Just to be perfectly clear...

The download for the current BETA firmware on the dension site says DO NOT INSTALL IF YOU HAVE NAV. Others have reported that they lose control when trying this, others have indicated limited success. Remember, the current ID3 tag firmware is unsupported beta currently. I would hope (expect) that that release version works with NAV, but we'll have to wait and see. Until then, I'm using the current firmware in my H/K NAV system.

That said, yes, the unit is a little quirky, and not always intuitive, however, I invested a little time with the manual and have it down and love it.

Steve

 

I couldn't have said it better. I love the Ice-Link

 

Yay, i went ahead and bought the new iceLink plus... I get my car on Saturday or Monday, but the iceLink is back ordered... I'll let you guys know how it works with the nav and if it causes any problems (and how the install goes).

 

OK, did not install the new firmware... running 2.07, but found the configuration files for the text display (here). Worked for half a day, then the car detected it as a phone. Everytime text is sent to the head unit it also calls up the speed dial menu and displays that on the nav screen (that's bad).

 

I have a 2005 MCS Dec. 2004 build. I have the H/K HU. Ice Link from Best buy. Version 2.05. I can play Mp3 Cd's on my cd player. Does this mean I can Upgrade to 2.b1? Any help would be appreciated.

 

I did not upgrade the firmware either (2005 MCSa/HK/NAV) but have tried the config files noted earlier in this thread. I can confirm that in text_nav the ID3 tags completely took over the NAV display. In split-screen mode, the direction pane remains on the right, but the left pane was replaced with very large text and truncated song/artist name. Renderd the NAV useless. With text_rad I had similar results, but more intermittent. Something seemed to trigger the display at different times (like selecting a new track) but nonetheless, still rendered the NAV map useless.

Hopefully Dension will figure it out (if possible). If not, I at least wish they would have a preference to trigger the backlight (say, when hitting track fw/rev, or issuing other commands). I have my ipod mounted with the Panavise mount, which gives a clean, convenient install, but with Dension's small font and no backlight, its very hard to read the display.

 

If you have the NAV system, then the text display will give you problems (text to nav is better, text to radio hijacks the phone adapter). On your nav screen you have the choice of constant display or speed dial (which appears everytime the information is sent to the HU). Both of these are no good.

However, you should upgrade to the 2.B1 (which is the BMW version of 2.1). It does the same thing (but it will display "names with spaces" instead of "names_with_spaces"), but there is a huge difference. You can turn the text to nav and text to radio off. (The config file I posted earlier would not do this for me).

Instructions:

1. Upgrade to 2.B1 (might take as long as five mnutes).
2. Press six (this opens the iceLink menu).
3. Tap next track until the display shows "IceLink Setup" (will be on the radio and popping up as speed dial on the Nav).
4. Hold next track (this is the fast forward button).
5. Tap next track until you see "No Text".
6. Hold next track (this is the fast forward button).
7. It will now display on the iPod as it did when it shipped from the factory.

Of course, you could just stick with 2.07 and not upgrade. These instructions will get you the latest version (if you're into that) or fix it, if you tried the text to radio config file. If i figure out how to not get the Speed Dial pop-up onthe Nav (i think this is a result of dension using this channel to get info to the HU). I will ask the dealership if it is posible to keep the speed dial form appearing on the nav screen when i pick up my tags.

 

Been reading a lot of the Ice-Link posts and I still have one more question. I have a 5/05 build MCS w/ H/K radio. Will everything (including ID3 tags) work right out of the box from Dension, or do I still need to update the firmware and/or install some config files? Thanks for any insight.

 

You need to download those mp3 config files from Dension's site to get the text to work. It's pretty easy, just hit play on the config file on your ipod and connect it to your icelink when the car/radio is on and woila. At least that's what happened when I did it .

 

If you buy your Icelink directly from Dension, it will work perfectly right out of the box. You can get the kit that connects directly to the Harmon Kardon HU. The entire install took me 15 minutes on my 1 week old MCS. If you get it from Best Buy, you get the old firmware and you have to hook it up through the cd changer.

I get names of the songs and artists displayed directly on the HU display.

 

I just recently bought a dension ice link and was wondering how i would find out what firmware is my ice link?

Thanks for the help.

 

The firmware displays on the iPod as it boots up.

In response to the NAV text display issue, I posted som pics on Mini2 showing the result with 2B2 choosing both NAV and HU display.

No good news, but in case you want to see what it looks like:

Text with NAV

 

How hard was your hookup and will MFSW controls work on this?

 

The hookup took about 15 minutes. I purchased mine from BestBuy, so it is the trunk-mount version. This made it very easy to plug in and assure it was working before I did the complete install. There are a few threads discussing the best way to run the cable - not hard at all, especially if you have a T-50 (I think) to remove the passenger seat belt bolt to slip the cable past it. The rest of the way the cable is simply a "tuck job" (under the molding and carpet, that is).

Yes the MFSW controls will track back and forward. CD buttons 1-5 select the first 5 playlists on the iPod (regardless of their names). CD button 6 selects the Dension settings menu. I chose the cradle install with Panavise's bracket (no bracket is included, Panavise and ProClip make specific Mini brackets) and this allows me to see the iPod and also easily slip it out and select an album or artist to play (i.e. not in a playlist or a playlist greater than #5) and drop the ipod back into the cradle. From this point on, the selection will play in order and the MFSW will change the track forward and back within the selection.

 

Thank you I will be making my trek to Best Buy tonight...

 

Right. Just a reminder so you aren't disappointed, you will need to buy a mount (if you want one for the cradle), and the BestBuy version probably won't be the latest firmware (mine worked perfect out of the box with v2.05, however).

If you choose to upgrade, you will have to do it yourself or contact Dension. It's not difficult either way.

Cheers,

Steve

 

Supergimp - the pics in your MINI2 post don't show up... are they still being hosted from a valid site?

 

And you know the version by looking where? Is it something I can spot by looking at the packaging?

 

I don't believe it's on the packaging. It shows up on your iPod screen when the system is turned on (i.e. you plug in your iPod or turn on the car). From what others have said, my money is on v2.05 or v2.07 for the units in BestBuy.

 

The firmware doesn't show on my ipod.(i am using the 3g 15gb)

 

On mine the firmware was listed on the bottom of the circuitboard (Icelink adapter). I have the version that connects to the back of the radio and hopefully will have time to install it tomorrow.

 

I installed it today and upgraded to 2B2 without any problem. Works great and I have ID3 tags showing up on my 06 MCS. Fantastic product!

Tony

 

Jekyll2000 -

What head unit do you have, the base unit or the HK?

 

There is no "H/K" head unit. The head unit is the same regardless of what stock stereo you buy, the H/K adds upgraded speakers and a digital signal processor/amp.

As long as your head unit was manufactured after Jan/Feb. 05, regardless of whether you have H/K or not, you will be able to make the IceLink Plus display ID3 information on the head unit.

A Nav. system is the only thing that continues to cause problems.

 

I have a late 05 with H/K. Best Buy trunk mount IceLink Plus.

Did the FW upgrade, and the ID3 tags work on the HU now. No problem there...

My issue is that If i hit the #6 button, the iPod no longer goes into the Settings mode. I would like to set the iPod to be able to use the iPod nav while in the cradle. Any time it is plugged in, i have to pull it out, set the song, replace it. frustrating.

thoughts?

-jac