W210 '00 startac/timeport
 

Hi all.

So I got a 2000 E320, it comes w/ the phone cradle in the armrest. I have a startac, but when I put it in, it gets turned on, then it gets turned off. So I went and bought a new one, same deal. I returned it.

Ashman tells me it's a special startac that I need from MBZ.

Now on ebay I see there are the startac and the timeport.

Can I use a timeport TDMA, even though my car originally came w/ a startac?

Thanks!

Dr. ///AMG

You can use the timeport if you switch the coil cable and the cradle.

Brian

ok in other word I can use the timeport if I change the whole dang unit? Forget it, I'm just gonna get a startac.

Anyone know where I can get one for cheap? (a MErcedes one) Other than eBay.

I have a brand new Startac.

Email me.

Haasman

Timeport
 

This is another MB scam, they purchase a "phone from MOT" but it can only be used on the system they decide. You purchase a phone, and it stays with the carrier ATT, Verizon, etc. you can not move it, I think it has to do with some revenue sharing (MB gets Money) You can not use a generic phone (same model number either) custom software!

The way I have heard it, it isn't really such a scam. They have to have the software in the phone to integrate to the hands free features and mailbox, etc built into the car. The phone manufacturers can't guess where the handset will be going, so do they make it so ALL of there handsets will work in any car with handsfree features, etc? Not possible. Although I have heard that if you do have a handset from another vehicle manufacturer, lets say you have a Startac that was sold to you by Audi, BMW or Porsche for example, that the handset may very well work in your Mercedes. A good analogy I can think of is expecting an oil filter for a BMW to fit your Mercedes. They are both oil filters, but not interchangeable, especially when it comes to an "off the shelf" cell phone.

One pitfall to watch out for is when you start changing phone models, say your car was built for either analog only, or a 2 channel only phone (say only TDMA and analog backup, or CDMA and analog backup, and trying to convert to a trimode phone phone (cdma, tdma and analog backup) you can run into trouble.

Gilly

ps: as far as changing carriers, you very often I believe require a equipment change. If you're only halfway though your calling plan contract and decide to change to a different carrier, quite often the equipment (phone) that you have does need to be replaced, I don't see this as being Mercedes fault. And I'm more than happy to assign fault to Mercedes when it is due. I recently renewed my contract for another 2 years with the same carrier I've had for the last 2 years and even then they required me to replace my phone. I like the old Nokia I had too (5165), The new one I have, a new Nokia, needs the battery recharged about every 3 or 4 days (it's the kind with the lighted side-grip). The 5165 would go 5 to 7 days pretty easily. This things a power sucker!

Your doing pretty good Gilly.
I get one day out of my nextel i60 and its dead if I try to go another half day.
Brian

OK, thanks for the info Brian. I do tend to like this style of phone over a flip-phone like the StarTac. Much more user-friendly.

Gilly

BTW I ended up paying $400 for the phone and it's working fine.