Thread: COMAND APS NTG 2.5 - potential upgrade problems/worth doing it

Hi,

I have a ML320 W164 year 2007 equipped with COMAND APS 2 and the latest maps. I find the system quite obsolete compared to cheaper portable navigation systems and it has the following main disadvantages:

- only one map update per year (no comparison with TOMTOM mapshare!)
- entering address by scrolling up/down - left/right (like my 2001 becker traffic pro)
- impossible (to my knowledge) to add POI and speed cameras

I am therefore considering upgrading to NTG 2.5 HDD, but have the following doubts:

- need of using Mercedes Star system to reprogram, which means finding a complacent Mercedes garage to do this for me. I think that I read that if the NTG is configured for a premium HK it will not work on my car which has a standard audio system. Sellers on Ebay generally do not tell me the configuration of the item on sale
- is the NTG 2 GPS antenna, currently installed, usable or the new one is to be used?
- there seems to be some power supply issues with the radio antenna amplifier. Is the wiring and adaptors that can be bought on line already looking after this ?
- how to update the maps on the HDD later on ? I read some posts about the upgrade DVDs not being recognised....
- is it possible to upload POIs via the SD slot e.g. speed cameras ? With sound notification ?
- is there anyone that can give me a scanned copy of the NTG 2.5 manual to have a clear idea of the features, so that I can decide if it is wirth embarking on this upgrade project or not ?

thanks in advance

The 2009 S-Class has speed sign recognition. The car will actually read the signs on the road.

I have used the NTG 2.5 and 2.0 over 1000's of km. I find that the NTG 2.5 is in fact simpler not more complicated than the 2.0. It actually shows you less information and gives less advice.

However, I should point out that if you had previously used voice control you would like your current NTG2 much more. Being able to address by voice is very nice indeed.

At least most of the NTG2.5 come with voice control. That is something that will cost you more than you expected since you will need to upgrade steering wheel buttons (or is it an airbag).

you can have it installed by a specialist installer. Someone whom does this all the time will be able to cope. It is actually better that you dont have Harmon Kardon as that would be a real pain in the backside for you.

Mercedes is moving towards systems which are less cluttereed and more intelligent. They will never support speeding camera indications unless people just cant control themselves and then they will create a newer version of the navigation system for newer cars.

I personally like the NTG 2.5 and the 2.0 for different reasons. I find the 2.0 is better in crowded small streets where names are useful. When the 2.5 is zoomed out there is almost no names of towns or streets at all. Its just plain on the screen. I can see that is something that adds to distraction reduction.

There is a large amount of evidence to say that warning distractions increase the stress levels in driving to a very high level and it can be measured by heart rate. I find the reduced information of the NTG 2.5 in the map display is aimed at keeping the stress to the lowest level.

If I had to drive with a TOMTOM I would feel like a pilot in a battle zone. The thing will be alarming me non stop in Sydney like I was constantly under attack.

Originally Posted by marino999

- need of using Mercedes Star system to reprogram, which means finding a complacent Mercedes garage to do this for me. I think that I read that if the NTG is configured for a premium HK it will not work on my car which has a standard audio system. Sellers on Ebay generally do not tell me the configuration of the item on sale

Yes, if its configured wrongly it needs Star diagnosis - but it needs one with factory mode, normal dealer one can only code with data from the "VeDOK" system and the VeDOK will not say there is NTG2.5 in your car.

- is the NTG 2 GPS antenna, currently installed, usable or the new one is to be used?

Yes it will

- there seems to be some power supply issues with the radio antenna amplifier. Is the wiring and adaptors that can be bought on line already looking after this ?

Yes there are issues, and AUX input issues. Buy one of the 1st two items on this link (depending on whether your car has phone or not)
Comand Online Ltd :: COMAND Retrofit parts :: W164 ML/GL & W251 R

- how to update the maps on the HDD later on ? I read some posts about the upgrade DVDs not being recognised....

If you use a genuine disk there should be no issue.

- is it possible to upload POIs via the SD slot e.g. speed cameras ? With sound notification ?

No

- is there anyone that can give me a scanned copy of the NTG 2.5 manual to have a clear idea of the features, so that I can decide if it is wirth embarking on this upgrade project or not ?

You can buy one here:
Comand Online Ltd :: Comand APS manuals :: Comand NTG2.5 Manual for A/B/CLC/ML/GL/R/CLS/SL/SLK W211-E MY2009 onward

You can easily use the linguatronic functions - you just change the switch packs on the steering wheel if you dont have the small circular linguatronic buttons, but they are expensive

If you have HK sound system, dont do it, you will need a new HK amp at least.

The CD changer and existing phone systems become useless - if you want a changer it has to be in the head unit.

It is not clear whether the rear seat entertainment system will work - at a minimum the connectors on the COMAND will need re-pinning.

Cheers

Richard