Dension Gateway 500 for MP3/iPod integration

I was recently told about this product: http://forums.********.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=322234 on another thread. I was wondering if anyone can share any additional information/experience about this product.

Do a search. Lots of postive and negative info and options about it.

As I mentioned in that other thread, I've gone ahead and ordered this unit in the BumperPlugs group buy. Not sure which will arrive first, my Cayman S (late March?) or the Dension (75 peeps in queue ahead of me). Nevertheless, virtually every install in that thread has positive reviews. Have not seen any significant downsides mentioned in any review yet. This seems like the best solution on the market today. Now I just need to get my dealer and the service dept. info on these units and the installation process. I'm not willing to attempt a self-install but many others have. I'd rather have my dealer install the unit or a third-party high-end audio shop with Porsche experience. Perhaps by the time I get my car another Cayman Clubber in the Philly area will have done an install and will be willing to help. While I doubt that my install will end up being first here on CC, I'd be happy to provide a review with pix when I finally get the car. Invader Zog - until a member here gets a unit, subscribe to the ******** thread as new posts are added daily.

Hi Guys, Just finished my install of the Dension unit today. I will post an article. Charley

Outstanding ! Anxiously awaiting your review and pix. Did you install yourself?

Yeah, did the install myself. There are a few places that can cause problems, but if you follow what I did, hopefully those hiccups wont occur. article at http://www.planet-9.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=94&cat=5

Where did you get the unit? From Dension directly?

Got the unit from http://www.bumperplugs.com/ I think they're a sponsor.

Thanks for posting the article! How is the UI of the product? The one that was pitched to me sounds like it basically shows the screen of the iPod on the PCM. I'm sure whether this is "really cool" or a really bad idea. How difficult is it to use the head unit to find songs/etc?

While I'm sure you would like to get first hand info from browncf, in the interim you can find plenty of screen shots of the UI at the bumperplugs.com site . You can also read about the UI functionality in the previously referenced thread at ******** , and you can also read the Dension Users Manual and Installation Guide . Since there are only a couple of MOST-integrated systems on the market (NAV-TV and Dension), you should get clarification from your dealer on what exactly they are selling you for $1300.

Uggg .... now I need to get the PCM head unit that Ken just installed, the XM kit from Suncoast, and the Dice adapter. Another $2500 in toys for the Cayman.

The will have a non PCM version very soon.

According to the bumperplugs website, this one works with pcm and the cdr23 system. They say it may work with the cdr24, but they aren't sure. That isn't very confidence inspiring.

When I last spoke to Eric he said they may have an update on the software for the cdr24 on the next few days.

BumperPlugs is actually reselling the Dension unit not the Dice unit which they show on their web site.

My understanding is that the issue with the cdr24 relates to display of tag data on the cdr display. You should call or email Eric to confirm.

Well I played with the interface and its a little tricky. It basically uses the cd changer display. I think i need to do a little reading on how to use it properly, and maybe even make some playlists. more to come.

From the ******** thread I've learned that CD1-4 represents the first four playlists on your iPOD. CD5 represents the entire contents of the iPOD and CD6 is the Dension menu where you can browse by artist, album, etc. Paging and scrolling behavior can be modified based on config options. This is similar to the Volvo iPOD adapter in my wifes car. Since the Volvo had a 10CD changer option, with the iPOD adapter, CD1-9 represent the first 9 playlists on the iPOD and CD10 is the whole thing. We most commonly use CD10 (entire library) on shuffle mode. Very effective assuming that you wouldn't mind hearing any of the tracks available on your iPOD. With the Dension and PCM, you have even more control as you can scroll through artists, albums, etc.

any ETA and cost for the non-PCM Dension unit?

So in the Dension Offering, you use the UI of the PCM to navigate the iPod and in the "other" offering, it uses the iPod Video screen to take over the PCM display. Any idea as to which of these two approaches/interfaces is actually better? It seems that seeing the display of the iPod on the PCM would be better, but I don't know if that means causes problems when using other PCM functions (navigation/etc)??

Also interested in CDR-24 integration - given it appears to use the CD changer controls or numbering to get to playlists it shouldn't be difficult (easy to say!) for CDR-24 integration, this supports the same (presuming) 6 stack cd changer. Keep CDR-24 integration updates coming

Not quite. With Dension, the iPOD controls are not seen on the PCM per se, rather the PCM Audio screen controls the iPOD. You use the standard CD changer controls to control the iPOD. There appear to be some changes to the standard PCM screens in order to select by artist, album, etc. My point is that the standard iPOD UI is not mimicked entirely on the PCM screen, rather the PCM provides similar controls for the iPOD. Best bet is to read the ******** thread from end to end and also to read the Dension Users Guide. The Users Guide is not specific to Porsche or to PCM, but it does convey how the system works. There is no "interference" from Dension on the other PCM functions. Much like the standard CD changer, the Dension controls are only displayed when that function is selected. My info is not first hand knowledge as I'm awaiting both the Dension unit and my Cayman S to arrive, but these things are well articulated on the ******** thread - a very informative read.