The Mercedes Way

My Mercedes is equipped with a built-in audio- and navigation system. Mercedes offers as add on a iPhone interface. Pricing for this part is ridiculous, compared to the functionality. I received a quote about SFr 1’100 including the required labor. The interface only enables the “normal” iPod menu tree to the dashboard display and allows to select in this menu via keys built into the steering wheel plus audio is forwarded to the audio system. It’s limited to 1000 songs for the menu and allows no telephony integration. For me too many disadvantages to pursue.

My interim solution

As the car has a built in AUX input (3.5mm jack in the glove compartment) I had a cable at hand that connected my iPhone (or previously my iPod nano) using this cable. Worked fine, only the sound level was sometimes a little bit low and the device was lying around and often dropped to the floor while driving. For long distance drives this helped to listen to a audio book, only the battery life of the device was sometimes the problem.

The Griffin TuneFlex Aux

Some weeks ago I again had a long drive in front of me and I finally wanted to complete one audio book on this drive. In my favorite stores I had seen different car sets for the iPhone, but none could convince me. Some had FM transmitters built in, which I didn’t need. Others where equipped with hands-free telephony support. But then I found the Griffin device and bought it. Link to Griffin TuneFlex Aux

It includes a complete set of adaptors for a large variety of iPods and iPhones also a 1m cable for the AUX connection is included. I installed the device in my car and I really like it since then.

Griffin TuneFlex in my car

Whenever I drive, even to the supermarket, my iPhone has a place where to stay. Plus I listen more often to content stored on the device. As it is so easy to use, during a 10 minute drive I listen to a podcast. I had never thought that such a simple device could change my media consumption in the car so significantly.

- PTL -