Kardacian

Sorry in advanced for som many questions

How do you like the Dension?
Can you control the IPOD from both the Steering Wheel and the command?
I dont use play lists is there a limit to the number of songs?
I assume it charges your IPOD.
Is there anything it does not do well?
Did you leave you CDC in or out?

Skylaw

I love my Gateway 500. Its sound is superb (I import in high quality formats; very few mp3s). The menus are easy to operate, once the device is properly set up. I like having iPod, RCA and USB inputs, and being able to keep my CD changer. Of course, updating the iPod is much easier than updating mp3 DVDs. However, before you buy one, check the compatibility with your car on the Dension site; it is not compatible with some NGT COMAND units in some '07 and later cars.

Yes, you can control the iPod from both the steering wheel and COMAND. You also have the option of controlling from the iPod.

There is no limit to the number of songs (but you might find that playlists make it much easier to find what you want if you have over 2500 songs, which I do). The song limit is controlled by your iPod's memory capability, and the format in which you import them - not the Gateway 500.

Yes, the Gateway 500 charges the iPod. Be aware that Apple changed the charging pins on different series of iPods (and also with the iPhone). Dension ships with a cable (blue plug) for the newer iPods, but they have an optional cable (green plug) available for the older ones. There are also adapters sold by Scosche that address the charging pin problem.

Song titles are shown onscreen only for MOST COMAND units in Mercedes. Audio xx units and D2B COMANDS will show only track number. For those, using the iPod controls and screen for song selection is the best option (you can still change tracks and volume with the steering wheel). This is not a limitation of the gateway 500 - it is a limitation of the Audio xx and earlier COMAND units, and it applies to all of the 3rd party iPod kits. The installation manual is a real pain - but once you get it installed and set up, it is great.

I left my CDC in; there is no need to give it up in most MB models. You can switch between the Gateway 500 and the CDC.

Kardacian

Thank you for the feedback I am thinking one of these are in my future. I am still considering replace the entire HU with a Kenwood. However, your positive feedback has me rethinking this.

Thank you

coco135

if anyone interested i am selling my 6 month old dension GW 500 for $325

PM me

audio

I have a Dension GW 500 installed and am planning on installing the AVR GWM2 (different part number for unit that works with Mercedes,supplied by Dension) was wondering if you know where the handrake switch/wire is located also if you need to enable the TV input on COMAND APS for this to work. I am going to give it a go next week but installation guide says you must connect the handbrake switch wire.

ap10046

Skylaw,
I know this is an old thread, but it served as the basis for my Dension 500 install with my W211 COMAND APS.
Everything works and it was an easy install, with your guidance..but I just can't get text to display. I've tried going into the config menu, but no matter how long I hold the forward seek button, nothing happens.
I select the ipod GW option in the 2nd menu, but that doesn't really change anything either.
Maybe i'm a bit thick, but I could really use your help please.
Much obliged
Areez

Skylaw

Areez - I presume you have a MOST-based W211 and have installed the MOST version of the Gateway 500 (posting the model year of your car would help).

When others have reported this problem, it has usually been an improper setting of the DIP switches. I suggest resetting them - not just checking them, but actually resetting them.

ap10046

Hi Skylaw,
Thanks for the response.
Yes, she is MOST based and I did get the MOST based Dension. FYI - 2004 E240 with the Euro COMAND.

UPDATE : I did manage to get text, playlists, et al to work last night..it was the +PAGING selection that did it and then selecting .ipod GW.

But, this morning it was back to Track number and no text. I repeated the same thing and it started working again. Why would this happen?
Also, on my Instrument Cluster display, it only displays Track number, not the song name, etc

Cheers
Areez

Skylaw

I provided a link in post #4 of this thread that addresses the "+paging" problem. You need to hold the "Seek+" button in for 5 to 10 seconds, despite Dension instructions to hold it for 2 seconds. If the unit does not "take" the "+paging" command, it will revert to track number and no text.

The unit will also show song title, etc. only on the COMAND display. Displaying track number on the multifunction display is perfectly normal. The OE MB unit for cars of our vintage shows song title on the multifunction display, but not on COMAND. It has to do with how each unit is tied into the CAN Bus (or not).

ap10046

Hi Skylaw,
Thanks for clarifying the multifunction issue.
On the paging+ thing, I hold the seek+ for more than 20-30 seconds.
Only after I release the seek+ can I get the .iPod gw selection, that gives me full text.
But switch off the car for a while and we're back to track no.
I'm tapped into the ciggie lighter's power

Areez

ap10046

Skylaw,
I also do not get a screen like you have shown..when I press 1 it says scanning playlists on the top, says loading and then gives me a single playlist with the up and down arrows.
Areez

Skylaw

ap10046,

The loss of "page+" is happening because your 12v power source (the red wire) is supposed to be connected to an unswitched source of power. My bet is that your cigarette lighter is switched (it doesn't work with the ignition fully off). That interruption of power will cause loss of the "page+" setting each time you turn the ignition off.

To the extent they may help you, the writeups at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...ady-prime.html and at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...mware-2-a.html are still pretty current. Note that at post #4 in the first link, the writeup is quite specific about tapping unswitched 12v power for the unit. The installation manual makes that point as well.

Dension has made a number of firmware changes since my initial posts in 2007. I am not going to "chase" the changes and update each time one is made; the effect on the user is usually minimal, and you can track what they were in the firmware update histories on the Dension website. With my current firmware I now get only one playlist shown at a time, unless I am pressing an up or down arrow - then I get three. I believe the display you are getting, based on your verbal description, is normal. The main concern is whether you can scroll up or down through playlists (and within a playlist, scroll up & down through the songs).

ap10046

Hi Skylaw,
I think you just solved my problem for the +page issue!
Also, thanks for clarifying the playlist query. Yes I can scroll through the playlists and then the songs..its a bit slow though.
Areez

ap10046

Hello Skylaw,
I did as you had advised and moved the power wire to the COMAND's supply...and everything went dead!
The COMAND would come on and go off in 5 seconds...no blue light on the Dension's selector...!
Nothing worked..so I took the Dension out of the loop and connected the CDC back to the COMAND and everything started up!
So I thought S@#%!!! now what happened - I should have lived without the text! LOL.
I then reconnected the Dension one wire and Optical cable at a time and it started working!!
....it was the Dension's earthing wire that came loose!
All's well now and thank you for the advice!
Some pictures of my "adventure!"



Thanks again!
Areez

Kardacian

I installed a mObridge and I had Blue Tooth and my iPod connectivity. It worked great, I did have to give up my cd Changer. I have since replaced the entire head unit because I just did not like the GPS and Stereo. So I no longer need my Mobridge. Its only 2 years old and works fine. Any offers, I will consider reasonable offers and no I don't expect to get full price.