samkimg

I have had the Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone (http://drive-kit-plus.com/en/#s/start) installed into my 2014 E350. Is there anyone else using this device?

I'm finding that this device is VERY new to the US market, and comes with little to no users guides or operators manuals.

I've used the Siri insterface and that is cool without having to push the button on the phone, and with it using the car's antenna, my phone reception while driving is improved. Charging the phone while driving is nice too, but with the DKP's interface being in the glovebox, I'm sometimes forget the phone is still in the glovebox as I leave the car.

I'm looking for users that have it and have found some "Best Practices" of usage, or additional information on-line on how/when to use it vs. the factory nav and audio options. With Google navigation/traffic I hope to use its maps as I believe they would be more current as the car's navigation version ages.

Any assist would be appreciated ...

stas2007

In US than you probably are one of the first people who has Drive kit plus, I ve been trying to find information about it but dealers dont know anything for DKP. I am planning to have it installed as soon as the iphone 5 version comes out. By the way how do you switch between command and drive kit plus? Does DKP menu comes up once you plug in the iphone or you have to press any buttons?
How much did you pay for Drive kit plus and installation?

paking

I've been waiting for more info on this DKP. Was it dealer installed? Please keep us posted about your experince with it.

Thanks!

samkimg

The DKP was dealer installed, cost was ~ $1000 between parts and labor.

I have the P1 package, so I activate it by plugging in the iPhone to the special cable in the glovebox and cycling through the DISC button. Then the iPhone app launches and you can access the app on the COMAND systems.

blue00r6

What is some of the functionality? Is it typically 'MB' in terms of clunky interface?

alanme123

Yea what is it anyways? I never heard of it until this thread.

samkimg

All-

For what the DKP does, visit this site: http://drive-kit-plus.com/en/#s/start

So far:
1. I've used the Google navigation feature to go places. Google maps are more accurate now vs. the COMAND Nav features, includes traffic. Worth $1000? Not now, but perhaps in the future I may not have to Pay for Sirius traffic or NAV updates.
2. I can play the music from my iPhone and stream from Aupeo!. Worth $1000? No. With the built-in bluetooth, I can stream my iPhone music and Pandora.
3. Knowing the gas level, mileage and VIN on my iPhone. Worth $1000? No.
4. I'm using the SIRI feature to do what I can do by pressing the COMAND buttons instead of the button on my iPhone ... worth $1000? No. Geek factor? Priceless

I don't really use Facebook, Twitter when I'm driving alone, maybe with my wife along as a passenger that will be used more in the future.

CEB

Currently, the DKP ties you to either the iPhone4 or 4s, with new hard and software required for the 5. We can only hope that the only hardware changes are the interface cable because otherwise you are either tied to an old phone (when Apple releases the iPhone 99 early in 2015) or are faced with unknown costs in addition to the original install costs.

A few years ago MB was wedded to Blackberry. Now it is Apple. As Apple market share declines I'm sure they will switch to the next up and coming platform -whatever that may be.

Too bad they just didn't put an HDMI input in the glovebox and allow the use of the built in screen with any input source.

With distracted driving a hot topic, I find it disturbing that manufacturers are adding more distracting features to cars. Why not just relegate that big screen to what is important to most drivers - navigation?

samkimg

To add to CEB's comments about distracted driving, the DKP interface has no voice control as yet. I hear it's coming in the future, but the COMAND voice control system today cannot control the DKP. A BIG miss for a hands-off, safe driving experience with the DKP.

I'm certainly hoping this will be more functional with SW udpates in the near future, already MB has mentioned Car-to-X functionality (http://www.egmcartech.com/2013/06/19...ation-systems/) for the DKP.

E Classy

wow, the 4/4s requirements are 2-3 years behind the curve. new version of iphone due next month, too.

that being said, i wonder if this solution is for people who opted out of P1/Nav.

samking, have you sent and received text messages through the COMAND screen? just wondering if this was also a feature.

samkimg

The 2014 COMAND does read texts I've received while driving.

sophia143

Did anyone tested if the the "DRIVE KIT PLUS" works with iPhone 5 and Apple lighting to 30-pin Adapter
iPhone 5 + Apple Lightning to 30-pin Adapter

xolinlevh

is the DKP compatible with older Es? IE my 2011 or just the 14s? Id seen it online and posted a question about it here a few months back but no one answered.

sophia143

I guess the DKP can be installed on any Mercedes that has a Audio 20 or COMMAND system in it.

iLarry

Not in GLK

stas2007

Interesting, are you using iphone 4 or 4s, I thought iphone 4s supports voice control via DKP?
Just curious can you play FM radio and use drive kit plus navigation at the same time?

stas2007

NO! But the iphone 5 Drive kit plus is coming next month.

xolinlevh

Really wish dealerships had more details on this thing....It sounds cool but aside from stumbling across the website a few months ago ive never heard of it

shashivr4

Does anyone know if the 2013s read text as well?

instantfob

You don't need DKP to get get text message on the Command system. Just make sure your iPhone has Notification setting ON. (see pic below)

I just bought my wife the Moto X and the phone auto switches to driving mode and it can READ and REPLY by voice

yalej

I'm also interested in this kit, although for a 2011 E. The iPhone 5 compatible Drive Kit plus appears to be available in Europe, but not in the US as of yet. Still, I question the wisdom of spending $1000 on this thing ($550 for kit and probably similar for dealer install). You would get Google Maps and some other features...but really this kind of should have been standard. Oh well.

E Classy

instantfob - thanks for the tip! you are indeed instantly fobby with your knowledge of mobile devices jk

shashivr4

Do you know if this plies to 2013 vehicles? (I noticed you are driving a 2014). I would test it myself but my vehicle has not been delivered yet.

stale-bread

Ah...I don't have that option on my IPhone. Just Synch Contacts. I'm running 7.0.3 on AT&T. Wish I could get it to sync.

instantfob

@shashivr4: I had 2012 model until 3 months ago. Text works there. (Relax and wait for your car to arrive and let your sales rep set everything up for you)

@stale-bread: I am running 7.0.4 on AT&T
(Try unauthorized the iPhone and re-pair it and see if the options pops up. If not then you can always update the iOS)

@E Classy: "Just add water and wait 3 minutes for extra fobby-ness"