I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the CarTronics Command Pro head unit replacement. I'm thinking about getting one but would like to get some input from someone that has actually had hands on time with it.

http://cartronics.com/MBMost.html?MB...&oemr=1&navu=1

Thanks!

Ty

$2000 + you still need an amp?

Doubt there's many of these sold.

You don't need an amp for the intended install vehicles... which are Mercedes with the base Audio20 or Audio50 radio. We sell most of these outside the North American market, where that radio is very common. However, we have also sold quite a few in NA. We have actually sold about 800 units since we released them last summer (2011).

If you already have COMAND, we would not advocate installing the COMAND PRO - but rather installing the accessories and options desired from our other products.

800 units? wow no wonder u have an f430

So what would you recommend for someone that already has a COMAND unit but wants these options?

HA! I wish... That is from a past life.... Have not even broke even on development costs yet

VIM, iTronic, ??? Depends on what you are looking for.

I think iTronic is what Im looking for. Even though the VIM is pretty cool!

We have a really cool new product coming up , that will allow you to Airplay to the VIM and Audio input - audio AND video (wirelessly) to COMAND!!!

so the unit cost you $160,000 to develop?

Ummm, no - Remember each unit has parts and manufacturing costs associated with manufacturing, shipping from the factory, marketing costs, labor to setup before ship and configuration, license fees for GPS, costs we factor for after sale support, etc etc.... so the profit is actually fairly small. We factored it will take approx 2000 units to make back the money we spent on getting them done to our specs. Pretty normal stuff when having something manufactured and sold.

Since they have not moved as quickly as we thought, we are already rethinking the manufacturing to make them more universal and easier to integrate the features, without the expense of the whole head unit. Hence, the next generation device we are working on now that will allow Airplay of video, audio, NAV and some apps to the current head unit in the car. This seems to make more sense... but when we started the COMAND PRO concept 2 years ago, the tech did not exist to do what we are working on now. Plus the development can be 100% in house, and this keeps costs much lower too.

Here's one on ebay that you can make an offer. Disclosure: I have no affiliation with seller or cartronics.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cartonics-CO...item3cbda12708

$100 more and you get a guaranteed new unit from CarTronics though. The guy on eBay should have dropped it at least another hundred or more.

Can you do (flir) night vision in the w211? Yes it has comand.

So this unit won't be able to do AirPlay in the future? Also will this work with my car? I'm not sure of the head unit it has but it doesn't have navigation but has the smaller screen and the tape player with the little slide up cover.

Do you have estimated release date and price target for this new item?

Very interested.


-G

Yes!

Your car has Audio50 and yes the COMAND PRO will be able to do Airplay as an upgrade.

We do not have a price yet, but it will be ready by mid March 2012.

Like this one? http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm...olesalers.html

No, not at all - our upcoming device that will plug into the car's CURRENT COMAND and allow video and audio streaming. That way you retain all the factory tight integration, won't void any sort of warranty AND get all the new features available these days. We have been working on it for a couple of months and have even gotten it to stream music and movies from home (kind of like Roku) via an iPhone!

Ok, so this product sounds interesting. Price it correctly, and you'll sell a friggin' dump truck load of them on here.

So will everything work with no modifications?

It will work without replacing the COMAND. It will require only the Video In Motion inout added, which does not modify the radio, only adds multiple inputs to it.

So I don't need to replace the amp and it will plug and play with my stock? What do I need to do if I wanted to use an amp along with it? Is it possible? I have a McIntosh MC4000M 6 channel 100x4 and 300x2. How could I run everything like factory center and sub and add two of my 10's?

Thanks for all the help!