Help with a Pioneer AVIC-F9310BT

[Vdubboys81]

Hey guys
Just wondering if anyone has this option, and what features does it offer. From what I've read it should show directions etc on the MFD on the dash but it doesn't? Also read that the traffic feature should be standard but it isn't working on ours. Wondering also if the music playing etc should Also be shown on the MFD? Quite confused after paying 3k and it really doesn't do much at all. Seeing if anyone also has this head unit sat nav in their Polo? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers

[The_Hawk]

We have the AVIC-F20BT which is now a couple of years old. AFAIK it does not integrate at all with the MFD which is a shame, nor does it integrate with things like the temp controls for your AC like the RNSW510 does (it shows the temp you set or that you have turned on feet vents etc).

The trade off for us was that for about the same money as the RNS we got NAV + Bluetooth + reversing camera in the Van where the VW factory bluetooth and reversing camera would have been far more expensive an option.

As for the traffic, in 2.5 years of driving I think it's told us ONCE that there was slow traffic up ahead when using the nav, otherwise the traffic doesn't do much of anything. To be fair the traffic in the factory RNS units also does SFA in Australia as I don't think we use the systems these things support where it's very big in Europe

[DkN]

Maybe you're getting it confused with Zenec. So far the only aftermarket VW headunit that shows MFD directions is Zenec (although I am hoping to change that ), at $2k. For $3k you can get a dealer installed RNS-510 - looks like you got ripped off. Quick Google result:

http://www.andrewscarradios.com/

Even RRP for the AVIC-F9310BT seems to be just about $2k. And if you did some research you'd realise you can get the OEM RNS-510 for ~$1.3k locally from dealer alternatives or <$1k on eBay but you'd have to beware of stolen units.

My advice return the overpriced & ugly Pioneer if you could (especially if they promised MFD direction display) and get something else worth your money.

[Vdubboys81]

Maybe you're getting it confused with Zenec. So far the only aftermarket VW headunit that shows MFD directions is Zenec (although I am hoping to change that ), at $2k. For $3k you can get a dealer installed RNS-510 - looks like you got ripped off. Quick Google result:

http://www.andrewscarradios.com/

Even RRP for the AVIC-F9310BT seems to be just about $2k. And if you did some research you'd realise you can get the OEM RNS-510 for ~$1.3k locally from dealer alternatives or <$1k on eBay but you'd have to beware of stolen units.

My advice return the overpriced & ugly Pioneer if you could (especially if they promised MFD direction display) and get something else worth your money.

Did get reverse camera, and everything installed for the 3k but seems not worth it. What would you recommend? We also did it to finance the entire amount instead of coming up with 3k cash. What's your recommendation?

Thanks for the advice
Josh

[Vdubboys81]

We have the AVIC-F20BT which is now a couple of years old. AFAIK it does not integrate at all with the MFD which is a shame, nor does it integrate with things like the temp controls for your AC like the RNSW510 does (it shows the temp you set or that you have turned on feet vents etc).

The trade off for us was that for about the same money as the RNS we got NAV + Bluetooth + reversing camera in the Van where the VW factory bluetooth and reversing camera would have been far more expensive an option.

As for the traffic, in 2.5 years of driving I think it's told us ONCE that there was slow traffic up ahead when using the nav, otherwise the traffic doesn't do much of anything. To be fair the traffic in the factory RNS units also does SFA in Australia as I don't think we use the systems these things support where it's very big in Europe

That's the same reason we bought ours, came with Nav, Bluetooth and rear camera. No worries wasn't the right choice. It's been replaced twice as they were faulty. Getting old after only a month

Josh

[The_Hawk]

Funnily enough it was much the same for us, RNS was going to have to be after market (and after finance) where the Pioneer was dealer fitted and paid for under my lease. At the time it made much more sense.

I have since looked into "upgrading" to the RNS instead, but when you add up the prices of the RNS + Bluetooth + reverse camera it's a hell of a lot of money to simply put info in the MFD.

On the upside the Pioneer beeps for speed cameras (although even that is a bit odd in the way it works) where the RNS does not... I'm just sad that Tom Tom don't make a double DIN hard mounted unit with reverse camera support.... and preferably with digital radio
Bottom line the RNS and Pioneer units do what they claim (as does the one in the Subaru's and Toyotas too), it's just that your average $150 portable unit does a far better job and comes with 3 years to a lifetime of free map upgrades.

[DkN]

Did get reverse camera, and everything installed for the 3k but seems not worth it. What would you recommend? We also did it to finance the entire amount instead of coming up with 3k cash. What's your recommendation?

Thanks for the advice
Josh

My recommendation will be slightly biased

In all seriousness though, it depends on what you want.

If you want navigation directions in the MFD, and want Bluetooth phonebook to show up in MFD too (with an additional BT module) or other perks like voice control for navigation / phone calls you need the RNS-510. The RNS-510 itself is available from a forum sponsor here for about $1,300 installed, and the BT module pricing depends on what you are after, information here:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f78/summary-bluetooth-options-rns510-rcd510-31461.html

If you don't mind on the MFD phonebook & voice control functions, Zenec is an alternative. Keep in mind though, the RNS-510 purchased through the forums or on eBay is cheaper than the Zenec (at just under $2,000) if you pass on the BT module. However, Zenec has a big advantage in that it uses iGo Primo as its navigation, which is MUCH better than the VW OEM software and your AVIC-F9310BT. It will also be more flexible with media formats / DVD playback, and have the necessary connections you need to hook up an aftermarket sound system. The user interface is also different, have a poke around on YouTube, whether VW OEM interface is better or Zenec is entirely up to you.

Now if you don't mind navigation directions in the MFD, the ANS series units I sell is yet another alternative, coming in at half the price of the local dealer alternative RNS-510. These units mimic the RNS-510 interface but combine aftermarket flexibility that Zenec offers (read from SD, USB, iPod etc, have RCA line-level outputs for sound systems, plays video files from SD / USB, etc). It also uses the iGo Primo navigation system. It has some extra perks like OBD functionality (to be released) but also has some down sides. Long story short, there are some drawbacks and bugs in its media functions at the moment, but a new generation of these units is just over the horizon (expecting to get it at the end of the month) and will have smartphone spec hardware, fix all the software issues and introduce more unique functions etc. More info if you follow the link in my sig.

On the upside the Pioneer beeps for speed cameras (although even that is a bit odd in the way it works) where the RNS does not... I'm just sad that Tom Tom don't make a double DIN hard mounted unit with reverse camera support.... and preferably with digital radio
Bottom line the RNS and Pioneer units do what they claim (as does the one in the Subaru's and Toyotas too), it's just that your average $150 portable unit does a far better job and comes with 3 years to a lifetime of free map upgrades.

It comes down to the navigation software used. Just try any in-dash units that run iGo Primo and you'll see the difference - none of my customers who have used TomToms miss using the TomTom system at all

[Vdubboys81]

Funnily enough it was much the same for us, RNS was going to have to be after market (and after finance) where the Pioneer was dealer fitted and paid for under my lease. At the time it made much more sense.

I have since looked into "upgrading" to the RNS instead, but when you add up the prices of the RNS + Bluetooth + reverse camera it's a hell of a lot of money to simply put info in the MFD.

On the upside the Pioneer beeps for speed cameras (although even that is a bit odd in the way it works) where the RNS does not... I'm just sad that Tom Tom don't make a double DIN hard mounted unit with reverse camera support.... and preferably with digital radio
Bottom line the RNS and Pioneer units do what they claim (as does the one in the Subaru's and Toyotas too), it's just that your average $150 portable unit does a far better job and comes with 3 years to a lifetime of free map upgrades.

Ya that's the sole reason we did the pioneer route. But this will be the third one in a little over a month, they just haven't seemed to work. So if possible we are trying for a refund and put it towards something that fits us but is also affordable!

[Vdubboys81]

My recommendation will be slightly biased

In all seriousness though, it depends on what you want.

If you want navigation directions in the MFD, and want Bluetooth phonebook to show up in MFD too (with an additional BT module) or other perks like voice control for navigation / phone calls you need the RNS-510. The RNS-510 itself is available from a forum sponsor here for about $1,300 installed, and the BT module pricing depends on what you are after, information here:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f78/summary-bluetooth-options-rns510-rcd510-31461.html

If you don't mind on the MFD phonebook & voice control functions, Zenec is an alternative. Keep in mind though, the RNS-510 purchased through the forums or on eBay is cheaper than the Zenec (at just under $2,000) if you pass on the BT module. However, Zenec has a big advantage in that it uses iGo Primo as its navigation, which is MUCH better than the VW OEM software and your AVIC-F9310BT. It will also be more flexible with media formats / DVD playback, and have the necessary connections you need to hook up an aftermarket sound system. The user interface is also different, have a poke around on YouTube, whether VW OEM interface is better or Zenec is entirely up to you.

Now if you don't mind navigation directions in the MFD, the ANS series units I sell is yet another alternative, coming in at half the price of the local dealer alternative RNS-510. These units mimic the RNS-510 interface but combine aftermarket flexibility that Zenec offers (read from SD, USB, iPod etc, have RCA line-level outputs for sound systems, plays video files from SD / USB, etc). It also uses the iGo Primo navigation system. It has some extra perks like OBD functionality (to be released) but also has some down sides. Long story short, there are some drawbacks and bugs in its media functions at the moment, but a new generation of these units is just over the horizon (expecting to get it at the end of the month) and will have smartphone spec hardware, fix all the software issues and introduce more unique functions etc. More info if you follow the link in my sig.


It comes down to the navigation software used. Just try any in-dash units that run iGo Primo and you'll see the difference - none of my customers who have used TomToms miss using the TomTom system at all

We are not too happy with the Pioneer at the moment, just doesn't seem as integrated as we thought. And as the car came equipped with the Bluetooth module mounted in dash anyways, might not be as big of an issue if it wasn't included. Working with the dealer to get our $$ back and put it towards one of your recommendations. Def will look into the interfaces etc and see which is best. Basically just want NaV, and rear camera. So let me do some research and I'll be back and let you guys know! Thanks for the help!