ANS-810 / ANS-510 (PROPER RNS-510 alternative)

[TommyP]

Regarding the AM radio reception. The vw's have two antenna connections, depending on which one you use will determine if you receive AM radio. If you're not receiving AM and want it just swap to the other antenna connection. You should be able to buy a 2 into 1 Fakra adaptor off ebay if you want both connected.

[DkN]

Yes the two connectors are rf/zf and not the same, one is for general reception and the second one is an FM booster only. Factory unit has what is called a diversity function which, on the FM band, chooses the antenna with the better signal. The signal from each antenna are designed to be separate. In other words, an antenna adapter that combines both is useless and may even decrease signal quality. Some adapters claim to retain the factory diversity function, but i have tried one myself and found no noticeable improvements.

The single antenna adapter that comes with the ANS is designed to convert the general connection so while your plug fits the FM only antenna, you may not get any signal at all even on FM if you connect to it.

Also, it would seem that the newer cars like mk6 golf compared to mk5, has a different antenna design - same dual fakra but the two plugs are joined, and connecting to the one with a clip on top of it does give AM signal as well as FM - that was the experience here from a mk6 GTI anyway... Don't know why a MY12 Tiguan is different

[whiskywallah]

Here's a photo of my connector.




As you say, the ANS plug will only fit into one of the connectors due to keying.
I get reasonable FM with it but zero AM.
At least I know about the dual connector now...thanks.

[shakespeare]

Hi all,

Thanks to DkN I received my ANS-810 last week and installed it today into my wife's MK V Jetta. DkN supplied some great feedback and advice before I ordered and thanks to all his good advice and install links I had no issues at all putting it in.

Overall very pleased with the unit and it does what it's supposed to do! Initial views, bluetooth is better than I expected so happy here, navigation looks very impressive and whilst I'm used to the RNS-510 I found this easy to use and possibly better in some areas too! Radio reception FM is excellent, AM is good. iPod connectivity not as good as the MDI on the RNS as I could not display playlists etc so looking forward to an update down the track. DVD playback very good, though the kids pointed out to me that you can't go to the dvd menu during playback? Maybe I missed something, though worked out how to pause it And agree that the screen's shiny appearance is a bit susceptible to glare in the day time, think I will need to invest in one of those anti glare screen protectors (thanks Ryan)

For the money you cannot fault the unit and I am very impressed and satisfied with DkN's service, well done mate and thanks for your help.

Cheers
Chris.

Images of installed unit in a MK V Jetta

[DkN]

Chris,

Thanks for the review. Re the DVD, check your email mate, I've just sent out new firmware, this fixes the DVD menu issue and also pretties it up a bit. There are also speed improvements for switching between the nav, phone and other menus.

[shakespeare]

Chris,

Thanks for the review. Re the DVD, check your email mate, I've just sent out new firmware, this fixes the DVD menu issue and also pretties it up a bit. There are also speed improvements for switching between the nav, phone and other menus.

Awesome thanks again Should've checked my email! I'll run the update today.

[gviddy]

I'll run the update today.

How did you go with the update ?

I am slack and havnt updated mine.. primarily as I am thinking if it aint broke, dont try to fix it... the unit is doing everything i would want.. so unless some major new functions have come along then i am not in a hurry to update....

[DkN]

Just chiming in, there are significant speed improvements with this firmware when switching between programs, especially from the navigation - you may have noticed slower response there and the new update makes it much snappier. That alone was worth it for me, but of course if you're happy with it the way it is then there's no need to update, these incremental updates are mostly fixes / improvements rather than new functions, I will notify everyone if an update includes a significant addition.

edit: forgot to mention this firmware also fixes an illogical FM / AM band switching behaviour in the radio menu, but again if you don't ever switch bands then it wouldn't be an issue.

[DkN]

A little teaser of an option coming for the ANS, at half the price you would normally expect



link for info:
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...era-73949.html

[whiskywallah]

That looks good.
Wish It worked with Tiggy.
Is there a recommended camera for a MY12 Tiguan that doesn't do the badge thing?

[DkN]

Other than the OEM type reverse camera, the only other option I'm aware of is the licence plate light replacement type, which you can order from me or find all over eBay (which is why I don't normally bother stocking unless someone wants to order one from me specifically).

Not sure if you're aware of these, they just replace one of the two licence plate light holders. With the ANS unit which reads reverse path via steering wheel through the CANBUS, you still get full interactive reverse path capability and if you get the CCD type (as opposed to CMOS), you will also get decent image quality. The only down side would be that the camera is not in the middle of the car, so your image will look slightly off centre.

If you buy these off eBay or another seller though, be sure to get one that doesn't have a dumb (non-interactive) hard-coded reverse path in the camera image, since in the ANS the reverse path is added by the unit itself.

[shakespeare]

How did you go with the update ?

I am slack and havnt updated mine.. primarily as I am thinking if it aint broke, dont try to fix it... the unit is doing everything i would want.. so unless some major new functions have come along then i am not in a hurry to update....

Update went well and again instructions easy to follow, thanks

Overall as DkN mentioned speed improvement, AM/FM button fix and of course DVD menu (forward etc) now shows up on screen during playback if needed (kids are happy!)

Not sure if the first version had this, but there are over 120 vehicle types to choose from for your navigation marker! Again kept the kids entertained with changing from a Mario kart to a Wall-E to a tank etc etc.

[whiskywallah]

Found an interesting 'hidden' OBD display and recorder menu
Can't wait for that to appear, fully functioning.
Needs analogue gauges!

[whiskywallah]

I thought I'd share some quick tips to make new users life easier.

Learn to use the hard keys:
Power Button will mute with a quick tap, power off with a long press.
Right hand knob will toggle play/pause.
Radio will cycle around the bands.
Nav will toggle between Sat Nav and the current audio source.
Light will cycle around Bright, Normal and Off for backlight.
(I've suggested that Disk be customizable for whichever is your favorite media source)

Prepare your music collection on SD or USB:
Make sure your ID3 tags are up to date.
Embed cover art in the sound files ready for any future support.
Remove all other files (folder.jpg etc) from your music folders.
If you like to play all, then put all your audio in one folder.
make sure windows copies files to SD or USB in the sequence you want them listed on the ANS810 otherwise they appear in date modified order.

Sat Nav:
Spend some time choosing a skin that works for you during the day and another one for the night.
Customize the quick menu to speed up operations.
Save some favorites.
It has a Tiguan for an icon..... Cool!

Blue Tooth.
Just turn auto answer on!

Its a great unit and getting better by the look of things.
Spending some time learning the unit will pay dividends in the long run.
if in doubt, ask DkN
He probably knows the answer

[DkN]

Update:

Price has been updated, the introductory offer has now ended.

I am now also offering the ANS-510 at $10 cheaper than the ANS-810, for those who prefer the 100% stock look over the 8 inch screen. The software is otherwise exactly the same. I will have pictures of the ANS-510 up soon.