Dension Gateway 500 or 6FL

gadgetfreak · 12-19-2008, 06:57 AM

Has anyone tried both the 6FL and the dension? If so, which one is better?

I'm tempted to go for the dension, because it works out cheaper and is easier to install. Am I missing something?

I have a E90 with CD Changer, pro nav and bluetooth.

Also, would anyone be interested in a group buy on the Dension? Looking at around £230 - 240 each

E92Fan · 12-19-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gadgetfreak

Has anyone tried both the 6FL and the dension? If so, which one is better?

I'm tempted to go for the dension, because it works out cheaper and is easier to install. Am I missing something?

I have a E90 with CD Changer, pro nav and bluetooth.

Also, would anyone be interested in a group buy on the Dension? Looking at around £230 - 240 each

The honest answer is that whilst the 6FL option is a much neater propsect, with it just being a USB socket in the armrest, in reality installation of a Dension 500 is easier and less involved, and obviously cheaper. Given that your car has Pro Nav and bluetooth already, it is missing the MULF2HI module which you need to have as it is the USB hub. That means buying extra modules and having the car coded to suit.

The Dension 500 on the other hand emulates your CD changer, so if you have one of those installed already you will not need to code your car again. If however you don't have a CD changer installed, you will need to get your dealer to recode your car for a CD changer (some dealers are much more helpful than others).

In terms of operation, they are both very good. The Dension has the ability to also search alphabetically through playlists, artists, and albums. Sound quality is excellent in both regards.

If it helps you to get a good price on the Dension, I'll buy one as well, as I'm going to swap over from the BMW iPod interface which I currently use.

mistry · 12-19-2008, 09:06 AM

Whats involved in the install of the Dension?

I have an ipod connection, and I hate having to start from the begining when searching for albums/artists. I also have a disconnected CD changer in the boot, so hopefully no code update rerquired.

E92Fan · 12-19-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistry

Whats involved in the install of the Dension?

I have an ipod connection, and I hate having to start from the begining when searching for albums/artists. I also have a disconnected CD changer in the boot, so hopefully no code update rerquired.

Oh then it's very easy. Take the glovebox out, disconnect the existing iPod interface, plug in the new Dension interface, connect up all the cables as per the instructions, tie down to the framework so it doesn't rattle around, put the glovebox back in, and hey presto!

marriedblonde · 12-19-2008, 09:33 AM

Does the dension plug into the existing CD changer cables in the boot or is it a dash out job?

J.

E92Fan · 12-19-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marriedblonde

Does the dension plug into the existing CD changer cables in the boot or is it a dash out job?

J.

It normally goes behind the glovebox, although I see no reason why it can't go where the CD changer is...

gadgetfreak · 12-19-2008, 09:44 AM

If you have a changer in the boot, you can plug it in there.

There is a post here on how to install it:-

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dension

I was going to leave everything in the boot to save me the hassle of cabling the USB/Ipod connector back to the armrest. I plan to leave a large HDD or flash pen connected, so will rarely need to access it.

MOB · 12-19-2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92Fan

If it helps you to get a good price on the Dension, I'll buy one as well, as I'm going to swap over from the BMW iPod interface which I currently use.

I might also be interested

coodem · 12-19-2008, 03:16 PM

I like it, I would be up for a group buy at that price. Just need to find someone to enable the cd changer. Anyone know any Indies in the Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Milton Keynes area

Anyone who has this, could you confirm if you are able to watch video on it, as advertised

Mud · 12-19-2008, 04:23 PM

I would also be interested, as really want to get my ipod setup in the car per my previous car

TMP · 12-19-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistry

I have an ipod connection, and I hate having to start from the begining when searching for albums/artists.

Is this a standard feature then i.e. when you start the car it doesnt play from where you were before, or is it just when searching?

Cheers.

gadgetfreak · 12-19-2008, 06:54 PM

No, you won't be able to watch video on it unless you fit a nav2tv(?) module. The dension just emulates the CDC.

Seems like there is a fair bit of interest in a group buy, I'll create a new post shortly with all the details and everyone can register their interest there.

mistry · 12-21-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMP

Is this a standard feature then i.e. when you start the car it doesnt play from where you were before, or is it just when searching?

Cheers.

No, this is just for searching. It always carries on from where you left off.

TMP · 12-21-2008, 05:36 PM

Thanks. So is that so annoying you want to install the Dension instead?

mistry · 12-22-2008, 05:58 AM

yes, as I have loads of Albums and it's slow scrolling. no where near as quick as scrolling on the ipod itself. but I'd want to see a working dension first, to justify the cost.

gadgetfreak · 12-22-2008, 07:40 AM

I've created a group buy thread over here .

Price is £240 if we get 5+ ppl buying or £230 if we get more than 10.

marriedblonde · 12-22-2008, 08:16 AM

What about the recoding, reading another rthread you have to have a cd changer installed for them to be able to do it...

J.

gadgetfreak · 12-22-2008, 09:11 AM

Yes, you need to recode the car if you don't have a CDC installed already. I believe dealers will not code without a CDC present, so i guess you could either borrow one or buy one from ebay and sell it after the coding is done.

Not sure if there are any indies that can do this without the changer present - it maybe worth giving one a call.

TMP · 12-22-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistry

yes, as I have loads of Albums and it's slow scrolling. no where near as quick as scrolling on the ipod itself. but I'd want to see a working dension first, to justify the cost.

Hmm, not good then as I was looking at the BMW retro-fit

jonsteele · 12-22-2008, 09:22 AM

If I fit the Dension can I still use the CD Changer and do I get iPod track info etc on my standard head unit (no iDrive)?

gadgetfreak · 12-22-2008, 09:33 AM

You retain use of the CD changer, but I'm not sure if the dension is compatible it non-idrive cars, don't see any reason why it shouldn't be. Maybe someone else can confirm?

jonsteele · 12-22-2008, 10:10 AM

Looks like it will display text as long as its had the MP3 software retro fit - simple test is to put a MP3 CD in! Else its a trip to the stealers to have it done!

One more question - does the Dension power the iPod too, or does it rely on the internal battery?

12-19-2008, 06:57 AM	#1
gadgetfreak Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 208 Posts Drives: E90 335i LCI Manual Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London iTrader: (3)	Dension Gateway 500 or 6FL Has anyone tried both the 6FL and the dension? If so, which one is better? I'm tempted to go for the dension, because it works out cheaper and is easier to install. Am I missing something? I have a E90 with CD Changer, pro nav and bluetooth. Also, would anyone be interested in a group buy on the Dension? Looking at around £230 - 240 each
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12-19-2008, 09:06 AM	#3
mistry Captain 49 Rep 827 Posts Drives: F11 530D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West iTrader: (1)	Whats involved in the install of the Dension? I have an ipod connection, and I hate having to start from the begining when searching for albums/artists. I also have a disconnected CD changer in the boot, so hopefully no code update rerquired.
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12-19-2008, 09:33 AM	#5
marriedblonde Lieutenant 11 Rep 434 Posts Drives: e92 330 sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sunny south coast iTrader: (0)	Does the dension plug into the existing CD changer cables in the boot or is it a dash out job? J.
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12-19-2008, 09:44 AM	#7
gadgetfreak Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 208 Posts Drives: E90 335i LCI Manual Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London iTrader: (3)	If you have a changer in the boot, you can plug it in there. There is a post here on how to install it:- http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dension I was going to leave everything in the boot to save me the hassle of cabling the USB/Ipod connector back to the armrest. I plan to leave a large HDD or flash pen connected, so will rarely need to access it.
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12-19-2008, 03:16 PM	#9
coodem Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 286 Posts Drives: M335d Join Date: May 2008 Location: Herts iTrader: (0)	I like it, I would be up for a group buy at that price. Just need to find someone to enable the cd changer. Anyone know any Indies in the Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Milton Keynes area Anyone who has this, could you confirm if you are able to watch video on it, as advertised
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-19-2008, 04:23 PM	#10
Mud Captain 39 Rep 698 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: England iTrader: (0)	I would also be interested, as really want to get my ipod setup in the car per my previous car
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12-19-2008, 06:54 PM	#12
gadgetfreak Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 208 Posts Drives: E90 335i LCI Manual Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London iTrader: (3)	No, you won't be able to watch video on it unless you fit a nav2tv(?) module. The dension just emulates the CDC. Seems like there is a fair bit of interest in a group buy, I'll create a new post shortly with all the details and everyone can register their interest there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-21-2008, 05:36 PM	#14
TMP Brigadier General 357 Rep 3,022 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Thanks. So is that so annoying you want to install the Dension instead? __________________ M2 Arrived! Family 5er
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12-22-2008, 05:58 AM	#15
mistry Captain 49 Rep 827 Posts Drives: F11 530D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West iTrader: (1)	yes, as I have loads of Albums and it's slow scrolling. no where near as quick as scrolling on the ipod itself. but I'd want to see a working dension first, to justify the cost.
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12-22-2008, 07:40 AM	#16
gadgetfreak Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 208 Posts Drives: E90 335i LCI Manual Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London iTrader: (3)	I've created a group buy thread over here . Price is £240 if we get 5+ ppl buying or £230 if we get more than 10.
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12-22-2008, 08:16 AM	#17
marriedblonde Lieutenant 11 Rep 434 Posts Drives: e92 330 sport Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sunny south coast iTrader: (0)	What about the recoding, reading another rthread you have to have a cd changer installed for them to be able to do it... J.
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12-22-2008, 09:11 AM	#18
gadgetfreak Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 208 Posts Drives: E90 335i LCI Manual Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London iTrader: (3)	Yes, you need to recode the car if you don't have a CDC installed already. I believe dealers will not code without a CDC present, so i guess you could either borrow one or buy one from ebay and sell it after the coding is done. Not sure if there are any indies that can do this without the changer present - it maybe worth giving one a call.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-22-2008, 09:22 AM	#20
jonsteele Old enough to know better! 20 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport, Le Mans Blue Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In a pub, in the middle of nowhere! iTrader: (0) Garage List 1989 Landrover 90 [0.00] 2008 BMW 320d M Sport [0.00]	If I fit the Dension can I still use the CD Changer and do I get iPod track info etc on my standard head unit (no iDrive)? __________________ Jon Steele 320d M Sport (E90) Le Mans Blue/18" Alloys/Bi Xenons/Climate Screen/Black, Heated Dakota Leather/6 CD Changer with Dension 500/Power Mirrors/M3 Lip Spoiler/Gloss Black Grills/Through Load, Storage pack, Lumbar Support, Smokers Deletion
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12-22-2008, 09:33 AM	#21
gadgetfreak Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 208 Posts Drives: E90 335i LCI Manual Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London iTrader: (3)	You retain use of the CD changer, but I'm not sure if the dension is compatible it non-idrive cars, don't see any reason why it shouldn't be. Maybe someone else can confirm?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-22-2008, 10:10 AM	#22
jonsteele Old enough to know better! 20 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport, Le Mans Blue Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In a pub, in the middle of nowhere! iTrader: (0) Garage List 1989 Landrover 90 [0.00] 2008 BMW 320d M Sport [0.00]	Looks like it will display text as long as its had the MP3 software retro fit - simple test is to put a MP3 CD in! Else its a trip to the stealers to have it done! One more question - does the Dension power the iPod too, or does it rely on the internal battery? __________________ Jon Steele 320d M Sport (E90) Le Mans Blue/18" Alloys/Bi Xenons/Climate Screen/Black, Heated Dakota Leather/6 CD Changer with Dension 500/Power Mirrors/M3 Lip Spoiler/Gloss Black Grills/Through Load, Storage pack, Lumbar Support, Smokers Deletion
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