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My OEM stereo has been giving me problems since I got the car, it doesn't support bluetooth, my navi didn't work because it couldn't read the DVD and once in a while I had no sound. Had this Android head unit for a few weeks an attempted install before only to find out I need a $75 optical to analog conversion device. Received that in the mail yesterday and finished installing the stereo today. Works great, looks almost OEM. Sound wise it's better than OEM but only because OEM gave me very limited input abilities, I used bluetooth over FM. Still need to add a reverse camera and a dash cam since it supports recording on both at the same time. So far I'm pretty happy with the unit and haven't even tapped into its full potential. I have google maps, spotify and torque on the head unit, I can do split screen and run any android app I want. Just for giggles I weighed the old HU and the new one, old was 8.6lb and new is 3lb. Weight reduction FTW!
What kind of optical to analog converter did you use? I'm about to install an aftermarket radio, but I'm getting conflicting information about which of the two MB interfaces listed on this site will work with a C55.
Thanks very much. Anything unexpected with the wiring for that interface? It seems very straightforward -- yellow to constant, black to ground, red to switched. But I know some folks have had issues with the amp not turning on.
Thanks very much. Anything unexpected with the wiring for that interface? It seems very straightforward -- yellow to constant, black to ground, red to switched. But I know some folks have had issues with the amp not turning on.
It is pretty straight forward, just tap those 3 wire and use the proper "front R out" and "front L out" plugs. I did experience "no sound" a few times, restarting the car seemed to fix it. It could be amp related since I had this issue with my OEM stereo.
The stock stereo has 2 antenna inputs, this one only has one. I can't imagine it's any better than factory. I tested it on a few stations and it worked fine but I've used FM radio 0 times since then and haven't really listened to it in the last couple of years.
Thanks for the write up. I just bought a 2005 C230 Sport for an extra vehicle. Im thinking of putting one of these Xtrons 8.0 8" in it. Im not sure which stereo it has from the factory but I know not having hands free phone or streaming music from my phone is a deal killer.
These units I see on ebay don't look like they come with mic, and other stuff. I keep hearing talk about Command and MOST. I don't really understand what that is. Any help?
Just trying to figure out what I need in order to make everything work.
Thanks for the write up. I just bought a 2005 C230 Sport for an extra vehicle. Im thinking of putting one of these Xtrons 8.0 8" in it. Im not sure which stereo it has from the factory but I know not having hands free phone or streaming music from my phone is a deal killer.
These units I see on ebay don't look like they come with mic, and other stuff. I keep hearing talk about Command and MOST. I don't really understand what that is. Any help?
Just trying to figure out what I need in order to make everything work.
Mine has a mic built in. Command is what mercedes calls their stereo interface. Not sure what "MOST" is.
Main thing is if you have an upgraded HK stereo you will need a optical to analog converter linked in this thread, besides that it was all plug and play.
I'm kind of interested too about how this actually works, does the aux jack in the glove box still work with this set-up and the steering wheel controls? I tried to install an aftermarket stereo before but got fed up because I couldn't figure out how to connect everything.
Do your steering wheel controls work with this?
Also what fitting kit did you use?
Thanks
Steering wheel controls work but not perfect, after you change the center screen to display fuel stats the arrows keep changing music and display, not a big deal, I'd rather not be constantly reminded that I'm getting 14mpg. No fitting kit, the stereo is designed for the W203.
I'm kind of interested too about how this actually works, does the aux jack in the glove box still work with this set-up and the steering wheel controls? I tried to install an aftermarket stereo before but got fed up because I couldn't figure out how to connect everything.
In response to your thread you need an analog to optical converter. The audio output to the amp is through the 2 optical lines in your stock stereo, that's where the converter comes in, it takes the analog signal from your aftermarket stereo and sends it to your factory amplifier.
Two red/orange "wires" under the stereo fuse.
Last edited by Fantomas; Sep 29, 2018 at 06:32 AM.
Thanks for the reply. At the time when I did this it never occurred to me that there would be an optical to analog conversion device on the market for this purpose.
Thanks for the reply. At the time when I did this it never occurred to me that there would be an optical to analog conversion device on the market for this purpose.
Good luck! I'm about to take mine out again to run the dash cam and backup cam wiring, let me know if you want any pictures while I'm in there.
Where did you purchase? Rough price?
EBay?
Im in the far off land of New Zealand and have been looking at doing my stereo but there isnt alot available locally that doesnt cost the earth.
My OEM stereo has been giving me problems since I got the car, it doesn't support bluetooth, my navi didn't work because it couldn't read the DVD and once in a while I had no sound. Had this Android head unit for a few weeks an attempted install before only to find out I need a $75 optical to analog conversion device. Received that in the mail yesterday and finished installing the stereo today. Works great, looks almost OEM. Sound wise it's better than OEM but only because OEM gave me very limited input abilities, I used bluetooth over FM. Still need to add a reverse camera and a dash cam since it supports recording on both at the same time. So far I'm pretty happy with the unit and haven't even tapped into its full potential. I have google maps, spotify and torque on the head unit, I can do split screen and run any android app I want. Just for giggles I weighed the old HU and the new one, old was 8.6lb and new is 3lb. Weight reduction FTW!
That is awesome! i have gone to Xtrons site and i was wondering if you know if one of these units would fit my 2005 C55 AMG? i did select C Class and this unit looks exactly like the stock, i wanna keep the stock look.
That is awesome! i have gone to Xtrons site and i was wondering if you know if one of these units would fit my 2005 C55 AMG? i did select C Class and this unit looks exactly like the stock, i wanna keep the stock look.
They are the same hardware with slightly different software (android 8 vs 7.1), link say faceplate must measure: 260*240*120mm Double check yours is the same (top 260 bottom 240 sides 120).
In hindsight I should have gone with the one with the buttons but I got greedy with the screen size, 7" + buttons vs 8" no buttons. Holding down volume down on the steering wheel only brings the volume down by 1 at a time (maybe there's a fix). Maybe I'll go for a 7" in my W211 but since I have factory bluetooth for phone and I added aftermarket bluetooth for music and phone mount fits into the CD holder I might stay OEM.
Where did you purchase? Rough price?
EBay?
Im in the far off land of New Zealand and have been looking at doing my stereo but there isnt alot available locally that doesnt cost the earth.
$330 for the HU, $75 for optical to analog converter.
Good luck! I'm about to take mine out again to run the dash cam and backup cam wiring, let me know if you want any pictures while I'm in there.
If you could take a few pictures that would be much appreciated, just to show how each wire connects to the new unit. I was planning on selling this car in a year or two, but the longer I have it the more I like it; plus not a fan of new cars.
So i was about to order everything i need for new radio install but i am waiting to hear a reply from the seller about the FOBB03, i need to know if i need this for my 2005 C55 W/O Navi it's the stock unit but i do have a AMP. I see the orange wire in the truck area but doesn't mean i use fiber right? i remember when i replaced the speaker on the top dash and i was just the REG speaker wire no fiber. Any help would be appreciated.
So i was about to order everything i need for new radio install but i am waiting to hear a reply from the seller about the FOBB03, i need to know if i need this for my 2005 C55 W/O Navi it's the stock unit but i do have a AMP. I see the orange wire in the truck area but doesn't mean i use fiber right? i remember when i replaced the speaker on the top dash and i was just the REG speaker wire no fiber. Any help would be appreciated.
Since the C55 is a ******* child of W203 and W209 there is no concrete info on which ones have the fiber optic and which ones don't. Easiest way to see is to pull the stereo and look at the plug, if you're missing speaker wires on the back of the HU then you have a fiber optic connection between the amp and the hu.
Ok I have it all apart and it looks just like yours so I guess I'll be needing the FOBB03 after all, does it look right to you? And also which antenna did you use for the new radio the yellow end or black?
OK i got everything hooked up but where does the RED ACC from the FOBB03 tap into the car wiring? i thought i had a bad FOBB03 box but after taping the RED ACC and Yellow cord to a +12 source and ground the Black wire i get light from it but comes on and off repeatedly, maybe i had a bad Ground connection in the car and that's why it wasn't powering on
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