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Created: 12 Jun 2009

Last Updated: 16 Nov 2019

I get asked lots of questions about phone systems and the ViseeO adapter for Mercedes cars thus have created this ViseeO FAQ to help users.

 

Questions:

1 What are the different ViseeO Bluetooth adapter part numbers?
2 How can I be sure i'm buying the right cradle.
3 Who is a good supplier of ViseeO Bluetooth adapters?
4 What is the difference between Mercedes HFP and ViseeO ?
5 The other end is hearing their voice echoed - I though the ViseeO fixed this issue.
6 The other end finds the voice very distorted.
7 I can not hear the other end.
8 How do I upgrade the software in the Viseeo ?
9 My supplier says he can't upgrade my VisseO - what now?
10 How do I find out what software is on my Viseeo?
11 What is the latest software versions for ViseeO?
12 I can't log into www.viseeo.com to get the update - what now?
13 The Bluetooth upgrade software for MB-2 can't see my ViseeO.
14 When I run the Viseeo Updater software it says I need a licence key
15 How do I master reset the Viseeo?
16 It seems a bit un-reliable, what do I do ?
17 How do I use the MBU2000/MB-2 in a W204 new C class ?
18 On the W204 the phonebook changes dont seem to transfer.
19 On my MBU1000 / MBU2000 with Nokia N & E series phone book doesn't download.
20 My Nokia E series did auto transfer but I upgraded the phone firmware and it stopped - what now ?
21 There are no instructions in the ViseeO MBU-1000 box.
22 What is the dummy antenna for on the ViseeO MBU-1000.
23 I could send SMS with my 6310i, but not with the ViseeO.
24 Does the ViseeO support SMS ?
25 Does my car's external aerial get used with the ViseeO.
26 The phone won't pair when I return to my car.
27 The MBU-1000 in my SL keeps cutting out.
28 How can I stop the ViseeO trying to download the phonebook
29 Any info in Dutch ?

Answers:

1. What are the different ViseeO Bluetooth adapter part numbers?
The ViseeO MBU-1000 is the first Viseeo Bluetooth adapter and is designed to fit in the Mercedes vehicles with the mobile telephone systems that can only accept the Nokia 5110/6110/6150/6210/6310i phones. The ViseeO MBU-2000 was then released to work with Mercedes phone systems which support exchangable cradles (known as UHI or MHI) The ViseeO MB-2 replaced the ViseeO MBU-2000 in early 2009 and has a newer bluetooth chipset that supports auto address book download from Nokia N/E series phones. The Viseeo MB-3 then arrived in 2011, which has a fancy OLED display and a FM repeater to repeat bluetooth or iPod music, and then the MB-2 was replaced by the MB-4 which is like the MB-3 without the FM repeater. The MBU-3000 replaces the MBU-1000 in late October 2012. MB-3/MB-4/MBU-3000 contain the Parrot Chipset.
ViseeO have stopped selling new devices now, so you'll need to look on eBay.

2. How can I be sure i'm buying the right cradle.
Ask your ViseeO supplier to check your car's chassis number to see what phone system the car has. (Or ask your MB dealer for the datacard printout). ViseeO MBU-1000/MB-3000 is for cars with option 852, 854, 380 or 382. ViseeO MBU-2000 & ViseeO MB-2/MB-3/MB-4 is for cars with option code 386 or 388.

3. Who is a good supplier of ViseeO Bluetooth adapters?
I recommend Comand Online Ltd who ship worldwide. Note if you are not in Europe once you have registered the large UK sales tax (VAT) is deducted.

4. What is the difference between Mercedes HFP and ViseeO ?
The HFP is the Mercedes equivalent of the ViseeO MBU-2000 and ViseeO MB-2 and MB-4. However the HFP will not work on older cars (pre approx mid 2004) because the other party hear's echo. Also the ViseeO can be software upgraded so ViseeO release new software to support new phones. The ViseeO adapters all also support Bluetooth Object Push to help transfer address book contacts from phone to car when the phone doesn't properly transfer them (such as Nokia N/E series phones). Note that some early MB-3/MB-4 did echo with the older system.

5. The other end is hearing their voice echoed - I though the ViseeO fixed this issue.
There is a volume control on the side of the viseeo, turn it fully clockwise to start with, then rotate slowly until it is loud enough for the other party but not echoing.

6. The other end finds the voice very distorted.
There is a volume control on the side of the viseeo, turn it fully clockwise (lowest), and then experiment as to how much you can increase it by.

7. I can not hear the other end.
This is a known issue on early software versions of the MB-2. Upgrade the software to the latest version (both CPU and BT processors) AND do a master reset. You can also send your device to Comand Online who will update it for you and return. See ViseeO Update Service

8. How do I upgrade the software in the Viseeo ?
The ViseeO MBU-1000 and ViseeO MBU-2000 have to be returned to your supplier (or their supplier!) as special cables and software is needed. The ViseeO MB-2 and later, after the initial batches, are supplied with upgrade cables and instructions - if you did not get cables ask your supplier for a set. After upgrading you must always do a Master Reset.

9. My supplier says he can't upgrade my VisseO - what now?
These people Comand Online Ltd offer an upgrade service even for people who didn't buy their cradle from them.

10. How do I find out what software is on my Viseeo?
When it is installed and paired, hold down the top two buttons for about 5 seconds and you will seen an incoming call on the car's stereo. That is the software version number.

11. What is the latest software versions for ViseeO?
Last checked on 18th October 2012: ViseeO MBU1000 = 200027039 (BT 027, CPU039), ViseeO MBU-2000 = 200027048 (BT 027, CPU048), ViseeO MB-2 = 02140011026 (BT 2140-011, CPU 026). MB-3 CPU V43, MB-4 CPU V4.9

12. I can't log into www.viseeo.com to get the update - what now?
The username and password are both "customer".

13. The Bluetooth upgrade software for MB-2 can't see my ViseeO.
Ensure that you pressed the top button when the cradle is plugged into the PC immediately after all 3 lights started flashing together (as described in the instructions) to switch on the Bluetooth upgrade mode. Ensure that if your PC already has a bluetooth module in it that you disable that (or the upgrade software may see that one instead of the Viseeo).

14. When I run the Viseeo Updater software it says I need a licence key
The updater can only be run a number of times, please click on the 'register' button in the bottom left of the application and contact sales@viseeo.com telling them the registration number that appears and your ViseeO serial number (on the rear of the ViseeO adapter).

15. How do I master reset the Viseeo?
From around CPU version 045 on the ViseeO MBU2000 and all ViseeO MB-2 and later, you hold down the 2nd button for about 10 seconds, then whilst still holding it press the bottom button and release both together. You may need to do this a couple of times. You know you have been successful because it goes straight into pairing mode (as there are no pairings left).

16. It seems a bit un-reliable, what do I do ?
Firstly, ensure that your phone has the latest firmware on it, available from your phone manafacturer's website. Then, ensure your Viseeo has the latest firmware on it. Together those things fix 99.9% of issues.

17. How do I use the MBU2000/MB-2 in a W204 new C class ?
In the new W204 C class (and W212 new E, and W207 new E class coupe) the phone system is very different (its called NTG4 or NTG4.5) and the Viseeo has to run different software. This is selectable by switching the two switches under the rubber bung on the rear to the other position. The ViseeO MBU-2000 needs the latest software in it to function properly.

18. On the W204 the phonebook changes dont seem to transfer.
On the W204 C class (and W212/W207 new E / coupe) the head unit needs to be told to import the phonebook from the comfort phone system. So the changes have made it into the Viseeo, but the car needs to be told to 'collect' those changes.

19. On my MBU1000 / MBU2000 with Nokia N & E series phone book doesn't download.
The N and E series and the phones with GPS or very high resolution cameras run a different operating system to the simpler Nokia phones and most (but not all) don't support auto-phonebook transfer. To cope with this the Viseeo has a 'Object Push ("OPP")' mode which allows the user to send phonebook entries via bluetooth. On the phone you can send multiple contacts at one time, but we suggest sending in blocks of 30 or so as there is no 'flow control' in the OPP system and thus data can be lost if too much is sent. You should update your N/E series to the latest version of Nokia Firmware before giving up on the automatic download since Nokia have added that functionality on some phones.

20. My Nokia E series did auto transfer but I upgraded the phone firmware and it stopped - what now ?
Nokia have broken the auto-transfer on the E71 (for instance) in the latest release (as of early June 2009), so please contact them and ask them to fix it.

21. There are no instructions in the ViseeO MBU-1000 box.
The instructions are under the black cardboard at the bottom of the box.

22. What is the dummy antenna for on the ViseeO MBU-1000.
The Nokia 6150/6110/5110 had an antenna and the Mercedes phone cradle held the phone in place using it, so if you have one of those cradles in the car the dummy antenna is needed to stop the ViseeO MBU-1000 falling out.

23. I could send SMS with my 6310i, but not with the ViseeO.
SMS is not supported on the ViseeO, I beleive because theres no real standard (or widespread support for a standard) to handle SMS over Bluetooth properly.

24. Does the ViseeO support SMS ?
No - on the MBU-1000 it looks like it may, but it does not. I don't believe it will ever be implemented as even if it is technically possible (and I dont think it is) it seems like a lot of work and almost no one asks for it. The Mercedes HFP does not support SMS either.

25. Does my car's external aerial get used with the ViseeO.
No, your phone is making the calls, the ViseeO is just acting like a "smart" bluetooth headset, so the phone's antenna is used.

26. The phone won't pair when I return to my car.
You need to ensure that the pairing on the phone is set to 'trusted' or 'pair without asking for a passcode' - on most recent phones this is the default but not always. Also, delete any unused pairings from in the phone.

27. The MBU-1000 in my SL keeps cutting out.
On SLs with the interior motion detector, some of the detectors (located in centre armrest lid) press the top button of the MBU-1000 causing it to reset. This is fixed by popping up the existing phone cradle and removing one of the rubber pads you see there and sticking it to the left or right of the top button - then it won't get pushed any more.

28. How can I stop the ViseeO trying to download the phonebook
Some phones have issues making calls whilst the phone book is being synced. The Viseeo's sync on startup to see if any phone book items have changed. On the MB-2 (with current firmware) , you can disable automatic phonebook sync by calling the phone number "1*00#" from the car's keypad - once the call terminates, press the reset button on the Viseeo. To re-enable it (for instance if you have changed the phonebook) call "1*11#", once the call has finished press the reset button and it will the re-establish the connection and sync.

29. Any info in Dutch ?
Here is another FAQ in Dutch.


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