vw golf mkv head unit options.

[moda]

Looking around the $500 mark.

So squarely in the generic chinese unit territory, then? Fairynuff.

To me, the really interesting/good units are in the ~$800+ territory (ie things like the RNS510, if you just want something that works, because OEM, the Audiosources DNS810 (lolol), Zenec 2015whateveritscalled, Dynavin N6, and then all the pioneer/alpine/kenwood + idatalink module stuff).

So for ~$500 or under, you're probably going to be looking at generic chinese units, either in 7inch or 8inch, running either Android or WinCE. If you go WinCE, look at the Eonon units, because they are cheap, the software is fairly decent and they at least have support. Not sure if you can even get the Audiosources ANS any more, but that's an option as well. DNS was more like ~$700, and we're still dealing with various issues,wrapping up the groupbuy etc. Audiosources S600 is also an option.

Android, not sure, there are probably thousands of them, but try to go with one that has lots of reviews/something from a bigger name that might have support. IDK.

The difference is going to be in software, Android is a lot newer/more flexible/you can install apps etc. WinCE just does its thing and that's pretty much it lol. Android units also probably have slightly better hardware since they're going to be newer, stuff like faster CPUs/better touchscreens etc, but yea. All the sound stuff should be pretty similar, I wouldn't expect much of a jump in sound quality over your existing unit.

Most of them won't really support many OEM features, some will do basic stuff (steering wheel controls at the very least, some have 1line MFD support - depends what MFD on the mk5 you have), some will have AC/doors popups etc. The audiosources android units will probably be the most likely to support most of these feature, their canbus decoder unit is the best of all the third party manufacturers.

Should also be aware that generally the units involve a bit of stuffing around getting them installed and software setup, so be prepared for a bit of messing around, all good fun though

Downfalls of these units generally: Radio reception usually pretty terrible, BT phone mic usually not the best, BT music streaming usually not the best, build quality/buttons usually pretty cheap/cheesy/plastic, software generally a bit of a mess/some chinglish, they're usually the same generic unit put in a bunch of different fascias for all sorts of cars, so they're usually generic and sometimes lack OEM/car specific features etc.

[watson83]

So what would I be looking at if I went oem. Nav, Bluetooth and iPod connection?

[kamold]

So what would I be looking at if I went oem. Nav, Bluetooth and iPod connection?

RNS510, 9w7 BT module and MDI interface with ipod cable.
Much moola.

[moda]

So what would I be looking at if I went oem. Nav, Bluetooth and iPod connection?

$$$

You'd need the RNS, GPS antenna, bluetooth module and mdi interface. Depending on where you get all the stuff, ~$1500-2k.

Hence the existence of third party units.

I wasn't trying to dissuade you, just make you aware of the pros and cons of each.

[Martin]

So squarely in the generic chinese unit territory, then? Fairynuff.

Indeed

To me, the really interesting/good units are in the ~$800+ territory (ie things like the RNS510, if you just want something that works, because OEM, the Audiosources DNS810 (lolol), Zenec 2015whateveritscalled, Dynavin N6, and then all the pioneer/alpine/kenwood + idatalink module stuff).

Fully agree

So for ~$500 or under, you're probably going to be looking at generic chinese units, either in 7inch or 8inch, running either Android or WinCE. If you go WinCE, look at the Eonon units, because they are cheap, the software is fairly decent and they at least have support.

Downfalls of these units generally: Radio reception usually pretty terrible, BT phone mic usually not the best, BT music streaming usually not the best, build quality/buttons usually pretty cheap/cheesy/plastic, software generally a bit of a mess/some chinglish, they're usually the same generic unit put in a bunch of different fascias for all sorts of cars, so they're usually generic and sometimes lack OEM/car specific features etc.

So I put a $300 Eonon unit into my wife's Mazda3 as she really needed decent navigation assistance
(I had already installed a brilliant Parrot hands free blutooth car kit - the replacement needed to service this need also)

Radio reception usually pretty terrible: Yes, fades in and out, hiss, etc Wife not happy

BT phone mic usually not the best:
The built in mic returns poor driver voice audio - sounds far away and high pitched
The unit came with an external mic that clips to the A pillar and is much better - acceptable

BT music streaming usually not the best: This works fine - although the integration and information display is messy

Build quality/buttons usually pretty cheap/cheesy/plastic: Looks great to the casual observer - the car owner does notice this lack of quality however
The unit does not have all the same mounting holes/clips as the original
Although the unit is securely and safely mounted, it's not flush and moves when pressed firmly

Software generally a bit of a mess/some chinglish: Agreed!
Took me 3 days to work out where the navigation software is and how to install it - no detailed in the instructions, internet to the rescue (even then it was not easy)

They're usually generic and sometimes lack OEM/car specific features etc: They are getting better at this!
I bought one specifically designated for the Mazda3 - it came with a CAMBUS decoder
All the steering wheel controls work correctly and the unit even detects the selection of reverse and switches to the rear video camera

What's it like living with the unit?

Radio:
Hard to understand why the radio feature was hard to nail
Wife listens to radio all the time - she is not happy about the reception
I use a SD card packed with music (RNS510) so this would not be a big problem for me (Eonon has a SD slot for this)

Navigation:
Takes a long time to boot/load - I thought my RNS510 was slow but this takes the cake
From time to time it crashes during trips - can be stressful driving and bringing it back online
Takes far too many buttons to get your destination in, even to access your pre-programmed home button!
Given the screen size, locally stored maps and car audio integration, it's still better than using a phone

Blutooth:
Both phone calls and music streaming are fully acceptable (need to use the external mic)
The phone book looks like rubbish on the screen however

Reversing Camera:
I got a CCD camera (rather than a CMOS camera) - the video clarity is excellent
Automatically turns on when selecting reverse - that's great
(Even has guide lines)

CD Player: What is a CD again? Have not used this feature

Other concerns:
One thing that can be important is access to updated maps - not sure where I stand here - time will tell

Overall
Fully integrated units are awesome - and this unit meets that need

On one hand I'm not sure you can expect too much from a $300 device (free shipping)

On the other hand, it was stressful installing it, the doco is scant and rubbish
Wiring the reversing camera, installing the navigation software, wiring the unit into my amp - all these were frustrating to resolve (but I did get through it all).

There is no doco on how to use the navigation - you just mess around with it for hours and work it out yourself - given that the software is not as easy to use as a smart phone this is a frustrating process
As yet, we have not worked out how to save the current car location into the stored addresses/destinations (very easy to do on the RNS510)

In future I hope we always buy a car with an integrated unit
If that does not happen I would most likely go for a better unit in the $800 range

[kamold]

The $350 Android unit I installed in my wife's Golf I think is excellent, regardless of the fact that it was cheap.
Radio reception in metro areas is fine, at least on FM. AM is pretty well non-existent so no loss there unless the cricket is on, but can still stream that anyway.

Build quality is very good. Big, bright screen, no issues with buttons or anything.

Sound quality is very good, better than stock due to beefier amp.
Boot time is very quick, faster than OEM. More modern OS and faster guts (dual core 1Ghz w 1 GB RAM)
Interface is very fast and fluid, much faster than RNS. Interface is not too gimmicky, is fairly customizable out of the box, and fully customizable once the unit is rooted, as you can install the Android launcher of your choice.
Navigation software options are wide, my wife likes iGo primo. Has text to speech, spoken speed camera and speed alerts and more up to date maps than OEM. Sygic is probably my preferred. Can install multiple nav programs at once, but only one of them at a time can be linked to the nav button to launch it. Otherwise launch form the touchscreen.
There is a small bug with iGo (not Sygic) that causes it to sometimes lose its settings so you go through the setup wizard from time to time. I am looking forward to Nokia maps being released for Android, else use Sygic.

BT is a built in mic. So sound quality is only acceptable. I dont know why they dont put a 3.5mm external mic jack on these things, then you could mount a mic in the head liner or on the A pillar to get better quality...
Supports A2DP music streaming however at this stage doesnt support song titles, hopefully will be fixed with an update.

Steering wheel controls work fine.

Reverse camera works well.

No integration with MFD or factory bluetooth.

HAS INTERNET ACCESS - this is a huge deal for me. Means streaming music, live traffic, searches etc.

Can use tasker or similar to launch whatever apps you want at boot. I have it launch the nav app in the background like the OEM units, so that once you push the nav button, it a simple switch rather than loading the app.

Stock music player is average, I use Neutron instead which is excellent.

There are multiple variants of the AN21u guts in various enclosures.
I personally got this one: 2014 Pure Android 4.2 DVD GPS for VW Polo Jetta Tiguan Golf Bora Passat B5 B6 5 6 car WiFi Radio Volkswagen Free WiFi Canbus-in Car DVD from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

There is a thread on XDA developers which has some info on the software including updates: "AN-21 U" - Unbranded 6.2" 2 … | Android | XDA Forums

[watson83]

Cheers guys, don't think I can justify spending $1500-2000 on a oem unit when one for $500 will do the job. If I was going to spend that much I would've just bought a newer car.
Thanks for the advice think I will go with the 2.2 android unit for now.

[Martin]

I would lean towards an Android unit for sure - or a RNS510 from a wrecker

There used to be a guy selling RNS units here on the forum

[watson83]

Just thinking not really necessary to have the Sat nav. So in your opinion a rcd 510 with the blue tooth kit that just answers/rejects calls and plays music would be the better option. Would be better in the long run if it was ops compatable and could also hook up oem pop out reverse camera. Do any of you know if can hook up after market pop out reverse camera to a oem head unit?

[kamold]

Oem rvcs are not compatible with aftermarket without a converter. Oem uses rgbs and aftermarket are just composite video.
Looking at a fair bit of coin for oem rvc, Bt and rcd if budget is a concern.

[watson83]

Looks like best option for $ is android head unit then will add reverse camera/sensors later. Once I get it and it's in I will post again on here to let you guys know how it goes.

Cheers for your input and advise, has saved me reading 100's of posts to get the info.

[kamold]

As has been mentioned, chose a decent quality rvc as the cost difference is small. Sony CCD based license plate light cameras are readily available

[Martin]

And I think my composite/rgb converter only cost $80 + postage

[watson83]

Just having a thought about alpine double din. Does anyone know if they can be made to work with the steering wheel controls?
Could spend $500-600 and get a head unit that will make the sound a lot better and will still have blue tooth and nav.

As you can tell having trouble deciding.

[DWBN]

Also following this with interest. There are RNS510 for sale for around 1k on fleabay like this one: 2014 VW RNS 510 LED Q H10 5270 satnav navigation Golf Passat Jetta Tiguan Sharan

or this VW RNS 510 MFD3 C H11 SW5230 V10 Satnav Navigation Golf Passat Touran Tiguan EOS 0628586718081 | eBay

I've got the Eonon and am looking for an audio upgrade. How do you add an amp to this unit and is it possible to make an aftermarket reverse camera using the normal RCA video pin work with with this?