This one is Linux based (instead of Android based), which has 3 key benefits:
1) It boots up super fast and gets you into CarPlay in less than 10 seconds. The other Android based ones take nearly a minute or longer to boot, go through 3rd party launcher apps (like Zlink) and then get into CarPlay after an interminable wait.
2) All audio goes through the regular Mercedes Bluetooth audio connection so it always works and is bulletproof. With the Android based units, it does not do that and uses an aux-usb connection that resulted in audio not working for me at least 50% of the time which is super maddening and frustrating. This was the single biggest reason I let searching and was unhappy with the Android based screens. The Linux based one I posted uses my native OEM Mercedes built in Bluetooth for playing music and making calls, all while still using CarPlay and it’s never been anything but great and ultra reliable.
3) it’s about half the price of the Android units. Only downside, if you can call it that - is that it just does CarPlay. It doesn’t support any other Android apps running on the head unit itself, which I’m fine with as all I care about is CarPlay, fast boot time and rock solid audio always working.
Otherwise there is no compromise with the quality and responsiveness of the screen. I’ve had them all and this is the best.
Quick update on mine. It's been a little over 1.5yrs that I've had the GTA CarPlay module in my 2016 G63 and I've been very happy with it. Didn't take long to get proficient at using the Dial. Everything has worked great from factory Bluetooth, backup camera, and factory screen.
The AliExpress 12.3" Linux screen arrived and I installed it last week, wanted to share some thoughts/notes in case it may be helpful to anyone else reading. This is for a 2013 G550, NTG 4.5.
- The 12.3" size and this specific unit looks fantastic. The bezels are thinner and it looks very premium, it is slightly out of place with the old number pad right below but the interior is much better with it. It does not block the front parking indicators at all for me but I am quite tall so YMMV. The resolution is also fine for the screen size, I was worried it might look soft, it isn't extremely high res but you wouldn't think twice about it
- Installation was a breeze, I followed the videos posted previously for instructions on how to take apart the center console and where to put the connectors but besides that it is pretty self explanatory. I have done two other Android installations and this was the easiest. Just take your time and follow the videos
- NO DRILLING! I saw some mentions about drilling in the thread and also in the instructional videos, for the Linux units with Bluetooth audio, you do not need to drill! The purpose of drilling is for units that feed audio through AUX and to get the cable into the center console to plug into the MMI port. You need to connect to the car Bluetooth with your phone and then connect to the screen via Bluetooth as well and enable Bluetooth Audio in the screen's settings. As for the USB ports, I ran it through the dashboard to the passenger side and zip tied them next to the fuse box in the passenger side next to the glovebox. I won't need to access these at all but will be handy in case I want to change the boot logo again
- Only other setting I had to change to get it to work is select the right resolution for the car's original system, believe it was 800x400
- Boot up is extremely quick and the only bug that has happened is the resolution of Android Auto was screwed up once on startup but opening and closing it solved it instantly. Backup camera shows instantly and Android Auto starts instantly for me
For $200 and a few hours of working on your G, this is one of the best modifications you can do.
I bought the exact model you did, and everything works except the sound. No sound is coming through the speakers at all. I'm not sure what's going on.
Did you set up your phone Bluetooth to both the car and new screen? It needs to connect to both and audio is sent to your original car Bluetooth.
I did, it shows it’s playing music but there is no sound. Is there a mute button or something I’m missing in the G63? It shows it playing but it has no sound. Even if I switch to the factory system and put it on AM radio I get no sound.
it seems like it should be plug and play I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong.
Also recheck the connections for the radio in the dash if you aren't getting any audio at all even from other sources.
I’m not getting any Audio I’ve got it pulled apart now and everything looks right. I’ve even tried hooking it up to the aux even though I have Bluetooth in this vehicle
I’m not getting any Audio I’ve got it pulled apart now and everything looks right. I’ve even tried hooking it up to the aux even though I have Bluetooth in this vehicle
it's unusual to not get sound from mb factory radio.
is wifi connected?
try connecting only the mb bt and not linux screen bt and playing audio from mb screen. mb screen should play bt audio w/o connecting to linux screen.
check that mb bt is connected from mb screen.
have you ever changed any of the mb settings in engineering mode?
it's unusual to not get sound from mb factory radio.
is wifi connected?
try connecting only the mb bt and not linux screen bt and playing audio from mb screen. mb screen should play bt audio w/o connecting to linux screen.
check that mb bt is connected from mb screen.
have you ever changed any of the mb settings in engineering mode?
It still won’t play any music completely disconnected from the Linux.
I turned MOST off then back on and that did nothing. I’ve tried using the aux cable from the Linux to the glovebox instead of the Bluetooth that did nothing. I’ve changed the aux from Bluetooth in the Mb and still nothing. I cant get any sound at all.
Reinstalled the factory system and still no sound. 😢
guess I need to start pulling fuses. Anyone know where to start. I’ve only had this thing a month I dont know where anything is.
found a bad fuse in the back but it was not the culprit
it’s the white fuse In the block
That is really strange. I wasn't able to find any reliable fuse diagrams for my '13 G550 so I just went through all my fuses with a multimeter. Your interior looks like a '13+ so there is a fuse box in the passenger footwell, just remove the panel under the glove box which has four screws. Other fuse box is to the right of the glove box where I put the USB cables, just pry the cover off with a pry tool/credit card. Last fuse box is in the trunk, behind the driver's side carpeted wheel well hump.
That is really strange. I wasn't able to find any reliable fuse diagrams for my '13 G550 so I just went through all my fuses with a multimeter. Your interior looks like a '13+ so there is a fuse box in the passenger footwell, just remove the panel under the glove box which has four screws. Other fuse box is to the right of the glove box where I put the USB cables, just pry the cover off with a pry tool/credit card. Last fuse box is in the trunk, behind the driver's side carpeted wheel well hump.
I hit every fuse with a multimeter and only found one bad fuse (the one in the back drivers wheel well) and I’m not even sure what it goes to. There is a box under the passenger dash with 4 screws where you described and the last is on the passenger side of the center console. I had to remove the seat to get to.
I couldn’t find a fuse diagram so I tested them all except two long round fuses I’ve never seen before I wasn't sure what they went to but they were only 5amp so not enough to run the radio.
At this point I’m not sure what to do. Any idea where the fiber optic cables go? If those are the audio out maybe one was damaged but even then I would expect to hear something.
Forgive me for stating the obvious – hopefully it is something simple. The fiber optic cable is the orange one, it is supposed to be transferred from the original wiring harness connected to the radio and clipped into the new harness that now connect to the radio where the original one was. It can be tricky and maybe the fiber optic cable wasn't seated all the way into the new harness and the new harness might not have been seated all the way into the radio? It needs to lock onto it.
Forgive me for stating the obvious – hopefully it is something simple. The fiber optic cable is the orange one, it is supposed to be transferred from the original wiring harness connected to the radio and clipped into the new harness that now connect to the radio where the original one was. It can be tricky and maybe the fiber optic cable wasn't seated all the way into the new harness and the new harness might not have been seated all the way into the radio? It needs to lock onto it.
The fiberoptic locks in solid so no issue there. Any idea where it goes?
Just installed the Linux NTG 5.0 apple carplay system in my 2018 G63. Fairly easy install- followed the videos provided above and the operating instructions with the NTG 10.25' unit.
Got everything working, however QUES??
-what is the setting in the new NTG 5.0 unit that allows automatic switching from OEM radio to apple carplay Pandora app sound? At this time, I have too manually turn off the MB audio in the NTG unit- system settings screen to play sound from AppleCarplay Pandora- but here the phone quality is not as good.
Is there a setting that I need to select to make both work?
Long story short, bought aftermarket CarPlay unit but didn’t like the sluggish response so I reinstalled everything. However the radio has no signal but everything else seems fine.
Does anyone have a picture on the back of the OEM head unit with the wiring connected? For some reason, my radio is not receiving any signal and I believe I might of connected it to the wrong terminal. I thought these connectors can only fit one way but perhaps they don’t so I would like to confirm. Everything else works except the radio which was working prior to me removing the head unit and putting it back..
Trying to locate the pic we took prior to deinstallation but based upon the issue. I would think that the Radio connection that goes into the bottom right (facing the OEM unit- believe orange color) is not plugged in. This is a common mistake when doing the conversion.
Asking my son-in-law if he still has the pic as we were using his cell phone- stay tuned.
See bottom right- we had already detached the plug that extends to reconnect the radio.
thank you BJC for the quick response!!! Wish I had this when it was all apart. Unfortunately I didn’t take a pic before I put it back together so I’m going to find a time I can remove it again and see how I connected my wiring. I *think* the orange wire you’re referencing is the fiber optic wire which I have connected and I do have sound, just can’t catch any radio stations.
the wire must be pushed down within the dash somewhere as it pretty sure I connected all the loose wires I could find.
You bet- yes that is correct if I recall that did activate the sound. We ran into the same issue when we installed the new unit- which is amazing by the way. No lag whatsoever on my end. I went with the Linux NTG 5.0 system, 10.5" purchased from AliExpress for $149. Best upgrade ever. Bring the tech current and looks OEM and all OEM functionality is in tack. Highly recommend!
The only feature that is cumbersome is you have to switch off your MB Bluetooth, to be able to have just the device Bluetooth connected to play Apple Car play apps like Pandora. I have just been keeping both blue tooth's connected for calls, etc.. and just playing radio and satellite radio sources.
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