scorchie

Just tried it out this afternoon and it works great. Since I ordered my V600 kind of late, the other backorders had to be filled and I had to wait in line a bit. The V710 should work just as well, but for absolute certainty we will have to wait until the Mercedes version is shipping. I'm already on the list for this $935 phone, so I hope it comes in soon.

I have yet to take pictures but will post them probably tomorrow. I'll put them in the similar thread in the Audio/Telematics section of mbworld.

(Also join in the discussion on the iPod integration in the same area.)

-s-

Randy B

I would like the part numbers for a 2003 E500 with an already installed V60 Kit without VCS. If you have all the parts I will buy them from you. I am tired of not having the Hands free kit and would very much like it. I feel I am capable of installing it myself. This would be for a V600.

Randy B

maxdog

What do I need to get to use a V600 Moto? What kind of kit? and wherefrom? and how much?

Thanks for the input.

scorchie

It's a kit from MBenzNL... Randy, you need to mail me because I need particulars about your car. That makes a difference on what parts you get. Also, some parts are proprietary so you can't just order them yourself.

Please note that you CANNOT install this yourself, unless you have a Star Diagnosis machine... you need to deactivate TeleAid, and it is not advisable to drive the car any distance unless you deactivate it right after installation. It's also not advisable to deactivate it then drive the car before installation!

Remember: you MUST use a Mercedes-branded phone.

Looks like the kit will be around $995 and you need a cradle and phone from the dealership ($200 + $525 for V600, $200 + $935 for V710).

Still didn't get pictures off my camera... soon.

-s-

DavidNJ

Have you actually tried a non-Mercedes branded phone that failed to work?

The dealer says the cradles are the same. So I will try later this week. However, if someone else failed already, it would be nice to know.

Thanks,

David

scorchie

Only V600 and V60i. No V710 since I break out in hives when I touch anything Verizon.

I don't think MB could possibly get away with charging $935 for a V710 if someone could actually use a $300 version.

-s-

DavidNJ

And the V600 didn't work?

I can't believe Motorola agreed to custom software when they can't get the regular software to work.

David

scorchie

Sorry, I thought I was answering which generic phones did I try that failed to work... so yes, the V600 did not work!

The V600 barely worked in the UHI cradle... some of the problems were that it would shut off, or wouldn't come on, etc. I think that is what happens when you use regular V60 stuff to talk with a V600. Apparently the new MHI cradle seems to work OK with the Mercedes-branded V600.

What's even more insteresting is that people flash the V300 with the V600 software... and it's supposed to be an improvement. Glad I don't have a V300.

Although not concerning you too much, I'm going to try a generic V600 with the 2003/2004 CP-HIGH to see if it will work like some V60i phones. There were two cradles for the W211 V60i, and that may have more to do with generic phones working than the actual phone.

-s-

DavidNJ

The MB cradle has a pin. The V710 has a plug in the back. When the plug is removed that pin is revealed.

And as you said, it didn't work. However, I don't believe the programming is different. I believe a steady-state voltage is applied to the pin (and otherwise it is grounded) that identifies it as a compatible phone. It is possible, however I don't think likely, that there is actual digital handshake through this pin.

I am pretty convinced what ever happens happens through that pin. And that all V710s are capable of the doing it. If we knew how to configure them to do it. And what it is they do.

Does anyone have a contact a Motorola?

David

scorchie

Hmm, the pin you're talking about (with the plug) is for the antenna; you're correct, no digital handshake through there. However, the connector on the bottom, with many contacts, does have a digital handshake. Pretty much all the communication between the phone and the phone kit is now digital. And this includes a check for whether this is an MB phone or a generic one.

You are correct that a generic one is capable of doing everything the MB one does, but in reality, it just doesn't do it, because it's not programmed to do it. So yes, you would need to reprogram your generic one to do what an MB one does, which means copying the MB software. While illegal to do so, it might not be that difficult, if you know how to get a flash file off of the V710 so that it can be copied BACK to a new V710. On many phones this easily accomplished, on others it is accomplished with a little hacking.

Remember, this isn't the first time MB has released a phone that is "branded" so that a generic phone wouldn't work. So, you're probably going over something that has been gone over many times for at least 5 years now... so there might be some resources to learn from the past, and use that information to try new things now.

-s-

DavidNJ

I don't think the software is different. At most, a soft configurable parameter. The questions is what parameter and how do you set it.

There are people making kits to attach other phone to MB cars. How do those kits work? For that matter, who makes them...(I'm at work and don't have the time to do a search).

David

levind

David:

The only converter box I have heard of was the mikbox (www.mikbox.com)
He specifically excludes the w211 from his compatibility sheet.

DavidNJ

How much is a V60i?

marksatex

PM me. I am very interested in a phone....