yulser

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Hi Folks......new member here !!

I'd really appreciate any help, advice / information on getting a good quality connection with my ipod. I seen that some folks have tried several things but I'd apreciate if anyone knows if there are any new 3rd party gadgets/options that have been introduced onto the market.

Unfortunately my SLK does not have command so I cant get the standard Merc kit installed. Any installtion systems that I have came across recomend a wired solution via an Aux input. I believe my Audio 20 does not have this option. To be honest I have tried several FM transmitters and TBH I feel the sound quality is not that good and i often get interference from local radio stations.

I have been looking at the dension ice link & also the harmon kardon drive & play options.

As I said I'd appreciate any advice

DansSlk

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I think the Dension does a good job mate, not used it myself but heard good things.

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yulser

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Thanks Dan,

anyone else got any experience with this or installation. There seems to be varying models of the dension.

thanks for any input

yulser

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Halfords have an install service for a dension unit. not sure what model or anything. waiting on the fitter getting back from lunch break

DansSlk

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Your what mate

Your a brave man letting anybody play with the SLK's fibre optic system, i sure hope it goes OK otherwise this will be very expensive.

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yulser

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surely there must be an option or way to get an ipod connected with reasonable quality!!

it's really hacking me off!!

Am trying to source a specialist electric engineering company to do the work locally.

The dension apears to have a an FM modulator option for approx £100 installed. From what I understand this would not affect the MOST fibre optic wiring............Unless anyone knows different!

DansSlk

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My very expensive comment applies to every part of the SLK's electrical system not just the optics, it's very complicated and very temperamental.

Dension make a unit with an optic interface, purchase that then get a hold of your local dealer and explain the situation to them, they will more than likely be happy to install the unit for you and will have the kit to work on the copper and glass side's of the system without damaging them.

The SLK is not one size fit's all compatible so taking it anywhere other than the dealer is very risky, i'm sorry i know 90% of people don't want to hear that but that's just the way it is.

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yulser

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Hi folks ,

Just thought I'd update anyone who has had the same problems as myself.

I did about 2 weeks of researching, thinking and deliberating over this

The local Merc dealers did not offer any real solutions other than reffering me to an Audio specialist..........so

I spoke to several Car Audio specialists in my area (glasgow) and most suggested to stay well clear of the Dension gateway units as they just dont appear to work well and end up causing more troubles that there worth. Most of the gateway 500 installs ended up going wrong and having to remove them. Some had even stopped installing them.

The only real option was a wired in FM modulator solution ..........I know most people will Gasp in horror at this. I did a good bit of digging around and researched some reviews. Their were various options and I was very tempted by the Harmon Kardon drive + play 2 . Quite expensive but did look the part. But between purchase and install it was costing nearly £400. A lot of money I felt for a device which was only using an FM modulator to connect. It did look well kool though.

I opted for the Dension FM link one. It took about 2 hrs for the prof install and cost me all in about £150. This also included a brodit mounting bracket. I've got to be honest, the sound from it is very very good. The installation is excellent and the ipod is slightly tilted towards the driver so very easy to use and change selection. I do get a little hiss between tracks. But this is only when I have the stereo cranked up full and it is very slight. Yes I know you dont get this from CD's but I hate using CD's in the car and I couldn't possibly have the equivalent number of CD's rattling about my car. One of the things I did not like with the Harmon DP2 was that the display screen was fixed to the Dash. The ipod just slides out of the holder in a second and can be placed in a door pocket or ashtray. So for security I also felt this option was better.

Sound quality - is a hell of a lot better than any FM transmitter. Stereo speration and bass is by far a 100 times better than any portable FM transmitter. I have tried several well recomended ones and spent quite a few quid doing the rounds on this.

Overall I am not 100% happy but the sound is as good as I'm going to get. I'd say 9/10. I just feel a little let down by Mercedes that they dont have a solution for this. I know the new facelifted models are now coming with an Aux input so I suppose they have seen the light. I had a 06 CLK sport before the SLK and IPod integration was no problem with that.

I hope this info is of help to anyone seeking an Ipod solution for their SLK.

mtiede

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As for all the CDs, at least over here, the DVD player can play MP3 DVDs. You can have a LOT of CDs on a single DVD.

etyu

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DVD will usually hold 8.5 GB, as opposed to the 700 MB on a typical CD.

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DansSlk

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He is without COMAND remember guys so he is limited to CD's

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mtiede

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Ah, didn't catch that... Never mind...

yulser

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Hi folks , yeah If I had comand then I'd have no issues at all. I could have got the merc kit fitted by the dealer.

I bought the car as an ex demonstrator. 3 months old with 800 miles on the clock and saved 3k on list price and it did not have command on it. I have no real use for Sat nav so it wasn't a concern. My Previousl CLK sport had no command but had the merc ipod kit installed so I did think i would have been a problem with the SLK.

Obviously I was so wrong

UK-C200

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Well, I'm starting to get worried now... I have a C200K in London, and am in the process of getting an SLK for my time stateside (don't even start - pounds to dollars, I can get a 350 stateside for the same price in $ as I spend in pounds in London - and don't get me started on petrol and road tax)....

Point though is that I have a Gateway 500 in my non-comand C with a A10 head, and it works great. I was going to go the same route with the SLK, but now I'm second guessing my decision given that with the comand I'll have AUX input.

Has anyone successfully installed a v3 Gateway in an SLK? I know for the C we used MB phone install details to work out the proper placement in the fiber ring - I'd assume the same documents exist for a SLK?

DansSlk

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If it will have COMAND use the MB kit, so much simpler mate trust me.

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UK-C200

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Dan - thanks for the advice - as I understand it, I'll only see song titles, on the MFD, not on the COMAND, correct?

Also, do you in your vast store of knowledge have the US part number I'd need, and advice on install (is it DYI-able?)

DansSlk

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Yes unfortunately that's correct, the COMAND uses its AUX in and the data is sent to the combi.

I have the part number's somewhere i will get them for you.

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