Retrofitting RVC in CC with RCD510

[enigma32]

Hey All,

Missed out on factory RVC in my late 2011 CC due to tsunamis in Japan restricting supplies of the camera unit, so I am now thinking about putting one in myself.
After heaps of reading and looking at the options available, I am in several minds about which way to go. My RCD510 head unit (Bosch) has 26 mustard plug so it is video capable. My options :
1. Retrofit OEM flip badge RVC (higher cost, lots of work running wires, needs VCDS reprogramming)
2. Retrofit OEM lookalike flip badge RVC (cheaper, still lots of work, need to also to get RGB converter to 26 pin plug to allow head unit to accept the composite signal, needs VCDS reprogramming)
3. Retrofit OEM lookalike flip badge RVC, and wireless kit (easy installation, still needs RGB converter, needs VCDS reprogramming)
4. Get aftermarket head unit such as ANS810, OEM lookalike flip badge RVC and wireless kit (easy installation, no RGB converter, no VCDS reprogramming needed) and I get bonus SATNAV.

I would love to go the wireless option to simplify installation. Anyone used these wireless transmitter / receivers available on ebay? Any good? I don't expect them to be perfect, but don't want total duds either. I also like the last option of the aftermarket head unit, as it removes need to reprogram the RCD510, but I don't want to lose any of the originals' integrated functionality.

What do you guys think?

Thanks heaps.
Sam

[LunchboxVRS]

I ran one of those wireless kits on my Subaru and there not all there cracked up to be. It took ages finding a place to put both transmitters to get Signal and even then it was scrambled at time. The wires a really thin and flimsy. It's hard to use the connectors as the don't hit the wires. I had to hard solder them in abpnd even then the wires snapped twice due to vibration and I had to shorten and re solder.
If your worried about vcds coding I'm sure thers a dozen guys in Melbourne who can help you out for a beer or three.
The OEM option is more work but its a sure thing to work. I would avoid he ebay wireless kit like the plague.

[enigma32]

Thanks lunchboxGTI - thought that might be the case.
Not real keen on ripping up the trim though..........
Sam

[Alister]

I second lunchboxGTI's suggestion - go with the OEM 'flip' badge.

Whilst it is more expensive, it is the best quality solution and the way the factory intended. Anything else will ultimately be a compromise and you will end up regretting it.

If you are not willing to pull apart your interior, there are installers that have done these things before who can do the job for you. With the right tools and techniques, minimal trim actually needs to be removed to feed the cables through the cabin.

[kamold]

Also encourage going the OEM style route.

Wireless anything is always subject to the vagaries of RF technology. The unlicensed frequencies are so crowded that you are bound to experience interference and sub-optimal performance at least part of the time.

As Alister mentioned, whole bits of trim dont need to be removed. Just enough to poke the cable and some 'cable snake' into, then they pop out again at the other end of that run eg from the front door trim popping out at the back of the rear door trim.

[enigma32]

Thanks for the comments.
Agree that it is wise to avoid wireless option. I have had a closer look at the trims that run along the passenger side, and see that it may be possible to run the cables from under the dash and along the passenger side without too much trouble. Scratching my head a bit about how to run from the boot through the back seats into the rear door trim though.............