I have had an MB phone in my 98 and my 02 ML's. Now with my order in for my W164 ML500 I am debating the phone issue. MB seems to offer only the V600 (for Cingular) as an option which includes voice activation. The price for this is in the area of $2400 installed. Currently I have a Timeport in my 02 ML without voice activation. This has been fine. However the pricing is getting out of control as in the past I have paid in the area of 1200 to 1500. There seems to be no non voice active options now. I hate driving with a bluetooth headset or with the phone stuck to my ear. The pricing I feel is getting rediculous as the same phone can be obtained directly from my carrier for a fraction of the cost but of course will not interface. This new pricing makes me feel as if I have been had. Any comments, suggestions??

 

I am working on trying to beat the phone system. I'll post back when I have more details. It'll be plug and play, but I hoping to get it working with different phones.