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For the past few years I have lamented the fact that the base T5,s don't have steering wheel controls for the aftermarket and factory head units , there were some infrared ones which attached to the wheel but they really needed line of sight to the head units receiver to work properly . Those ones would not work if the wheel was turned while driving and pressing any buttons , now it seems those clever little Chinese have once again come up trumps . These new ones are actually radio remotes so the signal is not affected regardless of the wheel position , a small receiver is fitted behind the head unit via four wires . One to acc one to earth and the next two to the Key 1 and Key 2 wires that a lot of the Chinese head units have built into their plugs . The antennae wire is just left again behind the head unit so its all out of sight , the actual controllers are completely wire free no connections whatsoever to the car at all . I purchased two styles for each of our vans as the both have different steering wheels , one has a single controller which I have mounted between the spoke on the inner side of the wheel . The other one in my wifes T5.1 has two controllers that I have fitted into the side part of the main spoke , where the factory one would be normally . Admits here I should have asked if they have black ones as the white tends to stand out a bit against the wheel , if they have them its a ten second job to switch them later .
Once the receiver is wired up you simply select steering wheel controls in the settings and just press whatever buttons to match the head unit to the controller . The wife's one has two extra buttons so you can set them for whatever you want . They are also backlit when you touch any button it stays on for a second or so after the button is released . These would probably work with RNS models as well if they have outputs for steering wheel functions . A lot cheaper at $47 delivered than trying to go through the hassle of using VW parts .{Yes I know its not factory so please no haters } LOL
Once the receiver is wired up you simply select steering wheel controls in the settings and just press whatever buttons to match the head unit to the controller . The wife's one has two extra buttons so you can set them for whatever you want . They are also backlit when you touch any button it stays on for a second or so after the button is released . These would probably work with RNS models as well if they have outputs for steering wheel functions . A lot cheaper at $47 delivered than trying to go through the hassle of using VW parts .{Yes I know its not factory so please no haters } LOL
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