RNS510 cost-justified?

[frozze]

Thanks for that. The search begins!

You're probably best to look in the VCDS area of the forum to find another forum member near you that has the cable and software and can help you do the coding, for a slab or beer or something like that!

As for the warranty, no you won't void the warranty. However, VW won't cover the RNS510, or any issues that you cause by your installation. So if you did somethinb bone-head and rewired something wrong and caused a short... but being there are many good guides on the installation, I don't believe there would be any cause for concern with anyone who has common sense

[nardini]

Hi Corey and thanks for the reply. Although the unit intergration into the dash DOES look far better than those suction cup models;that it DOES offer DVD and media playback;that it IS possible to attach additional screens for rear seat passengers (which I don't want) the negatives IMO, unfortunately outweigh the positives.I still have a system which produces second rate maps What happened to Google or Sensis ? ( that invove a hefty cost if an upgrade is needed );a digital capable radio receiver that can only receive a frequency we in AUS dont have;as well as a traffic update button which is simply there for good looks! (NAUGHTY LAZY RADIO STATIONS...) NO...YOU'RE 100% RIGHT...IT'S A FANTASTIC UNIT. Why cant we instead find a solution to these problems,instead of heralding how well it sits in the dash?

[Maverick]

Hi Corey and thanks for the reply. Although the unit intergration into the dash DOES look far better than those suction cup models;that it DOES offer DVD and media playback;that it IS possible to attach additional screens for rear seat passengers (which I don't want) the negatives IMO, unfortunately outweigh the positives.I still have a system which produces second rate maps What happened to Google or Sensis ? ( that invove a hefty cost if an upgrade is needed )

The maps are Sensis.

;a digital capable radio receiver that can only receive a frequency we in AUS dont have;

Australia stuffed around for a long time with digital radio and even now it's been a half arsed implementation just like digital tv hence the lack of cars being sold with DAB+ receivers.

as well as a traffic update button which is simply there for good looks! (NAUGHTY LAZY RADIO STATIONS...)

It has nothing to do with the radio stations and everything to do with the government and their arrangement with SUNA who will not sell their service without hardware. Do a search for more information.

NO...YOU'RE 100% RIGHT...IT'S A FANTASTIC UNIT. Why cant we instead find a solution to these problems,instead of heralding how well it sits in the dash?

The unit does what it's advertised to do and it does it damn well whilst integrating into the car making it safe to operate when driving. It's still the best factory head unit available apart from the new google Audi/VW one which is being introduced into high end models.

[Corey_R]

Yep... nardini really needs to fix the issues with the Australian government! I was trying to remember the traffic company, SUNA, thanks for the reminder Mav.

Yep. The government F'd us with digital TV in Australia. They've F'd us with cable/sat TV. They've F'd us with traffic management. And they've F'd us with digital radio. I mean, just look at how awesome TiVo is in the USA... and yet how crap it is here. Same product, just government stupidity here has created an environment where things just don't work how they should...

But if you can find a solution to those issues nardini so that our government stops making these silly mistakes, then great

[easeup]

In my opinion, MFD integration makes the RNS510 worth the spend. Having nav info accessible in the instrument cluster is the most convenient place possible. I also think the RNS510 makes the factory bluetooth option far more informational/useful. The integrated HDD music storage is a brilliant way to reduce clutter/need for CDs in the car. I loaded it up with 10GB of music and never thought about it again.

My answer is yes. Having used TomTom portables and also a Pioneer in-dash, i think the RNS outclasses them as a complete package. The best Nav system is the one that's always on. I don't like keeping something stealable on my dash.

Lastly- my dealer knocked $500 off the cost of the RNS510 at purchase. So it's possible.

[hentaiboy]

I don't like keeping something stealable on my dash.

Yes, much better to keep something stealable in your dash. Which I suspect is where most of the Lithuanian eBay specials come from

[slipshot]

The best Nav system is the one that's always on.

True, but you could argue the best nav system is one that is up to date and regrettably, regardless of the reasons, the VW maps are nowhere near as up to date as a Tomtom unit, and the latter has many ways of updating it without cost via user input...

I know other manufacturers have the same issues, but I'd love a simple system integrated that uses wireless, that you can link to your home network and it auto updates etc each evening. So simple... this also goes for the firmware in the unit, other software updates from VW.... sorry, just dreaming.

[ajca]

What is the consensus on the origin of the RNS510s that come from Eastern Europe? I have read in other forums that Tommy Cupra from the Czech Republic (one of the main suppliers) has admitted that he doesn't know where his supplier gets stock from. A Google search for "stolen RNS510" returns some pretty alarming stuff.

I'm looking at getting one myself but I think it is bad karma (and generally a very bad idea) to buy something that I even think might be stolen. And European Autotech will sell one with install + warranty for under $2k.

Sure, that's nearly twice what one of dubious provenance costs, but it seems much less likely to end up being a problem or a nightmare.

[Ryan_R]

Personally, I just like being able to press one button to get instant maps, on a large screen, that does impact my view of the road or leave sunction cap marks on the windscreen. If the RNS doesn't suffice on occasion, it only takes two minutes to pull over and launch Google Maps on my phone.

I also really like the HDD for music (although 32GB SDHC cards sort-of negate that now) but mainly love the integration with the MFI and steering wheel buttons, esp in combination with bluetooth.

[ParaBul]

Personally, I just like being able to press one button to get instant maps, on a large screen, that does impact my view of the road or leave sunction cap marks on the windscreen. If the RNS doesn't suffice on occasion, it only takes two minutes to pull over and launch Google Maps on my phone.

Fair call. I have more than one car, so I'm used to having navigation on my phone in a dash-mount cradle (I have a cradle in each car, and the phone comes with me, so there's nothing of significant value to steal). I also travel outside coverage areas, where Google Maps doesn't work, and have found serious flaws in Google Maps - like dead ends that are marked as through-roads, bridges that don't exist across rivers, and roads that don't exist through state forests.

I suspect I may regret not getting the audio integration.

[frozze]

I was house hunting today around Melbourne and I was relying on my tablet (google maps) for navigation. I reckon it's probably the best mapping system there is (sat nav + 3g). Searching and navigation was a breeze. But.... it was such a cumbersome arrangement! I had to constantly charge it, fiddling it betwen the tablet and my radio (volume control), getting my partner to hold it and give me instructions (I obvbiously can't hold it or look at it while driving!). Once we park, we had to keep it inside the dash or bring it. Then get back in, set everything up for the next destination..

I got over it after the 3rd house inspection! I want full integration! It's just so much more convenient.

That said, google maps will always be a great back up, especially searching for specific stores/restaurants.

Note: I'm driving my corolla atm. I've got a jetta on order (missus got a polo on order).

[Ryan_R]

Yeah, I only use Google maps on my SGS2 for finding houses/business, etc, if I'm not sure what the specific address is. I'm on Telstra NextG now which is mahoosively better than 3. In my old car I had a Nokia N96 with its maps (a main reason for getting that phone back in 200 with a cradle holder for it.

[Ferni]

I've got the factory fitted RNS510 in my GTI here are my thoughts

Cons:
* Maps are too old, when you can get up to date maps for your $200 tomtom, they need to release updates faster for the RNS510.
* It's slow and takes too long to start up. Frustrating when clicking next track and it takes a second to registry your press
* 2,000 song limit on the SD card - Not sure what the point of this is, but it makes the SD card option less useful than it should be.
* Hard drive is to small - 40GB? Been a while since I saw a 40GB hdd in anything...
* Radio text doesn't work yet it works in the RCD510 - what gives?
* The format/colour of the maps aren't great - google/tomtom is much clearer/easier to read/view.
* The UI is average - in the day and age of Ipads/gesture based UI, the UI needs updating.

Pros:
* The integration into the MFD is good
* Playing media/displaying mp3 info is good. (maybe could of use the mp3 tag info instead of filename when browsing)

Is it worth 2.5k? In my opinion, no. When you can buy something with technology much better (ie Ipad) for $600, 2.5k for this is way over the top in comparison.

[Corey_R]

When you click on next, are you accessing an iPod? Click on next on my USB key is pretty responsive.

Some of them, mine included, only has a 30GB HDD. But, you might be unaware, these are not standard HDD's but automotive HDD's (specifically, they are designed to cope with both vibration AND heat). At the time of the RNS510's release, 30GB was one of the larger models. Even today, the largest is only 100GB.

Radio text certainly does work. But it depends on your radio station broadcasting it.

UI - it could be prettier. But seriously... this is a car we're talking about, not an iPhone. You're lucky it's still legal to have a touch system, despite touch input being well known for being completely useless unless you're looking directly at it (as opposed to "hard buttons", which can be operated by feel). There is no way they should have "gestures" on a car-based system.

[Bobby Dazzler]

2000 song limit on the SD card?? I threw a 32GB card in mine which equals around 6000 songs...Certainly enough to get me to work and back