biggaz76
25-02-2011, 12:11 AM
This is information for anybody thinking about installing/retrofiting the RNS 510 into their car. All I can say is that when I eventually got it done, I was cursing myself that I hadn't done it sooner!!!
I did do a lot of research (by which I mean umming and ahhing), but I eventually took the plunge and got one. I actually bought it from a prominent member of the VW R32 OC website; he had initially organised a group buy, but his supplier was happy to do it on a one-by-one basis. It came with a three month warranty, the latest maps (that includes 7-digit post-code search), with a price that was equal to or lower than many e-bay sites. Even better was the fact that the member also has VCDS (Vag-Com), which meant that he could do any necessary coding, for a small donation of course!
My car is a '57 plate, and I have installed an RNS 510 Ver C (with the star button). This is the latest version LED touch-screen model, and there have been no issues with the battery-drain that can affect earlier can-bus models. The installation was remarkably straightforward (but it always is when you have the right tools), plus it required an antenna adapter, which he had. A small amount of VCDS coding, and the whole process took no longer than an hour, without any rushing.
The system itself is very, very good. LED touch screen to reduce sunlight glare. 30Gb hard-disk, 10Gb of which is used for mapping, the rest can be used to store music. SD card reader, which will also read the HD SD cards, upto 32Gb. DVD player, which although it is disabled above 5mph, can be enabled if required for passenger viewing. There is connectivity for ipod and bluetooth, but these need to be bought seperately, and not essential for me at the moment. 7 digit postcode search, with 3D mapping. Being OEM, the unit also integrates very well into the car, with the light scheme of the RNS 510 matching the rest of the dash lighting.
Considering that this can cost approx 2K if specified, retrofitting is definitely the route to take. I had considered other non-oem units, but it was the fact that this was OEM, which ultimately was what I wanted.
Overall, I am very happy with my purchase, once I had finally done it!
I just thought I would share my experience of having done the retrofit, in case there were others thinking about it; my advice would be to go for it.
PS There is now an RCD 300 Mp3 radio available, should anybody need one!
I did do a lot of research (by which I mean umming and ahhing), but I eventually took the plunge and got one. I actually bought it from a prominent member of the VW R32 OC website; he had initially organised a group buy, but his supplier was happy to do it on a one-by-one basis. It came with a three month warranty, the latest maps (that includes 7-digit post-code search), with a price that was equal to or lower than many e-bay sites. Even better was the fact that the member also has VCDS (Vag-Com), which meant that he could do any necessary coding, for a small donation of course!
My car is a '57 plate, and I have installed an RNS 510 Ver C (with the star button). This is the latest version LED touch-screen model, and there have been no issues with the battery-drain that can affect earlier can-bus models. The installation was remarkably straightforward (but it always is when you have the right tools), plus it required an antenna adapter, which he had. A small amount of VCDS coding, and the whole process took no longer than an hour, without any rushing.
The system itself is very, very good. LED touch screen to reduce sunlight glare. 30Gb hard-disk, 10Gb of which is used for mapping, the rest can be used to store music. SD card reader, which will also read the HD SD cards, upto 32Gb. DVD player, which although it is disabled above 5mph, can be enabled if required for passenger viewing. There is connectivity for ipod and bluetooth, but these need to be bought seperately, and not essential for me at the moment. 7 digit postcode search, with 3D mapping. Being OEM, the unit also integrates very well into the car, with the light scheme of the RNS 510 matching the rest of the dash lighting.
Considering that this can cost approx 2K if specified, retrofitting is definitely the route to take. I had considered other non-oem units, but it was the fact that this was OEM, which ultimately was what I wanted.
Overall, I am very happy with my purchase, once I had finally done it!
I just thought I would share my experience of having done the retrofit, in case there were others thinking about it; my advice would be to go for it.
PS There is now an RCD 300 Mp3 radio available, should anybody need one!