MBWorld.org Forums - View Single Post - Gateway 500 for MOST

Skylaw · 05-19-2007, 10:51 AM

The GW 500 works, and the sound quality from the iPod is wonderful (especially since most of my music is stored in high quality formats - not mp3). I do get song title information and elapsed time on the COMAND display (YAY!), but must do more study in the user manual and play with the system a bit more to understand the menu functions better. Only track information and playlist number are displayed on the multifuction (instrument cluster) display. Steering wheel controls work just fine, and in the iPod User Interface mode, all of the iPod functions are available on the iPod (which is why I wanted it in the console, not in the glove compartment; further, the USB input is for music files on thumb drives, and is also the way firmware updates are made, so I wanted it there too). The COMAND CDC controls set normal play, repeat, mix, etc. for the iPod as it does for the CDC.

My unit came with firmware version 1.05, the latest, installed; but if you need to update, you can get it from the Dension support center at http://support.dension.com/support-c...root=12&id=106. A new firmware version, 2.0, is about to enter beta testing but at the time of this post, has not been released. You may also preview the installation and user guides at http://www.dension.com/download_icelink.htm. My unit came with documentation dated after 03/13/07 (13.03.07).

Rob13572468 has indicated in a private message that the Gateway 500 menus work wonderfully with the Audi displays, but are more limited with COMAND. He believes this is caused by COMAND limitations. Still, in my view, it is a huge improvement over what has been available for the MOST bus Benzes having no COMAND AUX input (lack of AUX eliminates the option of the MB/Apple iPod integration kit, which does not provide song info on COMAND but does show it on the MFD).

The lack of adequate documentation is the Achilles' heel of the GW 500. With the unit costing around $500, I felt more like a beta tester, when I should have gotten the gold standard for that cost. Unless you are confident in your abilities, installation is probably best left to a professional who is failiar with fiber optics systems, especially Mercedes systems. However, I expect the results of having the Gateway 500 will be worth it, once I learn the interface adequately. The improvement in sound quality over mp3 DVD and the integration with COMAND and steering wheel controls is great.

05-19-2007, 10:51 AM	#7
Skylaw MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,303 Drives: 2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL	The Bottom Line So Far The GW 500 works, and the sound quality from the iPod is wonderful (especially since most of my music is stored in high quality formats - not mp3). I do get song title information and elapsed time on the COMAND display (YAY!), but must do more study in the user manual and play with the system a bit more to understand the menu functions better. Only track information and playlist number are displayed on the multifuction (instrument cluster) display. Steering wheel controls work just fine, and in the iPod User Interface mode, all of the iPod functions are available on the iPod (which is why I wanted it in the console, not in the glove compartment; further, the USB input is for music files on thumb drives, and is also the way firmware updates are made, so I wanted it there too). The COMAND CDC controls set normal play, repeat, mix, etc. for the iPod as it does for the CDC. My unit came with firmware version 1.05, the latest, installed; but if you need to update, you can get it from the Dension support center at http://support.dension.com/support-c...root=12&id=106. A new firmware version, 2.0, is about to enter beta testing but at the time of this post, has not been released. You may also preview the installation and user guides at http://www.dension.com/download_icelink.htm. My unit came with documentation dated after 03/13/07 (13.03.07). Rob13572468 has indicated in a private message that the Gateway 500 menus work wonderfully with the Audi displays, but are more limited with COMAND. He believes this is caused by COMAND limitations. Still, in my view, it is a huge improvement over what has been available for the MOST bus Benzes having no COMAND AUX input (lack of AUX eliminates the option of the MB/Apple iPod integration kit, which does not provide song info on COMAND but does show it on the MFD). The lack of adequate documentation is the Achilles' heel of the GW 500. With the unit costing around $500, I felt more like a beta tester, when I should have gotten the gold standard for that cost. Unless you are confident in your abilities, installation is probably best left to a professional who is failiar with fiber optics systems, especially Mercedes systems. However, I expect the results of having the Gateway 500 will be worth it, once I learn the interface adequately. The improvement in sound quality over mp3 DVD and the integration with COMAND and steering wheel controls is great. __________________ 2005 S500 4-Matic with Gateway 500 iPod integration 1978 450SL restoration project Formerly: 2000 S500 with Ice>Link Plus iPod integration, MikBox, and Upgraded voice control Last edited by Skylaw; 05-19-2007 at 11:11 AM.