Chat about RNS510 installation into T5.2

[Sunny43.5]

Well I have just had a look on the suppliers website and there are some new ones here is one a bit dearer than the one I have but worth a look ES7136AU 7" CAR DVD Player DVB T Ipod Wifi 3G GPS Android PAD VW Passat Skoda | eBay This is the actual one we have in our van ES1268AU 8" HD CAR DVD Player GPS Wifi 3G DVB T Ipod VW Passat Skoda Seat | eBay

[Sharkie]

If you don't have factory Bluetooth and don't want to go to the trouble of fitting it, I'd recommend the DNS units sold on this forum in the Parts section.

It is by far the best non VW headunit I have seen and reasonably priced with local backup. As a bonus it even has the look and feel of the OEM RNS510 ....

I have tried the Zenec and other Chinese brands and they were all rubbish, some more some less but none worth the money.

[Sunny43.5]

No Sharkie I cannot agree the original units that were in two of our T5's factory fitted were rubbish the first T5 came with a Blaupunkt that was made in China and the facia unit which opened to fit the cd in broke off within the first few months it was no point trying to get the dealer to replace it as they will just say we must have been to rough on it so we replaced it with a better unit from China . We now have had 4 vans with Chinese units and have to be honest only one had a problem and was sent back with a brand new one sent for free . feature wise I don't think that any of the Vw ones have all the features that ours have and they fit perfectly and look every bit the same as the VW ones and probably with a bigger screen maybe . And one more important thing I have read with interest on other forums complaints from VW owners who have to pay up around $600 to $800 to get upgraded mapping because their 2012 VW has mapping from factory is up to 3 or 4 years out of date !! Anyway lets not start a disagreement on what each of us like I am for one very happy with the choices I have made .

[Sharkie]

No Sharkie I cannot agree the original units that were in two of our T5's factory fitted were rubbish the first T5 came with a Blaupunkt that was made in China and the facia unit which opened to fit the cd in broke off within the first few months it was no point trying to get the dealer to replace it as they will just say we must have been to rough on it so we replaced it with a better unit from China . We now have had 4 vans with Chinese units and have to be honest only one had a problem and was sent back with a brand new one sent for free . feature wise I don't think that any of the Vw ones have all the features that ours have and they fit perfectly and look every bit the same as the VW ones and probably with a bigger screen maybe . And one more important thing I have read with interest on other forums complaints from VW owners who have to pay up around $600 to $800 to get upgraded mapping because their 2012 VW has mapping from factory is up to 3 or 4 years out of date !! Anyway lets not start a disagreement on what each of us like I am for one very happy with the choices I have made .

I wasn't comparing the OEM RNS units here Howard (which I still believe to be the best option) but rather these http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ive-86336.html

to the "other" Chinese units. I have a cheap Chinese unit (like yours ) in 2 cars in the family at the moment and 1 DNS in the GTI and the DNS is by far (like 10 times better and more stable) the better unit. As a bonus its distributed and supported locally with free firmware and map upgrades for life ....

And as a bonus you can have the DNS in T5 and T5GP suitable models ....

[Sunny43.5]

Sorry Sharkie I interpreted it wrong , I will admit that the Chinese ones are probably not as stable as on very rare occasions like a computer you have to press the reset button which clears it memory and you just redo the settings ,their only other failing is that I run high end amplifiers and speakers subs splits etc , in my own van and the "pre out "voltage is not as strong so you get diffencies in the sound levels . To over come that I imported from the US a Line Driver Matrix Plus it allows me to set the pre amps to get a perfect balance up to 6 channels with a 25 db gain I cannot run my subs at more than 50% or it just shakes the hell out of the van plus attracting any police within half a kay . link here to see it AudioControl Matrix Plus (Gray) 6-channel line driver at Crutchfield.com

[jamwin]

I've taken apart hundreds of PCs and a couple of laptops, once an iPod...but I have never opened up the dash of the car and if I stuffed it up the missus would strangle me. Might have to watch a few youtube videos or find a friend who has done it. I'd probably be OK with the head unit part but would be worried if there was wiring harness work or running wires from the reversing camera to be done.

[Sunny43.5]

Hi Jamwin is your T5 the newer update model the radio is different between the update and the older one . The new T5 update the audio unit has a tapered shape if you look at the standard radio and what its mounted into the top and bottom are two different sizes this model is very easy to remove the top part above the radio just pulls upwards thats the piece with the small hollows for bits and pieces . then you just remove two screws at the top and the whole facia pulls off , the head unit then has just 4 screws and its out . The earlier model still has the top piece but you then use the removal tool to release the unit .

[jamwin]

Hi Jamwin is your T5 the newer update model the radio is different between the update and the older one .

Not sure - picking it up this morning, maybe I'll post a pic of the radio. I think if I do this I want to get the integrated unit, including navigation, bluetooth, reversing cam, etc. How hard is it to install all the extras (gps antenna, camera, etc.)?

[jamwin]

OK - the radio is an RCD210.

I also got a quote for a zenec all-in one: Zenec - Touch another World : ZE-NC2011D

Price was $2300 including the camera and installation. The van actually has reversing sensors, but they are pretty crap.

[Sunny43.5]

Hi again Jamwin the GPS antennae is easy because you can mount it underneath the top plastic piece as it only needs to be exposed to the glass area all of ours are in this location and they work perfectly , the camera is a little more work as you have to remove the tailgate trim and then run the wires up to the top corner and then out through the transfer boot then once inside the wires are run along the inside of the hood trim to the front passengers windscreen pillar trim which just pulls off removing the glove box will make connecting easier it has some some plastic covers over the screws once removed it also just pulls off . Once you have sent a photo of the unit I can give you some more specific help .

[Sunny43.5]

Just had a look that is the same style unit that's the upgrade model has , This one looks the same as the Zenec but has more features for less than a 5th of the price but no fitting included ES1029AU 7" HD CAR DVD Player GPS DVB T Ipod Wifi 3G VW Skoda Passat Seat | eBay Cameras are around $30

[jamwin]

Watched a youtube vid of this being taken out...very straightforward. Camera sounds a bit more involved though! Thanks for your help. I'm leaning toward the group buy, mainly because I'm an Android user and it sounds like a nice setup.

[Sunny43.5]

Keep us up to date with your progress , its always interesting to see how each individual faces a challenge .

[jamwin]

Still waiting to see if the Group Buy will materialise, while looking around at options...my van is manufactured in feb 2010, so I think that means it is pre-facelift which apparently changes my options? It also doesn't have bluetooth fitted. I could actually get away without the reversing camera, although I'd like to have it - bluetooth and navi would do it. Is there any problem with mine being T5.1 instead of 5.2?

[Sunny43.5]

I don't like to sound like a party pooper but after looking back through this thread I read that these ANS are also made in China please correct me If I am wrong , if you go onto Alibaba its a China trade portal there are dozens of companies selling the same units from either camp and they all look the same with similar functions and features . And yes I will admit with no reservations that some are "cheap" but if you do some research you will find some of the units with well known brand components inside . I have found from my personal experience that yes there are Australian suppliers but they are also selling the same products locally that come from the same factories in China , they obviously buy in bulk and then have their own retail price . I am not supporting any company here but anyone can make up their mind on what to buy . I would dearly love to buy a media unit from one of the major companies like Pioneer or Kenwood but the price they charge is outrageous considering that most of even their products are made in an Asian country . I recently fitted a head unit for a friend and it was a Phillips single din unit with most of the functions of the Chinese but what was a killer was to add the Sat nav was over $320 and what did he get for the money as an add on , a GPS antennae worth $20 and the mapping on a micro SD card and it had the exact same mapping that my Chinese unit came with standard and that cost only $400 complete with maps antennae etc . If the Chinese can make these units with all these functions why not the majors where the quality would be better but with a more realistic price rather than the $3000 price tag some have .I found this one recently Witson In Car Dvd Player For Volkswagen Golf B5 - Buy In Car Dvd Player For Volkswagen Golf B5,In Car Dvd Player For Volkswagen Golf B5,In Car Dvd Player For Volkswagen Golf B5 Product on Alibaba.com