Mercedes SLK World banner
361 - 380 of 498 Posts
Discussion starter · #363 ·
One thing I have not been able to find.
Can I program this before it is installed?
of course!

in the programming instructions.

mods4cars product manual

This module comes with our USB Field Upgrade and Configuration Port! We recommend connecting it to a computer BEFORE YOU INSTALL and using our support app "m4cconnect" to do a quick firmware update check. M4cconnect as well as all other information regarding USB update and configuration can be found at mods4cars update site. You can even configure and activate your favorite module functions and settings on screen before the module is installed in the car! It is a good idea to permanently install the USB cable with the module in the car, leaving the computer plug in an easily accessible spot for later use with a Wifi/3G/4G connected laptop.

see step 8

http://www.mods4cars.com/sms/db/smarttop/ext/support/usb/en.php
 
Discussion starter · #364 ·
I got my smarttop module ~3 years ago. Is it worth to update the firmware? I use exclusively linux systems, so it wouldn't be an easy operation for me...
i have mine from 14 years ago and never updated

probably not unless you need rear windows to stay up with top down and a few other features that were not available to r171
 
of course!

in the programming instructions.

mods4cars product manual

This module comes with our USB Field Upgrade and Configuration Port! We recommend connecting it to a computer BEFORE YOU INSTALL and using our support app "m4cconnect" to do a quick firmware update check. M4cconnect as well as all other information regarding USB update and configuration can be found at mods4cars update site. You can even configure and activate your favorite module functions and settings on screen before the module is installed in the car! It is a good idea to permanently install the USB cable with the module in the car, leaving the computer plug in an easily accessible spot for later use with a Wifi/3G/4G connected laptop.

see step 8

mods4cars product manual
It is indeed a great product built to the highest quality beyond my expectation. However, for such a great product, in my opinion it is let down by its upgrade process where the laptop needs to be 'connected' to the internet to facilitate a download of the new firmware while connected to the Smarttop! This is very clumsy approach for some users like myself where my car is parked in the basement of a large apartment block with no WiFi nor 3G/4G signal. I don't understand why the manufacturer didn't make it so that one can download the firmware with the laptop connected to the internet, disconnect the laptop from the internet, take the laptop to the car to connect with the Smarttop to update the firmware?
 
It is indeed a great product built to the highest quality beyond my expectation. However, for such a great product, in my opinion it is let down by its upgrade process where the laptop needs to be 'connected' to the internet to facilitate a download of the new firmware while connected to the Smarttop! This is very clumsy approach for some users like myself where my car is parked in the basement of a large apartment block with no WiFi nor 3G/4G signal. I don't understand why the manufacturer didn't make it so that one can download the firmware with the laptop connected to the internet, disconnect the laptop from the internet, take the laptop to the car to connect with the Smarttop to update the firmware?
Possibly product protection.
Making it easy to pc download might help those that copy.
 
Possibly product protection.
Making it easy to pc download might help those that copy.
I get that, but there are stronger ways to protect one's IP than doing it this way. The protection can be embedded securely at Chip level and not at firmware level which will always be liable to hacking. Putting the protection at chip level means that someone can copy and duplicate the hardware, they may even go to the same factory to get clones manufactured, but the clones will not work unless they purchase the chips containing the protection from the owners. This was how the company I worked for in 2004 managed their manufacturing in China and prevented the factories from closing the products for the Chinese market. It was very cost effective and gave HQ in London total control.
 
Discussion starter · #369 ·
I get that, but there are stronger ways to protect one's IP than doing it this way. The protection can be embedded securely at Chip level and not at firmware level which will always be liable to hacking. Putting the protection at chip level means that someone can copy and duplicate the hardware, they may even go to the same factory to get clones manufactured, but the clones will not work unless they purchase the chips containing the protection from the owners. This was how the company I worked for in 2004 managed their manufacturing in China and prevented the factories from closing the products for the Chinese market. It was very cost effective and gave HQ in London total control.
Feel free to express your concern/idea to m4c

Website: MODS4CARS - YOUR SPECIALIST IN SmartTOP HIGH-END ELECTRONICS FOR CONVERTIBLE TOP AND REMOTE CONTROLS
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mods4cars
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mods4cars
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mods4cars

Hotline: +1-310-9109055 / +49-30-868705541
Direct Extension: 202 / Skype Chat: sventornow
 
Discussion starter · #371 ·
Wow this looks like an awesome upgrade.

Perhaps stupid question, but are all R171s supposed to be able to open the roof with the factory keyfob?
Mine does not, it only works with the center console button.

Cheers!
yes....are you about 6 inches away from the ir pad in the door?
is that ir pad clean?

you should have the option on your datacard but that was standard by then

try it and report back
press and HOLD the unlock button while pointing at ir pad on door handle....HOLD it...

Smarttop u do not have to hold anything :D

SmartTop uses rf and not ir.

standing by :D
 
yes....are you about 6 inches away from the ir pad in the door?
is that ir pad clean?

you should have the option on your datacard but that was standard by then

try it and report back
press and HOLD the unlock button while pointing at ir pad on door handle....HOLD it...

Smarttop u do not have to hold anything :D

SmartTop uses rf and not ir.

standing by :D
wow, you have to be that close to the door for it to work? Thats quite pointless :smile:
Will check it Monday when i'm back home and report back.

cheers
 
Discussion starter · #373 ·
wow, you have to be that close to the door for it to work? Thats quite pointless :smile:
Will check it Monday when i'm back home and report back.

cheers
that is true

that is why the SmartTop is the greatest mod for your slk

check your owner's manual

it describes that procedure.....more than 6 inches no work
 
Dear All,

I have been reading through most of the roof modules posts an logically the focus is on the roof functions. My apologies if perhaps somewhere I have overlooked the info I am after.
For me the roof and window functions are nice to have, but I became interested in smart TOP module as it can be the solution for the start-stop function without messing directly with the software in the car.
So in fact main reasons why I would like to get a module are :
1) Passenger side mirror down with reverse gear
2) Start- Stop (ECO) Memory function (in random order ;-))

Based on the descriptions and manual, only the module from SmartTOP STHFMZ2 seem to have both of the above functions. Does anybody else know any other modules that have this Start-stop (ECO) memory functionality ?

X carstyle M04051 : not available
SmartTOP STHFMZ2 : yes both function available
OThers : ??

Note: I'm from Europe, so preferably looking for EU sellers.

Cheers,
Glenn
 
Based on the descriptions and manual, only the module from SmartTOP STHFMZ2 seem to have both of the above functions. Does anybody else know any other modules that have this Start-stop (ECO) memory functionality ?

X carstyle M04051 : not available
SmartTOP STHFMZ2 : yes both function available
OThers : ??

Note: I'm from Europe, so preferably looking for EU sellers.

Cheers,
Glenn
We know from experience that the smarttop owners (Mods4cars) always respond to help requests.

Owners of other makes have used smarttop instructions to sort their issues.
 
So in fact main reasons why I would like to get a module are :
1) Passenger side mirror down with reverse gear
2) Start- Stop (ECO) Memory function (in random order ;-))

Based on the descriptions and manual, only the module from SmartTOP STHFMZ2 seem to have both of the above functions. Does anybody else know any other modules that have this Start-stop (ECO) memory functionality ?
I'm not aware of any other module like this that can provide that functionality and, as @Avel Du has already mentioned too, the support provided by Mods4Cars has always been excellent when needed by other forum members.

In the UK, I bought my SmartTop from PPCGB, but Mods4Cars appear to have other European distributors too <click here for list>.

(I'm not associated with them in any way - just another very satisfied customer)
 
361 - 380 of 498 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top