I just had the iPod kit installed in my 2005 SLK350. Although it sounds great, I would have to give the interface a C+ at best.

The iPod attaches to a connector inside the central console (the lower compartment). It's just a loose connector in there, dangling on its wires. No mounting of any kind. I may add some velcro to get the ipod to stay on the front wall of the compartment. It does not really matter as far as access, because once it is connected you cannot control the iPod except through the SLK's controls.

To play the iPod, you select the Aux input on the Command screen. (I don't know how it works without the Command unit.) (I suppose the Aux input jack inside the glove box must be disabled. I have not tried it to see.) The screen then goes blank, except for showing you Bass, Treble, etc. options. But the music data does not display on the screen.

Instead, the iPod options show up on the one line display above the steering wheel (between speedometer and tach). You then control it using the two up and down arrow keys on the steering wheel, and believe it or not, the two phone keys on the steering wheel.

You work through the menus in much the same way as you would on your iPod, except with only one line of text (and a short one at that), you cannot see what the other choices are. The down arrow is next choice in a list, and the up arrow is previous (seems backwards to me.)

The saddest thing is to see that big blank screen of my command system, which could easily be displaying album lists, genres, etc. I have to set it to Map just so I don't have to get depressed by looking at all that wasted digital display.

I'll post again after I get used to the interface if it starts to make sense to me.

 

One additional note: I had the dealer removed the CD Changer which I had to buy in order to get the Navigation system. (Not much use for it with an MP3/CD player in the dash, and 30,000 songs on my iPod.)

That's one of the best things, although it cost me an extra $100 to get it taken out and have the software of the Command adjusted.

 

Hey mav...in some rare cases, and I do mean rare, you can upload a file to your iPod to override the info that is supplied by the head unit and possibly redirect the song information. I'll do some digging and pinging.

 

The iPOD holder cradle is not free of charge. It is an accessory. STF

The FULL MOST version is coming next year mostly due to the fact that the revised version of the E-Class has the same class of head unit as the SL, S and CL.

So far the high end cars dont have iPOD unless they have TV tuner installed.

 

I was able to find some docs (due to Apple NDAs I can't disclose much) but the potential workaround will not work. The sad thing of it all, is that it doesn't take much time or effort to change the software on the MB side to do the redirect to the main screen. And with a little bit more work, album art could be possible. ç'est la vie. Hopefully benz is right and a better version is coming around the bend.

 

What does "STF" mean? If there is a new version, are we talking a software upgrade that might be applied to my current system?

Thanks

 

Thanks for trying Gonzo. Love the car, but the electronics user interface feels a bit like a PC... from 1989.

 

hahaha, Kind of speaking of which, a very good friend of mine bought a 2005 350Z roadster, its no slk, but still a well engineered piece of machinery. We've decided that we're going to completely gut its audio system, and replace it with a different deck, and also install a Mac mini (of course we're Apple Geeks) with a 7 inch touchscreen. From the looks of things we can do this without have to really tear through anything. So when it comes time to re-sell the components can easily be removed and restored to factory style. If any one is interested when this time comes we'll take a photo diary.

 

Gonzo,

I'd love to see pics when it's done. When the Mini first came out, I thought someone would eventually install it into a car. You're proving me right.

The functionality with MP3, Nav, movie playback, etc will be awesome! I wouldn't use it in a slk because Command is an intricate part of the controls. However, it others cars it would make great sense.

What do you think the cost will be? The Mini's are around $500. How about that 7" touchscreen? I'm imagining a total cost around $800. If correct, what a better deal than most Nav systems that have a $1k-2k premium.

*Edit* I did a search after posting this response. I guess many have already done this. (ie http://htmini.com/2005/03/10/another...i-car-install/)

Nonetheless, post pics and info when complete. Thanks

 

Benzmodz:

You mentioned in a previous post: "The iPOD holder cradle is not free of charge. It is an accessory. STF "

What did you mean by that. Is there a cradle that is available for the SLK installation? What did you mean by 'STF'?

Thanks.

 

By the way, now that I have used the iPod interface for a few days, I am getting used to it. But it is very awkward to have just that one line of menu, and try to think where you are in the iPod's menu. And when you are driving, it is downright dangerous. You have to pay attention long enough to get through the heirarchy, because if you don't, it will resort to the song display, and you have to start all over again. And you passenger cannot do it for you.

Hopefully, they will have a software upgrade for those cars that do have the command system.

Also, I note that the volume is nowhere near what the radio or CD is. I have to turn the volume up to listen to the iPod, but then get blasted when I switch back to the radio. I might be able to adjust the way I record them to iTunes from my CDs, but that would mean going through all my CDs again. I tried turning it up on the iPod before connecting it (you cannot adjust it once it is connected), but that did not seem to affect anything.

 

That sounds like the adapter may not be hooked up properly, if you're really needing to crank it up, then the connector is not using the line-out, but rather the low-voltage headphone style. You may want to run that by the service tech. I would be curious to see if others are having similar issues.

 

Here is a pic of the cradle installed in my Glove box.

 

Being the cheap Apple guy I am Go down to your local Oakley sunglasses retailer and ask for one of their microfiber bags for your Oakley's. They fit all iPods, they won't scratch it up and best of all...their free! Just don't get too glutenous and ask for 5, they may catch on

gonzo

 

haha damn you're cheap... i would crack a racial joke but some ppl are too uptight about those things :p

 

If it was connected to the headphone line (is that even a line that is available through the bottom connector?), then wouldn't it be affected by what the volume level is currently set to? My current audio level in the iPod (before I connect it) does not seem to affect the level coming from the MB audio system.

 

I know there's a pinout for headphones, but if volume on the iPod isn't affecting it, then you're right its not using the headphone. That is odd though, its possible, albeit unlikely you just need to reset the iPod (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61705). Like I said its very very very doubtful that will take care of it, but it is fairly nondestructive, you'll lose play counts since last sync and it'll lose its time but that'll get set back on next sync. If all else fails time to talk to MB service.

 

I note you have an 05. I assume that with the 06 being prewired for the IPOD (assuming the Nav option was ordered) there would be no need to have a wire dangling in the center console?

 

There is no deference between the 05 and 06 except it is listed as "pre wired for iPod kit" on the sticker (both 05 and 06 are pre wired the same). I know because I had a 05 but now have a 06 and both had the iPod kit installed.

 

My invoice says the Ipod kit is installed as part of the entertainment package. It did not arrive that way, but the Dealer agreed to do it, so I'll bring it back later.

 

Misprint because iPod kits are NOT installed at the factory and are only a dealer installed accessory.

 

Many things are not installed at factory, but are still sold with the car--e.g. Sat radio pimple.

 

In 05 Sirius was installed at the VPC but in 06 it is now installed at the factory. iPod kits however must be installed post delivery to the dealer.

 

When I picked up the car at ED in Germany COMMAND said there was no SAT radio (and there was no pimple on the trunk). When I picked it up at the dealership two months later the Sirius (and pimple) were installed. Perhaps the electronics were put in at the factory but somewhere after that they completed the job.