Powell Loren

I have a 2005 CLK 500. I have used the navigation system disk. The disk is old. I want to get the new one. I am not sure if this is useful and will cost. I have never used the system.
Can someone please explain the navigation/command center to me?
Is there a cost to use?
Should I just forget and use my phone?

Rudeney

Welcome to the forum! Please take a moment to visit the User Control Panel and update your profile to include your car model and year, and your location (at least country). This information will then appear below your name and avatar on the left side panel next to each post you make. This will greatly help others to give you better information. If you are using the mobile version of the site, you will need to switch to the "full" version to get to the User Control Panel.

As for COMAND, there is no cost to use it, but if you want to update the maps (which are stored on the DVD), you will have to pay to purchase a new disc. They did discontinued updates for it as of 2016 so that will be the latest map you can get.

gaazmon

The last disc for the 2005-2009 CLK's with Comand NTG2 was the 2015 update. The system is pretty outdated so I wouldn't fork over the $250 for a new disc. You can find used ones on eBay (make sure they are legit and not copies as many sell copies for much cheaper). The 2015s will probably be a bit pricier used ones online, but you can find 2013's or 2014s for under $100 bucks.

HETPE3B

I'm just curious if the cheaper copies won't work properly? For my 05 bimmer I did download the DVD image from the torrent and burned it myself. Works perfecto.

spaulhus

I tried Ebay twice and neither DVD worked on my 2008 CLK350 - luckily I was refunded both times by the Sellers... Ended up spending the $250 with MB...

gaazmon

I bought one once. Paid $80 bucks for a DVD that ended up being a copy of 2015 version. The navigation point on the map was delayed plus the POIs would not work and the system kept giving me errors and also ran a bit sluggish. Luckily got my money back and forked over the money for a used one of the original disc.

JoiseyBenz

Greetings!

Last week I bought the NTG2 DVD (2015, version 12), which, as gaazmon stated is the last one available.

I installed it a few days ago and it works fine. Cost on eBay - $14.95 (delivered).

I'm not impressed at all with the navigation in my 2006 CLK 500. I'll give it a little more time but my hunch is that I won't be using it. I may spend some time looking for a complete replacement of the equipment in the car. My Samsung cell phone has navigation software that's 10x better than this. Again, this is my first impression as I've only had the car for 2 weeks.

I wonder what the "GPS" option is in the car. I seem to recall there was an option to turn it on/off.

Rudeney

Welcome to the forum! Please take a moment to visit the User Control Panel and update your profile to add your car's model year, and your location (at least country). This information will then appear below your name and avatar on the left side panel next to each post you make. This will greatly help others to give you better information. If you are using the mobile version of the site, you will need to switch to the "full" version to get to the User Control Panel.

You are correct that the built-in NAV and radio in your car are unimpressive. It is based on electronics technology that is now over 15 years old. The maps available from "live" services like Google are always going to be better as they are updated instantaneously and also have more detail. Applications like Waze that *** in traffic and road hazard alerts are even better. This is why many new cars offer Android Auto and Apple Carplay which can "project" certain apps onto their screens. My wife has a 2017 Cadillac XT5 that has an updated NAV system, but I still use Waze via Android Auto instead. It's voice recognition is much better and its ability to give me the fastest route given traffic and hazard, even on "local" streets, is unparalleled.

The NTG 2.5 system that came out in 2009 is only marginally better. It does have Bluetooth hands-free built in, along with voice control, but still no streaming. The maps and NAV system are updated but still lack the latest roads like Google/Waze. It can get traffic via Sirius and display it on the maps, but its only for the major freeways and highways - no secondary roads, and even some major arteries are omitted. It will do re-routes, but it's much slower than Google/Waze, and also it might re-route you from a freeway onto a clogged secondary road where it did not have any traffic info.

Yes, replacing the NTG2 head unit is probably a good idea. There are many options, such as going full aftermarket (Pioneer, Kenwood, etc). or, there are some Chinese units of varying quality that do have a factory look to them.