RNS510 vs portable sat nav + ebay listing

[Jetta5]

Hi all,

Have been studying the RNS510 threads and am thinking about getting one for my new (not yet delievered) Polo.

Has anyone compared the RNS510 with, say, a recent portable Tomtom sat nav in terms of features and ease of use? I understand fairly well what the general advantages/disadvantages of a built-in system are, but I'm just wondering if the VW device is starting to get dated at all. I've read that the RNS510 doesn't show speed camera warnings or have traffic updates. Are there any other missing features?

I was looking for the best deal and found the following listing on ebay. Is this the genuine article? $1150 including delivery seems to be a great deal. I found another RNS510 for around $550 from Hong Kong, but I'm skeptical of such a cheap price.

RNS510 Listing on eBay

If I purchased this unit, would it be fair to say the cost to install (if I don't do it myself) would be around $150 to $300?

Cheers guys.

P.S. Would it be worth waiting until I can get V3 Australian maps?

[Cousin]

I am interested in the RNS510 too, Jetta (don't play for Essendon, do you?)
My main wants are sat nav capabilities similar to Tom Tom, even though it can be damn annoying at times.
I notice your link mentions compatability with Tom Tom, wonder if you can load those updates or not.
And yes I should ask the guy, just not sure to trust a seller or not.
The second part that's necessary is excellent sound quality, and that's the bit I'm a bit sceptical about with copies.
They don't have a good history, but perhaps they're getting better?
Has anyone bought an RNS510 copy?
What do you think of it?

M

[borbor1313]

Jetta
This looks really good.And it looks like the seller has sold alot of them.Just double check to see if he meets the paypal criteria to make sure your covered if there is any disputes.
A "C" unit Preloaded with the latest firmware and Aussies maps too !!
Will cost you at least $300 to buy the map from the dealer alone.
The pin card looks authentic as well.

Don't bother with the $550 one. There are no RNS510 for this price ever. It is either a scam and a clone and i assume you have removed the link from posting.Clones are ok if you are on a very tight budget but you have to fiddle with them heaps to get everything up an running. Just search for W6050 in the Golfmkv forum and read the 260 pages of faults and fixes to see what you are letting yourself in for.

For the great price you have found just buy one straight away - you will never regret it.

Definitely a DIY install.You may need to search the forums on how to remove your centre dash but after that its just unplugging 1.the quadlock 2.radio antenna and replugging and then plugging in your puck antenna its done. 5mins only.
Only catch is recoding using vcds/vagcom. If you don't have one or know of someone then dealer may still be your best option.

Of the unit itself it way makes up for any short comings of not having camera listings by all its other features.
Camera listing can be added by modifying the mapdisc and adding them in as new POIS but NO sound warning are possible.
New Australian maps are out later this year supposedly

[wdong]

i have bought one on ebay, and waiting my GTI to be deliveried, so i can fit it on, i been asking for few quotes now,
South Yarra and Glen Waverley will charge 412 to fit on, and Preston VW will charge 280, so i either to DIY or go for preston.
cheers

[wdong]

meanwhile, my one looks good and with code card

[wdong]

i bought from him. same seller, he is good, but beware, he wont give too much communication after your bought the item, but just wait for it, lol

[Jetta5]

Definitely a DIY install.You may need to search the forums on how to remove your centre dash but after that its just unplugging 1.the quadlock 2.radio antenna and replugging and then plugging in your puck antenna its done. 5mins only.
Only catch is recoding using vcds/vagcom. If you don't have one or know of someone then dealer may still be your best option.

Thanks for all your comments.

I'm guessing all the DIY install info would relate mostly to the Golf. I wonder if it would be much different to install in a Polo?

[mickofoz]

I wouldn't bother with the RNS510. I have got one in my Tiguan and it is the biggest mistake I have made, ever. Even my dealer advised me not to get it. Half the feature will not work in Australia yet we are being charged the full price. Why pay over $3500 for a very basic satnav and a hard drive? The maps are basic at best, and I'm being kind here. I have just been given V3 maps by my dealer and I must say I am soooo glad I didn't pay for them. You still don't get speed displays like you get in german maps so the estimated time of arrival is always wrong, you still can't voice dial an address like you can in germany, you still can't get traffic updates like you can in germany, you still can't add POIs like you can in other portable system like a TomTom and the list goes on and on. It is a complete waste of money. For the price you're paying you should expect alot more and I think the ACCC should look into this. Yes there are people in this forum who disagree with me but I'm just voicing my opinion. That's what forums are for, right?

[Ankush]

RNS510 vs portable sat nav + ebay listing

Completely agree with Mick, the system is not worth for 3500 , but if u buy from eBay for 1150, it's not bad, I do like the integration.

[aristocrat]

Hi Jetta5,

I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents worth.

I bought through the same dealer. The unit appears to be genuine, although I haven't installed it yet. I have the code card in hand as well. I paid $1100 shipped. If you can find more of his listings with a make an offer, try and hit him up with an offer of AUD$1100. I emailed him before I bid and as wdong said, good communication before you bought, but zilch after you've paid. I negotiated with him to have a double fakra converter thrown in with the deal at $1100 and he came to the party. When I received the unit, the adaptor wasn't there, but to cut a long story short, since I haven't left him feedback yet (whew), I kinda used it to my advantage, and he eventually sent me the adaptor. If you are upgrading from a Gen2 radio (RCD 310/500) then you will need this adaptor and its an extra $30-$50 for it.

Now I'm researching into a vagcom cable so I can install this and make it work

I, too, own a Tomtom and its great. It just doesn't have the same integration into the car though. As I will be buying more stuff for my R32 like OPS or reverse camera, the RNS is the only way to go to get integration. Knock off units are not worth it IMHO since it doesn't integrate, notoriously buggy and most of them have buzzing noise. If you look at the price differential - $600 vs $1100, the answer is pretty clear, also knowing that this thing is built for your car, and also it has 20G of HDD space for your media. I know with the knock offs you get BT, iPod, etc... but quality always come with a price, and I like the fact that it should work flawlessly with your car.

Hope this info will help you decide.

[wdong]

Hi Jetta5,
When I received the unit, the adaptor wasn't there, but to cut a long story short, since I haven't left him feedback yet (whew), I kinda used it to my advantage, and he eventually sent me the adaptor. If you are upgrading from a Gen2 radio (RCD 310/500) then you will need this adaptor and its an extra $30-$50 for it.

Now I'm researching into a vagcom cable so I can install this and make it work

what is the adopter looks like? i am not sure if i am having one in that unit, and have you fit it on already? DIY or went dealer?

[aristocrat]

For the look of the adaptor, checkout Mav's site. Here's the link:

Upgrading 2nd generation radios (RCD 300, RCD 500) to 3rd generation (RCD 210, RCD 310, RNS 310, RNS 510, RCD 510) antenna adapter | my-gti.com

I intend to fit this myself since its just plug and play. You can checkout Mav's instructions on removing the unit and replacing it with the RNS 510 as well on his site.

The only thing is the placement of the GPS antenna. I haven't got an idea where it is going to fit yet. Some people say its OK to fit under the centre mesh, but its a vent there and if you were to put it there, would make the vent defunct.

If anybody's got any good suggestions on where to place the antenna, would love to hear it.

[FJ Steve]

It doesn't make the vent defunct. The GPS aerial fits in nicely, and maintains functionality of the upper vent. Signal strength is quite good as well.

[aristocrat]

Have you got some photos to show where you've mounted it? It would be great help if I could see where its placed. Thanks in advance.

[Charcoal007]

Hi,

Just new to forum and thought I might share my experince. I too like the RNS500 for the integration, but do not like the price tag. I only use a GPS when I am totally lost. I picked up a half price navigon for $99 which I leave in the glovebox for emergencies. Beats being lost and saves heaps.