Upgrading RCD300 to RCD510

[lincoln]

I've been researching the possibilities of this the last few weeks and just hoping to get some clarification from someone who may have done something similar.

My 2007 (MY08 ) Golf has a factory installed RCD300 and a RED MFD. My plan is to upgrade the head unit to an RCD510 and add bluetooth module (for iPhone use/talking & audio streaming). From what I've found, I need the following:

- RCD510 Head unit (purchased Bosch model 5K0 135 190 A)
- CAN BUS Gateway - to rectify power drain issue (purchased model 1K0 907 530 AD)
- Bluetooth module 9WZ with FIS LINK - to enable use with RED MFD

Has anyone bought/used one of these? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321366784922?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p398 4.m1423.l2649

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[tigger73]

Yes that looks reasonable, though the BT kit you've mentioned looks like it already has the function to eliminate the battery drain issue. So you may be able to get away without having to upgrade your CANBus gateway (will make the install much simpler).

I bought my BT kit from Vag Navisystems and they are a reputable seller.

[Mattlock]

I think the MY08 onwards cars have the upgraded CANBUS so you won't need to touch this. I did a fair bit of research in to this whilst I was part of the DNS-810 Group Buy and my car had the newer CANBUS gateway in it already.

I also believe that you will need to do some coding to get the modules to see each other and work, especially if you have steering wheel controls.

In the end I bought a Pioneer AppRadio instead, partly because I wanted greater integration with my iPhone and partly because it has Parrot BT built-in which meant I didn't have to try and retrofit the BT module.

The factory BT requires running the microphone to the overhead console from under the driver's seat which is where the actual module fits. This means getting up past the airbag in the windscreen pillar and through the headlining to the overhead console. It's perfectly possible and there's a bunch of guides on how to do it, I just wasn't up for the stuffing around.

[cheddo7]

I went through the same choices, and after seeing the total overall cost, I started to look into alternatives.
Over in the audio section there are threads and guides for what you are looking at retro fitting (OEM RCD), and non standard variants (ANS/DNS 6-8"). I actually went in another direction all together, going for an Android powered head unit from eBay. Has all the features of the standard OEM plus more for about half the total cost. Good luck with your upgrade, either way you'll enjoy the new features.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f78/

[Mattlock]

I went through the same choices, and after seeing the total overall cost, I started to look into alternatives.
Over in the audio section there are threads and guides for what you are looking at retro fitting (OEM RCD), and non standard variants (ANS/DNS 6-8"). I actually went in another direction all together, going for an Android powered head unit from eBay. Has all the features of the standard OEM plus more for about half the total cost. Good luck with your upgrade, either way you'll enjoy the new features.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f78/

Yeah, absolutely. This is where I ended up. I bought a Pioneer AVH-X8550BT with RVC for $1100 by the time I had bought the correct surround mount (Connects2 as they made a 1 piece surround that looks much better than the cheap 2 piece ones) and the wiring harness with steering wheel control converter (again Connects2 as "it just becomes plug n play, with the exception of the power for the RVC which required some harness modification).

It gave me so much more than the RCD-510: built-in bluetooth, 7" touchscreen with Nav and a bunch of other stuff done by my iPhone, DVD player, USB, AUX and SD card inputs. The hardest part was running the wires for the RVC and drilling the hole in the bumper to install it.

For my new Tig, it will get an RNS-510 (a brand-new revision R unit too) as I want something as simple as possible for my wife to use and the AppRadio stuff isn't quite mature enough.

[lincoln]

Ok, thanks for the advice.
I'm leaning more towards OEM style units, purely for the "clean-look" and integration. What's the general consensus on the ANS/DNS units? (Sound quality, reliability, BT Pairing etc) Do they have any issues with the Red MFD? I've had a quick scroll through but its hard to get an idea from 100+ pages! With the Bluetooth function already integrated they do look much more affordable than the RCD/RNS + BT combo.

In my Mk4 I had a single din Alpine unit + BT and its been flawless. However the requirement of a custom fitted dash kit this time around doesn't appeal at all.

[Milos2504]

You are probably better off looking at those ANS head units, they will end up being cheaper I think. You can find them here on the forum in the Audio section.

@cheddo7 did you need a CANBUS upgrade with the android unit?

Im about to upgrade to RCD510 as well, so I bought these two on ebay for $40. They go just next to the traction control and tyre pressure buttons.


I will be buying the unit from this (vw_parts_aus on eBay) guy in Sydney. He does install for free and does CANBUS upgrades.

[cheddo7]

@cheddo7 did you need a CANBUS upgrade with the android unit?

ANDROID4 1 Muti Touch 3G Wifi GPS VW DVD Player Jetta Touran Polo Amarok Camera | eBay


Yeah it came with the unit, basically plug and play, everything worked straight out of the box. Steering wheel controls, Bluetooth hands free with voice dialling, bluetooth pairing was instant the moment i got in the car and turned on, downloaded my iphone contacts on first pair. I've now got it paired with my phone internet as I ran out of pre-paid internet on my 4G mifi device in the glovebox, but it is great to get my email notifications while I am driving, also my wife uses it while we drive to look for restaraunts etc on urbanspoon etc, then just click navigate and go. Awesome device for the price I reckon.


Youtube vid here:

Any questions let me know.
Cheddo.

[bazzle]

- CAN BUS Gateway - to rectify power drain issue (purchased model 1K0 907 530 AD)
- Bluetooth module 9WZ with FIS LINK - to enable use with RED MFD


Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

You can get an ANS810 (8" or the 7") one for the price of the bluetooth module and it will do ALL you want. Doesnt need a canbus upgrade either.

Baz

[lincoln]

You can get an ANS810 (8" or the 7") one for the price of the bluetooth module and it will do ALL you want. Doesnt need a canbus upgrade either.

Baz

Yep that's looking like a great option. Are there many issues still with these? Reading through the thread it seems a lot of people have been having various problems with them. I want something that's going to 'just work' without requiring too much trouble-shooting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mattlock]

Were you looking at the ANS thread or the DNS thread?

The DNS is the new platform variant that will offer quite a bit more than the ANS (faster CPU, more RAM etc) but is struggling to get beyond beta testing at the moment. Give it another few months and it will be good and quite well sorted seeing as about 50 have been delivered to users in AUS already.

I believe the ANS is quite mature now but will struggle to get future firmware and software updates (IMHO) as a result of the DNS.

[bazzle]

My ANS 810 (1st model) is going along ok. It has had a couple of software upgrades along the way.

Erisin Units are OK too just dont quite have the same finish but they also seem to work out of the box.

[Milos2504]

ANDROID4 1 Muti Touch 3G Wifi GPS VW DVD Player Jetta Touran Polo Amarok Camera | eBay


Yeah it came with the unit, basically plug and play, everything worked straight out of the box. Steering wheel controls, Bluetooth hands free with voice dialling, bluetooth pairing was instant the moment i got in the car and turned on, downloaded my iphone contacts on first pair. I've now got it paired with my phone internet as I ran out of pre-paid internet on my 4G mifi device in the glovebox, but it is great to get my email notifications while I am driving, also my wife uses it while we drive to look for restaraunts etc on urbanspoon etc, then just click navigate and go. Awesome device for the price I reckon.


Youtube vid here:

Any questions let me know.
Cheddo.

Looks pretty good man, I saw the review on youtube. The idea of having internet in the head unit is pretty cool

[Fatherless One]

Yep that's looking like a great option. Are there many issues still with these? Reading through the thread it seems a lot of people have been having various problems with them. I want something that's going to 'just work' without requiring too much trouble-shooting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

RNS, you can buy a late model for $800 on ebay with 6 months warranty.

[cheddo7]

Looks pretty good man, I saw the review on youtube. The idea of having internet in the head unit is pretty cool

I'll do an update showing the BT phone features and stuff as I missed in the first vid.
Have had passengers comment it was the best BT integrated they have heard when I've accepted calls.
Works pretty well.
Internet is bad when bored at lights, get honked a lot.