now, you only get track number on your COMAND or radio). If it provides that readout, I would say the Gateway 500 would be much better than the AUX input alone, especially because of ease of use.

The version for MOST Bus cars is already superior to the AUX (only) input; however, cars equipped with MOST Bus and an AUX jack can also use the MB/Apple iPod kit. For inexplicable reasons, not all Benzes have an AUX jack.

See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...rime-time.html and http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...ml#post2596107 - but the writeups deal with MOST bus cars, not D2B.

Act of God

Does the 3.5mm cable matter as far as brand or type? I assume I can use the same type of cable I use to connect my speakers to my computer...

lkchris

Wire is wire.

OTOH, it's NOT the same as you use for speakers, as those are only 2-conductors (+ and -)

You need a STEREO cable which has THREE conductors, i.e. + left, + right, and common -.

Skylaw

As long as the wires are properly routed, lkchris is right - copper wire is copper wire. Radio Shack, Apple, Belkin, Monster, and probably 50 others make the 3.5mm stereo leads. You can pay little, or pay a LOT for the cable - but just about any of them will do the job, with no audible difference.

There is no need, at the frequencies your iPod is transmitting, for silver-coated wire. There is not enough RF interference that you need evacuated, double insulation or larger than normal thicknesses of it, or even double-wound braided wire in the insulation, vice foil.

I'm not saying wire never makes a difference - it can, and it does, depending on the application; but for a 3-foot run going to an industry standard connector at very low loads, it will make virtually none.

Don't spend more than $10, and enjoy your music; treat your honey to dinner with the savings.

Act of God

Went with radio shack, works a-ok for me. I just can't figure out a decent route to run the wire since I want to have the iPod accesible (in the cup holder).

I'll have to experiment, the way I had it today either bent the wire too much (lost part of the signal) or caused the glove box to sag (annoying).

jallison12

I have a Creative Zen, which I plug into the Aux input in the glove compartment. Typically I leave the glove box shut with the other end of the cable sticking out of the side, towards the center of the car. My Zen then plugs into this, and I sit the Zen down next to the shifter. I have this rubber case for the Zen which stops it sliding around. The whole setup works great for me.
jim

jello

Anyone know if this has happended yet? I couldn't get this info from the Denison site. Thanks!