Command lookalike!!

[evdok]

Merc E Class, W211 Replacement GPS DVD OEM Audio 20 - Car Vision UK

 

[Colin_b]

Interesting, I'd been thinking about upgrading the audio 20 in my SLK...

Benz SLK 171 Media Navigation OEM replacement Unit - Car Vision UK

I wonder what the catch is?

 

[nick mercedes]

I wonder what the catch is?

That you're being asked to pay £600 for a Chinese knock-off of something?

 

[moonloops]

That you're being asked to pay £600 for a Chinese knock-off of something?

Maybe they come with a free fire extinguisher

 

[nick mercedes]

Maybe they come with a free fire extinguisher

Looks like they make them for all models of MB:

Wholesale mercedes navigation - Buy Low Price mercedes navigation Lots on Aliexpress.com

You'd think the makers of comands would have something to say about all these knock-offs...

 

[moonloops]

Looks like they make them for all models of MB:

Wholesale mercedes navigation - Buy Low Price mercedes navigation Lots on Aliexpress.com

You'd think the makers of comands would have something to say about all these knock-offs...

I don't actually think they are knock-offs as such, more like a mass produced unit with a bespoke facia to fit each car. Crappy things though..

 

[Burger]

Crappy things though..

Have you seen one in the flesh and had the chance to use it?

 

[moonloops]

Have you seen one in the flesh and had the chance to use it?

Not one of these but something very similar when I was looking for a double din unit for my MR2. Clunky menu system and ropey sound quality.

 

[Burger]

Not one of these but something very similar when I was looking for a double din unit for my MR2. Clunky menu system and ropey sound quality.

Thanks. I'd love to hear from someone who's actually got one of these units. The concept is very good in my opinion and occasionally good quality stuff is produced by Chinese companies in amongst all the cheap stuff so I'm not sure any comparison with other units is fair. Time will tell I guess.

Thanks,

 

[Colin_b]

That you're being asked to pay £600 for a Chinese knock-off of something?

Less than a third of the price of an MB one. Assuming (big assumption!) it works OK, why not.

Hardware is pretty much standard nowadays, the software & interfaces are the difficult bit, plus making the fascia.

I'll reserve judgement until I've seen some proper reviews.

 

[npuk]

Hardly a third cheaper, depends on what car. The latest Comand NTG2.5 can be picked up for less than the price of the chinese unit for certain models of car and close to the price of the chinese unit for other models. Original units have many benefits over the chinese units.

 

[Burger]

Depends on what car and model your looking for. The latest Comand NTG2.5 can be picked up for less for certain models of car including the SLK.

Except one of these units will provide much greater flexibility without the requirement for additional modules and the associated complex wiring and integration with other vehicle systems. eg Bluetooth streaming, built in DTV, photo, aux video etc. etc.

Quality is a major factor but if these units are good quality as a lot of the more recent, pricey stuff from China, and let's face it, most electronics are made in China anyway, no matter who's badge is on it, then they could be a significantly smarter buy.

To my mind there are three major factors:

1. Quality of the display.
2. Quality and reliability of the software.
3. Integration with the steering wheel and info display.

If these are cracked, it's a complete winner in my opinion.

Regards,

 

[Colin_b]

Hardly a third cheaper, depends on what car. The latest Comand NTG2.5 can be picked up for less than the price of the chinese unit for certain models of car and close to the price of the chinese unit for other models. Original units have many benefits over the chinese units.

Where from, last time I looked they were around £2k fitted. If its down to a grand, I'll open my wallet

 

[timskemp]

To be honest, I was really happy with the Kenwood I fitted to my W211, plus when I sold the car I put the Audio20 back in, and the kenwood fetched back aout 60% of its cost!