ICE advice

[arimus]

Okay, the wife has agreed to let me fit a satnav to our ML270 which currently has an audi 10 with Bose amp, what's the pros and cons of getting a command retrofitted compared to another aftermarket double din unit? Both will be about same price after fitting so the easy discriminator is no use ...

 

[gbjeppm]

We have comand in our ML, and thus I feel qualified to comment, but this is only my view.

I am a big fan of COMAND, especially with the integration with the steering wheel controls and the cluster.

The problem I have on the ML is that it has neither of these things, so it makes the COMAND offer less attractive.

I am currently thinking of removing the COMAND from the ML and putting it into my CLK (I know I may have some compatibility issues), as it seems to make more sense to me there.

I am then thinking of putting an all in one SAT NAV/DVD/Bluetooth/IPOD system in the ML.

What is currently stopping me is that COMAND looks right, and I am not yet convinced that putting a more modern aftermarket system is the right thing to do.

So I don't have a specific suggestion, these are just the thoughts that I have at the moment.

 

[maddog]

I retrofitted comand into my E class with bose and the main reason i did was to keep it original and able to use the standard equipment like the steering wheel controls etc i have lingutronic on mine and that was a big reason as well

Havent regretted it at all

 

[A210AMG]

Matt


I havn't got command but like you looking at double din units. I've just not seen one yet the matched the 'look' most are too 'in your face' buttons / colour etc don't match.

 

[speedevilus]

Hi Guys,
Since I have been fitting ICE into my cars for many years I think that I know a thing ro two about sound systems. some people in fact most people wont be into their amps and subs and bass as much as I am but each to their own and I am a bassjunkie and is always a must!

However, I had have so many double din units before that I have tried almost every make including Pioneer AVIC, Alpine, Clarion and two Kenwoods so I am a self claimed expert on these (joking of course). I had an Alpine W200i in my BMW X5 with custom facia which I had builed myself which had iPod control but not sat nav.

However, I bought a Kenwood DNX7200 over a year and some months ago fitted that into my Nissan350Z and am just about to put it in my CLK320 as part of a big install but this why I think is one of the best double din units:

There are no visible buttons so all you see is the screen thus it matches almost any interior. It has a built in sat nav, iPod connection and control plus it is Bluetooth ready so you can connect KCA-BT100 kit to it as just a plug in (I found it working perfectly and with no issues for over a year) TMC Traffic and then I have added Alpine rearview camera wich I absolutely love, it is one of the best cams available (thinking of adding the front view camera to it tooa as I already have the main brain). I can not fault this unit, shows up the artwork on iPod music, shows video from iPod , controls your ipod as well as charging it and I can go on and on so this is my two pennies worth.

I am planning to put this is my car as I didn't want to depart with it when I sold my 350Z so when completed I can provide some pictures.

One of the reasons that I like this unit is that even the latest model of this unit plus most of the makes i.e. Pioneers etc. have shiny buttons which although are nice they dont match most interiors.

I am not sure if this helps but I thought it is relevant. I am bypassing my whole car sound system to put my own battery, amps,camera,subs,speakers so it is a monster install but I have decided this does everything that I'd ever need. Sat Nav never let me down once and I do travel loads.

Oh, before I forget, Kenwood do an adaptor for steering wheel control, I just got mine yesterday which is just a plug in and it is called CAW-MB1110 for mercs with ISO10 connection although they do make them for other make and models and it only cost me £45.00.

I hope I haven't bored you to death but if you have any questions then I am happy to answer them.

cheers

Andy

 

[maddog]

I like the look of that but on a MB wont you lose the dashboard functions as well??

 

[gbjeppm]

I like the look of that but on a MB wont you lose the dashboard functions as well??

You are right, but on a W163 ML, there are no functions in the cluster or steering wheel, so of less importance.

 

[arimus]

Yep, my ML lacks steering wheel controls...

The other downside is 99.99% of my music collection is on my Ipod and the W163 command unit only allows ipod input via Aux and doesnt control it, that's probably the one thing which will kill the command idea dead.

If i do go with a 3rd paty unit will my Bose amp still work or is it tied to merc units somehow?

 

[speedevilus]

hi mate,
They do sell the connector that is made for amplified cars so you can still use yours.

 

[fast_eddie]

Hi,

COMAND would get my vote - as others have mentioned, the integration and steering wheel controls swung my decision. Add an iPod adapter and you're well kitted out!

I previously had the RNS-510 in a few Volkswagen cars, a marvellous device and again was very well integrated and S/W controls etc. The touch screen was lovely to have, and is the only thing I miss on COMAND.

I've tried a few touch-screen devices in Halford's etc, and just did ont like them as much as the RNS-510 or the COMAND...Of course, that's just my opinion, and each to their own!

Cheers,
Eddie

 

[gbjeppm]

Hi,

COMAND would get my vote - as others have mentioned, the integration and steering wheel controls swung my decision. Add an iPod adapter and you're well kitted out!

As said above, generically I agree with you, but on the W163 ML there is no cluster integration or steering wheel controls to connect to .