Naviradio - Anyone tried it

[chazr]

I came across this gadget on ebay which claims to be able to turn the (I think) NGT 4.5 on my 2011 W204 estate into a carplay compatible device, I contacting them ref instructions and got a prompt reply back from them with a link to their instruction page - Mercedes-Benz carplay box


I also found a UK based company that claims the same from a similar device (You searched for w204 - Unique Auto Developments) but at a much higher price.


My question is has anybody fitted either of these and are they worth it or a pain to use ?

 

[Paulel]

Sorry to see nobody responded to your post because I’m looking for something similar for my ngt 4.5. Did you fit anything to your vehicle?

 

[ChrisPDuck]

I bought something similar from AliExpress for my W221 NTG3.0. Quite straightforward to fit, and I'm very pleased with the result - the display is still the original and there's no outward sign that it's fitted until my phone connects, then it's Spotify for my music, Apple/Google maps for navigation, and my phone's native phone/messaging apps.
Two minor niggles:
1) When I exit the CarPlay screen (e.g. to adjust seat controls, aircon etc) the music stops,
2) Navigation through the Command wheel is great, and the volume controls on the centre console and the steering wheel still work, but the next/last track on the steering wheel doesn't (so it's the Command wheel only for that function).

Very minor niggles, but I'd be interested to know if there are modules out there that don't have those niggles or whether they're all the same.

 

[Paulel]

Thanks for your response Chris. I bought a unit from AliExpress for my SLK a couple of years ago and I was very happy with it. I’m just unsure now because I’ve seen several units at around £500 and then there are the much cheaper versions. I’m a great believer in, you get what you pay for, but I’m a little short of cash at the moment!

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Yeah, it's definitely a risk going for a really cheap unit from the other side of the world, and in the event of problems it would be a lot easier to have them sorted by a local supplier. But I'm glad I risked it. I've had a couple of discussions with the supplier since fitting it (about both of the niggles I mentioned above), and they've been quite responsive, despite a bit of a language barrier, so I'm happy with the support and would happily risk another purchase.

 

[Paulel]

Thanks for the follow up response. I too had a few problems with the unit I bought for my SLK but I found their willingness to try and assist very good but the language barrier was often challenging! BUT at least they gave it a go. I think I will give AliExpress another go. Thanks for your help.