RNS510 sat nav for VW

spunk_monkey wrote: »

Hey ,

yep he confirmed the bluetooth will work with iphone, desire etc.

Do you know anything about installing the bluetooth module? I know, for someone that knows exactly what they are at, installing the head unit is a 15 minute job, however I dont have a clue about the bluetooth..I was trying to get him to throw in free fitting, but he claims that the install if the blue tooth and head unit is a 2hour job..is the bt module install a long, complicated job?

Yeah, installing the BT does involve a bit of work, e.g. you have to route the mic wire up to the roof/headlining and connect it all up to the RNS too. The bluetooth module itself goes under the drivers seat - at least that's where mine is.

There are online guides if you look on some of the UK VW forums, but I don't think it's something I'd tackle myself, with the amount of trim removal and wiring that's involved.

Fair play So it cost you about €700 then?

I'm still getting used to mine and haven't played around with it much, but here's some things off the top of my head:

- press and hold setup button for about 15-20 seconds to see the service menu. This will give you version info, map version info, health check status, etc
- try playing a DVD while driving (safely!)... see if video in motion is enabled on yours. It is on mine.
- You can save up to six speed dials on the phone section

- The POI's on the maps are pretty cool... e.g. do a search for "VW Centre" and it will show you a list of the nearest VW dealers. Select one and it brings up address, contact details... press the phone symbol and it will call up the garage for you. Pretty neat, and works with other POI's too, e.g. hotels, restaurants...

- Go into the Tone settings and bring up the "Fader" option, and you'll get a graphic of the speakers in the car, drag your finger around the screen and the music will fade to that speaker.

First of all, if you're changing the car later on, whip out the RNS again and sell it on separately. You'll get a fair wedge of that €700 back.

I bought a new 2GB SD card and loaded a bunch of songs onto it from my laptop. Then when I put it into the RNS, all the folders structure I had copied were there but some songs were missing. Then I realised it doesn't support the apple formats, m4a... only MP3's work. So, even though I had invalid files on the SD, it still worked and I could see the few MP3's and all the other empty folders. I didn't get any error msgs.

I'm nearly sure I read someplace that older versions of the RNS, or older versions of the firmware only support up to 2GB SD cards. Try a 2GB card in yours and see what happens.

spunk_monkey wrote: »

yep, I read that too, but the dude that installed mine said he updated it with the most recent firmware. I also tried a 512mb card which only had pics and docs on it but when I put that car in, nothing at all happens..did a bit more searching and read that if you get an error message, the card needs to be formatted in FAT32 which I have just done, and added a few mp3 files to it, so I'll give that a shot when I get home.

Do you know if there is an option to add your own wallpaper?

Thanks.

Yeah I read the FAT32 thing too, but I didn't need to do that either. I just bought some generic 2GB SD card in Currys for a tenner and it worked no bother.

I don't think you can add wallpapers. I think the colour scheme is configurable but only with VAG COM connected up.

how, LOL ?!

You entered "Blackrock" as the town? I think mine displays "City" rather than "Town" there, but I'm nearly sure I tried Blackrock there too and it didn't work!

I'll try again...

EPM wrote: »

If you look at the keyboard as you type some letters become hidden when the predictive text kicks in. It fills some letters for you but if you type after it does this you can wind up somewhere completely different. It's ok once you get used to it but it's still very easy to get bogged down.



Dont think so:(

Yeah, I understood that bit... the alphabet keys get disabled as it narrows the matches down as you type. But I would still have expected it to bring up a list of matches for "Blackrock" rather than the single option I got, i.e. the random place in Waterford!

Seems it's better to just type in the first 3-4 characters and then bring up the matching list rather than relying completely on the predictive search.

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Have things changed much or is it still around €700 for the RNS510 with Bluetooth?

RNS version C will cost you ballpark €600-€700 on it's own, depending on where you source it. Bluetooth module is separate.

This is on Ebay and the likes obviously... or "private" sellers such as the one I got mine from (I posted his details earlier in this thread).

Obviously you could probably at least treble that price if you go down to your friendly dealer!

spunk_monkey wrote: »

Hi,

I considered a Chinese unit before I bought the rns..the waywell got the best reviews( one specific model -can't remember it off hand- but their other models are supposed to be rubbish). Nearly went for it as it works out around 400 Inc Bluetooth but in the end, after reading more reviews, the general view was that they are great for a year and then things start breaking..usually the DVD drive goes first.

Decided I'd buy the rns rather than end up buying twice which would be likely if I went with the waywell.

I paid 730 for the revision C unit with blutooth fully installed. If you want the guys number, let me know, he is based in drogheda.

Also, I don't think the waywell unit has a hard drive for music storage..could be wrong though.


EPM/Joe; thanks for helping me out, all sorted now:)

Yeah, if you could PM me his number that'd be great.

DougieHowser wrote: »

Mdi unit will give me full control of ipod from the unit right? Say if I stick the mdi in glovebox I can plug in my ipod lash it in the glovebox aswell and control it all from the touch screen? and also still have my iphone connected through bluetooth to the unit and stream audio from that should I want?

Yes. But if you're using bluetooth audio, it's handier to have the phone closer to hand than the glovebox, cos you'll need to change tracks directly on the phone. I find the bluetooth audio really useful... You can listen to podcasts, online radio stations, etc... I even streamed the audio from the Sky GO app (Jeff Stelling on Soccer saturday), while I was out washing the car one saturday afternoon

I got mine through a VW forum, a guy on there was selling them. I often see group buys running for them, every so often, e.g. http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=211445.0

DougieHowser wrote: »

Cheers for the replies,

So basically I can just order the head unit through one of the forums and then buy the mdi separately etc and get it fitted once it's delivered?

Does anyone know anyone in Ireland that "stocks" them so I could go have a look?

Also what's the latest version now?

Cheers

Yes, you'd need to get the MDI and the bluetooth module separately. To be honest, I wouldn't be too bothered about the MDI. I hardly use it, I usually use either the BT audio or the RNS hard drive itself.

Latest version is "F". Mine is a version C, with LED screen (much brighter than the older non-LED screen).

I think all F has over ver C is a bigger HD.

Elessar wrote: »

Very interesting thread lads but I have a question.

I'm buying a new Golf next year and I'm thinking of getting the Edition-R model. This includes bluetooth and the RCD510 radio as standard.

Is it possible to upgrade the RCD510 to include Sat-Nav?

Yes. You have 2 options.

1. Pay VW approx €1,200 to spec it from the factory (this is an approx figure. In cars where the RCD 510 is not standard, the RNS is about €1800 to spec)

2. Buy the RNS unit yourself as per this thread, retro-fit it and sell your existing RCD unit. This will only cost you a couple of hundred overall.

Even though they look similar, the RCD 510 and RNS 510 are completely different units and it's not possible to "upgrade" the RCD.

Elessar wrote: »

As a matter of interest, if I bought a highline instead, with the RCD310 - is that the same swap out procedure to get the RNS510? There is no bluetooth in the highline but there is a MFSW so would any additional VAG coding be required?

Yes, you would need the BT module separately (assuming you want bluetooth). And the MFD (screen between the speedo and rev counter) will need to be programmed in both cars - to show NAV information (directions, street names, etc). The MFSW should work without any programming I think... i.e. audio / radio stations control.

My GTD had the RCD 310.

Elessar wrote: »

Decisions decisions!

Without going off topic, if I wanted to install bluetooth aswell in the highline, do I only need the bluetooth module for under the passenger seat? Does the RNS510 have an integrated microphone as I believe the skoda units have? Or is that a big wiring/trim job?

It doesn't have an integrated mic. My RNS is voice-control compatible but doesn't work, cos I don't have the mic! So it would have to be wired in. Not worth it for me.

My BT module (factory fitted) is under the driver seat. I think it can just as easily be placed elsewhere for easier wiring, even in behind the radio. But I don't think it's a DIY job unless you really know what you are doing. Plus, the car will need to be programmed with VAG COM.

If you have an RCD 510, you'd easily flog that for 3-400. You'd get an RNS then for about 6-700. So it won't cost you too much, going that route. I didn't bother selling the RCD 310, as it's not worth a lot and I'd probably swap it back into the car if I were selling the car.