Free Handsfree Solution

[BlackSuperb]

I got the Official Bluetooth kit for my RNS510 as a dealer fitted option. $450 and it was a Nokia one which had no connectivity with the RNS510 other than to use the speakers and mute the sound from the radio/music. The steering wheel controls worked with the Nokia kit.

I replaced it with one that has full connectivity with the RNS510 (should work on your Bolero too) and I have it detailed here.

I suppose in hindsight, I could have installed it myself and saved $160. I watched the guy do it and it was easy, plug and play virtually (not counting the coding using the VAGCOM.).

[selurs]

I got the Official Bluetooth kit for my RNS510 as a dealer fitted option. $450 and it was a Nokia one which had no connectivity with the RNS510 other than to use the speakers and mute the sound from the radio/music. The steering wheel controls worked with the Nokia kit.

I have this kit on my RS. It works with the steering wheel, but if you want to place calls you're out of luck. Doesn't bother me, as I got it to answer calls rather than place them (although the fact I can't see who is calling me is a tad disappointing), however it does give you a useless button on the Bolero (well, it functions as mute, but certainly does nothing phone related).

Theoretically this kit supports Bluetooth audio streaming, but I can't confirm that as my phone doesn't work the way the kit expects it to. I'm guessing you probably have to have a Nokia

[maca]

Sorry if this is old news to some ...

Wife got new iphone and wanted to use it hands free in our Octavia.

So we bought a 3.5mm - 3.5mm jack cable at **** Smith.

Connected one end to the aux socket in the Octavia jumbo box, other end to headphone socket on iphone. Choose aux on Bolero and voila, one cheap handsfree soloution. Works well.

Off now to look for a cradle.

Been doing this for agesssss.

Damn Skoda drivers....

[kenvik_7]

I have a Fiscon plus (manual trans no sw controls).
IMO it's brilliant, best Bluetooth I have ever used in any car in terms of audio quality.

Hi K1W1, thanks for the information. This does answer many of my questions. I will try and do a bit more research about the installation of the mic, and then decide whether I'm comfortable opening up the A-pillar panelling & side air-bag to install the mic (as per illustrations given on the Fiscon website). I did read on Briskoda that this is fairly easy and that its outrageous paying so much ($200 - $300) just for installation. But as I also read that post 2010 models require some Vag coding (i.e. it is no longer direct plug-in-play), I would as it is need to find someone in Adelaide who can do this coding for me.

Anyway, I can see that the Fiscon Basic is about $450 (excl Tax) + shipping to Oz or the Plus is $515 (excl Tax) + shipping. So might as well go for the Plus even though I don't have a navigation unit right now.

Now to see how much the dealer or a specialist garage charges for providing and installing the Plus kit. If its too expensive, then I might as well order a kit and buy my own VCDS for coding.

Anyone knows any Fiscon Bluetooth installers in South Australia?

Thanks for the tip about not needing an MDI, good to hear that the A2DP works fine.

[K1W1]

The A2DP sometimes works too well. I've had a couple of occasions where I've finished a call and all of a sudden started getting iPhone music when I didn't want it and haven't actually touched my phone. The joys of Bluetooth I think.

[aslsw]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but my car must be coming in the next fortnight or so and I suddenly realised that I have done nothing about this.

I have the same questions as kenvik_7, to summarise:

- roughly how much will the Fiscon cost to install? and
- who can do this work? If I take it to someone other than the dealer, does this affect the warranty?

Thanks,

AS

[K1W1]

I answered all I know previously.
Maybe ask the dealer who they use for their radio work and approach that company directly.

[kenvik_7]

Hi,
I'm in the same position as you, waiting for my car any day now. Its already sitting with Patricks Auto for over 2 weeks now!
In the mean time, I found a couple of installers of Fiscon Bluetooth here in SA (but this site lists installers in all states) - Advanced ICE - In Car Entertainment (see under 'resellers')
The best price I was quoted was $800 installed. The dealer quoted me a much higher price (nearly double!), and stated that they would be using a third party to to this job, and it would not be covered by standard manf. warranty, since it is a non-VW/Skoda part. If this is the case, then I might as well go directly to the installers, who give 12 or 24 months warranty, depending on whom you talk to.
Hope this helps you aslsw
cheers

[aslsw]

Hey, our cars must arrived on the same ship, because mine arrived two weeks ago as well. Spoke to the dealer this afternoon and he's heard nothing from Patricks yet.

K1W1, thanks for your earlier responses but I guess I just needed a little bit more assurance that this was do-able. The list of resellers in the link provided by kenvik_7 is perfect - one of them is local and I have used them before for other work.

[dodgey]

Must be the same as mine then... Arrived on the Manon...

More than likely, mine will be off to Derek at European Autotech to fit the Skoda Bluetooth unit (not the Nokia one sold by Skoda here)

Or if you are brave, you can get the kit yourself and DIY... (At least we don't need to do the maxidot upgrade too)

http://www.octavia-vrs.com/technical/bluetooth.html

[K1W1]

More than likely, mine will be off to Derek at European Autotech to fit the Skoda Bluetooth unit (not the Nokia one sold by Skoda here)

As I understand it there only one official kit and it it the "Nokia" one that uses the rsap protocol which is why iPhones and Blackberrys woun't work with it.

[kenvik_7]

Yup, mine arrived on the Manon too, got discharged at Melbourne on 28th March, but haven't heard anything since then. Don't know what is holding up the car at Patricks, and the Dealer also is claiming not to know. Some guys with the VW Golf MkVI forum are saying that their cars may have got held up due to bug infestation or something.
Anyway, this is pissing me off now, since every month the interest rates keep going up and I can't seem to sign a loan without the actual car getting registered.
Let me know how much you get quoted for your Fison kit aslsw.
cheers

[dodgey]

As I understand it there only one official kit and it it the "Nokia" one that uses the rsap protocol which is why iPhones and Blackberrys woun't work with it.

Yes, that is correct. In Australia, there's only 1 official kit and it is the Nokia one. However, Skoda actually has 2 other kits that they do sell (but not sold in Aus) that ties into the whole system. The one I am getting from EA is the cheaper one with no RSAP and is the standard one that is sold in Europe (but not UK) so it works with iPhones, etc and then there is a more expensive one that has RSAP and have a very short phone compatibility list. If you ask Skoda Australia, they will only deal with the Nokia one.

The standard kit is also the same kit that people are purchasing (not via VW Aus) for their VWs in Australia as they sell the more expensive premium bluetooth kit. You have to check the part numbers carefully though.

Kufatec.de has all of them for sale. The premium bluetooth kit (with RSAP), the standard bluetooth kit (no charging tray), the FISCON-PLUS, and the FISCON-basic. (in descending pricing) The FISCONs are the best value for money though.

[kenvik_7]

Hi Dodgey, I checked the Kufatec.de website and think I found the 'standard skoda bluetooth kit' you are refferring to. Is it this one? KUFATEC GmbH - Handyvorbereitung Bluetooth Skoda Octavia 1Z 36254 - and costs $549 Euros as compared to $399 (for Fiscon Plus?). Could you please let me know what is real advantage in spending more for this 'standard kit' as compared to 'fiscon' one? I understand the advantages of it being non-rsap, but what else?
Also could you please post (or PM me) ball park prices you have been quoted for supply & install of this kit (and also Fiscon Plus one)?
Thanks

[dodgey]

Hi Dodgey, I checked the Kufatec.de website and think I found the 'standard skoda bluetooth kit' you are refferring to. Is it this one? KUFATEC GmbH - Handyvorbereitung Bluetooth Skoda Octavia 1Z 36254 - and costs $549 Euros as compared to $399 (for Fiscon Plus?). Could you please let me know what is real advantage in spending more for this 'standard kit' as compared to 'fiscon' one? I understand the advantages of it being non-rsap, but what else?
Also could you please post (or PM me) ball park prices you have been quoted for supply & install of this kit (and also Fiscon Plus one)?
Thanks

Hey kenvik_7

There's no real advantage in getting the standard kit over the FISCON one, other than it is the OEM kit that Skoda supplies in Europe. The FISCON units are also non RSAP (lol, for a technology that is supposed to be good for us, it makes things worse) Heck, if you get the FISCON microphone that attaches in the appropriate spot in the Skoda, you wont see a difference, and in fact, you will get even more options for less. A2DP and DIS addons. (I'm not sure about the DIS addons as I believe we have a white screen that it might not work on)

I have not queried Derek about costings as yet, but will let you know as soon as I do. He's done quite a few of the "OEM" Skoda installs in VWs and I think also on his own GTI and Superb, so it's more peace of mind that it can all be done "right" as he sells and installs the "OEM" Skoda kits too.

I really thought about the FISCON Plus kit for a while, but as yet, have not found anyone who brings them in and installs them into VAG cars all the time. Looking at the work involved, I'm not too keen on doing it myself.