JoeMa

Motor Trend article (interesting):

http://wot.motortrend.com/mercedes-b...#axzz2PRvdcauX

captivabenz

Let's hope Garmin becomes standard on the new 2014 Gl's. Orders can be done late April, according to my local dealer.

Joyride

Wonder if owners with current GL's would be able to upgrade through a software update.

blittle

Doubt that.....would involve a hardware swap most likely.

Joyride

Unless you get the Drive Kit Plus, which has Garmin Navi if I understand correctly. Just stumbled across it, and it looks like it will be available this month in the US. Here is a link:

http://www.benzblogger.com/2013/03/m...or-iphone.html

Is anyone planning on getting this?

fabbrisd1

Geez... sorry you take a little info and blow it up into what you think is a lot...

1) Sure, you will be able to buy the Drive Kit Plus - to add to your new CLA if you haven't ordered factory integration

2) No, there will not be Garmin GPS hardware in MB vehicles...Garmin will be taking some nav software development for the 2014 Mercedes .... you guessed it again, the CLA !

Joyride

Didn't know the CLA turned into a 7 seater, and resembles the shape of a GL. I take the info that is available through Mercedes, and there was nothing I blew up. For your reference check out page 16/17 on the accessories guide for the GL:

http://www.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/...e_GL_Class.pdf

It talkes about the advanced navigation solution from Garmin right there...

wheelsloose

So are you saying that you WILL NOT be able to order Drive Kit Plus for any vehicle other than the CLA? I have a 2013 GL on order right now and would definitely order this if it was available. Looks really cool.

wheelsloose

Nevermind. I just found my answer and saw that it WILL BE available for the GL and is in the accessories book for the GL

JoeMa

Joyride: I was looking through the PDF of GL accessories and noted that the Digital Drive Style app is only available for download from iTunes in Germany, France, Italy, UK, Austria, and Switzerland. I searched for the app here in the US and it is not listed. The PDF does state that other countries will follow. I would have to see for myself how this kit improves the navigation system in the GL before I would shell out $1,000. But I'm glad MB is looking to improve their in-car tech. The maps in the GL do look dated compared to other manufacturers. I just saw the maps in the 2013 BMW 5-Series and they look modern and up-to-date.

Joyride

I am in Canada, and I downloaded the app yesterday. Type in DriveStyle in iTunes. It is on my iPhone as we speak. Just waiting for the Kit to be released. I think I will give it a shot.

fabbrisd1

I guess at the same time you order the Drive Kit Plus for your North American GL - then from the same Euro brochure for reference then for your GL you should get the Becker Map Pilot too to add navigation - and get the MB SAP dongle to get your apps...

If you want to know - and I know open mindedness is a stretch for some folks - the European COMAND unit for Euro is different than the North A COMAND...

Well, back to hardware for the moment - for 2013 MB's in North America, for those models shipped without Mult iMedia Kit, if you have option Map Pilot pre-wiring - you can add the Becker Map Pilot - oh yeh, Becker not Garmin..

JoeMa

Joyride - I searched for "DriveStyle" and "Drive Style" in iTunes in the US and this app is not yet available. The PDF did say more countries to follow. I don't think this is related to the Garmin maps referred to in the article I posted. The is app is for iPhone integration.

Joyride

If you want to know - and I know open mindedness is a stretch for some folks - the European COMAND unit for Euro is different than the North A COMAND...

Really????!!! Who would have thought that. For your reference I am from Europe, and I have imported/ exported a few cars back and forth. What you just stated is common knowledge. Since open mindedness seems to be a stretch for some folks - I suggest you dig in your own garden before looking at the neighbors across the fence.


http://www.benzblogger.com/2013/03/m...or-iphone.html

I guess the dealers know about it. I just stated what info was available online, and I know one shouldn't take everything written for the truth.

Joyride

Not sure, but I downloaded and installed mine yesterday. I'm on the Canadian iTunes Store. Here are two screenshots.

Joyride

Sorry, here the other one.

JoeMa

Thanks Joyride. Let us know what you think of this system when you have the kit installed. I appreciate your posts on this thread.

MBtech1098

FYI-on the iPhone Drive Kit Plus. It is only compatible with iPhone 4 or 4S. The kit will not work with a 30 pin to lightning adapter.

Another note Garmin has partnered with MB for future Navi. They will provide map data and software only. It will first appear in select MY 2014 vehicles. (Hint, hint)

JoeMa

That's good to know since I have an iPhone 5.

If 2014 GL's does come through with updated Garmin maps, I would guess the head unit would likely be the same hardware. And if that is true, 2013 owners may be able to update their maps through their dealers. Just a thought but maybe MBtech1098 can comment on this as well. Thanks.

sraza

weird the second picture at the bottom says iphone 5 not supported...

Joyride

Yes, I have noticed that too. I am currently on the 4S and wasn't planning on upgrading to the 5 anytime soon.

Steve Maislin

My guess is that the Apple 30-pin to Lightning adapter might be enough to provide iPhone5 capability. This is what I use in the GL today on the rare times that I plug my phone into system. I cannot recall anything that I have tried where the adapter has not worked.

blittle

OK..... reading through all of the posts, am I getting this right? The kit is going to allow you to have the "social media functionality" of your iPhone via your command screen..... is that correct? In other words....posts, tweets, news feeds, etc, right? If that is ALL that it does.... i don't need it because i can do that on my iPhone or iPad and am NOT going to do any of that while driving anyway!! Now better navigation functions, traffic, mapping, etc. .... thats another story.

MBtech1098

I can tell you I have seen and played with the system in the US and it is pretty cool. The navi/mapping feature is super fast.

As far as iPhone 5 the MB hardware needs to be completely redesigned to work with it. The lightning connector does not support the needed analog video signals for the kit the way it was designed. They are working on a kit that will work with iPhone 5 but there is no eta for that kit yet.

On the Garmin topic I need to do a bit of research to see if it will be compatible with NTG 4.5 hardware. I can say you will see garmin with NTG 5.

JoeMa

You know a lot more about this than most of us logging comments so can you tell us if the 2013 GL hardware is NTG 4.5 or 5.0? If the hardware is 4.5, do you feel it is doable for MB to upgrade to 5.0 hardware for the 2014 models? Or would they more likely wait a a few years?