phone carkits & two batteries

[calum]

Just having my W211 dismantled to fit a phone carkit. Miserable business: they (Vodafone Corporate) can't do a proper "premium install" - where they use the existing speakers - since they don't have fibre-optic aware install kits. So I've got to have a separate speaker added
Nowhere obvious to put the handset, so it's going to block the driver's side air vent (to the right of the wheel).

Surprised to discover that the vehicle has two batteries, which I didn't know. Main one in the boot, and a smaller, yet hefty 170A, one under the bonnet.

 

[RichardM]

That's the same problem I had (with Vodafone Corporate, or Toad as they use). They can mute the stereo though so make sure they do that.

I got the proper MB phone console, it was only about £45, it saves you blocking one of the vents and matches the trim of the car. The other option is to use one of the dash mount brackets which fits next to the CD changer.

They should be using the battery in the boot, as that supplies all of the auxillery power. That way there is never a risk of not being able to start the car.

 

[calum]

thanks Richard. where does the MB console go? I think they are using the boot battery; will check. thanks re phone mute.

 

[RichardM]

It fits to the left of the Ashtray, sort of bolted on the side, but as the trim matches and its designed for the car it doesn't look out of place.

What type of aerial are they using? Mercedes do not allow glass mount aerials, so I had the choice of a bumper mount aerial, or to drill a hole in the bodywork to fit one. I'm sure you can guess which I went for!

 

[fuzzer]

i was banging onto the dealer about this at the weekend.

Why on earth isnt the telephone UHI prewire standard on all MB uk cars?

Its crazy , it just causes a big headache when youre looking for a car. Should be a no brainer fron the options list for anyone ordering a new car.

 

[RichardM]

Jason, as the choice of phone kits for mine is so limited, what use would the pre-wiring be?

 

[fuzzer]

Jason, as the choice of phone kits for mine is so limited, what use would the pre-wiring be?

If you have ever used the integrated carphone you will know about the advantages through the wheel , dash cluster and not least sound quality etc.

I do atmit that the range of hangsets is limited ,but hasnt been an issue with myself. Vodafone do offer multisim for this purpose.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Just having my W211 dismantled to fit a phone carkit. Miserable business: they (Vodafone Corporate) can't do a proper "premium install" - where they use the existing speakers - since they don't have fibre-optic aware install kits. So I've got to have a separate speaker added
Nowhere obvious to put the handset, so it's going to block the driver's side air vent (to the right of the wheel).

Surprised to discover that the vehicle has two batteries, which I didn't know. Main one in the boot, and a smaller, yet hefty 170A, one under the bonnet.

cant u just install something like this:

has a nice trimmed speaker and doesnt cover your vents.... mine is a nokia kit...

 

[RichardM]

That is similar to mine, except the W211 version does not have a speaker built in. It does mean it is smaller though.

 

[Shude]

That is similar to mine, except the W211 version does not have a speaker built in. It does mean it is smaller though.

You might find that there are also versions with speakers - both were available in different colours for the 202, 210, 208 etc.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

You might find that there are also versions with speakers - both were available in different colours for the 202, 210, 208 etc.

These were fantastic, we had one in our W202 a few years ago.

 

[calum]

Yup, mine is a bumper mount aerial.

Ironically, mine *is* a new car, yet I didn't go with the pre-wiring. Two reasons: firstly, I'm cheap. My company are paying for the carkit install, but I'm paying for the car (and the options). £420 for pre-wiring. Secondly, my phone - Nokia 6820 - doesn't have an MB kit.

Sadly, I don't get a choice of carkit; standard company policy. I can't complain, since I get the phone and a carkit for free.

i agree that Silver Saloon's kit looks nice.

Didn't get the phone mute connected: installer was very concerned about upsetting the airbag system. Not sure what the connection was, but wasn't bothered about auto-muting anyway, so never mind.

All in and working now; have disabled the Bluetooth feature, since didn't see the point of it. Since I have a holder, the phone will always be in it: no Bluetooth needed.

 

[RichardM]

You might find that there are also versions with speakers - both were available in different colours for the 202, 210, 208 etc.

The one I have is from the accessories brochure for the W211 and it only listed the one type. Looking at the same brouchure for other models it lists both types.

 

[glojo]

If you have ever used the integrated carphone you will know about the advantages through the wheel , dash cluster and not least sound quality etc.

I do admit that the range of handsets is limited ,but hasnt been an issue with myself. Vodafone do offer multisim for this purpose.

I 100% agree with every word and what a terrible shame that the hands free option is not standard on both the Avantgarde and Elegance.

I understand the comment about lack of choice for the telephone, but as Fuzzer has already stated, who cares what colour, shape, options the telephone has? The Mercedes-Benz controls, COMAND screen, dash cluster and sound quality are second to none.

Does Braybrook offer a Mercedes-Benz type installation?

John

 

[RichardM]

I 100% agree with every word and what a terrible shame that the hands free option is not standard on both the Avantgarde and Elegance.

I understand the comment about lack of choice for the telephone, but as Fuzzer has already stated, who cares what colour, shape, options the telephone has? The Mercedes-Benz controls, COMAND screen, dash cluster and sound quality are second to none.

Does Braybrook offer a Mercedes-Benz type installation?

John

They do, Marcos had his retro fitted there, but it was expensive.

With such a crap selection of phones I still don't think I'd go for the phone kit if I was ordering a new car today, not until they at least support bluetooth or guarantee to keep the phone holders up to date.

 

[glojo]

They do, Marcos had his retro fitted there, but it was expensive.

With such a crap selection of phones I still don't think I'd go for the phone kit if I was ordering a new car today, not until they at least support bluetooth or guarantee to keep the phone holders up to date.

Hi Richard,
I understand what you are saying, but on the 211 the telephone is completely hidden out of sight inside the glove box. You have no access to it whilst driving**** and as stated the features that are offered are second to none.

I would recommend to everyone buying a 211 to give very serious thought to the hands free option. Just read this thread and see the inconvienance poor Calum is having to contend with. If I had the very latest game playing green toothed, picture taking telephone it would still do the same task that the installed telephone does.

John

**** Someone can obviously open the glovebox and remove the telephone whilst the vehicle is in motion, but it is certainly NOT an operation I would recommend for a driver to even attempt whilst the vehicle is in motion.

 

[calum]

I understand the comment about lack of choice for the telephone, but as Fuzzer has already stated, who cares what colour, shape, options the telephone has? The Mercedes-Benz controls, COMAND screen, dash cluster and sound quality are second to none.

I know what you're getting at John, and agree, but that only holds whilst the phone is in the car. Once you get out of the car, however, you might be slightly more interested in the phone's features.
[reminds of that spoof advert: "Embarrassed by your mobile? Well get a life, it's just a phone!".]
Still no help in my case, however, as I don't get to choose my phone model. Again, no complaints.

 

[glojo]

Still no help in my case, however, as I don't get to choose my phone model. Again, no complaints.

I totally understand your very valid point and I am speaking from a very selfish position of having one telephone in the car and another more modern one for 'she that must be obeyed' when she is away from the vehicle.


As a completely seperate issue and perhaps going way to far off topic?
The Nokia 6310i has an excellent screen that can clearly be seen without the need for the lighting to illuminate the screen.

The new telephone we have needs a button to be pressed to enable 'the boss' to see what she is doing. Are we unfortunate with the choice of phone, or is the 6310i particularly good?

Regards,
John

 

[fuzzer]

I totally understand your very valid point and I am speaking from a very selfish position of having one telephone in the car and another more modern one for 'she that must be obeyed' when she is away from the vehicle.


As a completely seperate issue and perhaps going way to far off topic?
The Nokia 6310i has an excellent screen that can clearly be seen without the need for the lighting to illuminate the screen.

The new telephone we have needs a button to be pressed to enable 'the boss' to see what she is doing. Are we unfortunate with the choice of phone, or is the 6310i particularly good?

Regards,
John

the 6310i is the best phone ever. just check out the demand still for them on ebay

 

[Shude]

the 6310i is the best phone ever. just check out the demand still for them on ebay

I dropped mine a few times and although some plastic shavings fell out of the casing when I took it apart to see what rattled, it's still working fine after all these years *touch wood*.

The 6310i is to be replaced by the 6021, the new Nokia business phone. All the new features but no camera for legal reasons.

Just as soon as MB decide they will support the 6021, I might consider getting one to replace my 6310i.