Group Buy / EOI new generation DNS head units (RNS-510 alternative)

[Mister Jim Lahey]

I got a refund a week back and ordered a similar type of WinCE unit from Dig Options.
Will post a review of it once I receive/install it.

I would be interested to know how you get along with that. Particularly the radio and audio quality compared to the stock unit.

[moda]

I would be interested to know how you get along with that. Particularly the radio and audio quality compared to the stock unit.

Looks like the generic chinese unit my car had installed (long story, wasn't my fault). It was ****. UI was basically awful and useless, and super slow.

[Goobz]

Looks like the generic chinese unit my car had installed (long story, wasn't my fault). It was ****. UI was basically awful and useless, and super slow.

The list of accessories you can get for it look pretty awesome though! How many actually work on the other hand...

[moda]

The list of accessories you can get for it look pretty awesome though! How many actually work on the other hand...

Eh? No more included accessories than you get with any other unit. I guess you're talking about the options though? Same as any other unit as well. Looks like its the exact same unit I had (same software, same button layout, same hardware). It was actually hateful to use. Every time I hopped in the car I wanted to stab it with a knife. Either way, if you dont want to wait until AS gets their **** together with the DNS, you're better off just going and getting the Eonon unit, at least you know what you're getting (cheap generic chinese wince unit with a better OS, and some support). Plus that Digoptions unit is expensive as ****.

[Mister Jim Lahey]

Every time I hopped in the car I wanted to stab it with a knife. Either way, if you dont want to wait until AS gets their **** together with the DNS, you're better off just going and getting the Eonon unit, at least you know what you're getting (cheap generic chinese wince unit with a better OS, and some support). Plus that Digoptions unit is expensive as ****.

Well that all sounds very unencouraging. What about the usual suspects: Alpine, Pioneer, Sony, Kenwood, etc? I'm not all that interested in GPS/Phone, I'm after a solid radio/mp3/bluetooth streamer, with a decent screen that can scroll through a large library quickly.

Any tips?

[Mattlock]

Why don't you buy an RCD-510? Any double din 3rd party unit will do a good job although you'll need to buy a fascia kit, aerial adaptor and steering wheel button converter. I have a brand-new RCD-310 that I need to sell.

[allypally]

Dkn,
Another month has passed without any activity.
Last month you advised you would be going with a different nav pack in order to get the ball rolling, but since then we have heard nothing.
Would you be so kind as to tell us what the current status is, and what timelines you are now working to in order to bring reality to the deliveries?
I would have thought, that considering the time since this project's inception, that the system would be nearing it's shelf life, and be shortly superseded with newer technology.

[Mister Jim Lahey]

Why don't you buy an RCD-510? Any double din 3rd party unit will do a good job although you'll need to buy a fascia kit, aerial adaptor and steering wheel button converter. I have a brand-new RCD-310 that I need to sell.

For what it is, it seems a bit expensive. I was hoping to get something with better sound, more lines on what might be a touch screen, built-in bluetooth and at a lower cost. That I have to pay so much to get a bluetooth adapter seems a bit backward.

Or am I missing something?

[Fatherless One]

For what it is, it seems a bit expensive. I was hoping to get something with better sound, more lines on what might be a touch screen, built-in bluetooth and at a lower cost. That I have to pay so much to get a bluetooth adapter seems a bit backward.

Or am I missing something?

RCD510 are around $200, VW Bluetooth kit $350. Perfect audio streaming, plus hands free phone calls. The audio quality through an RCD is excellent.

And even better NO problems and all genuine

[Mattlock]

RCD510 are around $200, VW Bluetooth kit $350. Perfect audio streaming, plus hands free phone calls. The audio quality through an RCD is excellent.

And even better NO problems and all genuine

I agree. The only caveat for me was that I decided that the installation of the VW BT module looked like hard work and you need to access VCDS to code it all up.

$550 will get you a good alternative unit with built-in BT but you lose the OEM fitment and access to the steering wheel buttons unless you spend more money for a Connects2 adaptor kit.

[Fatherless One]

I agree. The only caveat for me was that I decided that the installation of the VW BT module looked like hard work and you need to access VCDS to code it all up.

$550 will get you a good alternative unit with built-in BT but you lose the OEM fitment and access to the steering wheel buttons unless you spend more money for a Connects2 adaptor kit.

The Bluetooth kit was really easy, rather than being installed under the seat it's simply placed behind the head unit, there's room there, and installing the microphone in the overhead console only required 4 screws to be removed, and the wire from the mic is then simply tucked behind the hood liner and down a pillar.
It took all of about 10-15 minutes to do.

The VCDS coding was minimal too.

When I looked into installing a Pioneer head unit it was gonna cost me well over $1000 after I bought a facia plate and various adaptors.

If you decide you want to replace that RCD510 you'll get your $200 back, you can buy a genuine RNS (rev F) for as little as $800 with warranty, so the RNS ends up costing you $600, and everything WORKS.

[b2barker]

I have installed the Dig Options unit and put a review here

Eh? No more included accessories than you get with any other unit. I guess you're talking about the options though? Same as any other unit as well. Looks like its the exact same unit I had (same software, same button layout, same hardware). It was actually hateful to use. Every time I hopped in the car I wanted to stab it with a knife. Either way, if you dont want to wait until AS gets their **** together with the DNS, you're better off just going and getting the Eonon unit, at least you know what you're getting (cheap generic chinese wince unit with a better OS, and some support). Plus that Digoptions unit is expensive as ****.

Not sure what unit you had but, this is not my experience. Wouldn't say it is awesome, but it's stable and usable.
Also not sure sure what price you are looking at. I got the refund from the DNS810 group buy, bought this unit with added reversing camera and kept the $200 change.

[moda]

Any updates Sandy?

I have installed the Dig Options unit and put a review here


Not sure what unit you had but, this is not my experience. Wouldn't say it is awesome, but it's stable and usable.
Also not sure sure what price you are looking at. I got the refund from the DNS810 group buy, bought this unit with added reversing camera and kept the $200 change.

Just my experiences with the software on the generic chinese units (which the digoptions unit is, make no mistake). It may be slightly different hardware though. Still doesn't stop the fact that the software was particularly hateful and frustrating to use. I have a fair bit of experience with that particular build of wince, and its awful.

The cost, I was saying, was with respect to the amount of money you would pay if you got the same unit off ebay/aliexpress etc (since, again, they're all the same generic unit). They should be ~$200-300ish. IMO you would have been better off looking at Eonon. Same generic hardware, but at least the software is not eye murderingly bad. Cheaper too (~$350).

Still, DNS, even with its bugs, is significantly better.

[Vincentlololou]

I asked for refund of the deposit few days ago but have not got the reply from DKN yet. I hope he is still active on the forum.

[DkN]

I asked for refund of the deposit few days ago but have not got the reply from DKN yet. I hope he is still active on the forum.

You will need to send me your bank details.

Any updates Sandy?

Sorry about being away from the forums guys, I've been rather busy lately and have confined myself lately to questions etc via PM and emails in between work and communicating with AS.

I will have updated firmware at the end of this week. AS is targeting the iGo / SD issue right now but it's a bit baffling since the issue does not exist with other navigation software. If the latest firmware cannot fix it, I will have to make a decision and replace iGo with Sygic Drive. I'm currently sorting out Sygic Drive with my maps supplier and testing it on my unit.

Meanwhile there is a new update from Audiosources which comes with both good and bad news. The good news is that AS has cracked the MFD integration so that three line display and selecting radio stations through MFD list will be available. The next step would be do the same for BT phonebook. The bad news is, despite what they previously said, this will require a modified CAN-Bus decoder chip, which is clearly not good for those already with the production units.

I have managed to get AS to agree to sending me the new CAN-Bus chip for units that have already been sold. I will send these to those customers free of charge but the issue is getting it installed - it will require removing a soldered chip and soldering on the new CAN-Bus chip. This can be done at any electronics repair shop, and I will have full instructions with pictures as to which chip to replace. I will reimburse the cost of replacing the chip on a receipt / invoice. At this stage I have already given up on the prospects of a profit and I just hope that everyone will end up with a unit they are satisfied with and that this exercise will be worthwhile.

To be clear, the new CAN-Bus chip relates to the upgraded MFD integration only. There is nothing faulty about the current chips, it's just that they will not be able to integrate any further with the MFD than they already are.

Also I am told AS has managed to develop a new wireless mirroring module. This module can facilitate two way communication with android and one way with iPhones (so DNS will be able to control your Android phone, but will continue to just display the screen for iPhones).

For both the new CAN-Bus chip and the new mirroring module I will have more information within a week or two.