Bye Bye Command

[markyuk]

Am getting rid of my command now as cannot get DVD or CD to work

The only question I have is how big of a pain is it going to be to replace this with normal type car stereo. Bearing in mind the Sat Nav in the boot will have to go as well!

Anyone know what adapters I will need ie ISO connectors etc etc. Fasica are easy as most come with them anyways for my car.

 

[R2D2]

If you remove it you will lesson the value of your car. Comand is great (if it works granted) If it is the CD/DVD player bit then I'd get it repaired. You can get the lazer/lense parts online for £50 ish I seem to recall.

 

[Doodle]

I *should* still have the adaptors and fascia you need from when I had the install in my 211. I'll have a sift through the box of wiring and see what's there - been having a bit of a throwout recently and may have got a little over enthusiastic.

Bear in mind you'll need to keep the Comand unit in the loop somewhere, otherwise the motorised pocket no longer works.

There's also nothing to say you can't put it back in when you're done

 

[nigel cross]

I agree, but Comand is only a basic sat nav, it only take you to the postcode and not the exact house number, plus there are no 'safety cameras'

 

[npuk]

At the moment all the speaker connections and antenna connections are in the boot. You would need to run looms from the boot to the rear of the headunit to fit an aftermarket headunit. Also remove the cd changer if you have one before disconnecting the old system as the motorised panel wont work. Neither will phone.

You can upgrade to the newer Comand NTG2.5 harddisk based system fitted to MY09 if you wanted to fit an OEM unit which will work with the cluster display and steering buttons.

 

[markyuk]

At the moment all the speaker connections and antenna connections are in the boot. You would need to run looms from the boot to the rear of the headunit to fit an aftermarket headunit. Also remove the cd changer if you have one before disconnecting the old system as the motorised panel wont work. Neither will phone.

You can upgrade to the newer Comand NTG2.5 harddisk based system fitted to MY09 if you wanted to fit an OEM unit which will work with the cluster display and steering buttons.

Would that entail a simple plug and play to upgrade to the 2.5?

Looking at some second hand units on ebay there is not much difference compared to what I was looking to replace with.

 

[gIzzE]

You will need a cable kit, vary in price but looking at around £100.

 

[Alps]

All depends on the options you have fitted already, also there are many versions of 2.5 units, some with built in DVD changers etc. If you have HK then you will need another AGW and loom as well.

 

[markyuk]

You will need a cable kit, vary in price but looking at around £100.

All adding up lol......... dont suppose there is a multi boot changer available? I can live without the DVD support!! But it would be nice to play some of my cd's. I have an aux connnection and run my Iphone at moment but that is a pain finding somewhere to keep phone within easy access to change music around etc!! I can't find a phone holder that would look good in the car

 

[npuk]

NTG2.5 comes in two models with single disc or with built in 6 disc changer. it has a SD card slot (for mp3 playback) and music register on the hardrive you can copy music too. Also can playback mp3s from dvd. It has full bluetooth built in and supports aux input, ipod kit and media interface.

Your current cd changer, AGW, nav processor etc can be sold on to recoup some of the cost and none of the old parts are needed for NTG2.5.

If you have Harmon Kardon then it will be more expensive to upgrade as you have to replace the HK amp with the newer type for NTG2.5.

 

[b1g1an]

You could add an iPod/iPhone/USB interface to the current COMAND and then stream the music from your phone or just use a memory stick which would use the headunit and steering wheel controls so no need for a phone holder. You could then remove and sell it when changing the car while keeping it looking factory. Not cheap but much cheaper than any of the other options.

 

[markyuk]

Well plenty to think about really. Looks like I will be spending a fair bit of time on Ebay

Thanks for all the replies

 

[flango]

If it were me I would stick with your original plan and junk command (its a heap of outdated carp anyway) and fit a high end aftermarket unit. It doesn't really affect resale value of a car unless the car is under 5 years old and there is better out there than the original fittment, although in keeping with originality (if thats important) a repair might be the way to go. The new command units are much better and the one I had on a C class the other week in Germany was perfect and navigated and sounded really well

 

[gIzzE]

I have to agree, with the new units like the Pioneer F950dab, Clarion NX502e offering amazing iphone control, internet, bluetooth, dab and decent sound with illumination to match the dash that would be where my money would be going.

I would never have considered one of these before, but they offer so much more and now look pretty good as well.
OEM was always the way forward, but buying into 7 year old tech is not the sensible choice.

I would take a car with a Clarion NX502E installed over one with NTG2.5 if looking used.

 

[b1g1an]

Best thing about the COMAND units that sit low in the dash like they used to, whether NTG1 or 2.5, is the repeat display in the instruments. I use that all the time and only usually look at the screen to 'program' it. It sits far too low for comfortable (read safe) use for me and I'm not aware of any third party ones that have that function. I'd probably use a screen or vent mounted Tomtom in preference to rely on looking down there all the time. Stupid place to put it which they realised eventually!

 

[bozmandb9]

At the moment all the speaker connections and antenna connections are in the boot. You would need to run looms from the boot to the rear of the headunit to fit an aftermarket headunit. Also remove the cd changer if you have one before disconnecting the old system as the motorised panel wont work. Neither will phone.

You can upgrade to the newer Comand NTG2.5 harddisk based system fitted to MY09 if you wanted to fit an OEM unit which will work with the cluster display and steering buttons.

Is this really true? Why can't an aftermarket headunit use the existing wiring? (Based on a non fibre optic system), or was this reply assuming that the car had the fibre optic?

 

[flango]

Is this really true? Why can't an aftermarket headunit use the existing wiring? (Based on a non fibre optic system), or was this reply assuming that the car had the fibre optic?

I'm not sure which version of command this applies to but there is a complete kit you can buy that utilises the non fibre wiring already in place comes with all connector cables fascia etc and is a really easy job to swap over however I suspect this got more difficult with newer versions of command, we used to get the kits from an audio electronics supplier in Derby will try and find the name

 

[gIzzE]

Is this really true? Why can't an aftermarket headunit use the existing wiring? (Based on a non fibre optic system), or was this reply assuming that the car had the fibre optic?

What car are you considering putting a new system into?
Makes all the difference.
npuk was relaying to someone with a 2004 E Class, on that the head unit is simply a controller, with the module in the boot, so you only have a comms lead running to the rear and the actual connectors you need are back there.

Later cars this changed. Different models are different. Different audio systems are different.

It was right for the person he was replying to, may not be right for you.

 

[Gollom]

NTG2.5 comes in two models with single disc or with built in 6 disc changer. it has a SD card slot (for mp3 playback) and music register on the hardrive you can copy music too. Also can playback mp3s from dvd. It has full bluetooth built in and supports aux input, ipod kit and media interface.

Your current cd changer, AGW, nav processor etc can be sold on to recoup some of the cost and none of the old parts are needed for NTG2.5.

If you have Harmon Kardon then it will be more expensive to upgrade as you have to replace the HK amp with the newer type for NTG2.5.

Hmmmmm - got me thinking. Questions please on my W211 (MY 2003:

• How easy to replace my NTG1 with CD changer for an NTG2.5 (has full postcode I assume?)
• What would a ballpark return be for the bits I would not want/need (NTG1 satnav processor, CD changer etc.
• I also have a Fiscon Pro hands-free which if I read ebay correctly are going for £300+ Surely not?

The remaining hurdle would of course being able to persuade SuzyCute what a great idea it would be....... Of course my last question above could be the clincher...... :bannana:

 

[flango]

Hmmmmm - got me thinking. Questions please on my W211 (MY 2003: [*]How easy to replace my NTG1 with CD changer for an NTG2.5 (has full postcode I assume?) [*]What would a ballpark return be for the bits I would not want/need (NTG1 satnav processor, CD changer etc. [*]I also have a Fiscon Pro hands-free which if I read ebay correctly are going for £300+ Surely not? The remaining hurdle would of course being able to persuade SuzyCute what a great idea it would be....... Of course my last question above could be the clincher...... :bannana:

Command is carp don't go there look at Alpine or Kenwood type double din replacements more functionality and more modern looking and dead easy to fit