DNS series head unit (new generation dual core RNS-510 alternative)

[Goobz]

My Bluetooth functions perfectly although i do get quite a few people saying the audio is quiet. Its frustrating but my main issue is the audio streaming quality. Its appalling. The highs are really crackly and washed out. I'm in no way an audiophile either.

[moda]

^ My BT is also quiet (probably due to microphone placement, no option for an external microphone though), and with music, highs are crackly, sounds like its getting super compressed or clipping or something. IDK, might be that its not set up correctly, since there are various different ways/compression methods of sending music over BT.

Also, after fussing around with it all day, i've found a good version of Sygic Drive to use. No lag whatsoever, volume changes instantly, tracks change instantly (even with SD/FLAC), reverse image shows up instantly, etc etc.

Sygic Drive 8.5 with Aus/NZ 2013.09 Maps, North America 2013.09 Maps, Western Europe 2013.09 Maps, TRIAL: Pastebin

It's a 2 month trial. If you know where to look you can activate the maps fully (*cough its the same as Drive 8.16 and above). The maps are about 6-9months old now, and there are limited POIs, but i'll take that for the performance it brings.

The MAJOR problem, however, is that it actually uses a different maps packaging than all the other Sygic apps, so you can't just grab the maps from Sygic for Android and chuck them on. As far as I can tell, the only way of updating the maps is by installing Sygic Assistant, connecting the SD card up to your PC and PAYING for the maps. Sygic Assistant is telling me that there are new maps, 2014.03, but wants to charge me 53euro (~$80AUD) for it. lol.

Anyways, asides from that, works fine

[moda]

So, yea, with Sygic Drive as the GPS software, the DNS actually, kinda, works.... for the most part.

Yea there are still some random bugs and issues (things like BT, as discussed above, CD playback, as discussed earlier, is basically useless, they still havent implemented 3Line MFD (incoming) and the things that come with that, still no implementation of the music library function, still no mirroring module, iPod library is still a but funky etc etc), but for the most part, the functions I use (FM Radio, iPod, SD, BT Voice Calls and Navigation) actually works and is fine, no different to any of the other WinCE units i've had.

I would LOVE to see navigation instructions in the MFD (Sygic actually fully supports this and advertises it on their website, I believe the RNS510 runs a variant of Sygic, and the Zenec unit which does nav instructions in the MFD also runs Sygic), along with all the other bug fixes and feature additions noted in our spreadsheet, but yea.

[asa572]

Sygic Drive 8.5 with Aus/NZ 2013.09 Maps, TRIAL: http://storage.sygic.com/tmp/pnd/Wei...ZL_2013.09.rar

Looks like I was to slow.

[moda]

Looks like I was to slow.

Hrm, think its just something screwy with the forum software and links. Here: Pastebin

Edit: Sandy should be getting us licenses for Sygic Drive soon anyways, which should hopefully come with the latest maps.

[asa572]

Thanks Moda

[matiasg85]

Well, i've just given up, can't stand this anymore, so i'm selling it today locally to a guy that it's aware of all the issues the unit is having.

I think i'm trying the eonon. For the guy that bought that one, how are the parking sensores working on it???

[asa572]

Moda,
for some reason when I start Drive up it won't ind maps.
Any tips?

[moda]

Well, i've just given up, can't stand this anymore, so i'm selling it today locally to a guy that it's aware of all the issues the unit is having.

I think i'm trying the eonon. For the guy that bought that one, how are the parking sensores working on it???

Good luck, let us know how the Eonon unit goes Could always try the Dynavin N6 unit too, though it's much more expensive (~$600USD).

Moda,
for some reason when I start Drive up it won't ind maps.
Any tips?

IDK, should be able to dump the folder to card and it should work. Probably trial license related (my guess is the trial expired). Have a look at the content.lic file in the maps folder, not going to say much more than that on a public forum, but the format should be "-activationcode" (without the quotes, so a - infront of the code).

[antoineschaller]

This thing is getting ridiculous. I've been following this thread for more than one year now and my GTI will fly Delorean style by the time the unit gets ready.
All you guys seem to have the same interest in a clean and functional head unit with basic functionalities, isn't there any out there that fits the job? Do you have some intelligent suggestions?
(I know it might seem inappropriate to ask that here but I've had too much now, sorry)

[moda]

This thing is getting ridiculous. I've been following this thread for more than one year now and my GTI will fly Delorean style by the time the unit gets ready.
All you guys seem to have the same interest in a clean and functional head unit with basic functionalities, isn't there any out there that fits the job? Do you have some intelligent suggestions?
(I know it might seem inappropriate to ask that here but I've had too much now, sorry)

Depends what you want and how much you want to spend, really.

If you want clean, functional and just works, just get the RNS510 and be done with it.

Third party, you've got Zenec and Dynavin N6, though they have their own little quirks. Then you could go the likes of an alpine/kenwood unit, plus fascia kit and idatalink module which retains all oem features (even nav in mfd), but it's super expensive (like $3K+ for the X008 and all the parts, probs only suitable if you've got a big sound system, and it's very obviously third party).

Then the cheap Chinese units (eonon, audiosources s600).

Honestly, now, with working GPS, the DNS suits me fine, little quirks and bugs here and there, slowly getting worked out. *shrugs*

[whiskywallah]

This thing is getting ridiculous. I've been following this thread for more than one year now and my GTI will fly Delorean style by the time the unit gets ready.
All you guys seem to have the same interest in a clean and functional head unit with basic functionalities, isn't there any out there that fits the job? Do you have some intelligent suggestions?
(I know it might seem inappropriate to ask that here but I've had too much now, sorry)

And don't forget the year or more of grief with the ANS units...
You only get what you pay for.
I've ended up with a hybrid approach.
RCD510 because it can be coded for pre-amp outs, feeding a 5 channel amp which is bolted to a 12" sub in the boot.
Upgraded the front speakers to something that sounds OK.
Mounted a 7" Android tablet running TomTom for Satnav above the RCD510.

I get good AM/FM radio.
I've got iPod, USB, line input via MDI.
I've got 32Gb SD.
I've got 6 CD changer.
I've got excellent factory fit BT for phone and stereo hi quality audio if needed.
I've got tub thumping, kidney punching audio with optional colon massage when needed and little or no distortion or rattles.
I've got full steering wheel control and MFD integration for all audio though not navigation but that's in my eyeline anyway, and since I've got 3 displays (RCD, Android, MFD) I reckon I can see all info I need right where I need it.

Head unit cost less than $400.
Coding cost $70
Breakout loom for head unit cost $40.
Had the Android tablet already.
Hod-my-Phone cost about $130 but I've had bits of that for ages.
TomTom cost $65
Had the amp and speakers already, but I guess they cost about $1000.
Did most of the fitting myself.

So I don't have reverse camera but don't really miss that.
Yes, I've got 2 screens in the centre dash, but it looks OK.

Everyone reaches their own compromise.... mine suits me just fine and is the best I've had for a long time.
I'll say it once more....YOU ONLY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

Other wise words....Quality, Price, Service.... pick any 2 from 3....

[moda]

^

As above, it really depends on what you're wanting out of it, how much you're willing to spend, how much time you want to spend on it, and what compromises you're willing to deal with.

For me, I wanted an all-in-one unit, I got sick of dealing with having a portable nav unit, so yea. DNS810 is working great for me now with Sygic Drive, and they're slowly fixing the various bugs and quirks, so yea, meh.

If I ever decide that it's not working for me, i'll probably just go and get a DAB RNS510 and be done with it. None of the other third party units do much for me (The Zenec is too expensive, the Dynavin doesn't have any more integration than the ANS and their N6 software still has some bugs), and i'm not willing to spend $3k+ on an Alpine/Kenwood plus the idatalink module etc. If I had a massive speaker system I may be tempted, but yea.

Also, i'm working on updating the DNS spreadsheet and cleaning it up, with the idea of sending it to Fiona/Audiosources, mainly for the various feature requests and what not.

[moda]

Can everyone have a look at the updated spreadsheet and add their bugs/feature requests to it?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ameax9FdclusdGZTWG05V0cxeGpGUWNIamdJdDBTeGc&usp=sharing

As far as I can tell, a lot of bugs have been squashed, but there still are some missing features/bugs remaining. I'm pretty sure we're never going to get a fix for the CPU/iGo bug - I think we should just note that the DNS series is just not compatible with iGo, and that using Sygic Drive is the fix.

[asa572]

After some help from Moda(greatly appreciated) I was able to get Sygic to work(once) on my 610.
He is correct in saying there is minimal to no lag with it.
Seems my GPS SD Slot is faulty and only recognizes cards when it want's.
I have had this problem happen when updating in the past.
One other problem I just noticed while playing around with it.
When you select BT with the headlights switched off there is a buzzing noise coming from the speakers and the screen goes dim every couple of seconds (flashing)
but as soon as you turn the headlights on both stopped..
I always have my light on auto so I have never noticed this until today.
Andy