Tacjam

Hey All,

I took out the Command and installed an Alpine IVA-W205. I have full steering wheel controls, BT phone, Modern Nav, IPOD. I hooked into the Stock Bose system with a PAC OEA2...sounds much better than the Command system. I'm in the process of custom fiberglass sub enclosures those useless cubbies in the trunk. And no, the door doesn't hit the gear lever when it's open

Jim

ZedStyle

nice job, very clean!

Britrover

Very nice !! Is the trim between the nav and the wood trim just plastic and did it come with the Alpine ?

husk323

does the cluster still display radio information?

Tacjam

Came with the Alpine Head Unit

Tacjam

No information in the cluster, I could do two things...put in a sunvisor monitor or just leave it as is. The screen real estate on the Alpine almost doubles the stock command.

nsupra

Very very nice. How much did this project cost? Also how did you get the mercedes logos to appear on the screen looks nice.

Tacjam

All together the project which includes, Head Unit, Nav, VW harness, Antenna adapter, Video bypass cost about $1300. I sold the Command and Argos so it really didn't cost me that much. You can change the background if you want, it must be converted to an Alpine APN file and the pixels have to be perfect. I also have a back ground which is just the Star and Mercedes Benz. Here are the examples so far. If anyone decides to go the Alpine route...I will be more than happy send anyone these APN files or help with the general install. That's what our forum is for!

Jim

nsupra

very nice. I like it. Going to consider this as one of my next mods. Does the navigation work with cd's or is it satelite?

Tacjam

Actually......all GPS works with Sats...but some have CD's (older Commands) some have DVD's (newer Commands) some have hard drives (pioneer AVIC Z1) but none are like this Alpine both portable and updateable!

http://www.caraudiomag.com/reviews/c...200/index.html

ghaffar23

What is different in this mod if I don't have COMAND to begin with? Just the different piece of wood? Or do I need to install something else in addition to the head unit? This is intriguing, as I have been thinking of a very clean install without killing the interior's aesthetics.

eXpLiCitW210

That is freaken awesome dude. Not a bad price either. I just got my deck installed with a 7" dvd touchscreen but your setup looks way better. Very nice.

Tacjam

You'll need the cage...not to expensive, and the wood trim...that could cost depending on where you get it from. Our car uses a VW harness...if you get one let me know I'll give you the part numbers to everything

Tacjam

Thanks Man!!

Jim

ghaffar23

So, the cage, meaning the plastic that holds the COMAND on the inside, and the wood trim. No special GPS module? I am thinking that I might need to purchase the Blackbird GPS so I can dock it in the head unit.

Tacjam

Yes cage meaning the plastic that holds the Command in. I also have the blackbird II, The blackbird II comes with an external mic and GPS antenna, I took the mike apart and glued it in the factory mic location....so far no complaints on phone conversations. I mounted the GPS antenna right on top of the heating vents (under the dash out of view) I'm still picking up 10 out of 12 sats. The Blackbird II is pretty awesome. I was going to use the car's GPS antenna but that would have involved cutting the vehicle...my rule of thumb...NO CUTTING THE CAR. hope this helps. One more thing..I used the PAC TR7 to over ride the video...using this module is great for ease of installation...no need to hook into reverse and brake wires..I got this module on Ebay as well.

Jim

ProV1

fapfapfap .. that's a tight setup fo shizzle

i want to do the same thing in my car, but i know i'm getting a new ride in 2 yrs, gotta resist... lol

Tacjam

Well....I just found a problem.....how in the hell do you set the clock in the cluster without Command?

Jim

husk323

you can set it with your steering wheel controls

Tacjam

For some reason I can't find that setting...I have the clock that takes me from 12hr to 24hr but I have nothing that sets the hours and minutes. I used to do that through command. Maybe I'm missing something...could you give me a short run through?

Jim

husk323

Go to the Settings can only be set from a standstill screen on the cluster, press the up key, it will say set time +/- then press up key it will allow you to set minutes +/-

Tacjam

I'm going to take a guess and say your car didn't come with a factory Command? My settings go straight into the 12/24hr setting...then temp. I doesn't give me an option to set the clock. I think I might have to go to the dealer and see if they can set my cluster up for non Command Car.

Jim