Navigation questions
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12
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From: NJ
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Navigation questions
WHen did Mercedes switch from cd-based Nav to DVD-based nav?
If I were to buy an older car with cd-based Navigation how difficult and expensive would it be to convert it to DVD Based? Also where would I go to complete such a change.
Thanks
If I were to buy an older car with cd-based Navigation how difficult and expensive would it be to convert it to DVD Based? Also where would I go to complete such a change.
Thanks
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, CA
CLK 350
DVD is high-capacity
DVDs holds a lot more data that can fix on a CD-ROM. If the device you have uses CD-ROM, then you are limited to using just that type of disk to update your gps. I am not 100% certain, but I think the DVD's and CD-ROMS used are formatted in a proprietary format and therefore can not be (easily) copied. I'll let you know as I'm going to perform a copy test. The new DVD maps from MB cost more than a brand new TomTom or Garmin GPS hardware with maps and waypoints (and they work a whole lot better, too).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 379
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
On most US models, DVD replaced CD nav in 2004. It is essentially impossible to swap a DVD COMAND unit and a CD COMAND because the fiber optic system was changed at the same time. The industry-standard MOST bus replaced the older proprietary D2B bus. The MOST-based electronics (like nav, phone integration and CD) are generally much improved over the D2B versions. DVD-based GPS is just one example. The navigation is much faster, has more features and integrates better with the voice operation system in models that have voice. It's the main reason to choose a 2004 over a 2003 Mercedes.
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
2008 S65 AMG, 2005 SLR McLaren
On most US models, DVD replaced CD nav in 2004. It is essentially impossible to swap a DVD COMAND unit and a CD COMAND because the fiber optic system was changed at the same time. The industry-standard MOST bus replaced the older proprietary D2B bus. The MOST-based electronics (like nav, phone integration and CD) are generally much improved over the D2B versions. DVD-based GPS is just one example. The navigation is much faster, has more features and integrates better with the voice operation system in models that have voice. It's the main reason to choose a 2004 over a 2003 Mercedes.
