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The COMAND / Audio 20 screen has been criticized in the automotive press and by contributors to these forums. Now that many have had the chance to use the system in their cars. What do you think?
I have the COMAND 8.4" screen and love the look and function. To me, it's in the perfect position. It doesn't look tacked on or an after thought as some have said. There would be no sense in making it retract into the dash because I use it every time I'm in the car. A retraction mechanism would be unnecessarily complex and expensive. The screen is high enough that I don't have to take my eyes off the road to operate it. I've had touch screens and find them distracting. The COMAND dial or touchpad are easier and safer to use than a touch screen. The new CLS will have a similar screen.
As far as I'm concerned, it's a total non-issue. I never saw it as a drawback, I never saw it as unsightly, I never saw it as "tacked on."
It is ideally placed for easy viewing by both the passenger and the driver, has a very wide viewing angle, and is crisp and clear. It also has no impact on sight lines for the driver.
The touch pad makes it functionally a touch screen, if that's what you like. The wheel, which sits directly under the touch pad, is very easy to use and actually more accurate than the pad since the pad can be overly sensitive at times.
The screen is a very nice addition to the interior and only enhances the functionality of the electronic interface. After spending any time in the car, it becomes just an integrated part of the interior.
I thought the screen looked offensive in photos, not a big issue when in the cars for test drives. MORE noticeable in a bad way with command's larger screen IMO. I can see for the sake of the dash & space why they designed it as they did, and until we have screen-less projections (think Minority Report) screens that kinda look out of place on every car out there, if you ask me, are here to stay.
The command screen is bigger (a con to me), and the audio 20 has the bezel shown (a con to me).
I haven't used navigation more than to test in any of the last 4 cars with one. It usually is part of a package, so I end up with one. If I go to an unforeseen spot once or twice a year, I usually look it up on smartphone to call ahead or something and just use it. I don't need music storage. I doubt I'd even get the garmin card, unless I changed jobs or driving habits. I'd get rear view camera either way.
The cash difference isn't too bad. If there was the smaller screen without bezel I'd jump on it. A bigger screen perched up there that I'm unlikely to use the features of for the price difference? hmmm.. My order not locked yet, but open to thoughts.
Anything else I'd be missing?
Last edited by floridadriver; Oct 26, 2014 at 10:45 AM.
I haven't used navigation more than to test in any of the last 4 cars with one. It usually is part of a package, so I end up with one. If I go to an unforeseen spot once or twice a year, I usually look it up on smartphone to call ahead or something and just use it. I don't need music storage. I doubt I'd even get the garmin card, unless I changed jobs or driving habits. I'd get rear view camera either way.
The cash difference isn't too bad. If there was the smaller screen without bezel I'd jump on it. A bigger screen perched up there that I'm unlikely to use the features of for the price difference? hmmm.. My order not locked yet, but open to thoughts.
Anything else I'd be missing?
The screen size really doesn't make much of a difference. I went with COMAND only because it provides better integration of a navigation system, 10gb of music storage, and access to CarPlay ... if MB ever gets it worked out for distribution.
Even if you don't opt for COMAND, you can still use the Garmin SD option for navigation. Basically, COMAND is more convenient but not a game changer. I'm happy I have it, but it's not a "must have" option.
Good points Stan, IF you were ordering the car to spec and didn't use the nav or music storage, would you click the box on your build? Thanks in advance for your insight.
The car play hold some appeal. If retrofittable, was told by dealer (consider source) it would be like their multimedia kit for iPhone, and can be added to either audio 20 or command, but requires P01 package. Makes sense, they'll want to make a buck off of as many of us they can. I understand the kit now isn't expensive in part, but labor intensive...and obviously not updated with apple car play. For what it's worth, the car play demos online went thru a modified multimedia kitted car, so their claim has some validity.
Last edited by floridadriver; Oct 26, 2014 at 11:15 AM.
Good points Stan, IF you were ordering the car to spec and didn't use the nav or music storage, would you click the box on your build? Thanks in advance for your insight.
The car play hold some appeal. If retrofittable, was told by dealer (consider source) it would be like their multimedia kit for iPhone, and can be added to either audio 20 or command, but requires P01 package. Makes sense, they'll want to make a buck off of as many of us they can. I understand the kit now isn't expensive in part, but labor intensive...and obviously not updated with apple car play. For what it's worth, the car play demos online went thru a modified multimedia kitted car, so their claim has some validity.
I'd order it again, if only for the convenience of using the built-in navigation. It's easier than setting up my Garmin, and much easier to see than my iPhone screen. Also, hitting the Map button shows you exactly where you are if you get "turned around" in an unfamiliar area. The Garmin is arguably the better navigation system, but COMAND is always there and easy to use with voice commands.
I think you will find that most who have the greatest concern about the appearance (not necessarily functionality) of the nav screen won't be found on this forum. And, as Glynn pointed out, this fashion appreciation varies by continent. This had been discussed quite a bit among us W204 (and ex-204) folks (although apparently not yet to "dead horse" status). I'm looking at W205 for my wife's possible next car, and don't know her opinion, but I find it poor design. The screen placement may be in the correct line of sight, and the proper size. But, the design goes out of its way to mimic an iPad appearance standing alone from the instrument panel, looking like an older person's pandering view of what would interest a young person. The cost, weight, and repair issues of retraction are not needed to have gone down a different design path. Note, this supposedly breakthough design is not in the S Class, developed contemporaneously, and most assuredly won't be in the E Class. Only in C and CLA/GLA, it seems an attempt to play to younger buyers, or those who wish to appear young-at-heart.
If you line up the three leading German brands in this segment, it becomes clear that MB went out of their way to emphasize the freestanding nature, chrome surrounds and all, to mimic a floating tablet appearance. If you like that, which most here probably do as a self-selected sample, so much the better. If you don't, the degree to which MB went to make this "obvious" can grate on the eyeballs. I couldn't abide it, but if my bride likes it, it won't be a deal-breaker for us.
Coming from two other MB with integrated 7" Navi screens, this is a welcome change.
I like that it retains its view ability even in bright daylight. But it really comes to life at night.
The 2015 CLS will be using this setup so I think its the new MB look from here on except for the S Class.
According to Mercedes the use of the "free floating" design is used to make the panel look more compact, sleak and less "beefy"
And I have to agree, look at the old panel design, W212, W204 facelift, W221 and so on as well as the pictures above, the new design is much more light and better looking.
I prefer that Mercedes is going their own way here and utilizes a bit more daring design compared to the oh so boring new Audis and Bimmers
Having just come from a BMW this screen is a refreshing change. I suspect the Love or hate apple may weigh into this one but the majority of consumers are adopting tablets. I never saw the screen as an iPad, i saw it as a bigger screen with more real estate
I am officially not a fan of any screen that isn't fully integrated into the design of the dash. That is why I couldn't consider a W204 until the refresh for 2012.
However, the upside to the aftermarket look is that it should be super easy to upgrade and replace. I always wonder, when my integrated screen dies, is the MB tech that is charged with tearing apart my dash going to be careful and do it right? With the W205 screen, it's simply a "remove screws and replace unit" affair. No need to even go to a shop I bet...order the screen on eBay and replace.
But, at this point, I think it's what is holding the W205 interior back from being perfect. Nothing is else is better mind you....but it's not perfect.
I'm surprised by all the whining over the info screen...it seems like nearly every car on the road these days has an aftermarket nav unit suctioned to the windshield. At least Mercedes' solution is well executed...I drove a service loaner for a couple of days and I really liked the placement of the screen.
Opinions on both sides of this highly subjective matter have been expressed rationally and reasonably. Why are those who differ with you "whining"?
Ok, poor choice of words but it is what it is...but like I said before, I'm surprised that people find it so controversial yet look around you at any stop light and you'll see all kinds of nonsense stuck to the windshield, a-pillar or slapped on the dash. In this day and age of massive cell phones and tablets I just don't see what's so polarizing about the screen placement.
Personally, I don't like the way the screen is "integrated" in the C class.
That said, I find that it's not really the focus of the dash in this car with the center console being such a beautiful creation, and the optional ambient lighting also reduces the focus of it.
The display is much more obtrusive in the CLA/B/GLA classes, I find, where it's just attracting the eye so much.
Yes, I would like the screen to be better-integrated. Yes, I would have preferred a smaller bezel (black area around the actual picture), but it's not such a big deal, as the interior is still great-looking despite this 'glued-on' screen.
What does surprise me is that MB decided to integrate CarPlay, but is not (as of now, from what I've read) planning on integrating Android Auto into their car. Whether or not Android holds the majority of MB's customers' smartphone share is debatable (I only know that Android has 85% of worldwide smartphone marketshare), but I'm sure that a sizeable chunk of us still do, and it's a shame that Mercedes only looked at the $$$ that iPhone owners have to spend on their dongle for CarPlay to work (at least that's what I'm guessing their motivation was).
Also of concern on this matter is that they went for the stock CarPlay look (probably forced by Apple to not tinker with it, walled-garden and all), which makes the display look like some kids' tablets that I've seen (and definitely not belonging in the elegant interior of the Benz).
Early days yet for this, so maybe they'll address both of these smartphone-integration issues in time (assuming that they WILL show up in the W205's system as just a software patch/upgrade).
Oh, and as of now, I would stick to the smaller screen Audio 20, as without Android Play and Waze (or at least Google Nav) app on there, there is nothing that COMAND and the bigger screen offer that I want or would really use...
Last edited by mihaelb; Oct 27, 2014 at 12:20 AM.
Reason: forgot to add...
A major drawback of the MB screen is the fact that thiefs think it is an aftermarket satnav (e.g. Tomtom), break the glass and try in vain to steal it. It happened to a friend of mine with an A class. In the end the thief stole coins and candies, but the broken glass remains...
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