Area 451 or MDC

dsopher1 · 08-22-2009, 08:27 PM

My wife and I both have new smart's and the one option I wish was available at the time of purchase was CC. So, my question is to the guys or gals who have installed CC on your smart's. Pros and cons of the 2 and which is easier to install? Perform? From what I have read the MDC seems to be a better process all together from start to finish, but I would like your folks' opinions. Thanks.

Big Panda · 08-22-2009, 08:29 PM

From what I've read and what a couple of SCOA friends have told me (chief and shadow), I would go with the Area 451.

That's what I'm planning on getting.....maybe for Christmas?

Gilbert's · 08-22-2009, 08:33 PM

MDC comes with tech support...

Smart Enuf · 08-22-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilbert's

MDC comes with tech support...

So does the Area 451. I feel like we're in a time loop, destined to fight the MDC vs. Area 451 battle forever...Can't we all just agree that the Area 451 is the better product?

Gilbert's · 08-22-2009, 08:36 PM

Done.....

smart fortimo · 08-22-2009, 09:03 PM

I am an Area 451 user... it's ease of use, flawless performance, and seamless appearance is a no-brainer.

Just today, unknown to me at the time, I didn't have my driver door closed completely and the cc wouldn't engage. I thought I had a "problem".

But truth is, I've never had a problem in a year of use and ~17,250 mi., and I use it every day.

I use cc on 90% of my 50 mi/day commute. I do coast to turns and lights and by bumping my console shifter into N, the cc disengages flawlessly, and re-engages to the last set speed just as nicely.

I do recommend John H's LED add-on to illuminate the cc icon in the upper R of the dash cluster.

Cruise is one of the best functional customizations you can make to your smart!

and Happy Trails!
Timo

John_H · 08-22-2009, 09:30 PM

I love my Area451. While Steven of smartieparts.com (who now has the controlling interest in Area 451 Parts, Ltd.) installed my cruise control personally, I helped install one in a friend's smart. I really enjoyed it. I like the thing so much, I put together the LED kit for the instrument cluster which lets you slip a light cleanly in behind the otherwise vacant CC icon already on the panel, sharing the joy with a few dozen other owners.

Tech support is also available at the forum.area451parts.com as well as from Steven at SmartieParts. There's even free shipping in August!

The MDC has features the Area451 doesn't (sprint booster type features and speed increment/decrement).

The installs are roughly equivalent in complexity. If done properly they should both be reliable installs.

While I've heard of more issues with the MDC unit installs (bad cable wires or otherwise faulty units) the exposure might be greater because of the number of units sold; I don't have a comparison of the two.

The Area451 was the first, designed from the ground up for the smart 451 model. The MDC unit came later for the 451 but had a long history selling a different design for the 450 model.

You'll be happy with either. I'd recommend what I know and love: the Area451.

mvaldes · 08-23-2009, 05:57 AM

+1 for Area451 (self-installed, not a difficult DIY.) There're been many discussions on these forums and overall folks are happy with both units. Steven at Smartieparts offers great customer service as do Boris and Rachel at Smartmadness.I fyou go with the Area451, definitely gets John's LED, it makes it even more fun do use the c/c.