Hi All!

I've kind of sat out of this as there seemed little point in saying what has already been said again! But here goes!

I've had a few problems with my install too, firstly there was the issue of not getting out of iPod UI into GatewayUI. Then there was the issue of the options disapearing off maxidot, along with the BT phone (g*d know why as Ben saw it working fine straight after the instal!)! However my main concern was that if I leave the Dension connected, but with no iPhone/iPod connected and don't use the car, the cars battery is discharged! If I don't have the Dension connected, the car can sit for a week and still have no problem (battery still showing as "healthy" ). I've not tried it leaving an iPod permanently connected, as I daren't risk canning the battery on my "works" car!!! I've checked the battery with a local battery supplier, and even after sitting for about 30 minutes with the Dension connected, there is a noticable drain on the battery. Remove the dension and there is no apparent issue. I'm guessing there is some problem in the CAN telling the Columbus to "switch off"?!?

My Columbus has the PN 1Z0035680A running 1024FW & according to the box I'm fitting the following Dension unit GW33V21. Ben was kind enough to help in the fitting and did make sure it had the newest firmware on it, although this didn't clear the problems. I did think about updating the Columbus to the newest FW to see if this was the problem, but having seen the issues in that thread, I've left it alone, as I have no problems if the Dension isn't there.

As these were new product I knew there was a chance for "early adopter" syndrome, but I've had Densions in the past and they worked without a hitch, soooooo I'm hoping that this is fixable!

Simon, your input in this matter is appreciated, and doing it via this forum is probably a more efficient way than via each one of us contacting you! Ben, once again, thank you for your support, I know you have been trying to reslove these issues on our behalf & many a new company would have given up by now!

I'm clearly in glass half full mode, so lets hope we get them working, rather than having to get stuff refunded:thumbup:

Secondly, I would like to apologise to Mr Ward that he had to reiterate his issues to me, but being the first point of call for Dension tech support in the UK I take a large volume of calls per day. I would also like to point out that my job is to provide support to our installers/distributers and that I am talking to end-users in this case to gather as much information as possible.

Apology accepted Simon. Thank you very much.

I completely understand that you are backline support and wouldn't normally deal with MOTP however without wishing to teach you to suck eggs, I've always found that even if you can't fix something, keeping interested parties informed goes a long way to avoiding the type of issues some of us have experienced to date.

For what its worth I have been a Dension user for many years - my partner bought me an ICELink Pro for another vehicle and despite the odd hiccup, I have to say it provided over 50,000 miles of relativly trouble free, high quality audio. I assumed that the 300 would do the same and consequently I am very disappointed it has so far failed miserably in this respect. I am currently on the verge of removing the unit from the car and returning it to Ben for a refund but am very reluctant to do so because he's been so good about all of this and supportive of his customers.

To assist myself and others in taking the decision it would be helpful if you could provide some kind of timescale when you estimate the issues will be resolved. If you think this could be as little as two weeks or honestly don't know then say so.

Many thanks for adressing the issue via the forum - I have no doubt this will improve matters considerably.

On a side note - if any of you have Columbus units that aren't working properly, Dension are trying to sort the firmware out and only have the Skoda units to go. If you have problems with your Columbus unit please could you PM me your Columbus part number, firmware revision etc etc so I can pass it on to Dension.

Many thanks to Simon for coming onto this thread - I didn't ask him to and I know how busy he is so a big thumbs up from me there

I did ask on the previous page that people with problems PM'd me with your Columbus part number and firmware revision so I could pass this on to Dension who can source a suitable unit and test the product with that unit with the view to ironing out the issues.

If you are able to do that (and I appreciate it's hassle which I apologise for) then we can help Dension move towards a fix and ultimately help you guys that are having problems.

mines on a stream mp3 but i'll get the details up when i feel better

Radio: Stream MP3

PD: 2907

HW: 0019

SW: 0040

F03

1Z0 035 161 C

Dension Gateway 300: GW33VC1

For reference, I did also have connected OEM Skoda Bluetooth kit (1Z0 035 729 . When this was connected, I never got the text feature to work. Once the BT kit was disconnected, the text feature now works intermittently.

Hope this helps

Details as requested

Radio stream MP3

PD:2508

HW:0020

SW:0041

1Z0 035 161 C

Denison gateway 100 : GW16VC1

I have a Nexus MFD2, with maxidot, dension gateway 100 16xx and skoda oem BT car kit fitted.

I too have been using dension products for a few years. I upgraded to the 100 recently as my iPhone is not compatible with the old skoda icelink ipod kit.

I have never ever seen any text on my maxidot relating to the gateway, which is why I bought it in the first place. not got any satisfactory answer out of Dension USA.

It also interferes with my MFD2. most of the time I do not get any sat. nav. instructions on the maxidot when the gateway 100 is connected. As soon as I remove the gateway the sat. nav. instructions are back.

I have never disconnected the BT car kit so don't know if it would display the text on maxidot without the BT connected.

I also have the iPhone 3GS running OS3.1. Dension don't appear to support iPhones with the latest firmware.

Dension USA told me to turn text display off & it would display the sat nav instructions fine, but either it is not fine or I haven't turned off the text display (which doesn't display text anyway.), as their instructions don't make any sense.

I will have a look for part numbers when I get time to take dash apart again Simon.

Just a quick update in case anyone else suffers the same issue: As well as the maxidot menu disappearing, I have just had the box go dead on me for a third time. It was fine last night, then this morning - nothing - head unit thinks there's no CD changer connected at all.

Anyway, I've found the easiest way to fix this appears to be to pull the 15A radio fuse under the bonnet - a lot easier than extracting the Dension box and disconnecting it. I guess the car never otherwise completely cuts power to the Gateway.

I've now fttted mine, and using the Sony mp3 (as above), all I'm getting is a loud buzzing noise and very quiet audio. If I revert to my cable/mp3/aux socket in jumbo, everythng is fine but that means the dension is redundant and I can't charge the Sony; one of the reasons I wanted it in the first place. I'm very tempted to take the cable out and revert back to the OEM cable etc and put up with charging the mp3 via my pc. Any constructive comments would be appreciated.

sounds like you need to swap one of the grounds round on the quadlock connector to me

Thanks - I'm no techie - can you explain ? I've not touched it, just plugged it in as per the instructions.

Have you disconnected the CD changer (blue section) from the original quadlock connector? If so, put it back in - I think the Dension loom still requires it for the ground for the Gateway.

I tried removing it when I started having the menu text problems and experienced exactly the same symptom as you. I think you only remove it when you're not using the break-in loom.

My replacement (second) unit disappeared from maxi-dot yesterday again. Same symptoms as the last time, long drive, short stop, then nowhere to be seen.

Will a firmware update fix this issue ?

Sorry to hear that mate. A firmware update will almost certainly correct it, when they release one. I've had no update from them whatsoever as to their progress on this matter.

Make sure you let Dension know that the replacement box hasn't sorted your problem. As mentioned above, if you find your menu doesn't come back on its own after a bit (it probably will), try pulling out the 15A stereo fuse under the bonnet for a minute or two.

I'm really not sure.. as mine is still working 100% and has never gone AWOL. Seems very odd, especially as it works for some time and then stops working all of a sudden.

Have you disconnected the CD changer (blue section) from the original quadlock connector? If so, put it back in - I think the Dension loom still requires it for the ground for the Gateway.

I tried removing it when I started having the menu text problems and experienced exactly the same symptom as you. I think you only remove it when you're not using the break-in loom.

No not touched it. I've attached it to the existing loom as per the instructions and directed the spur away from the radio unit and connected up the gateway. Into that I've put my mp3 in the usb slot. I thought that should work. The single cd works, the radio works but the multichanger doesn't - which is what I expected. The cd changer display doesn't stay on and the aux in sound is virtually non existent. Sounds only minor to me but can't put my finger on what it is.

the last I heard was that the details had been passed to their R+D department

Sorry to hear that mate. A firmware update will almost certainly correct it, when they release one. I've had no update from them whatsoever as to their progress on this matter.

Make sure you let Dension know that the replacement box hasn't sorted your problem. As mentioned above, if you find your menu doesn't come back on its own after a bit (it probably will), try pulling out the 15A stereo fuse under the bonnet for a minute or two.

Tried pulling the 15A fuse for the stereo, under the bonnet yesterday, hoping it would bring the gateway unit back, even for a shorttime, nope, nothing.

Gateway unit works ok, just not on the maxidot.

Has anyone heard anything more on this issue ?

As I posted, my second unit stoped displaying on maxidot around 10 days ago and has never been back since. I hope, but have yet to see it again.

It still plays ok, but the maxidot display and control is what I'm after again.

Just downloaded the latest FW from Dension, but its still V2.09.

Think I'll go and pull the 15A radio fuse for a bit longer this time !

Have you tried the manual text activation sequence?

Dension: Knowledge Base

Cheers,

I've just printed this off, so will give it a go now.

When it mentions holding the next track button for 10 seconds, I am sure it's actually the Fast Forward button for 10 seconds.

Thanks, I just tried it, it was already on track #1 and wouldn't let me select anything else. I'll try again holding FF for 10 seconds this time.

Cheers !

Tried it again, it is the FF button, but it hasn't helped with the maxidot display issues.

It does allow me to select track 2 on this guide, so it know if can display text somewhere !

Thanks for you help Shark !

I seem to have a different problem to everyone else. I have terrible interference with the GW - an engine related whine which is just about bearable with loud rock, poor with classical and awful with spoken word. It sounds as though something needs a suppressor (like the old days) but there was never any interference with the Stream before. Anyone any clues for a fix?

I've found that the GW sometimes reverts to "Track 99" and disappears from the MFD and I stll haven't worked out how best to get it back without turning off the engine (not ideal if you're driving...). Also it seems to prefer slow and deliberate switching when using the RH stalk. It gets upset if you try to scroll too quickly. Sometimes the MFD screen freezes showing the same track with the timer count-down frozen despite the fact that the music is continuing satisfactorily.

Its not a wholly happy experience but I love the fact that I don't have to peer short-sightedly at the pod when driving.

dill