I started looking into Road Top unit after watching informative videos from ThatsMyDawg. On the roadtop.com site (Wireless CarPlay For Mercedes Benz A B C E CLA CLS GLA GLK SLK ML GL – Road Top), I noticed that they have a plug & play unit that does not require installation. I was wondering if any member had used it, and if so, what their thoughts were. The website doesn't provide clear distinction on the difference between the two available unit, one that requires installation and plug & play. If options were similar, you would think plug & play unit will be more expensive, right? Nope, it's actually cheaper. This leads me to believe it will lack some features. However, I'm only looking for basic functionality of CarPlay such as making and receiving calls, streaming music, and google maps. If no one here has tried it, then maybe I'll give it a shot and report back later. Just trying to save me the hassle of shipping it back if it's a crap.

 

Basically what you linked is simply the wireless adaptor for MB vehicles already equipped with Apple Car play. Those vehicles come with "WIRED" Carplay so you have to plug in the phone each time for it to work - I understand video streaming is basically not usable. What this box does is act as a Bluetooth and WiFi connection to allow you wireless connectivity and streaming if you already have Carplay installed (as all the connections are basically accessible through the glove box its an easy install.

Since you are in an SL forum, I assume thats the vehicle you are looking to install this into but that device does not work for our cars. Ones with Carplay are wireless already - if you dont have Carplay (ie: pre 2017) and want it, then you need to install the other unit.

I have it. Install was maybe 5-6 hours DIY, not problems and love the device. Best money Ive spent on a car accessory by far. Literally a must have.

Also, install isnt too bad once you go through it. If I had to do it again I could probably knock it out in an hour.

 

richardp1978, thanks for that. I thought it was odd. And yes, my car is 2013 SL550. Did you get the Road Top unit as well? If so, how is the call volume quality? My primary reason for thinking about upgrading to Carplay is in hopes that call volume will become louder. I can barely hear the others on the line. I tried changing all the settings and it still doesn't help. Lastly, with the unit you installed, does it utilize the mic built into the car or did you have to run a separate mic and place it somewhere? I saw some videos on youtube where separate mic was needed.

On a side note, I found a local stereo shop that provides this service. They mentioned a brand they used but I forgot what it was. It's made in the USA and they won't touch or recommend any cheaper brands from overseas. According to them, those are more prone to bugs and premature failures. Everyone on the forum including you are saying it takes about 4 to 5 hours and experience wasn't too bad, but I don't know if I want to tackle it. Better system + installation = $1,300. It's little too pricy. I just wish I can get the dang call volume to be louder.....

 

Phone call volume is also a function of the volume setting on the phone. Have you tried that? If your phone volume is low, no amount of car volume will make it significantly louder.

And the Road Top is highly popular for our cars, so that should tell you something.

 

That's the first thing I checked having experienced that with other cars in the past. One of the downsides of buying a used car is not having a benchmark of what's normal or broken. But in the current state, I can't image this is how Mercedes would have released their vehicle for sale. It's very odd that all other functions such as Bluetooth music streaming and radio sounds normal.

 

I’ll tell you that when it comes to call volume there are a whole bunch of adjustments in the RoadTop unit (yes that’s the one I have - purchased maybe 3 years ago now) to adjust and equalize volume across every input. There’s bass boost a whole EQ - literally hundreds of adjustments to get the volume where you want it. That said, even though I love the system, I actually cant use the Phone functionality because all of the callers on the other end tell me there is terrible feedback/echo.

There are all kinds of adjustments to correct this and I have messed with it a few times but it still isn’t perfect. In fact if someone is reading this thread and call tell me their Phone settings in RoadTop I would much appreciate it. Never even thought about it until now bc the phone function. Isn’t all that important to me.

As far as the Microphone goes, I don’t believe mine had a separate one. I believe it just used the cars mic that was already installed from the factory.

I would tell you to do the professional install for that reason alone, so that all the settings get adjusted correctly, especially if the phone is your main reason for wanting it.

$1300 seems steep. Do some research and see if someone else will install the RoadTop unit for cheaper but that also knows all the settings. My ex-gf got it in her Audi and they charged like $500 including the cost of the unit.


QUOTE=eguru888;9124927]That's the first thing I checked having experienced that with other cars in the past. One of the downsides of buying a used car is not having a benchmark of what's normal or broken. But in the current state, I can't image this is how Mercedes would have released their vehicle for sale. It's very odd that all other functions such as Bluetooth music streaming and radio sounds normal.[/QUOTE]

 

I found another brand, Unavi. One thing that stood out to me about these guys is that they are OEM for some car manufacturers and offer installation options. The cost to purchase their unit and installation is around $650, which is exactly half the cost. It seems reasonable for all the added benefits of Apple CarPlay. I would appreciate your feedback if any forum members have experience with this company.

 

I have resolved to use the native Bluetooth connection when using my iPhone rather than going through CarPlay. Much more stable and reliable. So, when I receive or place a call, I just make sure to go on my phone and select the car's Bluetooth. I think this is more of a CarPlay problem than the Road Top unit.

I wonder if Android users are experiencing the same thing.