any experience with the phone system?
12-30-2004, 03:38 PM
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2005 MB SLK 55 AMG
any experience with the phone system?
Has anyone ordered or used the 05 (!) SLK phone system?
It's the only option I didn't order, and I am considering it now, as the functionality is really cool. However, I am wondering if the V600 cradle (for example) will allow any V600 to be docked, or just the 'mercedes' version ? Also, I assume this is unlocked and not sim-locked to any specific carrier ? Or do you have to 'decide' which (GSM) carrier you want at purchase ?
Thanks,
Dan
It's the only option I didn't order, and I am considering it now, as the functionality is really cool. However, I am wondering if the V600 cradle (for example) will allow any V600 to be docked, or just the 'mercedes' version ? Also, I assume this is unlocked and not sim-locked to any specific carrier ? Or do you have to 'decide' which (GSM) carrier you want at purchase ?
Thanks,
Dan
01-04-2005, 10:53 PM
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I have it. I ordered it on my car so all the wiring, etc is there but I still had to pay $725 extra to get the phone and cradle from my dealer. Only the overpriced Mercedes-branded V600 (GSM) and V710 (CDMA) will dock with the cradle with full-functionality. The price you pay I guess. I went with a V600 and although MB claims they only "support" Cingular/AT&T since the actual V600 GSM phone that they provide has firmware that is specific to Ciingular networks only, my T-mobile SIM card works fine so it is obviously not SIM-locked. Keep in mind however that if you do use a carrier other than Cingular/AT&T, some network features on the V600 like web access, email, multi-media messaging, and sending pictures will not work. Text messaging and all other basic phone features still work fine. So if you don't access the web, or plan to use your V600 as bluetooth wireless moden for your laptop, the V600 functions very well as phone and you can go on using a non-Cingular carrier.
You are right, the functionality is very cool. Once docked, it interfaces with the COMMAND unit seamlessly and automatically. Stereo is instantly muted on an incoming call, you press a steering wheel button to answer, then you press another to hang-up. Also, the phone's contact list can be recalled on the COMMAND's lcd screen as well as scrolled through the information screen in between the guage clusters. People I've spoken through to it claim that I sound much clearer and better on my SLK's hand-free system than I do from the handset alone. Even when there's ambient noise in the car like the rumble of the motor or wind turbulence, somehow most of that is filtered out. It seems Mercedes engineers have tuned the input microphone perfectly and we have another design well-executed as is often the case. After spending $925 for the option and another $725 for the phone and cradle, it should be.
You are right, the functionality is very cool. Once docked, it interfaces with the COMMAND unit seamlessly and automatically. Stereo is instantly muted on an incoming call, you press a steering wheel button to answer, then you press another to hang-up. Also, the phone's contact list can be recalled on the COMMAND's lcd screen as well as scrolled through the information screen in between the guage clusters. People I've spoken through to it claim that I sound much clearer and better on my SLK's hand-free system than I do from the handset alone. Even when there's ambient noise in the car like the rumble of the motor or wind turbulence, somehow most of that is filtered out. It seems Mercedes engineers have tuned the input microphone perfectly and we have another design well-executed as is often the case. After spending $925 for the option and another $725 for the phone and cradle, it should be.
01-05-2005, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by dosers
Has anyone ordered or used the 05 (!) SLK phone system?
It's the only option I didn't order, and I am considering it now, as the functionality is really cool. However, I am wondering if the V600 cradle (for example) will allow any V600 to be docked, or just the 'mercedes' version ? Also, I assume this is unlocked and not sim-locked to any specific carrier ? Or do you have to 'decide' which (GSM) carrier you want at purchase ?
Thanks,
Dan
It's the only option I didn't order, and I am considering it now, as the functionality is really cool. However, I am wondering if the V600 cradle (for example) will allow any V600 to be docked, or just the 'mercedes' version ? Also, I assume this is unlocked and not sim-locked to any specific carrier ? Or do you have to 'decide' which (GSM) carrier you want at purchase ?
Thanks,
Dan
-s-
01-05-2005, 03:00 PM
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2005 MB SLK 55 AMG
!!
Thank you VERY much for the verbose explanation and the pictures !! Much appreciated.
I have to think about this a bit more - I love the features, but I really would mind much less paying this premium if it allowed me to use ANY V600 in that cradle, rather than the MB-branded one (with their firmware). I'll consider my options.
Anyway, once again, thanks !!!
Dan
I have to think about this a bit more - I love the features, but I really would mind much less paying this premium if it allowed me to use ANY V600 in that cradle, rather than the MB-branded one (with their firmware). I'll consider my options.
Anyway, once again, thanks !!!
Dan
