so I guess for audio stuff, I should go with Performance audio or Ralph's Radio? as they could be more familiar with interior???


And Eric@Bumperplugs, I also have older version Dension and would like to upgrade it. Is there any group buy discount or upgrade discount??? Hahah!!

 

I have a question for the Dension owners. I just installed a unit myself the other week. Just to be clear, when you're streaming music from your phone to the Dension unit, how do you navigate your songs? Through the phone itself, or somehow using the pcm controls? Again, this is for streaming BT music, not when you have your phone plugged in via USB.

 

Thru the iPhone itself…

-KD

 

I've been working on set up with Eric and Jamie the past week. We've been trying to get playlists to show up via Bluetooth streaming from the phone to the dension, but it turns out that playlists or any sort of navigation features only work and only display on the PCM if the phone is actually plugged into the dension unit via USB.

I was disappointed to hear this. I did not know that when using BT streaming with the dension, controls were greatly limited.

KD, does your previous and next track work properly on your PCM controls at least? My next track works, but previous track doesn't go to the previous track, it actually goes to the next track. So basically the one and only navigation control you have to control music from the PCM when connected to the iphone via BT is you can only move forward through your playlist. One button. Sound about right?

 

I use mine with an android to BT stream. The controls are very basic. Back one or forward one. so I typically use the phone to control. I heard the full integration comes live with iPhone connected to the iPhone plug port.

 

jako, yup exactly. the only difference for me is that the previous track button doesn't work. I'll try to fix that.

I'm curious, where did you guys end up installing your dension USB port? glovebox, rear center console, or somewhere else?

Sent from my iPhone5 using IB AutoGroup

 

I placed it in the glove box. I removed the glove box light, and fished the wires though it. Then added Velcro to the controller and stuck it over the glove box light. This way there was no drilling required and reverting back would be simple and leave no trace. I'll see if I can take a picture tomorrow and post it for you

 

Might move mine into the car like this, I have it in the frunk and BT reception can get choppy.

 

I wish I saw this before starting my install. 3 months, 5 installation re-do, all at the requests of Eric based on feedback from Dension engineers. I was always the person to blame: i did not connect the optical cables right (I did), I did not take the care for PIWIS programing (I did), I did not use an unswitched power (I did), I did not use an official iPhone 5 cable (I did).

The issue is always the same: the initial handshake between the PCM and the Dension is a hit-or-miss. Timing issues. Once every 2 or 3 starts of the car, the Dension refuses the start, leaving me without any audio or navigation.

The latest feedback I got: it works for 99% of users... and I am the 1% to which this doesn't work. No word on offering a replacement unit, or any refund.

Stay away from this device.

 

I bought from Eric, getting great responses from him. However, and this is not his mistake, the product is very unreliable, particularly the timing of the initial handshake.

Mine works, except if it doesn't. When it doesn't, the connections are rock solid: all it takes is a reset of the Dension and a recycling of the PCM power. Which tells me that the Dension's firmware is crashing, either at idle when the car is parked (memory leaks ?) or during the handshake (although there should be no handshake after the initial installation, since both units are always powered).

I am on firmware 0054. Firmware 0052 showed the same problem.

 

Yes it works well for streaming, when it works at all....

 

This description is exactly the same as mine experience!

Seems fair to only charge the 99% then?

 

Amen!

Have you considered removing the PCM, and going with an aftermarket solution ? In that situation, I don't know how one accesses the setup features of the car, such as setting the date/time, which is currently done through the PCM...

 

Actually...that is my exact experience as well. The handshake is the issue on mine in which I have to reset the unit...then everything works fine. Unfortunately, the unit does seem to frequently go into some type of sleep mode...and won't come out of it without a reset.

I neglected to mention that issue when I commented on the unit...sorry. This does not happen every time but it does happen at least 3 or 4 times a week.

I am on firmware 52...53 caused me problems. I may try 54...but if you are saying it doesn't fix the handshake process...I am just going to run with 52 until more progress is made. Overall...the unit is working for me...but the start up is a very annoying problem.

I also didn't want to remove my PCM...and for now can live with these issues since when it is working...it works fairly well. Ultimately, I may upgrade and eliminate this unit...in the same way I removed the PSM on my car to install the Ohlins shocks...and am much happier with that change.

In hindsight...if I was starting from scratch...I would have pulled the PCM...and installed a high end Alpine unit or something along those lines....but hindsight is always 20/20....and when I started with this solution...these other alternate solutions were not out there.

 

I have been thinking about this (to much), and decided to not do it. The PCM is a joke compared to other cars from germany at the same point in time.

But changing head unit and amplifiers etc etc is to much of a cost and distraction from the more important mods ie power!

I noticed that the Dension works much better during warm days and if I park in the garage. Winter time outside (like going home from work) it pretty much never plays nicely...