Review of MFD2 with Euro DVD V2

[Ben]

Right then...

I have installed myself a MFD2 with Euro DVD version 2 eurpoa and i'm very pleased with its performance.

It does not feature the full postcode facility, so cv6 2 is all i can input of my home address. This however is unimportant to me as 9 times out of 10 you know your destination - its the route you need help with. Besides, once you've entered the post code you can then select to navigate to a piont you choose on the map by simply moving the crosshair and pressing 'ok'. There is no mistaking the destination then. If you genuinely don't know the destination, it then asks you to commence spelling the name of the road you want and narrows it down that way.

TMC has never worked for me in the UK.

I have also used my MFD2 with Euro DVD version 2 europa in France very recently. With no hassle i inputted the 5 digit area code of my destination address and with a swift move of the crosshair i had guidance to the correct street. It was only a tiny lane in the middle of nowhere so was not named by the dvd but did show up on the map.

We did this journey in conjunction with the map book just in case. We had also done the journey some 5 times in the past so roughly knew where we were. The map book was soon retired.

TMC did not come on for us in france.

We also used the map display as a 'live' book as we popped over to the beach one afternoon. We never got lost once and used only back roads to get back to the house.

The wife was bord on the return trip for carentan to calais as she was used to the map book and now her job has been replaced by technology.

If you are undertaking a journey that includes uk roads, followed by a train or boat crossing and then more roads on to your destination, may i advise the following. Navigate form your house to the uk departure port and once across the water, re programme the sat nav to the destination.

Accessories to th MFD2.

I have the 6 disc armrest (MK5 Golf) cd changer. others may opt for the ipod adapter, your choice.one or the other from the factory.
What you are not told or may be omitted is that there is a multimedia port on the rear of the MFD2 which allows a cable to be attached, this cable is not supplied by VW, it can be found on ebay. There are 2 types of cable available, audio only, and audio + video. This enables ANY type of multimedia device to be run through your MFD2. Such devices include;

• any MP3 player
• dvd player
• tv tuner (digital or analogue)
• in car pc (google lilliput)
• Camcorder
• any games console
• selected mobile phones (AV only, NOT PHONE CALLS)

I'll clarify some of the above devices more clearly.
The cable provides you with a 3 phono sockets for you to connect to, Yellow (video) Red and White (Left and right audio). Just like your TV or DVD player in your lounge at home.

My Nokia N95 came with a lead that enables me to connect my N95 up to these phono sockets to view photos and video and listen to audio, not all phones will be able to do this.

The MFD2 will not allow you to view video whilst moving over 5 mph.

This can be enabled by the cable you can get off ebay. However, it is possible to select the AUX (multimedia socket) to allow Audio input only so you can listen to mp3's whilst driving.

With your ipod or other mp3 player connected via this cable, you will NOT get track or artist info on the display of the radio or dash. Imagine if you had plugged your mp3 player in to the rear of your HiFi at home.... The mp3 player is STAND ALONE.

The MFD2 DOES NOT HAVE BLUETOOTH BUILT IN. You must buy a seperate bluetooth hands free device and fit seperately. there is a vacant pin slot on the loom that plugs in to the radio to allow the mute function of the handsfree device but on my loom, i had to fit the wire myself.

How does the MFD2 compare with the likes of Tom Tom, Navman and Garmin?

Well, it all comes down to money, you pays your money you takes your choice.

The MFD2 is very hard to steal from your car and it doesn't leave circular rubber sucker marks on your glass and it won't fit in your pocket and doesn't need recharging.

The portable devices, will allow a full post code, can be used on foot, bicycle or motorbike, cost less, don't look as good, need recharging and fill up your glove box.

I have both devices, the MFD2 and Navman F20 portable sat nav. i had the navman 1st and swore by it. what a great piece of kit. However, since i have had the MFD2, i've not used the navman once. I can manage with the MFD2 where it falls short of the portable devices

This is all i can think of just now

Ben