Volkswagen RNS 510 New Firmware Release

[Maverick]

Does anyone else notice that the switch-on volume is way too loud? even at it's lowest setting! My prev firmware was much softer at switch-on, is there any way to change this?

Also, I cannot get the OPS (optical parking system?) to work. I have a factory-fitted RNS-510 and factory-fitted rear sensors and my R32 is an '09 model. What more is there to do?

Upgrade the PDC controller to an OPS one (plus associated wiring)

OPS was never an option on the Mark V.

Are you sure they are factory fitted reverse sensors as well?

[VASR36]

Hey Guys, looks like you two guys are fully sorted on this firmware upgrade!!

Which one of you guys are going to be kind enough to spend some time and post a step by step guide to get the upgrade and get all the bits to make it happen?

Would really like to know how to get this for my car. I'm on Apple, how hard is it to download and install the firmware?

Please help!!!!

[silver32]

Oh, my sensors wernt factory-fitted, sorry, were dealer fitted. Will have to check which version PDS i have...

Hey VASR36, I assume youre talking to two of the mods, but in any case, I just did the upgrade on my mac and can comment. was pretty easy. You need a burning tool, I use Toast titanium. With Toast you can mount the disc image that you downloaded, then edit the file needed to enable the hidden test menu. To do this, mount the image, copy all the files from the image you just mounted into a new folder (call it anything, lets say "Firmware"). Then go into the "Firmware" folder, and follow the instructions posted here http://www.my-gti.com/1200. Its Mavericks site, I hope you are OK with me posting it here Maverick?

Once that file is edited, save it, go to Toast, make a new disc (CD or DVD it doesnt matter) then just add all the files FROM the "Firmware" folder. Dont add the "Firmware folder itself, i.e., the root of the disc must have all the files, not the "Firmware" folder. Sorry, I'm just spelling it out as I am not aware of your level of computer knowledge. Then burn at a low speed, 4x for DVD and 16x for CD should be oK. then pop it in your RNS-510, put it off and on, and follow the instructions, in under an hour its all done...
All the best...

[Swallowtail]

You don't need to do anthing to the image to get the hidden menu. If I were you I'd leave the image alone - you multiply your risks of a failed upgrade many times over by editing it. Burn the image to disk, do the upgrade, and then use VAGCOM / VCDS to enable the hidden menu. Worked for me that way. I'm going to fit my microphone and new Bluetooth to get voice control tomorrow, will take a heap of pics etc along the way.

[Swallowtail]

OK, well the pics didn't eventuate... LOL. Too busy cursing and swearing.

Got the underseat mounting piece from Austral, fitted that first with the 729D bluetooth kit mounted inside it. Pulled out the stereo and ran the cable from it down the driver's side door sill, under the carpet to the Bluetooth unit.

Ran the mic cable up the A pillar, inside the head lining and to the mic mounting point. That was fun.

Put everything back together. Then discovered that the MDI wasn't working. Worked out why - the pass-through cable that came with the Bluetooth unit didn't pass through the MDI cables. Grrrr... So I pulled it all out again, and pulled out the MDI plug from the back quad lock and moved it to the front one. All good.

I have disabled the 729D's built-in voice control, so that the star button on the steering wheel only activates the new firmware's voice control. You can voice control the phone unit from there anyway. If you have voice tags assigned to a contact it will use them if you don't it will try to read the contact name. Works very well.

Voice control of the rest of the unit is brilliant. Only 1 negative - you can't voice enter a new address for nav. You can voice enter POIs, memory destinations, home, etc. But voice control of a new address is "not supported".

I think there is a voice tutorial, I'll try that later on.

All in all, this new firmware is brilliant. 32GB SDHC card in and working, voice control working, I love it...

[VASR36]

Oh, my sensors wernt factory-fitted, sorry, were dealer fitted. Will have to check which version PDS i have...

Hey VASR36, I assume youre talking to two of the mods, but in any case, I just did the upgrade on my mac and can comment. was pretty easy. You need a burning tool, I use Toast titanium. With Toast you can mount the disc image that you downloaded, then edit the file needed to enable the hidden test menu. To do this, mount the image, copy all the files from the image you just mounted into a new folder (call it anything, lets say "Firmware"). Then go into the "Firmware" folder, and follow the instructions posted here http://www.my-gti.com/1200. Its Mavericks site, I hope you are OK with me posting it here Maverick?

Once that file is edited, save it, go to Toast, make a new disc (CD or DVD it doesnt matter) then just add all the files FROM the "Firmware" folder. Dont add the "Firmware folder itself, i.e., the root of the disc must have all the files, not the "Firmware" folder. Sorry, I'm just spelling it out as I am not aware of your level of computer knowledge. Then burn at a low speed, 4x for DVD and 16x for CD should be oK. then pop it in your RNS-510, put it off and on, and follow the instructions, in under an hour its all done...
All the best...

Hey SilverR32,

Thank you for you help, my computer knowledge is not that great is there any chance of burning me a copy and sending it to me? If your keen, PM me and I'll give you my address and next time your on the coast and near Kirra I'll buy you lunch!!
Also, is there a built in mic on the RNS-510 or is there extras i'll need for the complete upgrade to the firmware?

P.S How much is the Fiscon Bluetooth Kit from Marooka?

Cheers!!

[Swallowtail]

RNS510 does NOT have a mic. It has a mic input, and you will need a mic for it to have voice control. If you are going with the Fiscon, the best bet is to get one of the genuine VW mics and mount it in the overhead courtesy lamp area. You'll need to run the cable back to the RNS510, and connect it to the mic in connections in the RNS510's large quadlock plug. That mic will then handle the RNS voice control, including phone voice control, and the Fiscon's mic can do the actual phone calls. THe Fiscon's mic can be mounted in several places inconspicuously - on top of the steering column is the easiest. Works fine there, easy to route, and mostly not noticeable.

You can buy a Fiscon unit from overseas for about $700, and they take about an hour to fit. The hardest part is getting the RNS510 back into the space with the bulky extra cables in place. The rest takes about 30 minutes. If you are being charged more than $900 to supply and fit they are having you on.

[silver32]

As Swallowtail said, tampering with an image is dangerous, however, I didnt have access to vagcom, and I do have a fair bit of experience flashing firmwares on cellphones, dvd writers, motherboards, etc and I've modified firmwares successfully in the past so I wasn't afraid to go that route.

VASR36, You're welcome to have my disc, I've used it to do my upgrade and all went well so it's tested, just PM me your address and if you can do it by tonight I can post it out tomorrow (if there's a Post shop open on my way).

Regarding the Fiscon, as swallowtail said, it can be had at a good price if you purchase and install yourself, however, I don't have that luxury of time right now, so off to Northfield I was. Convenience has it's cost, in this case it was $995 fitted.

[Swallowtail]

I also have flashed various bits of equipment hundreds of times over the years... but when I am doing it to a device that would cost $2K to replace I took the safer option...

Fiscon takes about an hour to fit. Very easy to do. If anyone wants instructions let me know, or if you are in Brisbane I can assist (for the right incentive!)


By the way - with the new firmware you can also have pictures associated with your navigation points. There is a guide here:

http://www.cameluk.co.cc/Picnavi.htm

The site it points you to is in German, but it all still works, just put in the Aussie address, and follow the instructions. You'll end up with an SD card with destinations - when you select a destination from the card it comes up with the pictures you have associated with the destination. Cute.

Also this site is a guide on the changes in the new firmware, albeit in German!

http://team-dezent.at/anleitungen/RNS510_SW2660_NEU_V2-1_A.pdf

[silver32]

Images for destinations sounds interesting. By the way, any pics at all available for the mic installation swallowtail?

[Swallowtail]

No pics, but can talk you through it if you wish... Get your mic, cabling etc, and PM me.

[Steve]

I upgraded from 1020 to 26whatever today and whilst my maps were nuked, the music on the hard drive remained.

I have the map DVD - how do I load them? When I insert the DVD to the drive, it just sits there and while it appears to be doing something, it doesn't indicate that it is by giving me a message.

When I eject the DVD the unit tells me it's ejecting the navigation DVD, and then it tells me it's verifying data... should I just leave the DVD in for longer?

Edit: False alarm... everything is OK!

[PhilH]

If it's factory fit it would be definitely higher.

On the back of the RNS 510 there are an input and output for the microphone. A while ago I rerouted my microphone to the RNS 510 and from the RNS 510 to the bluetooth unit in preparation for this.

When you did the loop through with your microphone, was there any loss of voice quality when using your bluetooth ?

[PhilH]

If you are going with the Fiscon, the best bet is to get one of the genuine VW mics and mount it ....

In my case, I already have the Fiscon - so are saying that the Fiscon Mic cannot be looped through the 510 to the Fiscon - or will a separate mic give better mic quality for voice recognition etc ?

[Swallowtail]

In my case, I already have the Fiscon - so are saying that the Fiscon Mic cannot be looped through the 510 to the Fiscon - or will a separate mic give better mic quality for voice recognition etc ?

Fiscon mic is unsuitable for RNS510 voice control. So you will need a genuine VW mic kit (Kufatec sell them although you'll get stung on postage - there are some other place to get them, including ebay), and run that into the RNS510's mic in. THe Fiscon will continue to use its own Mic, and you will be able to voice control the Fiscon via the RNS' mic, and talk via the Fiscon's mic.