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Dension IceLink 500 Gateway
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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9
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28324
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Wed November 11, 2009
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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89% of reviewers
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$465.00
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5.3
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Description:
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Welcome back to another article by the K-Man! This time we are installing the Dension IceLink 500 Gateway provided to us by our good friends at Auto Mobility the distributors for Dension products in North America. Here is a link to their website:
http://www.automobilitydistribution....AA&Category=99
One of our sponsors - BumperPlugs - www.bumperplugs.com is offering the Dension 500 unit for sale. Please contact Eric at BumperPlugs and let him know that you saw it here so that he knows his advertising is working. 
I've looked at a couple of installs done by other Cayman Club members and I wanted to try and perform a comprehensive install step by step article to help future Dension owners perform this install themselves or provide these directions to their mechanic. With that let's get started. The first step is the same as in my recent Navigation installation article. You must remove the plastic housing cover inside the trunk by removing the philips screws that hold it in and unclipping the trunk light wire.
Here is a picture of the Dension IceLink 500 Gateway and assorted items that come in the box. I was impressed with the packaging and the completeness of the kit. The instructions, although in several languages, were not as clear as I thought they could be, hence yet another reason to author this article.
In this next image the plastic housing is removed and you can see the orange MOST fiber optic wire coming from out of the back of the Nav DVD drive going over to the connection point behind the brake vacuum assist tank. If you have no Navigation unit in your car, no Bose stereo and no CD changer you will still have a MOST bus attachment point behind the brake assist tank, but it may make the installation a little more difficult.
Consult the directions for how to set the dip switches for Porsche. Here is a shot of the manual followed by a picture of the switches having been set for Porsche by us.
The next step is to remove the MOST fiber optic cable from the back of the NAV drive (or other location if you don't have NAV). Here is the cable removed. Note the fiber optic wires are labelled light 1 and light 2, the plastic and the cables have directional arrows on them, and there is a blue retaining clip.
Using a small flat blade screwdriver push up on the blue retaining clip to get it to pop out. It is simply press fit into the black housing but may take some force to pop out.
Now is a good time to check the "flow" of the light in the MOST fiber optic bus. Simply turn the key on and one of the fibers will light up. This is the source wire and in my case was wire #1 and corresponded to the arrow pointing to the right or out of the black clip. This is the fiber line we need to remove to tap into. Basically we are going to insert the Dension unit in Series with the existing NAV unit.
Meanwhile my helper was attaching the including MOST fiber optic line to the black fiber optic line coming out of the Dension gateway unit. (The black fiber line on the right). The kit includes the couplers that you need to connect the two fiber optic lines together. The cap for the coupler is sitting just above the coupler in the photo but is not yet clipped on so we could take the photo. Go ahead and clip it together.
Now back to that MOST cable in the car. In this next picture we are removing light wire #1 from the black connector. To do so we had to remove the blue retaining clip, but we also have to flex out some little black pinchers built into the black clip that hold the fiber optic line in place. There is a blow up in the install instructions that sort of shows this so we also attempt to show it in this next picture.
In this next photo you can see how we are not re-routing the MOST fiber optic cables. We are connecting light wire #1 that we removed from the black clip in the previous step to the other end of the MOST cable supplied in the Dension kit that we previously attached the other end of to the black fiber cable coming out of the Dension unit itself. In short the source MOST cable from the car (light wire #1) is now feeding into the Dension unit. Once again clip together the MOST cable couplers to complete the connection.
Now we need to go back to that black plastic fitting that came out of the back of the NAV unit. It is missing a fiber optic cable at this point isn't it? Well now get out the 2nd orange MOST fiber optic cable included with the Dension kit. One end of that cable needs to be inserted into the black plastic fitting.
Once it is clipped in don't forget to also reinstall the blue retaining clip. The other end of the 2nd fiber optic cable needs to be connected to the other black fiber optic cable coming out of the Dension unit (the one on the left of the two black cables, the only unused one at this point).
Here the two cables are being mated together in a provided coupler, then simply twist off the coupler cap from the throw away black plastic tab and clip it on top of the coupler to complete the coupling. The two halves should snap together with a click.
At this point the MOST fiber optic work is done! If you've followed along you have successfully inserted the Dension unit into the MOST fiber optic "ring". Here is a picture showing the completed operation. (But we aren't done yet with the whole install!)
You can now clip the black plastic clip back into the back of the NAV drive to complete the MOST bus loop. The following picture just shows that we positioned the Dension unit up where we could work on it and attach the other components of the system. In this picture we attached the CD Changer/No-CD Changer switch that also serves to help configure the system and allow for an additional analog input. There is only one connector that this can plug into and it is clearly shown in the existing directions.
Now it is time to get some POWER to the Dension unit. You will note there are two wires (Red and Black) that end in a clip that plugs into the Dension main unit. The other ends of those red and black wires need to be attached to a power and a ground respectively. I decided to tap into the power and the ground in the same location where the Navigation drive gets its power or where the CD changer would get its power if I had one, the Porsche factory wires to the left of the charcoal cannister (flat black object to the left of the NAV drive - shown in my Nav install article in more detail)
The wires we want to tap into are the Green/Red combo wire (Positive power) and the Brown (Ground) wire. Here they are shown stripped and ready to be soldered into.
Here we are soldering the black wire to the brown ground wire, I failed to take a picture of soldering the red wire to the green/red combo wire, but you get the idea. Be sure and heat shrink wrap the wires or add electrical tape when done.
Here are the other ends of those black and red wires being plugged into the main Dension unit, again it is pretty much idiot proof they can only connect in one way.
Here I have coiled up the wires and MOST fiber optic cables and tied them up with twist ties to keep it somewhat organized. Although I've not applied any double stick tape to the Dension unit or the selector switch unit I later did. The kit comes with screws for a more permanent installation and given my agressive track driving I probably need to screw these down somewhere, I just haven't decided exactly where yet.
At this point the Dension unit should be operational and ready to be configured. Notice the two round connectors on the front of the unit in this next photo. The ipod adapter cable goes into the one on the left. There is also a USB slot just to the left of those two round connectors. You can plug in a USB memory stick to flash a ROM or one that holds songs to play them.
My unit came with ROM version 1.04 and there is a defect in that version where you cannot get into the setup of the Dension unit via the PCM screen. I reverted by to ROM version 1.0 by placing that rom on a USB thumb drive and plugging that into the Dension unit. It auto loads for you in about 90 seconds. You can tell what version ROM you have by the display on your iPOD (after the ipod is connected up to that round connector).
There is an extra document in our FILES section available here: http://www.caymanclub.net/downloads.php?do=file&id=91
It goes into more detail that the included install instructions on how to configure the Dension unit the first time. Then simply figure out where you want to route your ipod cable to (under hood, glove box, center console storage, etc.) and attach your ipod and begin enjoying your tunes.
I am currently waiting on an ipod extension cable to reach inside the passenger compartment so I did not take any photos of routing that cable, and Suneet has an article located here:
http://www.caymanclub.net/reviews/sh...oduct=98&cat=5
that goes into some detail on that subject.
My intial thoughts are that I like the unit, it is well made, included everything needed to install, and adds functionality to the Porsche system that should have been there from the beginning. Drawbacks include some bug issues in the ROM versions/software used to control the on screen display that I am hopeful will get worked out in the near future. For now I can live with the minor software glitch as a trade off to be able to listen to and control my ipod through my PCM head unit.
If you have any questions for me please don't post them in your review of my article, please post them in the news topic thread that I posted in the forum announcing this article as I will be able to see and respond to those questions better in the forum.
On a scale of 1-10 for difficulty this is probably a 4, some basic wiring knowledge and some electrical soldering is required (unless you use solderless tap connectors!). The time it took to do with taking photos was about 90 minutes but it could certainly be done in less time. I don't know the retail price on the unit, it is probably best to check with Auto Mobility. Here is a link to their website:
http://www.automobilitydistribution....AA&Category=99
Enjoy!
UPDATE 5/15/07
As a quick follow-up I had been having problems with my Dension unit just randomly not working. Today my replacement silver box arrived and to my surprise it has changed, instead of the 2 fiber optic lines coming out it now has a standard fiber optic recepticle for the existing lines, no more custom splicing fiber lines together with connectors, etc. This made it much more plug-n-play and so far it is working flawlessly. The old unit will go back for examination.
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Keywords:
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Dension Ice Link 500 Gateway ipod mp3 |
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Admin & Founder
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Posts: 20,864
Registered: August 2005
Location: Kansas
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Author
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invader zog
Site Donor
Registered: November 2006
Posts: 152
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Review Date: Tue March 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 0
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Have you installed this Product or Mod?:
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Any chance of getting the v1.0 ROM files put up somewhere?
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Evolution: love it or leave it
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suneet
Coordinator
Registered: July 2006
Location: FL
Posts: 2709
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Review Date: Tue March 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 0
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Have you installed this Product or Mod?:
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Good details on the fiber hook ups.
Invader zog here is a link to the v 1.0 file:
http://install.dension.com/GW5_MOST_100.ZIP
Kman S, from what I've read all you need to extend the ipod connection is a mini-DIN extension cable (ie. for old mac printers), you can probably pick one up locally.
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...&sku=09569
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- Suneet
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DelFiero
Porsche Person
Registered: April 2007
Location: FL
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Sun April 1, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 0
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Have you installed this Product or Mod?:
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What is the price of this kit? where can I buy it...thanks
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OSUav8r
Porsche Person
Registered: May 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 8
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Review Date: Mon July 23, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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It works so far...
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Cons:
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No instructions, poor tech support, :(
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Have you installed this Product or Mod?:
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I just finished installing a IceLink 500 into my Cayman, what a pain in the @$$.
Thanks K-man for the article - Dension sure didn't provide much guidance.
My unit came with version 1.5, however 2.3 is the current Porsche version.
Just finding the update was a hassle, for future users here is the link.
http://support.dension.com/support-center/index.php
Installation wasn't too bad, configuring the unit was a pain. For all intents and purposes the unit does not come with any installation and configuration instructions that are helpful for Porsche customers. The article you can download isn't very clear and not vehicle specific. The supplied directions come in 5 laguages and cover every model except Porsche.
Althought the product seems to work so far, it looks like the NeoCarAudio unit is better. Apparently the Dension human factors engineers and Ergonomics department were off the week this product came out. The GW500 reeks of pocket protectors and reverse polar notation. Getting to tech support at Mass Electronics Limited was no fun either and a bit rude.
Yeah it works but I what a hassle. I can't say much for NeoCarAudio but they can't do any worse.
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scopacetic
Porsche Enthusiast
Registered: January 2006
Location: GA
Posts: 179
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Review Date: Wed January 9, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $465.00
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Great sound quality, easy to install
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Cons:
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PCM interface not nearly as good as iPod
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Have you installed this Product or Mod?:
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Yes
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My main complaint is the PCM interface. I have the V3 hardware with the car side port and the CD changer port. Firmware 2.05.
1) You can search by artist, album or playlist. However, if you search by artist, you have no option but to play all that artist's songs. It doesn't bring up a submenu for albums like on the iPod.
2) If you are listening to a track and try to brouse and stay on a selection for more than a split second, it automatically changes to that. Also changes tracks when changing pages on long menus. This is not the fault of the GW500, but a function of the PCM's CD changer interface. Same thing would happen with a CD changer.
3) Unfortunately, I can't get the iPod interface to work so far with my 80GB iPod classic.
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Veloyellow
PCA Member
Registered: July 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 126
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Review Date: Sat January 19, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $465.00
| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Works well with with my ipods...shuffle is the best mode to use.
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Cons:
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Trying to use the interface on the CD player (CDR24) is impossible while driving.
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Have you installed this Product or Mod?:
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Yes
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Having done the install on a non-Nav system (I had a Bose with 6 CD changer), I find the interface on the CDR24 impossible to use for selecting tracks or playlists. If you are ok with just using shuffle then you will be happy with this (I am...with 3,000 songs, I get surprised every day by some song that comes up...if I don't like it, I just flick the tuner knob for the next one). If I happen to land on an artist I like, I un-select shuffle and then it will play in order. I have tested a new black video iPod, a mini and a 60GB old white model...all work fine. One thing...if you have the CD changer, you have to disconnect it to use the iPod...the fiber data ring gets confused if you have both installed. I sold mine on eBay later...they are going for $130 to $200.
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Veloyellow
'06 Cayman S, 19", 6sp, sport shift, Rear Wiper, Bose (w/sub mod), CDR24 Head, iPod (Dension in trunk), iPhone speaker phone, Black Vents/spears/spoiler, clear engine cover, clutch delay mod, Dream1.
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drakon
Porsche Chatter
Registered: March 2007
Location: California
Posts: 22
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Review Date: Mon August 25, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 0
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Have you installed this Product or Mod?:
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BTW, the cable has been changed to a 9 pin, Specific to the Dension Unit (and some rare devices). Forget about getting it locally, it's not even easy to find online. Buy it at the same time you get the kit and save yourself the headache.
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DLENNOX
Northeast Member
Registered: August 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 124
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Review Date: Thu October 15, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 0
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Pros:
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Nice install
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Cons:
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Have you installed this Product or Mod?:
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No
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The CDR30 doesn't appear on the list for compatibility. I have a Bose non-nav system. Does anyone know about this? If it is, any one have a picture of the CDR30 screen with the install?
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zoolander
Porsche Person
Registered: November 2009
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Wed November 11, 2009
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 0
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Pros:
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Good Information
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Cons:
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Have you installed this Product or Mod?:
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No
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I have a 2006 Carrera and in short I had an Ipod adapter installed and the guy who did it in Korea left two fiber cables unconnected. I need a coupler to connect them but the Porsche dealership has no idea what to get. I read in this post about a Fiber Cable Coupler, how do I get one and what is the correct name/brand I should be asking for? If anyone else knows how to get one the help would be appreciated as well.
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