ntgcommander

hey guys, we are busy undergoing DEMO testing Google AndroidAuto with our CarPlay Smartbox.
we sincerely invite our partners to test the AndroidAuto functions to fulfill a good customers experience.
The upgrades will be via USB in 3mins, currently AndroidAuto 7.0 works fine, Android 8.0 we test few...
Should you be ingested, welcome to send your requests to info at unichip-tec dot com.
for more details, kindly refer to www.unichip-tec.com
Below also a video link of how our Smartbox performs:
E300 Retrofit Unichip CarPlay Smartbox NTG4.5

kajtek1

Can you post more info about this particular upgrade here?
I am on the market for adding GPS to my car, but would not mind back up camera as well.
I found your site chaotic. I was reviewing MB chip and all the adds for Audi and BMW were flashing on my screen.

DubVBenz

What about for the facelift models ? 2014 and 2015 had 4.7 I think, whereas I think the final year of 2016 had a 5.x variant that has those features natively.

sdvictor

I actually just ordered one as a risk test for my 2014 with ntg 4.7. if this works well, I'm looking at also implementing it on a GL450 with the same system. I spoke with those guys there and they claim that it works with both 4.5 and 4.7 systems, so we'll see. They also claim that they're 1/2way through implementing an android auto capability via software update. Worst case is that I'm out like 450 bucks. Don't let my wife find out!

let me know let me know if you need pictures of during and after.

Peachy

We all want pics, we love pics here.

sdvictor

Will do.. Might take a while as I'm recovering from surgery. I'm also contemplating soliciting help in the Seattle area from other forum visitors in opening up my dash as I'm not very experienced in screwing around with W212 trim bits and bobs.

kajtek1

I'd appreciate the pictures as well.
I bough back up camera from China that suppose to plug to my command center, but the plug did not fit anywhere and the manual I got link for was for .... Volkswagen
Chinese seller never reply to my question and I got my money back via ebay.
Hopefully this seller will be better, but judging from the responses so far, I am not holding my breath.
Side note - I pulled my command center for the camera and even I watch several videos about it on youtube- they all have been misleading.
The long 2 screws you can access on the top are moving sliding squares that hold the center. You need to push the squares DOWN , what takes over 20 turns on the screws with no indication when you are there.
I spend over 1 hr playing with all the options before the center would come out, so if you need tips for removal, I am fresh on the job.

sdvictor

Personally I am really hoping that it works, because that'd be the only thing I would want a new car for right now. My S212 is too young and too worthless to change out yet anyways. The unichip box is also too new to know, but I took a chance anyways. The unit ships next week. If you're in Seattle, come over and help. ;-)

sdvictor

The product exists, so that's good. Time to find an installer since my doctor doesn't let me bend my torso for the few weeks after surgery. Once I get someone to work with the Seattle area to install it, I'll get some shots posted

sdvictor

Hey, need some feedback on this. What torx is on top of the stereo? I need to order something from Amazon I take it.

I only got the trim off at this point.

kajtek1

I (almost) hold by breath. This unit sounds exciting, but doesn't look like you can count on seller support.
Hopefully you will find good installer.
I tried to take my house into 21Century with all those WI-FI thermostats, WI-FI weather station and WI-FI light switches.
Yet too often the Chinese, usually badly written manual says one thing, while the unit shows something different and you don't have any help with troubleshooting.
Amazingly I have few gadgets from China, who where not working and amazon and ebay gave me my money back, when sellers did not ask for return.
EDIT, now that you posted the question. In corners of your opening, facing the sky you will find heads of long bolts that pull the blocks holding command center. Don't remember the torx size, but I assume you have a kit?
I bought 200 pcs small bits kit at Harbor Freight Tools and it is so good, that I am using it for engine repairs. On some of the bolts I had to replace 1/4" break bar with adapter and 3/8" bar, yet the bit holds.

sdvictor

The seller seems pretty responsive at this point with suggestions and answers to questions via whatsapp in China. They will send a android auto beta at some point. For me, I'm planning on using a dedicated handset in here. Maybe an old 5s or 6, and have it wifi to my mobile Hotspot whenever I am at the car. I need to find a torx kit. Dr recommends against lifting more than 10 lbs at this moment, so I gotta wait for the wife to help me get the socket set out

sdvictor

Audio isn't working yet. Working with engineers at the company to determine how to get it working. Will keep you guys posted.

sdvictor

Got it working. There are some weird quirks, but it's not on the boxes side. It's all about the quirky MB configurations for NTG 4.X. The rep I worked with went back and forth Between me and the engineers to troubleshoot until it was fixed. The team is great to deal with.



The only thing that's a bit quirky is that you have to enable aux audio in the audio tab and then turn on carplay so that audio flows through

So, I hit a snag... Can't seem to determine where to put the box. Trying to determine where it would work. Will keep those interested posted

sdvictor

Finally got around to locating the carplay Box. Took apart the glove box and shoved it in the void between the glove box and the center stack


Now put everything back together. Seems to work okay.


Now looking forward to Android auto support.

nzc63amg

Hi there, thanks for the pics, have been trying to work out where to mount the box, glovebox looks like it does the job. The question i have is where do you connect your phone? in the glovebox? Is there away to connect it via the armrest console USB?

thanks

kajtek1

I would also appreciate feedback after using it for few weeks sdvictor
I could use such android WORKING, but with lack of supporter feedback and listening how many issues you had on installation, looks to me that is not much of plug & play, when I lack software programming skills to deal with such issues.

ntgcommander

this is a very good question, we are offering optional USB extension 2M cable. below is what we did for BMW:

kajtek1

I don't know what it is ntgcommander, but you are not giving much info about product you are selling.
I am multi-cultural guy and I dealt with Chinese people quite a bit, so I know sometimes it is language barrier, sometimes just different way of doing things, but you present excelent English on this forum, so why don't you give us more info?
I found it quite surprising that it takes Swedish guy to sell Hongkong product with good tech support.

ntgcommander

thanks Krzysztof, definitely yes. For the time being, we will try our best to answer all the questions inside the forum.
we also provide 7/24 email tech support at tec@unichip-tec.com. cheers

sdvictor

Overall the system is fine. There are a few things I noticed:

1- Phone audio is quieter than nav and music, so you turn it up and you get blasted when you hang up the phone. I got pinged this weekend that there's a new firmware update to fix it. Vs a fully intergrated system, there's no separate audio control
2- Some things are inconsistent between my car I'm currently driving (2015 GL450) vs the E (2014 E350 wagon ) boxes. For example, the carplay box does night time maps when it's at night (dunno what switches it on or off), but the GL450 keeps it on daytime colors regardless. The other thing is that shifting to reverse in the E350 will override carplay with the 360 camera, but it doesn't in the GL. I have to hit the "CLR" to go into camera mode. I just realized that lately. I need to ping support to see why they're inconsistent.
3- I really miss waze and it's ability to tell me where the...ahem...cops are. But it's good enough for what I use it for. (Mostly music).
4 - I can't wait for Android Auto.
5- I talk to Holly Yang via WhatsApp and she always keeps me posted with questions. Their support is awesome. She worked with engineering to walk me thru the install as I whatsapped her videos and photos of progress and questions. https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...play-x166.html has the videos I used also.
6- The issues I had were self inflicted (because I"ve never dealt with opening the dash of the E class) and due to COMAND programming, not the box itself. Holly walked me thru the COMAND programming. I learned that I need to read instructions better.
7- Holly keeps in contact with me for any issues I have, including letting me know when software updates occur.

Overall, highly recommended. Reliability of the box is not a concern to me.

sdvictor

I got lazy and just let it hang on the side where the passenger net is. Makes it easier for me to grab the phone if needed. I didn't spend the effort to run it up. I just bought a 2 pack of Amazon basics USB extensions for 10 bucks because they're typically very reliable.

raja777m

still can't have google maps on carplay right?

sdvictor

Nope, I think you need to jailbreak it.

nzc63amg

.Hey guys, finally got it installed, pretty tight getting the wiring harnesses tucked in behind the head unit. Managed to get the unichip module mounted in the glovebox.

Just wondering how you guys are finding it, i find it is hit and miss, sometimes it doesnt load the app (spotify or i heart radio), or sometimes doesnt like switching between the apps. The buttons on the console (AMG C63 2011) freeze. So have to unplug iphone and plug back in to try and fix. A bit annoying.

Just sent AutoSVS a picture of my unichip software versions, hoping for a firmware upgrade to sort it

any feedback would be appreciated

thanks