RNS Issue

[Mk6 GTI]

Hi All,

well its been three days and all seems ok with the RNS510. I hope it stays that way!

As i mentioned in another thread, the service department also loaded V3 Maps which is I was happy about! The customer service was great!

[FJ Steve]

Did they give you the V3 disc.

Glad to hear the unit appears to be working now.

[G-rig]

Re: 3rd RNS 510 unit in three weeks of owning the GTI!

I doubt the dealer would give you the DVD if they are doing the updates for free. That's just as good anyway.

[FJ Steve]

I doubt the dealer would give you the DVD if they are doing the updates for free. That's just as good anyway.

gee...you've changed your tune since you wrote this in November 2009

The dealer should be giving you the disc i would have thought, you're sounds like they are saving themselves some money and using it to install onto everyones new car.

I agree..it's good that the unit is working and he has the latest software...but is the dealer doing the right thing via the software licence?

[Corey_R]

That's not necessarily changing your tune. With the purchase of a new car you DEFINITELY should be receiving a copy of the DVD. But if you're getting a "free upgrade", then that's a different topic. You do raise an interesting question in relation to the licencing though. I've never seen the licence so I can't comment.

[GHW]

That's very promising!

JohnA agree with you as well there are pros and cons to both. Shame there aren't more all-in-one head units to chose from. Some seem quite bad with their GUI and screens.

Northfield mentioned there is a new all-in-one alpine coming out but they are the most expensive anyway. I do like how easy it is to plug in cameras, iPods cables and enabling video in motion compared to oem stuff though.

The signal is a bit better with aftermarket units but not that much and better speakers/amps make more of a difference. A processor and aftermarket HU would be best for SQ. My Arc minis can accept high level input so is very easy and works and sounds great.

Greg, you shouldn't make assumptions. Why do you think the Alpine is the most expensive? compared to what? once again you jump the gun and have a crack without the facts. I know a LOT more than you do about Alpine (funny that)
Maybe you should wait until you actually see one before you jump to conclusions but I guess that's asking too much isn't it?

[GHW]

Now I'll wait for the ban due to "intimidation" and the mandatory 3 points.

[G-rig]

Greg, you shouldn't make assumptions. Why do you think the Alpine is the most expensive? compared to what? once again you jump the gun and have a crack without the facts. I know a LOT more than you do about Alpine (funny that)
Maybe you should wait until you actually see one before you jump to conclusions but I guess that's asking too much isn't it?

I'm not sure why they are, but I know they have the best LCD screens which could be a factor as well as being high quality. I was saying how i prefered it over stock as far as ease of ipod and camera plug in's if you bothered to read that part. It's still a fact that the other Alpine add-on's (ie bluetooth and nav) add up quickly but so does the VW ones.

btw Do you know if there is actually an all-in-1 nav unit coming out, similar to the eclipse AVN models? Would consider getting one if my OEM camera could interface to it.

[Corey_R]

Now I'll wait for the ban due to "intimidation" and the mandatory 3 points.

Well... how about 2 points for "Excessive Pointless Posts"...

[GHW]

I'm not sure why they are, but I know they have the best LCD screens which could be a factor as well as being high quality. I was saying how i prefered it over stock as far as ease of ipod and camera plug in's if you bothered to read that part. It's still a fact that the other Alpine add-on's (ie bluetooth and nav) add up quickly but so does the VW ones.

btw Do you know if there is actually an all-in-1 nav unit coming out, similar to the eclipse AVN models? Would consider getting one if my OEM camera could interface to it.

Hmm..o.k, now the facts.
camera add-on is $349. Parrot based Bluetooth add-on (that I have never ever had a problem with in 4 phones unlike the countless posts with the 'oem" add-on) $349 iPod Video add-on FREE.
The last Navigation package with the 502 (the Million pixel screen you've mentioned - not a crappy 300, 000 pixel like oem) with the bluetooth, with the iPod Video interface and with a camera sold for about $2600 - $2700 for the lot. A most -bus steering wheel interface is about $200 and an oem quality facia kit about $129 so lets call the whole shebang $3k , how is that the "most expensive"
In answer to your other question, yes, I do know if there is a new system coming, I do know what it will sell for and no, I am not able to reveal that info, Northfield also do not have the full details yet.
The reason your comments get my back up Greg is a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and can be damaging when you imply something that simply isn't true or is incomplete.
Read my posts I never spruke aftermarket, people can make their own choices and oem is fine for most people (the above is simply to illustrate that Alpine is not the "most expensive" as you claim)
As to my uneccessary comment regarding banning, I'll cop that and admit it was uncalled for.

[Maverick]

Greg, you shouldn't make assumptions. Why do you think the Alpine is the most expensive? compared to what? once again you jump the gun and have a crack without the facts. I know a LOT more than you do about Alpine (funny that)
Maybe you should wait until you actually see one before you jump to conclusions but I guess that's asking too much isn't it?

Alpine are generally the most expensive head unit when you compare them against Pioneer, Kenwood etc. Every time I've compared headunits Alpine is up the top on price so whilst you may work for Alpine I don't see how Greg's comments are incorrect. I also fail to see how his comment is perceived as an attack on Alpine?

You seem to have adopted the Apple approach when someone dares to say anything slightly adverse about your product.

[G-rig]

Hmm..o.k, now the facts.
camera add-on is $349. Parrot based Bluetooth add-on (that I have never ever had a problem with in 4 phones unlike the countless posts with the 'oem" add-on) $349 iPod Video add-on FREE.
The last Navigation package with the 502 (the Million pixel screen you've mentioned - not a crappy 300, 000 pixel like oem) with the bluetooth, with the iPod Video interface and with a camera sold for about $2600 - $2700 for the lot. A most -bus steering wheel interface is about $200 and an oem quality facia kit about $129 so lets call the whole shebang $3k , how is that the "most expensive"
In answer to your other question, yes, I do know if there is a new system coming, I do know what it will sell for and no, I am not able to reveal that info, Northfield also do not have the full details yet.
The reason your comments get my back up Greg is a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and can be damaging when you imply something that simply isn't true or is incomplete.
Read my posts I never spruke aftermarket, people can make their own choices and oem is fine for most people (the above is simply to illustrate that Alpine is not the "most expensive" as you claim)
As to my uneccessary comment regarding banning, I'll cop that and admit it was uncalled for.

I've said the pro's and con's about both setups a few times and everyone is entitled to their review & comments.

You weren't there everytime I had to go back to northfield stuffing around with these alpine bluetooth units (both the 350BT and 400BT). I simply cant recommend them or the PMD-B100E Nav as they are very flimsy for the price and the $850 Nav didn't work properly - a $200 tomtom would kill it. I tried both bluetooth units with HTC phones, and then even bought an iphone and still didn't work.

The bluetooth took a while connecting and wouldn't transfer any recent call data (ie. missed/dialled/received) would only register dialled calls after connecting. The phonebook only brought in the first number of a contact with multiple numbers and wouldnt say whether it was home/mobile/work etc. There is no scroll bars to sort though the phonebook contacts making it very tedious. Happy to be corrected on these and holding you personally responsible for the design but it's less than good.

I got no issues with the W502E or ipod/camera interfaces (although pod casts would only get sound only) and can recommend them. If i was only into audio and not OEM integration I would have kept it at that as the bluetooth and nav were a waste of time sorry. The nav is not user friendly and was freezing up a lot ( the error message was in the manual too). you can get the OEM RNS510 quite cheap these days and is a much better solution but acknowledge the MDI, bluetooth can add up.

I don't mind spending the money but for the price would want it to work properly and would have been better off with a Kenwood or Pioneer all-in-one.

I know what the prices as i bought the whole setup (all sold now):

HU (IVA-W502EV) $1,899
Camera (HCE-C105E) $349
Nav (PMD-B100E) $849.00
KCE-400BT $349

Bit pointless having a screen that good when the map graphics and user interface are terrible.

[entice]

Although I have been known to dabble in the aftermarket, for my day to day run of the mill hack, I prefer to stick with OEM..

they're usually the ones that have done all the testing under the right conditions for the correct application....especially when you need it to work day in day out, and with the technical knowledge and database behind you (coming from thousands of other end users with the identical platform)

just my 2c, and I guess that counts the most for me...

[Umai Naa!!]

Wow. What a thread full of bickering.

In regards to Version 3 discs, Volkswagen tells me each customer should pay for and receive a Version 3 disc. I know for a fact that our dealership provides the disc with every car that is fitted (be it factory, or as an accessory) with an RNS510, at cost to the customer. So if the customer wants Version 3, they will pay for it it, and will receive the disc.

[Brian]

How DARE you bring Apple into this? Steve Works is a living legend.

Whoever Steve Works is, he may be a legend, but what about Steve Jobs?