Earlier this spring, there were a TON of 6speeders installing this system - now that we have been using it for a few months, I'd like to know whether my experience is similar or not and what is going on with any updates?

I am not with Dension - just another customer guy.

I have two - one in my C2 and one in my Cayenne.

I am using FirmWare 1.00

Basically, I just let them play because page turning is a pain in the *** and the SEARCH feature doesn't work. They conk out every now and again, but a PCM reset usually does the job.

I find the "push to select" doesn't always actually make the selection - I get a couple of little dots before the titles etc- I think this means they are "not available" cuz when I select them, the menu just returns to what is actually playing.

The timing is a little funny too - like I watch the road for a second (and take my eyes off the PCM) and then the Dension automatically choses that selection due to a timeout... do other people get this as well?

I found the only really reliable way of using them is by playlists, but I have 80GB iPods with 20,000 songs, now I have to move them into playlists? Nope, too much time and effort!

As an alternative, I hooked up a USB drive to get access to the file folder arrangements, but the Dension will not recognize the USB at all.

Is there a SEARCH feature on the way?

Perhaps I am just doing too much by having large iPods on board and should go for a "greatest hits" version instead...

I love having my digital sound running through the Bose and the PCM control, but I think I am going to wire the C2 into the cabin so I can just use the iPod controller as well.

 

I too am using 1.00 F/W. Tried the updates but they were just as flakey. I run a 30 g IPOD as a big jukebox (playlist 5) in random mode. If I don't care for the track I simply push the >> button. Trying to select artist, song, album, etc is problematic at best.

I have a 'bittersweet' opinion of the Gateway 500. It works just fine in 'Playlist Mode' so that's how I use it.

I'm wanting for the 2.0 F/W release to see if that enables more flawless functionality.

 

I mostly use the playlists also. Otherwise mine seems to work as advertised most of the time. The search mechanics are a little slow and off but not too bad. I guess this is the best they can do for now. FYI I am running FW 1.00

 

Playlists FTMFW .. IMO, the dension has its shortcomings .. but it gives me aux input. For the times when I don't feel like searching, I plug the ipod into the aux input and control the ipod manually. The ipod functionality is a plus in my book.

However .. it has been ages since the last update! They have forgot about us.

 

I usw mine mainly for a Sat raduio connection. Sometimes with a USB Falsh drive in ramdom mode no playlists.

 

Your <SEARCH> feature actually works? Mine doesn't at all.... it popped up once and allowed me to scroll through the alphabet, but never again.... TEASE!!

This is the BIG difference between NavTV and Dension - NavTV doesn't have a search feature. But, if Dension's doesn't work, then I guess the field is even.

 

I agree - but you can control the iPod by going to the "CD List" then to the "Track List" for [iPod User IF] - hit that and it will allow iPod to control the input without having to put it into the Aux AND you will still have digital sound.

 

You got your flash drive to work? Are you using Firmware 1.00?

Are you able to see the file folder structure on your Flash Drive though the PCM or is it a guessing game using random?

 

So thats what it does .. these things need better manuals!

 

When I do iPod control, everytime I shut down and restart the car, it recycles the repeat song mode which is unacceptable.

When I play AUX using a USB flash drive, everytime I restart the car, it defaults back to radio.

I leave mine with 4 play lists and use the PCM head control. The only part I need to fix is the random setting which defaults to off everytime I start the car.

 

It works but it is a guessing game just using random. Sounds great. maybe 2.00 will fix the problems.

 

Any word from Denison on some fixes? I bought mine back in the day and it's still sitting in the garage.

 

i am useing the firmware it came with and its OK just OK.....i recently leased the audi q7 and it comes with the option to plug your ipod all u need is a cable and man its beautiful everything works search ,artist , playlist ,etc. on the pcar i had to move all my play list into 4 in order tohave some idea where my songs are.also when i shut down and start up it goes to AM.the random feature works sometimes and the searching for songs via artist,or album never works.
But all and all i gained 20,000 songs instead of 6 cd.and altough its not an exact science yet........ i would do it over........wish it was as good as the audi.