2006 Cayman S - another MP3/Dension 500s BT thread...
Discussion
Hi All,
I purchased my first Porsche last week - a 2006 Cayman S. It's fantastic!
I've been doing a lot of reading up on adding both MP3 (via iPhone 5s) and Bluetooth connection.
It looks like the Dension 500s BT is my only real option. I have the CDR-24 head unit with Bose upgrade. I don't have a massive budget, so bypassing/removing the Bose amp etc is not really an option.
First question - in the install guide, it says that in order to use bluetooth phone connection I need to have the PCM 2.1 unit in my car, which I don't have. Just wondering if I will still be able to make/receive calls with the CDR-24? If so, how do I do it? Do I need to physically make the call on the phone, or can I do it through the stereo and installed mic?
Also - for installation I have been quoted £200. This seems a little bit steep considering it essentially just seems to be plugging a few connections in. Which brings me to my next question - is the install easily achievable by following the instructions? I'm no audio engineer, but I can use a screwdriver (just).
Anyone else using the 500s BT with the CDR-24? What's it like? I've been trying to find a video or review of exactly how the unit works with the CDR-24 but can't really find anything. Would love to know the pros and cons before I shell out £550 to have it supplied and installed.
Also, I'm located in Essex, UK if anyone knows a good, local installer?
I purchased my first Porsche last week - a 2006 Cayman S. It's fantastic!
I've been doing a lot of reading up on adding both MP3 (via iPhone 5s) and Bluetooth connection.
It looks like the Dension 500s BT is my only real option. I have the CDR-24 head unit with Bose upgrade. I don't have a massive budget, so bypassing/removing the Bose amp etc is not really an option.
First question - in the install guide, it says that in order to use bluetooth phone connection I need to have the PCM 2.1 unit in my car, which I don't have. Just wondering if I will still be able to make/receive calls with the CDR-24? If so, how do I do it? Do I need to physically make the call on the phone, or can I do it through the stereo and installed mic?
Also - for installation I have been quoted £200. This seems a little bit steep considering it essentially just seems to be plugging a few connections in. Which brings me to my next question - is the install easily achievable by following the instructions? I'm no audio engineer, but I can use a screwdriver (just).
Anyone else using the 500s BT with the CDR-24? What's it like? I've been trying to find a video or review of exactly how the unit works with the CDR-24 but can't really find anything. Would love to know the pros and cons before I shell out £550 to have it supplied and installed.
Also, I'm located in Essex, UK if anyone knows a good, local installer?
Hi
I installed a Dension 500s to my now departed 56 plate Boxtser (Bose and nav).
It was a complete ball ache due to the pathetic instructions.
I fitted it in the front trunk, and then realised getting the ipod/use connector into the cabin would be a nightmare, so pulled it all out again and fitted it behind the head unit.
Once I worked out how the fibre bus worked, it was a doddle to fit. All you need is to get a 12v feed, and the rest is plug and play.
I installed a Dension 500s to my now departed 56 plate Boxtser (Bose and nav).
It was a complete ball ache due to the pathetic instructions.
I fitted it in the front trunk, and then realised getting the ipod/use connector into the cabin would be a nightmare, so pulled it all out again and fitted it behind the head unit.
Once I worked out how the fibre bus worked, it was a doddle to fit. All you need is to get a 12v feed, and the rest is plug and play.
I seem to recall that this is much easier if you have a CD-changer fitted (or at least the prep for one). Might be my imagination - I looked at these way back when, but ditched the idea when I heard what a pain they are, and also that it would void the warranty. Less of an issue on a 2006 car I guess as not that many years left that you can get it covered for anyway.
Either way, enjoy the car - they are fantastic!
Either way, enjoy the car - they are fantastic!
Thanks for the response.
On doing a bite more research, it appears that I won't be able to have bluetooth hands free with the CDR-24 anyway (or so an installer is telling me), so I may just go with the Dension Gateway 500 Lite (MOST) for the iPod connection and forget about the bluetooth for now.
If you install that, do you just control the sound via the iPhone?
My local Porsche centre just called me and said that they actually offer a solution themselves for around £500, but the guy I spoke to didn't have the details handy. He's gone off to find out and call me back. That may be the best option!
On doing a bite more research, it appears that I won't be able to have bluetooth hands free with the CDR-24 anyway (or so an installer is telling me), so I may just go with the Dension Gateway 500 Lite (MOST) for the iPod connection and forget about the bluetooth for now.
If you install that, do you just control the sound via the iPhone?
My local Porsche centre just called me and said that they actually offer a solution themselves for around £500, but the guy I spoke to didn't have the details handy. He's gone off to find out and call me back. That may be the best option!
I dont see why you couldnt have bluetooth - that makes no sense to me.
The unit spoofs the cd changer. Not having cd changer is good, as if you do you end up with an error on the screen on startup, although as you dont have nav this wont be an issue.
If you are listening to fm and a call comes thorugh you have to switch to cd changer yourself, the unit cant control the head unit in that way.
I always answered with the phone, I see no reason why that would not work with a non nav car. It comes with a mic, it doesnt use the cars (which is rubbish anyhow). I ran mine all round the rubber seals and out by the soft top roof handle. Putting the unit in the front would mean the mic (and use/ipod connector) need to come through the bulkhead "bungs" where the witing loom goes and I could see no easy way of doing that and didnt want to piss about putting holes in those.
The unit spoofs the cd changer. Not having cd changer is good, as if you do you end up with an error on the screen on startup, although as you dont have nav this wont be an issue.
If you are listening to fm and a call comes thorugh you have to switch to cd changer yourself, the unit cant control the head unit in that way.
I always answered with the phone, I see no reason why that would not work with a non nav car. It comes with a mic, it doesnt use the cars (which is rubbish anyhow). I ran mine all round the rubber seals and out by the soft top roof handle. Putting the unit in the front would mean the mic (and use/ipod connector) need to come through the bulkhead "bungs" where the witing loom goes and I could see no easy way of doing that and didnt want to piss about putting holes in those.
I sold mine last month on eBay after replacing it and the PCM with a decent head unit. They're not difficult to fit as long as you plan what you're doing. It probably took me a couple of hours once I'd scratched my head a bit over where I should place it. Came down on siting it in the front boot.
If you need any info, let me know.
If you need any info, let me know.
I decided to just buy a parrot minikit neo to address the hands free Bluetooth. That's one problem down.
Probably just going to get the Dension Gateway 500 Lite to address the iPod connectivity.
A guy has quoted me £300 installed. So £85 to install it basically. I don't think it's a big job, but I'd rather have the peace of mind knowing that someone who knows what they're doing is on it.
Now I just need to find someone who can enable the CD changer functionality. I asked my local Porsche centre and the guy went a bit mad, saying it would "break" my Porsche.
Anyone know anyone in Essex, UK who might be able to sort if for me? No? Well, it was a bit of a long shot!
Probably just going to get the Dension Gateway 500 Lite to address the iPod connectivity.
A guy has quoted me £300 installed. So £85 to install it basically. I don't think it's a big job, but I'd rather have the peace of mind knowing that someone who knows what they're doing is on it.
Now I just need to find someone who can enable the CD changer functionality. I asked my local Porsche centre and the guy went a bit mad, saying it would "break" my Porsche.
Anyone know anyone in Essex, UK who might be able to sort if for me? No? Well, it was a bit of a long shot!
caldridge1 said:
I decided to just buy a parrot minikit neo to address the hands free Bluetooth. That's one problem down.
Probably just going to get the Dension Gateway 500 Lite to address the iPod connectivity.
A guy has quoted me £300 installed. So £85 to install it basically. I don't think it's a big job, but I'd rather have the peace of mind knowing that someone who knows what they're doing is on it.
Now I just need to find someone who can enable the CD changer functionality. I asked my local Porsche centre and the guy went a bit mad, saying it would "break" my Porsche.
Anyone know anyone in Essex, UK who might be able to sort if for me? No? Well, it was a bit of a long shot!
Just make sure the guy who fits it knows how to take the sides of the centre console without damaging the tangs etc.. Plenty of install guides and guide on how to remove the head unit.Probably just going to get the Dension Gateway 500 Lite to address the iPod connectivity.
A guy has quoted me £300 installed. So £85 to install it basically. I don't think it's a big job, but I'd rather have the peace of mind knowing that someone who knows what they're doing is on it.
Now I just need to find someone who can enable the CD changer functionality. I asked my local Porsche centre and the guy went a bit mad, saying it would "break" my Porsche.
Anyone know anyone in Essex, UK who might be able to sort if for me? No? Well, it was a bit of a long shot!
I have had the Dension in place for a few years now, and I think it is great for what it is.
Installation was extremely simple (I put it in the front boot and had a CD changer so it was done within an hour).
There are two schools of thought as to where it should be installed. If you want to use your main iPhone/iPod then you will need to put it in the cabin so you can keep taking it in and out. I went for the front boot as I hate the idea of having a phone/iPod mounted inside and trailing wires, but this does mean having a separate iPod just for the car which costs extra money.
The other argument for putting it inside was that the bluetooth receiver would be too far away from your phone, but mine has been fine in the front boot with the phone in my pocket (and I have got the older version of the Dension with the separate BT).
I love the unit overall. The only slight downside is the control which is obviously limited by the original Porsche electronics, but it is quite usable. The 'best' solution is still to put in a new HU/Nav unit, but this costs more money, doesn't look right unless done well and probably harms your resale a bit if that is a concern.
Installation was extremely simple (I put it in the front boot and had a CD changer so it was done within an hour).
There are two schools of thought as to where it should be installed. If you want to use your main iPhone/iPod then you will need to put it in the cabin so you can keep taking it in and out. I went for the front boot as I hate the idea of having a phone/iPod mounted inside and trailing wires, but this does mean having a separate iPod just for the car which costs extra money.
The other argument for putting it inside was that the bluetooth receiver would be too far away from your phone, but mine has been fine in the front boot with the phone in my pocket (and I have got the older version of the Dension with the separate BT).
I love the unit overall. The only slight downside is the control which is obviously limited by the original Porsche electronics, but it is quite usable. The 'best' solution is still to put in a new HU/Nav unit, but this costs more money, doesn't look right unless done well and probably harms your resale a bit if that is a concern.
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