What options for iphone connectivity

[twr]

Hi all,
Delighted owner of a 2008 Golf GT Sport Diesel. Love it. But one thing bugs me....
I just wish I could use my iphone to a) listen to tunes and optionally b) make/receive phone calls using the steering wheel control.
I don't rate the radio frequency jobbies very much (I have one at the moment) and it doesn't help with the phone calls!
It's the blue screen headunit, think it's standard non upgrade.

Cruising around and reading some threads seems seems to highlight many option:
Get an aftermarket head unit
Get an aftermarket bluetooth module to existing head unit (Dension or Fiscon?)
Get factory ipod cable
Get factory bluetooth
Get factory upgrade headunit

I'm not really up on all the details, ins and outs etc...what are the pro's and cons of each, pricing including fitment etc
What works well? What would you do? Don't have unlimited funds but would like to get some solution.

Integrated sat nav would be nice too

Thanks all, appreciate any advise.
Ta, Tim

[Fatherless One]

Hi Tim,

I understand your situation well.

I looked into a Pioneer head unit, the price was fine for the bare head unit, but if I wanted the steering wheel controls to work it was as much again. So all up the quotes were between $800-$1000 and that was nothing real fancy (e.g. no sat nav).

No way !!!

So I've just bought the Dension Gateway 100 from their web store for less than $200 shipped, gives me control over my iPhone and I can still use the steering wheels controls, I'll be fitting it this weekend.

I can do without Bluetooth so this suits me fine.

[twr]

Thanks Fatherless
Very much along the lines I was thinking. I was thinking of the Dension Gateway 5 myself but had noted on another forum that the call volume is terrible but that it may be sorted.

So I've just bought the Dension Gateway 100 from their web store for less than $200 shipped, gives me control over my iPhone and I can still use the steering wheels controls, I'll be fitting it this weekend.

Please let me know how you go, I'm sorta handy but scared of hurting my beloved GT. Did you get quotes to fit from anyone?

Anyone with experience of the Dension Gateway 5 unit?

Thanks!
Tim

[benough]

Hey Tim.

I have the identical car with the Gateway Five. It's brilliant, couldn't be happier with it.

The call volume USED to be low, now it's good. They release firmware updates all the time, and they listen to people who complain/make suggestions as they all appear in the firmware update.

I also had a Gateway 100 and it too was killer. Never missed a beat.

The Gateway Five will be better with an RCD510 or RNS510 but you can buy a RCD300/500 version.

[jessv3]

I have the Gateway 100 in my Mkv GTI, I am pretty sure I paid around $150 for the unit and decided to install it myself, personally I wouldnt do it myself again, it was a huge pain in the backside, lots of screws and clips. It took me around 8 hours! but I am not very good with that type of thing.

The unit its self is GREAT, it works perfectly with my ipod. The only thing I noticed is when i plug in my g.f's iphone it keeps popping up with that annoying message "this accessory is not made for this iphone", it still works fine but prompts that message every time.

[twr]

Thanks - much appreciated

The Gateway Five will be better with an RCD510 or RNS510 but you can buy a RCD300/500 version.

Education on the way I hope!

- What makes it 'better' with RCD510 or RNS510 over RCD300/500?

I have got the blue screen jobbie with buttons not touch screen in mine - How do I determine the model code I have?
Just checking the Dension website and it seems pretty important to determine as some products may be compatible and others not...
Seems Golf V could have RCD 200, RCD 300, RCD 500, Premium 7, RNS MFD2 or RNS 30....

Once I determine models I could go for, the question turns to installation - I could attempt install myself but would rather entrust my baby to an expert....any estimates on installation costs? (but if they are just going to break trim and clips etc, I could do that myself!!!!)

Cheers
Tim

---------- Post added at 07:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:06 PM ----------

And just to confuse matters further...
Anyone used this item? VW iPod Interface for DELTA6 RCD 200/300/310/500/510/RNS510*::*VW*::*XCarLink

Cheers
T

[Fatherless One]

All worked out well, loving playing my iPhone through the cars system

I bought the Gateway 100 (gw16vc1) direct from the Dension Shop Dension Web Store

Cost $160.00 delivered, great value and way cheaper than replacing the head unit !!!

Installation of the Dension was a breeze, literally plug and play. The hard part (for me anyway) was pulling the centre of the dash apart (vents etc) but using some great DIY forum posts and the correct tools (torx heads and plastic trim removal tools so as to not damage the trim), lots of sweating due to nerves (I was so scared I'd F it up) but it all went smoothly.

Plenty of room behind my RCD500 for the wiring harness and Dension Gateway. I ran the iPhone cable out between the centre console and the glove box, didn't want to drill any holes anywhere, you can easily hide the cable away so the car looks totally stock.

Btw the installation instructions mention a black ground wire but my kit didn't have one, I contacted Dension support and this particular kit doesn't need one.

Forgot to add that the steering wheel controls still work too, excellent.

[brimway]

Hi all,
Delighted owner of a 2008 Golf GT Sport Diesel. Love it. But one thing bugs me....
I just wish I could use my iphone to a) listen to tunes and optionally b) make/receive phone calls using the steering wheel control.
I don't rate the radio frequency jobbies very much (I have one at the moment) and it doesn't help with the phone calls!
It's the blue screen headunit, think it's standard non upgrade.

Cruising around and reading some threads seems seems to highlight many option:
Get an aftermarket head unit
Get an aftermarket bluetooth module to existing head unit (Dension or Fiscon?)
Get factory ipod cable
Get factory bluetooth
Get factory upgrade headunit

I'm not really up on all the details, ins and outs etc...what are the pro's and cons of each, pricing including fitment etc
What works well? What would you do? Don't have unlimited funds but would like to get some solution.

Integrated sat nav would be nice too

Thanks all, appreciate any advise.
Ta, Tim

If you go for an aftermarket HU, this might help re steering wheel control, facia etc ....

http://www.aerpro.com/ivPDF.php?file=Volkswagen Golf 04_09

[Doddso99]

What MFD do you have? I have been looking at getting one for my 07 Jetta but have heard it will not work with the Half MFD?

[benough]

Thanks - much appreciated


Education on the way I hope!

- What makes it 'better' with RCD510 or RNS510 over RCD300/500?

I have got the blue screen jobbie with buttons not touch screen in mine - How do I determine the model code I have?
Just checking the Dension website and it seems pretty important to determine as some products may be compatible and others not...
Seems Golf V could have RCD 200, RCD 300, RCD 500, Premium 7, RNS MFD2 or RNS 30....

Once I determine models I could go for, the question turns to installation - I could attempt install myself but would rather entrust my baby to an expert....any estimates on installation costs? (but if they are just going to break trim and clips etc, I could do that myself!!!!)

Cheers
Tim

---------- Post added at 07:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:06 PM ----------

And just to confuse matters further...
Anyone used this item? VW iPod Interface for DELTA6 RCD 200/300/310/500/510/RNS510*::*VW*::*XCarLink

Cheers
T

It's better with the 510 units as they are touch screen. More info is displayed and superior interface.

Do a Google image search for each model's fascia.

Don't bother with that eBay Job. The extra cash for the Dension far out weighs the risk of a crappy one.

Install should be about $100 if you don't trust yourself. Can't speak for Melbourne installers unfortunately.

[jamie88]

I have a Sony xav70bt. Got it from the states for 350 brand new. Then needed a connects 2 steering wheel module and canbus adaptor. And a fascia kit. All up the install cost me about 600 bucks. But I have full iPhone connectivity. Full Bluetooth with external mic. DVD. Touch screen. Etc. I love my setup

[twr]

Hi All,
Quick update for you...not quite a day with a Motorola CT4101 Bluetooth

- 2 phone pairing at the same time
- Ipod input
- USB input
- 3.5mm input
- Bluetooth Audio
- Full control from steering wheel controls
- Information displayed on MFD display

Works well so far, but not perfect.. if I had the touch screen it'd be better...just seems a little clunky.
Still getting familiar but so far so good. Supplied and fitted by Freeway (Malvern in Melbourne) about $500 all up.
I'm a bit of a guinea pig I think, as they were figuring out how it works too!

Cheers
Tim

[Fatherless One]

Great news, pump up the tunes.