RNS510 cost-justified?

[ParaBul]

While we're on semantics and definitions:

Ideo's comments (as written) weren't inferring anything.

Ideo's comments may have been implying they are stolen property. littlejohn was inferring they are stolen property.

Implications may be in the words, put there by whoever spoke/wrote them. Inferences are drawn from the words by the listener/reader.

Well, that's my understanding. For what it's worth.

[Ryan_R]

Being stolen wasn't something I considered when purchasing, but I wonder how big the operation would have to be to get the latest Australian maps loaded, plus provide an official-looking code card to unlock the device when I turned it on for the first time in my car. Let's just hope none of our cars get broken into. I'll probably look into tinting my windows closer to summer as an added deterrent.

[DkN]

It's your money, so you can do what you want with it. If you want the inconvenience of a Tom Tom, then great. But I still think this thread is largely pointless.

It's like, go to a Kitchen company, and get a quote for the installation of a indoor BBQ grill in your kitchen (the RNS-510). Then go to bunnings and buy an outdoor portable BBQ (the Tom Tom).

Yes it always depends on personal preferences but what's the likelihood of you being happy with the price if the indoor bbq was 10x the price just for convenience?

Besides, I did compare with aftermarket replacements (other indoor BBQ grills) that integrate visually seamlessly and operate 95% as well as OEM with perhaps a few quirks, but at 7 times less the price at about $350. Yes these are made in China blah blah, but I'd pay double the price for a good quality OEM, not 7 times. At some point it gets a bit ridiculous, especially for those of us who are a little more realistic and don't have thousands of $$$ to simply throw away.

[langers_sydney]

Yes it always depends on personal preferences but what's the likelihood of you being happy with the price if the indoor bbq was 10x the price just for convenience?

Besides, I did compare with aftermarket replacements (other indoor BBQ grills) that integrate visually seamlessly and operate 95% as well as OEM with perhaps a few quirks, but at 7 times less the price at about $350. Yes these are made in China blah blah, but I'd pay double the price for a good quality OEM, not 7 times. At some point it gets a bit ridiculous, especially for those of us who are a little more realistic and don't have thousands of $$$ to simply throw away.

The damn thing doesn't even come with a cd changer. I like CD's.

[Ferni]

It's your money, so you can do what you want with it. If you want the inconvenience of a Tom Tom, then great. But I still think this thread is largely pointless.

It's like, go to a Kitchen company, and get a quote for the installation of a indoor BBQ grill in your kitchen (the RNS-510). Then go to bunnings and buy an outdoor portable BBQ (the Tom Tom). It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know which one is going to cost many many times more than the other. And, I don't think that anyone would be legitimately sitting here and arguing that the professionally integrated BBQ should be as cheap as the bunnings outdoor bbq.

If the outdoor portable BBQ started quicker, cooked food better and was 1/10th the cost I would complain about my indoor BBQ grill as well

Look I think the rest of the options are very reasonably priced AND very good quality. I'm just pointing out I think the RNS510 is the exception to that.

[Guy_H]

Its a pretty common fact that most stolen nav units from Europe exit out through Poland & Lithuania. Some of the "clever" ebay sellers even have a UK address to suck you in then ship it from Lithuania.

Interpol were working with manufacturers a few years back, trying to establish a database of the stolen serial numbers (and they contacted a few people in Australia at the time) but I have not heard of anything since. When you service your VW or Audi at a dealership, the VAS tool can search for updates on installed modules, they were trying to tie in a stolen system database with this I understand.

[Aurange_Tiguan]

Can anyone shed some light on the Sensis disc for the RNS510 map data? I'm considering whether the RNS is worth the extra investment.

One of my concerns at this stage is how members of this forum comment on the lack of data currency. Apparently updates are few and far between? The reason I ask is because depending on the data format that the RNS510 needs, updated road data might be sourced from elsewhere.

What I'd like to know is whether anyone can provide info on the file formats on the map data disc. Would be ideal to actually play with the files, but at least a screen grab would be helpful - for starters - to let me see if it is compatible with other road vector data out there.

If I can figure out a means to have more control on the currency of the data I'd be more inclined to get the RNS510. Anyone care to help my little project?

[AdamD]

Can anyone shed some light on the Sensis disc for the RNS510 map data? I'm considering whether the RNS is worth the extra investment.

Check out the VW Car Audio and Electronics forum; loads of good info in there, and I'm sure people will be able to help you out.

With respect to the file formats, as far as I know VW have wrapped the Sensis data in their own proprietary format, and although there are tools out there to allow you to get at the data, trying to upgrade your RNS-510 with later-release Sensis maps would probably be prohibitively difficult.

[Aurange_Tiguan]

With respect to the file formats, as far as I know VW have wrapped the Sensis data in their own proprietary format, and although there are tools out there to allow you to get at the data, trying to upgrade your RNS-510 with later-release Sensis maps would probably be prohibitively difficult.

I'm definitely having trouble trying to get at the Sensis data for starters. I may just resort to using software like POInspect0r to add custom data, but I'll keep at it to see if the polyline roads and other data can also be accessed.

[Ryan_R]

Noticed today that Fiat have an interesting solution for the concerns of a lot of people in this thread:

Tom Tom and Fiat join forces to produce the ideal Australian sat nav solution : Official Australian Site


Basically the car comes with a dock + plugs, and you can connect a compatible TomTom GPS, so that you have a portable reputable GPS syste,, but it still integrates with the car (steering wheel buttons, bluetooth, voice control, etc). I'm happy with that I've got, but kudos to them anyway.

[chylld]

Noticed today that Fiat have an interesting solution for the concerns of a lot of people in this thread:

Tom Tom and Fiat join forces to produce the ideal Australian sat nav solution : Official Australian Site


Basically the car comes with a dock + plugs, and you can connect a compatible TomTom GPS, so that you have a portable reputable GPS syste,, but it still integrates with the car (steering wheel buttons, bluetooth, voice control, etc). I'm happy with that I've got, but kudos to them anyway.

i wouldn't get too excited...
End Of The Road For TomTom PNDs? | Gizmodo Australia

[Ryan_R]

Yeah I know about that - was talking about the concept more than anything.

[chylld]

yep it's a cool initiative. but in terms of concepts i think this takes the cake:
Toyota introduces Touch Life smartphone mirroring system, your Prius and iPhone can become one -- Engadget

on topic, i have a cheap ebay dig_options gps/bt integrated unit coming in next week. at $560 shipped (with full climate/mfd/parking sensor integration, plus a rear view camera) it has a chance of conclusively answering the question of whether the rns510 is cost-justified!

[Ryan_R]

Yeah I read that one this morning as well. Jaguar and Blackberry showed off something similar a few months ago as well. It's probably where a lot of car makers will start looking - hopefully theywill support all phone brands though.

[MrGTIandRfan]

I want to purchase the RNS-510 from the Tejas guy in Lithuania, but don't want to end up with a dodgy unit. :\

Your thoughts guys?