Dingleberry

Anybody try the new dynavin that fits into the pre-facelift dash?

http://cgi.ebay.com/DYNAVIN-CO-UK-DV...item33684076d3

Is the SVC functionality retained? IE - Would I still be able to change the time on the multifunction display in the gauge cluster like I currently do through my crappy factory nav?

Cartronics

No, that will not work. see our reviews elsewhere:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4698021

For some reason some unknowledgable people like to offer opinions on things they have no experience with. We feel it is a good read. If the better units are not in line with your budget, we recommend NOT changing the system and maybe just enhancing it with some upgrade products

Dingleberry

I'd rather buy the real thing for $2,000 than a knockoff.

MIKESV8

You're seriously gonna spend $2,000 on an aftermarket stereo?

Cartronics

I personally recommend keeping the Mercedes system and simply upgrading it. It is generally less expensive and works better than changing to aftermarket if you already have the COMAND (assumption). I am a product tester and developer for our company and I tell clients aftermarket only if you have the low end system and depending on feature sets you want. But spending $2000 PLUS on a quality system with head unit, amp, speaker upgrades, wiring required is actually pretty low, at least for high quality stuff.
We don't sell general aftermarket stuff like Alpine, Pioneer, McIntosh, Audison, etc - but support hundreds of shops that do, and $2500 - $5000 is a pretty normal ticket. Shoot, an Audison processor alone is $1200. My Pioneer Avic with all the stuff like XM, Bluetooth, Backup Cam, Video for another brand sports car I have was $1900 my cost (dealer discount but no labor, wires, amp, or anything else for that matter).

MIKESV8

would you say that pioneer makes their higher end processor units that are put in their higher end double din receivers for high fidelity sound? I would like to know your input as far as pioneer units and SQ with your experience.

Cartronics

Do you mean do they include the signal processing power of something like the DEQ-P8000 within any of their head units? If that is the question, no they don't. The head units have good signal processors, but not great. Depends on your demands and needs. In my little 2 seat convertible sports car, the car itself is too loud to worry about deep signal processing - so I went with the best head unit. But in a sedan or more quiet car, I would consider a better processor connected to the head unit if great sound and cabin tuning were something I was interested.
Hope that answers your question.

MIKESV8

so if you were to do a high-end SQ system, you would personally use a pioneer stereo such as the p8000? that is my question.

MIKESV8

you shoulda called us up for a price we woulda beat that wholesale. i'm just in shock that you are running a pioneer head unit...but i'm not gonna get too political with it

Cartronics

No, if I was doing a really nice system.... I would have used Audison personally. But that is just a personal preference.
I got my Pioneer system directly from our rep (long story), but with everything not listed above I saved a ton. If you are a Pioneer dealer, you know what I mean. I have every box possible (too many actually) possible to give me all the features. As I recall it was about $3200 retail, and I paid somewhere around $1900 (been a year and a half ago) - It was a great choice at the time, and for the purpose. I know there are better and worse - but best choice for the purpose.

Chedeng88

+1.

I used to have an Audison HV Sedici and BK Butler Tube Driver powering my Focal Utopias in my previous car.

Pure audiophile bliss...

MIKESV8

yes i know what you mean, pioneer just works for what you're doing. i'll just say it, pioneer is crap when it comes to sound their RCA pre-outs **** me off and go out left and right with clients.

MIKESV8

i'm not the biggest fan of audison anymore, we're a dealer as well. recently, electromedia (audison, hertz, etc.) moved from having parts made in italy and assembled in china, to fully being made in china. i had the chance to visit the factory when i went there for business 8 months ago. i'm not one of those guys that says products are crap because they're made in china, these are all ISO 9000 factories

Chedeng88

Are you serious? I've been out of the audio scene for quite some time. But I still remember when I my Audison needed repair, I had to ship it out to Italy and it will return in a crate in a like new condition (wood trims replaced etc). It wasn't something that I could just bring to any local electronics repair shop.

Chedeng88

My C55 has COMAND/NAV but no CD-changer and IPOD connector.

What upgrades can you suggest/offer? I basically want mp3 playback ability, IPOD connection and possibly a back-up camera. Around how much should I be looking to spend?

MIKESV8

things have changed BIG time as far as warranties are concerned. for any company.

Newzchspy

I thought the original question was "aftermarket navigation"? Are we talking about Navi or audio or BOTH??

Personally, if I were looking strictly for Navi, I would never again buy the factory "offer" such as Comand since the new portable systems from Magellan and Garmin are just so good and NOW, they all offer units with "lifetime" map updates included. Even the Passport/Escort IQ offer an included radar detector/navigation BUT is pricey and is NOT built on the M3 platform like the Redline.

DB, are you looking for Navi/Audio or both??

halteh

I went with a Kenwood DNX9600. Bought it for $1000 off of eBay new. You can get it for less now as they've come out with the 9800. I also installed the kenwood cmos300 backup cam. Overall I am happy with the unit and I was fortunate that all steering will controls work. I can change the volume, station, and input source as well answer and hang up blue tooth calls from the wheel. Here's a pic, sorry the unit isn't on: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13342393/doubledin.jpg

Dingleberry

That looks hideous.

Greger-meister

I don't want to hijack, but what I'd like to get is a double din JVC head unit with the works, Audison processor, and some MB Quarts all around. Does this sound like a good setup? What amp would I need?

Greger-meister

Hideous? Thats a bit extreme. The dash kit is clean, I just wish his HU was flush with it. I think it looks good.

MIKESV8

Besides the audison processor, honestly, no.

Greger-meister

Lol, I was hoping you would chime in since you know about audio So MB Quarts are crap? I still want to go with the JVC HU because of all the features. I just figured the Audison would make the Quarts shine. Anything is better than crappy BOSE.

Chedeng88

MB Quartz's tweeters are too harsh IMO.

MIKESV8

lol I'll stay classy and just say that I may know a thing or two. JVC double dins are cool and offer alot of cool features, but they have really generic graphics, they're expensive for what they are, and worst of all, by no means user friendly. MB quart is no longer MB quart AKA german engineered and made. It was bought out by a private company called maxxsonics who also owns hifonics, crunch etc. and they've cut back costs for profit big time as well. There's a reason why they're really affordable. Look into diamond audio for component speakers and the alpine w910 for the stereo.