RNS-510 HDD replacement/SSD swap DIY

[kamold]

The newer RNS units boot faster.
They boot from the internal flash memory.

My $350 Chinese Android unit in the Golf has radio ready instantly, has RVC going in about 20 seconds, and is fully booted in about 20-30 seconds.

[The_Hawk]

It's probably not that much different to my stock RNS unit at 20 seconds... so if it's not boot time, what's the benefits of an SSD? I've never noticed the maps being particularly slow to load, media doesn't need to load quickly (and I use an iPod via MDI or iPhone over Bluetooth most of the time anyway).

[kamold]

The only advantage really is space.

You don't want to put a regular consumer grade spinning disk in there due to it not being designed for the environmental conditions inside an automotive head unit. A consumer SSD however runs pretty cool and has no moving parts so this is not really an issue, and costs less than an industrial grade spinning disk of similar capacity. There might be some marginal improvement in music browsing speed but I doubt that you'd really notice it.

[MrWolf]

My $350 Chinese Android unit in the Golf has radio ready instantly, has RVC going in about 20 seconds, and is fully booted in about 20-30 seconds.

Which particular unit do you use? I've seen various Chinese versions on eBay, but they look pretty sus.

[kamold]

Nah, the AN21u based units are excellent.
There is a thread on XDA about the software (updates, how to get root access etc).
I bought this one: Wholesale Product Snapshot Product name is 2014 Pure Android 4.1 DVD GPS for VW Polo Jetta Tiguan Golf Bora Passat B5 B6 5 6 car Capacitive Screen WiFi Radio Volkswagen

[Supplanter]

The Internet archive has an old copy of this thread with the pictures:

http://web.archive.org/web/20121110081231/http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f78/rns-510-hdd-replacement-ssd-swap-diy-60984.html

[sarpk]

I read somewhere that it doesn't actually make RNS510 significantly faster?

[kamold]

It doesn't. Its meant to give you more space for music.

[sharkys]

I read somewhere that it doesn't actually make RNS510 significantly faster?

Not significantly, but slightly yes....faster searching, better touch response, seems to have slightly faster startup. But really no huge difference.

[kamold]

I've fixed up the original posts which had expired pics in them due to the original author unfortunately leaving the active VWW community.

[arcadelt]

Well done kamold. That is a resource worth hanging onto. On that matter, does VWW have a wiki to deposit important posts such as that?

[FJ Steve]

Well done kamold. That is a resource worth hanging onto. On that matter, does VWW have a wiki to deposit important posts such as that?

VW would not be interested in such 'mods' as it would mean further exposure of their warranty clause etc.

If you don't believe me...ask your local dealer (next time your car is in for a service) if they could check and update the firmware of your RNS. They will not touch it.

1. They have no idea how to do it.
2. VW OEM Firmware is so old, even Noah threw it out in disgust.
3. Firmware freely available over the internet (on a user beware precaution of course), is far beyond anything that VW would consider worthy of marketing or supporting.
4. Same goes for SSD drive replacement.

My local dealer even calls me from time to time to ask questions about RNS/Touareg electronic brake controllers etc. It's not part of their core business model, so they don't waste time on it.

[kamold]

He means vw watercooled Steve

No there is no wiki as far as I know, just the forums which serves pretty well alongside other resources like my-gti etc

[arcadelt]

Yes Steve, I did mean VW Watercooled.

[FJ Steve]

my bad....cheers guys.