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

[wai]

Ok, I have just installed mine and here's the report.

As I mentioned in my PM to DkN, there were a couple of surprises when I opened mine. The plug positions for the AUX video/audio in/out were swapped with the ones for the iPod/USB. Sorted that out, but in the end, I have not fitted them as I could not get a path for the iPod/USB cables out, and there would have been little if any room for the video/audio plugs. This will need some fiddling if I get a reversing camera. No problem.

I started this around 8:30 am (in the relative cool of the morning), and the first hurdle was to remove the trim. I purchased the trim removal kit, and it was still not easy until the first "bang" as the lower left clip released. One of the videos suggested to start on the side clips first. Not a good idea as it would have damaged the dashboard. As it was I used a business card (mine) to reduce the force on the dashboard. Once I realised how hard to prise, the remaining 6 clips were relatively easy. Never get overconfident as that is the simplest way to break the trim. I released the 4 screws (a toolkit I purchased over 12 years ago had Torx bits so that was good). I unplugged the CANBUS plug after lifting the lever, and released the antenna plug. The old unit came out relatively easily.

Next I positioned the GPS antenna. By the way, the unit supplied is not magnetic as the sheet indicated. No problem as I found a surface out of the way and stuck it there.

I then connected the CANBUS plugs to the back of the unit and connected the antenna and connected it to the power lead. I then connected the vehicle CANBUS plug to the socket that comes with the unit, remembering to use the lever to lock the two together.

Now the very awkward bit. There is precious little room at the back and trying to find a place to hold the huge lump of the CANBUS plug and socket was a major problem. I ended up having to stuff things in there to get everything to fit.

It does not help me, but the manufacturer should seriously consider using a proper CANBUS socket as this would eliminate the space issue. After quite a while I managed to get all the bits located so that the four mounting tabs were properly seated and I did up the screws. Oh, yes, I hooked up the GPS antenna lead before securing things.

Now the really frustrating bit. The touch screen was almost impossible to use. Trying to find Primo.exe was a nightmare. I did get it set but it was like winning the lottery!

It was now 10:30 am

I then got the basic bit working and headed off to get my newspapers. I use the navigation screen and found it worked perfectly. There was no lag. I did find the speed warning a little annoying as going just 1 km/h over set it off. I have adjusted this up a touch.

When I got back I transferred all my favourites over from my Garmin GPS unit. I say transferred but it was a case of entering them in one at a time. The menus are a little confusing, but I managed to get the approximately 20 favourites transferred over. Now I did see an option to rename a favourite, but when I needed to, I could not find it again. I deleted the two offending entries and added them again.

After I finished this, I went to change some other settings, and noticed that the touch screen responded much better than initially. Maybe it had become seasoned or enough of my finger grease had coated the screen to make it work better. The Primo screens responded heaps better than the main unit screens did. Maybe the settings need to be adjusted a bit.

I put the trim pieces back and applied some vaseline to the socket parts to hopefully let them release a little easier. The trim went back perfectly, except for the bottom of the unit. It protrudes 1 mm or so at the bottom. It is even. Not really an issue.

Sadly, AM reception is non-existent. This is a bit of a disappointment. I really can't see why this should be the case. When I set it to AM or off a station, there is quite a background hum. It cannot be an ignition issue as I have a diesel. What I would like to see is an adaptor that makes use of both of the antenna circuits that are provided with the VW Caddy Maxi Life.

Bluetooth pairs with my iPhone without any issues. I am yet to receive a call though. Interestingly, even though I was supposed to get an ANS-610, the Bluetooth bit on my iPhone says it has found an ANS-510.

All in all, generally positive, but with a couple of negatives.

The worst part was trying to find a space to stuff the cables into. My fingers are still tingling and it is now 1:15 pm.

One more thing.

When I put the car in reverse, the image comes up in the display, but when the sensor picks up something and beeps, it does not show which sensor has triggered or how far back from the vehicle it is. A minor issue is that it does not show MY vehicle!

[starionx]

...Now the really frustrating bit. The touch screen was almost impossible to use. Trying to find Primo.exe was a nightmare. I did get it set but it was like winning the lottery!

I'm glad it wasn't just me that thought the same thing.

...After I finished this, I went to change some other settings, and noticed that the touch screen responded much better than initially. Maybe it had become seasoned or enough of my finger grease had coated the screen to make it work better. The Primo screens responded heaps better than the main unit screens did. Maybe the settings need to be adjusted a bit.

Exactly. The touch commands in the Primo screens work as I would expect. The main setup screen... not so much.

[DkN]

I will investigate the buzzing issue, just have to go through some hassle to get those videos to the tech since China doesn't have access to Youtube.

Re the touch screen, as I mentioned it is resistive and it's not the most ideal to swipe with, but tapping buttons shouldn't be any issue. The GPS setup screen is very slow and unresponsive I know, but other than initial setup and after some firmware updates it is never used.

Re the CANBUS cable, they don't make the connections at the back proper CANBUS because not all vehicles have them, especially in China, some of the mk5 Golf and equivalent generation VWs actually don't come with CANBUS. So using the CANBUS adapter maintains the most flexible compatibility.

Interesting mention about the AM reception, I get non-existent AM as well and I have a diesel. It's one of those mysteries, most others seem to get good AM reception...

Re the reverse sensors, do you have the OPS module and properly coded? What was your head unit before, did it display reverse sensor info?

[chocolatemoose]

just receieved my ans710 today for my touareg. looking forward to getting this unit in. did any of you find a spot for the DTV arials ?
i dont understand how AM reception be bad. or any reception. these are modern cars. and if a crappy old 80s hand held can get crystal clear reception. why cant these VW?

im thinking of taking my reverse camera and the head unit down to a VW mob and getting them to install it all.

moose

[wai]

Re the reverse sensors, do you have the OPS module and properly coded? What was your head unit before, did it display reverse sensor info?

I have a Caddy Maxi Life which comes with the senssors as standard, so there should be no issue. The original unit was a RCD-310 and the sensor information was correctly displayed. There is no specific vehicle for the ANS-610 when you go to choose a vehicle. I had the default one selected and maybe that is what caused it. Quite by accident I held my finger a little longer when selecting the vehicle, and suddenly things shifted a little and there was one for the Tiguan. I selected the Tiguan and then got a box and put it behind the Caddy and selected reverse and the indications showed up. Maybe the default vehicle does not come with it as standard.

So, the OPS display appears to be working. I will get to test it again tomorrow.

On the AM reception, it has to do with the antenna that VW provide (which is hopeless). Maybe, just like the GPS antenna, just supply an aftermarket stick on antenna. You can find them with a search. The problem is getting the cabling/connectors right. The AM/FM specific antenna is a bit of an overkill. After all, my Hiace had an AM/FM radio that was brilliant and it had a straight stainless steel A pillar antenna. This business of it having to be specific is a little rich.

On the CANBUS plug, maybe the best solution would be to have the cable provided say another 150 mm longer. This would allow you to tuck the CANBUS plug out of the way, and then there should be no issue. because even with any excess cable curled up there would be no real problem. I'll be the puineagig

Now while I have you, is there a way to edit the name you have entered for a GPS favourite? Also, can the phonebook be edited? I got it to download the phonebook from my iPhone, but found it only took the first number where an entry had multiple numbers. I am not too fussed about it as the Bluetooth phone business is to receive calls rather than make them. To make a call, I can ask Siri to do that if necessary

[wai]

just receieved my ans710 today for my touareg. looking forward to getting this unit in. did any of you find a spot for the DTV arials ?
i dont understand how AM reception be bad. or any reception. these are modern cars. and if a crappy old 80s hand held can get crystal clear reception. why cant these VW?

im thinking of taking my reverse camera and the head unit down to a VW mob and getting them to install it all.

moose

My ANS-610 had an antenna socket for TV. On the back, the information you got would have shown two circular blanked off ports. One of them is for TV.

On the install, if you don't have the correct tools, then getting it done is probably the way. I know I was a bit hesitant, but in the end, I figured it was a small piece of trim that would have to be fixed. Don't try and use a screwdriver as this will damage it.

The biggest thing is the cabling and getting things in.

The radio thing is really bad. Spoils it a little. I might just buy a stick on antenna and mount it alongside the GPS antenna...can't hurt.

[whiskywallah]

Ok, I have just installed mine and here's the report.

Sadly, AM reception is non-existent. This is a bit of a disappointment. I really can't see why this should be the case. When I set it to AM or off a station, there is quite a background hum. It cannot be an ignition issue as I have a diesel. What I would like to see is an adaptor that makes use of both of the antenna circuits that are provided with the VW Caddy Maxi Life.

If you spin back to post 161 in this thread and a few either side of it you'll see there are many <$20 adaptors that might fix your AM reception problem.
It is a problem with these units, but I think the diversity antenna system in most VWs doesn't help or make it easy to solve.

[DkN]

just receieved my ans710 today for my touareg. looking forward to getting this unit in. did any of you find a spot for the DTV arials ?
i dont understand how AM reception be bad. or any reception. these are modern cars. and if a crappy old 80s hand held can get crystal clear reception. why cant these VW?

im thinking of taking my reverse camera and the head unit down to a VW mob and getting them to install it all.

moose

The single antenna connector is for analog TV (standard antenna connector), which the units come with. I don't even mention it because it's pretty pointless, analog signal is terrible and will be phased out soon enough. If you purchased the DVB-T module you will have dual screw-on antenna connectors coming out of the two holes. I don't bother with DTV in the car myself, but people who have installed them usually suggest behind the rear view mirror. The cable would probably go through the glove box, up onto the dash somehow, then routed around the windscreen till it gets to the rear view mirror. Or maybe if you just let the antenna sit against your A-pillar.

With the install, I think you will be ok with the Touareg. It always varies from car to car, but I found with my Golf that there is plenty of room under the stereo, behind the climatronics unit, so the CAN-Bus cable can just be tucked downwards into empty space. The reverse camera though is what will take up the bulk of your time and effort and if you're not comfortable removing trim & feeding wires around your car you should probably get someone else to do it.

[DkN]

Now while I have you, is there a way to edit the name you have entered for a GPS favourite? Also, can the phonebook be edited? I got it to download the phonebook from my iPhone, but found it only took the first number where an entry had multiple numbers

You can't edit the phonebook on the unit, it is determined by the phone. Although, I think on my unit multiple numbers for the same contact show up as separate phonebook entries. Maybe an iPhone quirk.

For favourites in the GPS, if you are using the diMka skin I recommended, to edit favourites go to find -> favourites where you will be shown your list of favourites. Hit the icon of your favourites with an eye in the corner, to the left of your favourite’s name. This will display your favourites on the map. Hit the “i” icon at the top right of this screen, hit the “more” button, and you have the option of rename, change icon etc.

If you are using the default skin, find your favourites with the same method described above, but you will not have an eye at the top left of your icon, next to your saved favourites. Just tap on the favourite POI itself and it will take you to the map display screen, and there will be the same “i” icon at the top right. With the diMka skin, it assumes when you press a favourite you want to navigate to it so it will go to the navigate screen automatically, saving you one extra press. Of course if you press the icon on the left you still get to the favourites info screen so no functionality is lost. Another example of why I highly recommend the diMka skin, it makes many subtle changes to make everything more accessible and convenient.

By the way, to change the default icon of your favourites when you add them, go to settings -> map settings -> place markers, scroll down to favourites, hit the settings icon to the right of the checkbox, then hit the icon on the left. This option is only available with the diMka skin, in fact the stock skin does not list favourites in place markers at all. If you really prefer the stock skin, you can change the setting in diMka skin and then switch back to stock, the setting should stick.

I think I will put this in the setup instructions and also send it out with the next firmware update. I have already received the firmware update, just need to test iPod functions for which I need to borrow an iPhone, and then send it out.

[wai]

If you spin back to post 161 in this thread and a few either side of it you'll see there are many <$20 adaptors that might fix your AM reception problem.
It is a problem with these units, but I think the diversity antenna system in most VWs doesn't help or make it easy to solve.

I bought one of the combiners, however it is not suitable for the paired FAKRA plug/sockets. I am going to try and file one connector back so that I can glue them together. I am also looking at other options to remedy this.

Thanks.

[wai]

You can't edit the phonebook on the unit.....

Thanks.

[wai]

On the antenna, I came across this in my searches

Audi VW Volkswagen Radio Dual Fakra Diversity Antenna Adapter [CT27AA56] - $19.95 : SimpleSoft,, Simple Solutions That Work!

I have seen an enlarged image which appears to match the Diversity connectors on VWs, and it is described as being for these specific vehicles.

This unit is available from ebay stores as well, however I found this to be significantly cheaper for exactly the same unit given that the base unit is cheaper and I got it post free.

Now the wait

[DkN]

On the antenna, I came across this in my searches

Audi VW Volkswagen Radio Dual Fakra Diversity Antenna Adapter [CT27AA56] - $19.95 : SimpleSoft,, Simple Solutions That Work!

I have seen an enlarged image which appears to match the Diversity connectors on VWs, and it is described as being for these specific vehicles.

This unit is available from ebay stores as well, however I found this to be significantly cheaper for exactly the same unit given that the base unit is cheaper and I got it post free.

Now the wait

Yeah there are a few variations of this antenna floating around, it has made no difference to me but it did for whiskywallah. Will always be a gamble, hope it works well for you though.

[wai]

Yeah there are a few variations of this antenna floating around, it has made no difference to me but it did for whiskywallah. Will always be a gamble, hope it works well for you though.

The reason I mentioned the

Audi VW Volkswagen Radio Dual Fakra Diversity Antenna Adapter [CT27AA56] - $19.95 : SimpleSoft,, Simple Solutions That Work!

is I had bought the previously mentioned one, only could not use it. The double plug/socket ones have the two connectors almost touching, and when you place the individual ones side by side, the connectors are too far apart. Also only one needs a retaining peg; the other cannot have one.

I toyed with the filing the individual ones down but this would result in one plug not being retained any more.

This one is the correct one. I will let you know hor it turns out.

On the reversing sensors, when I went out today it worked as it should.

[chocolatemoose]

so tommorow is install day! i have a bit more confidence with instillation watching youtube
one thing i did notice
the knobs feel.. wobbly.. or loose.......hmmm anyway
and not having back and forward hard keys on the top left . that sucks... i liked being able to feel a button without taking my eyes off
the IR... is there a remote available for these units?