RNS510 cost-justified?

[Maverick]

BUT... bottom line I would swap it in a second for a Tomtom based unit since I prefer the way it all works (after using a portable unit for a couple of years). Why is there such a big gap? Why haven't any of the car makers partnered with one of the big names to integrate their software? One day we might all find out

Partially because of all the BS licensing that goes on which thanks to the governments is another tax on us (like huge license fees for taxis or massive spectrum costs for telcos drive up the cost of delivering services which taxpayers pay (plus GST on top)). The US is one of the few countries where the map data is owned by the people and this is why google offer free turn by turn mapping systems in the USA whereas they are restricted in many other countries throughout the world including Australia.

Companies like Tom Tom like to make hardware and software sales on a regular basis which they wouldn't get by partnering with a car manufacturer.

[Ryan_R]

In my old car I had my Nokia N96 in a holder attached to the windscreen similar to GPS Units. It has a Nokia Maps subscription for directions, and it worked well. I paid just over $1000 for the RNS 510 and fitted it myself. I wanted the integration and the HDD for music. I also wanted it to go with the 9W3 Premium bluetooth kit. TomTom's and such are better, and I recommend them to others, but I didn't want a portable satnav stuck on the windscreen of my Golf.

[MkVIGTI]

I have an alternative opinion to the RNS-510 / portable Sat-Nav comparison.

When I first looked for a GTI with RNS, they either come with everything or nothing. Being the prudent driver who do not want to spend on frills, I then ask myself what is it a RNS-510 can do that other units can't do, really boils down to the integrated MFD.

What I did was, I installed the Bluetooth kit (which I wanted anyway since you be leaving the Phone button unused without this kit), I noticed that the BT kit has AD2P, and all of a sudden, I conceived of a pretty solution.

My smartphone has GPS software on it, updated almost every half a year, and through A2DP, the instructions to turn left/right is being piped through the car speakers!

That means that:

1. No more suction cups for me ... I can place my phone beside the shift stick, and take the phone with me when I leave the car.
2. Instead of MFD, I listen to the verbal instructions, which is actually safer than shifting your eyes to read the MFD.
3. $0 upfront for GPS functionality.

To me, the RNS-510 is a good-to-have, but it is not a must-have.

Or if you are like me, using the Tom Tom on the iPhone, you can plug it in the MDI and play your music while having the GPS on. The turn by turn guidance will then mute the music and come on through the car speakers when it is giving out directions. It'll fade back out the play your music once the direction is finished. I still like to see the actual display though on the GPS as it gives me more confidence in unfamiliar surroundings.

[night_flight]

so what is the cost when you buy rns510 after market, and how much would it cost to have it installed?

[ian]

A friend of mine has a 2005 vw golf and it had the GPS in the dash, he moved to Tasmania a couple of years back and decided to get the GPS updated at VW , he was shocked when they quoted him $800 just to up date to the latest map, he declined and bought a Navman which he can use in either of the 3 cars he owns.

[Ryan_R]

$1150 for the RNS510 at the moment - VW RNS 510 MFD3 Sat Nav Version C Volkswagen RNS510 - eBay, Navigation, GPS, Car, Truck Parts, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 04-Oct-10 07:16:35 AEDST)

Dealer will charge around $300 to fit it, or you could spend around $300 on the the VAG Com cable and do it your self, or find someone else nearby-ish who has the cable and is willing to help.

[nardini]

RNS 510- Not Happy Fran

Hi Guys I have a Mk 6 GTI with the works, just over a year old and I love it.There is but one add on which I cannot justify the the $3500 price tag and that, my friends, is the RNS 510. I recently sent an email to VW Wolfsburg expressing amongst other items,the fact that the radio cannot pick up a digital broadcast; that the maps are antiquated(in comparison to a Tom Tom or a Garmin unit);that there is no use for a traffic update button as there is no traffic update broadcast. I explained that cheaper cars than mine namely Ford or GMH,have far better units installed.Also since Victorian Law disallows physical usage of a mobile phones whilst driving,I have to pull over to place a call.I genuinely believe that for a car with such a hefty price tag those aformentioned items should most certainly have been included.I feel we have been stooged big time. If you agree with what I have written,then email them your complaint.Only in numbers can we have hope of a positive resolution.
Following is a copy of the reply I received.

Dear Mr. Nardini,

Thank you for your e-mail, from which we are sorry to learn that you are not satisfied with your navigation system RNS 510.

Suggestions and constructive comments on the part of our clients are always welcome and carefully evaluated.

Therefore, we thank you for taking the time and trouble to write and informing us of your experience and your thoughts. As automobile manufacturer, we appreciate feedback of this nature, which contributes to the continual assessment of our products and is an intricate part in the development of Volkswagen vehicles.

There is always a compromise in the design and construction of an automobile and we request your understanding that, due to the high amount of correspondence we receive, we cannot enter into details in each case. However, please be assured that the responsible department in our factory will be informed about your views.

As you will certainly appreciate, it is not possible to alter an already existing production standard of a vehicle subsequently.
Nevertheless, the Volkswagen retailers would surely be pleased in assisting to source out a more convenient solution for the individual customer, if such is available.

In closing, we thank you for having taken the time and trouble to contact us and hope you will remain a loyal Volkswagen customer.



Yours sincerely,
i.V. Michelina Lauriola Maenza i.V. Karin Gaedecke

Volkswagen AG
38436 Wolfsburg
Tel +49 (0) 1805 865579*
Fax +49 (0) 1805 329865*
Mail to kundenbetreuung@volkswagen.de
Homepage Volkswagen Deutschland

0,14 €/Min. aus dem dt. Festnetz, max. 0,42 €/Min. aus den Mobilfunknetzen

[stickshift3000]

I would be pissed too at paying $3.5k when you get the latest led version with current maps for less than a grand off ebay...

I agree that the unit is certainly not worth what vw ask for for it.

[Corey_R]

• The RNS-510 is $2,500, not $3,500
• Hands-free ability to take a phone call is called Bluetooth, not Sat Nav.
• RNS-510 supports Bluetooth, you obviously didn't choose to get that.
• From approximately the MY11.5 cars, the Bluetooth (and MDI) is included in the base-cost of the car.
• The digital radio issue is an Australian issue. The RNS-510 supports DAB. Australia waited and went for DAB+. At the time the RNS-510 was released, I don't believe that a single manufacturer had a DAB+ capable radio in their cars.
• The traffic issue is an Australian issue too. Our local radio stations are too lazy to broadcast the TP messges on traffic congestion. There are other local services which have been setup in Australia, but they don't have universal support yet, and even city support is sketchy.
• The RNS-510 is more than just a Sat Nav, offering DVD and media playback, including built in HDD. It also supports video output for additional screens for rear seat passengers (unfortunatley not an available option/accessory here).
• Being an OEM product, it is far better integrated into the car interior, the MFD in the instrument cluster etc than any aftermarket unit can
• The RNS-510 is far cheaper than competing units from other European manufacturers. Though it is starting to age, and the next generation of units are starting to appear with other manufacturers (including other VAG stablemates)
• No (relatively) low volume OEM system will ever match the high volume disposable consumer products, and to expect such is unrealistic.
• I agree in relation to the maps. However, this issue is also shared with most of the other car manufacturers with their OEM units. Looking at the prices that Sensis themselves directly charge consumers for map updates, it wouldn't at all surprise me that they are using their market position to hold car manufacturers to ransom. The Tom-Tom/Garmin/Navman brands are obviously far higher volume and probably have much more influence to get reasonable map prices.

[Ideo]

I wouldn't pay the price as I don't think it's worth it.

However, Corey does raise very valid points.

[Transporter]

Just to add to Corey's summary of the RNS510 navigation capabilities, the RNS510 is also using the vehicle sensors for navigation, which means if you would run out of satellites the unit would start using the wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensor to draw a map in the internal HDD. No stick on GPS unit can do that.

[frozze]

The pricing for the RNS510 is $2500 if it's optioned together with the car direct from the factory. It is $3500 if you suddenly decide to have it before delivery (dealer fitted). That's what my dealer told me when I put a deposit down for my Jetta last week. I think that's the reason for the price discrepancy.

• The RNS-510 is $2,500, not $3,500
• Hands-free ability to take a phone call is called Bluetooth, not Sat Nav.
• RNS-510 supports Bluetooth, you obviously didn't choose to get that.
• From approximately the MY11.5 cars, the Bluetooth (and MDI) is included in the base-cost of the car.
• The digital radio issue is an Australian issue. The RNS-510 supports DAB. Australia waited and went for DAB+. At the time the RNS-510 was released, I don't believe that a single manufacturer had a DAB+ capable radio in their cars.
• The traffic issue is an Australian issue too. Our local radio stations are too lazy to broadcast the TP messges on traffic congestion. There are other local services which have been setup in Australia, but they don't have universal support yet, and even city support is sketchy.
• The RNS-510 is more than just a Sat Nav, offering DVD and media playback, including built in HDD. It also supports video output for additional screens for rear seat passengers (unfortunatley not an available option/accessory here).
• Being an OEM product, it is far better integrated into the car interior, the MFD in the instrument cluster etc than any aftermarket unit can
• The RNS-510 is far cheaper than competing units from other European manufacturers. Though it is starting to age, and the next generation of units are starting to appear with other manufacturers (including other VAG stablemates)
• No (relatively) low volume OEM system will ever match the high volume disposable consumer products, and to expect such is unrealistic.
• I agree in relation to the maps. However, this issue is also shared with most of the other car manufacturers with their OEM units. Looking at the prices that Sensis themselves directly charge consumers for map updates, it wouldn't at all surprise me that they are using their market position to hold car manufacturers to ransom. The Tom-Tom/Garmin/Navman brands are obviously far higher volume and probably have much more influence to get reasonable map prices.

[Corey_R]

Well... that's the reality with any aftermarket product which requires installation.
Alternatively you could do it yourself for under $1200 including the purchase of the RNS510.

[frozze]

Yeah definitely. I was gobsmacked when I found out the extra!

I'm definitely looking into buying the RNS510 from ebay and installing it myself. I understand the hardware installation is quite a straight swap - probably slightly tricky with the GPS antenna but I'm just a bit more worried about coding/programming the buttons. Is there a specialist around Melbourne that can do this sorta thing for a decent price?

Also, probably a dumb question, will it void my new car warranty (from VW) by installing the RNS510 by myself or 3rd party installer?

[Corey_R]

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