Tank7

Dension announced a new interface for the IceLink (for iPods) that connects to the Fiberoptic CD Changer connection that can be used with many OEM radios. See Link: http://densionusa.com

Part Number
F_MB_D2B, iceLink for Mercedes D2B (1999-2002).

No I don't work for them just an FYI.

awiner

Looks great. Any idea on the price ?

Looks like you essentially lose your CD changer however, or do you have control of the CD changer when the Ipod is not in the dock ?

ronnie0738

looks nice. it looks to me that you lose the CD changer. how much?

Mr. Big

$399.00 before January 1st, $499.00 after according to the weblink that was e-mailed to me by Dennison earlier today.

W210

I have not been very happy with Dension's customer service, they never replied to my email and I'm stuck with a defective unit (on my Audi).

Will have to go through the voice mail loop to harass them seriously one of these days.

Skylaw

I just ordered one yesterday, after discussion with tech support. Dension indicates that the ice>Link Plus:

1. Arrives coded for your car, so that it will replace your CD changer without any further version coding.

2. Provides a readout of playlist and track on the COMAND LCD screen, but right now it is only a number (e.g., playlist 1, track 3); a firmware update (downloaded to the iPod) in the near future should update this so you get playlist name and track info (Tags). This information was for my 2000 S500, and other models may already get full info.

3. Is fully integrated - steering wheel controls will work - and very nicely, voice control will also work (to the extent that it did for the CD changer).

4. Comes with full installation instructions, including wire colors and pinout diagrams.

5. Comes with the cable options for either trunk mount (for cars with COMAND) or console mount (for cars without).

6. And, the firmware updates are MacIntosh compatible (they're in MP3 format, so they're likely also Windows compatible).

Would much rather have had something to replace the tape player and let me keep the CD - but getting full access to my music, especially on long trips, is worth it - particularly in view of the limited capacity of the 6-disc changer. I plan to place all of my CDs not already on my HD into the Apple Lossless format, and have them available. I expect to install mine just after the first of the year. Will update on how it went.

scorchie

If you replace a CD changer with another CD changer, no version coding is necessary. If you add a CD changer to where one did not exist... well, then you would need version coding. They product is not coded at all, the D2B master (in the car) is what requires the coding.

-s-

awiner

Scorchie, any idea if the 2003 CL uses D2B or MOST ? Denesion says it is MOST and I still think it is D2B ...

scorchie

2003 is definitely D2B.

2004 is MOST, similar in setup to a 2003/2004 W211. 2005 has been redone for the W211/W215/W220 communications, but the components still differ for TV tuner and such. (For instance, the W211 does not require a TV tuner for the rear screen... but the W215/W220 do.)

-s-

Skylaw

No argument that version coding is done in the D2B system and not in the peripheral device. However, the ice>Link is not a CD changer. For the Mercedes D2B installation it has an interface that must be coded for your car to communicate with the vehicle's controls (COMAND or otherwise) and to appear to be a CD changer. Therefore you are not correct that the unit is not "coded." It is not "version coded," as that term is used in relation to the D2B system.

Based on my discussion with Dension tech support, the interface emulates a CD changer. Because it is set up by its coding (firmware) as if it is the OEM CD changer for your car, it then requires no D2B version coding when installed. I stand by the original statement, although your clarification is also correct (although I presume your comment about replacing one CD changer with another applies to Mercedes - branded CD changers compatible with your vehicle).

It is apparent from the Dension website that Ice>Link is designed for a variety of cars, not just Mercedes; among other things it is the OE BMW iPod integration. For some cars, very little is required for the interface; for the Mercedes D2B, a much more complex interface is required (which is why it costs twice as much as the basic unit does for some other vehicles).

scorchie

Ahh, but if the IceLink thingy is added to a system where no CD changer existed... it DOES require version coding, so the statement "no further version coding is necessary" is the one I most have an issue with. Sorry I was not as clear in my previous statement.

-s-

Skylaw

Yes, and me in mine. Obviously i wrote for replacement of a CD changer with ice>Link - but of course adding one where no CD changer exists would definitely require D2B coding. Thanks for keeping us straight.

As an aside, I have found your postings to be extremely informative and most helpful; thanks for all of your time and work.

awiner

Stay tuned for a complete install guide and review on the Dension Ice>Link soon...

I will be installing one next week, weather permitting.

awiner

Install guide and review has begun:

https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-electronics/93278-dension-ice-link-plus-mercedes-ipod-integration-install-review.html#post971910

Ted Baldwin

..............this may be an elementary question, so forgive me. If you replace your CD changer with an IPOD and the IPOD stays in the back of your car where your OEM CD changer is, how then do you select and play song number 300 on your IPOD?

TED

awiner

The interface mounts in the rear by the stock CD changer, the Ipod and the dock are in the passenger area (center console, glove compartment, etc.)connected by a cable to interface (in the rear).

Ted Baldwin

..........thank you.

Ted

Skylaw

Ted,

Check out Awiner's post on installation in the string he gave above. LOTS of very good stuff there.