I've got an 06 VRS with the Stream (non-MP3) head unit without MaxiDot display. I have the PDC installed which shows up on the Stream unit. I've spent quite a while searching for these sorts of topics and think I have it all covered on what needs what but best to confirm this before spending any money

I'm looking to update it to a) get bluetooth phone control and iPhone connectivity. Ideally I would like to try and mod OEM style to keep it looking neat and tidy but don't want to spend more money that other options.

If I am to go the Columbus RNS-510 route I am thinking I will need:

Main unit ~ 400/450 from ebay

Bluetooth A2DP GSM Module ~ £300

This means the cost for the OEM look is around £700/£750 (possible more bits needed as well) but I could also go for £500odd I could get the Kenwood DNX520VBT which would also give all the same functions.

If I go with the columbus unit to retain the on-screen reversing information I would also need to change my PDC to the OPS which is a)not a small job to complete and another ~ £200? (totalling 900+)

IF I were to do a Maxi-Dot upgrade at a later date (unlikely given the haste people are having getting dealers to do it) then the Columbus would be the right options due to the on-screen display you get (I presume you would still get this on an 06 with it retro-fitted?

1 caveat is I have 3 month old twins so don't have the luxury of being able to spend a days installing it.

Any thoughts?

I've just upgraded from a stream to bolero and oem Bluetooth, don't have maxidot. Cost me about £300 all in. If you aren't bothered about sat nav then go this root.

Hmm thats an idea. I don't really need SatNav as we would be doing major journeys in our S-Max and I can use Co-Pilot on my phone as its got traffic etc which the Columbus/Kenwood don't (ignoring TMC)

What bluetooth module did you get?

Hmm thats an idea. I don't really need SatNav as we would be doing major journeys in our S-Max and I can use Co-Pilot on my phone as its got traffic etc which the Columbus/Kenwood don't (ignoring TMC)

What bluetooth module did you get?

I got a 5KO revision D module although depends on your phone aswell. wether its RSAP or not.

I'm selling a Bolero if you're interested? Going to get a Columbus instead...

Going OEM is definitely the way to go though!

Hmm thats an idea. I don't really need SatNav as we would be doing major journeys in our S-Max and I can use Co-Pilot on my phone as its got traffic etc which the Columbus/Kenwood don't (ignoring TMC)

What bluetooth module did you get?

A couple of things to bear in mind with the Bolero, firstly as you have an 06 car you'll likely need to fit a new CAN gateway to avoid the battery drain issue and there's also an issue with the backlighting on later units when retrofitted to older cars as it won't increase the backlighting unless you flick the sidelights on and off (or something like that, plenty of info in the Octavia II forum).

If you go with the Columbus there are some ebay sellers offering it with a firmware which doesn't have the battery drain issue and there's no backlighting issue I'm aware of but you'll need a new trim although that's not expensive.

In either case the parking sensors wouldn't show on the display unless you change them over although as you say it's not a little job as the sensors need replaced and there's new wiring required.

John

Hey John. Yeah I am aware of the CAN gateway - looking around it looks like its another £90 to get a L or later gateway which I would need to avoid the drain problem. I had seen the issue about the brightness which is a bit of a concern. I don't really want to be spending all that money to find it does not work properly.

It means that the Bolero would still be £300(ish) + Bluetooth

An alternative is to go for the Amunsden+ or RNS315 which has the built in Bluetooth (although sometimes disabled) but this unit still ends up at a price of around £500 with the CAN update . Not sure if the Amunsden also suffers from the brightness issue.

Once it gets close to the £500 mark it almost seems like the Kenwood gives you just as much and more.

I got my bolero for £142 off eBay. Then bought a Bluetooth loom from Eddie nl for £55 then the module was £75 from ebay. Also got the gateway from Eddie £65( not programmed )So £337 all in.

Hey John. Yeah I am aware of the CAN gateway - looking around it looks like its another £90 to get a L or later gateway which I would need to avoid the drain problem. I had seen the issue about the brightness which is a bit of a concern. I don't really want to be spending all that money to find it does not work properly.

It means that the Bolero would still be £300(ish) + Bluetooth

An alternative is to go for the Amunsden+ or RNS315 which has the built in Bluetooth (although sometimes disabled) but this unit still ends up at a price of around £500 with the CAN update . Not sure if the Amunsden also suffers from the brightness issue.

Once it gets close to the £500 mark it almost seems like the Kenwood gives you just as much and more.

Hey Rob,

Couple of pics in my Flickr that'll give you an idea of what you need to do to swap your CAN Gateway:

IMG_20121117_154833 by chr1staylor, on Flickr

It's the small black unit behind the inverted Y metal bracket. Quite a few more pics there also of the car in various states of dismantlement.

Bought my replacement gateway from Eddie-NL on here for a v.reasonable price and was also good enough to code it for me.

Think I will be updating the gateway. Also think I will be putting a set of FL climate controls in too so hopefully they will show up on the new head unit. At the moment I'm liking the look of the features of the next gen audiosources ans-810

I got my bolero for £142 off eBay. Then bought a Bluetooth loom from Eddie nl for £55 then the module was £75 from ebay. Also got the gateway from Eddie £65( not programmed )So £337 all in.

let's just presume for a moment that i am a bit thick.

where does the bluetooth module go, how hard is it to fit & wire in, & will it give phone capability on a Stream with a mfsw?

The module fits under drivers seat. Loom needs to fit behind stereo and Mic in light unit in roof.needs coding in aswell. Don't know if it will work with a stream unit that's why I upgraded.

let's just presume for a moment that i am a bit thick.

where does the bluetooth module go, how hard is it to fit & wire in, & will it give phone capability on a Stream with a mfsw?

Well I have been thinking long and hard about this and still not come to any conclusions. For reference the realistic options I have found are:

Amundsen+ / RNS-315 + MDI ~ £450 + £100 = £650 : Would need to be a 2012+ model to get 7-digit Sat Nav

Columbus RNS-510 + MDI + Bluetooth ~ £400 + £100 + £200 = £800 : Again would need to be a later model to get 7-digit Sat Nav. Quite a chunk for a bit of extra screen size

Kenwood DNX520 ~ £400 : Only has a front USB socket for iphone so would need cable sticking out the front :( but would retain OPC/Climate Control)

Kenwood DNX521 ~ £600 : Virtually the whole package - Great for upgrading with Amp, retains OPC/Climate Control, rear iPhone interface, best audio quality of the lot. Good Sat Nav

Audisources ANS-810 replacement ~ £500 : Still waiting for it to be released. Again should have all the features but not sure on audio quality

Another Aftermarket i.e. Kenwood DNX5260.. will loose OPC/Climate Control and will not look as integrated as all other options.

or just get a little Parrot kit and bolt my audio to the exiting Stream unit??

http://audiosources.en.alibaba.com/product/714144791-212239449/double_din_car_dvd_for_car_vw_skoda.html

its available here, and looks quite good. Seriously tempted.

That's the old model. The new one has not been released yet. It's going to be much more powerful than the existing system

If it sways your decision, as mentioned above I had a Bolero which I had replaced a Stream with and then upgraded again to a Columbus. Best thing I've done to the car so far. Good looking unit, obviously fits perfectly etc and easy to use. Even the wife agrees it was a few hundred quid well spent. The only other units that I looked at but weren't so readily available used were the Kenwood (can't remember what model) and a Pioneer. Both were made to fit in the VAG range of cars so no need for ugly additional fascia trim etc for normal double DIN unit.

If I had a choice out of them all side by side though I think I'd go with the Kenwood. Can't remember the model - a few Octy drivers on here have the one I'm thinking about but it ticked a lot of boxes especially the built in bluetooth etc. Going to add an MDI cable and bluetooth to mine at some point...

. Going to add an MDI cable and bluetooth to mine at some point...

This is the issue with the standard units. These are both must have features so it makes the factory units very expensive. At the moment the Amundsen+ / RNS-315 is probably winning as its still cheaper than the DNX-521, specially if you can get a bargain off ebay. Missed one yesterday which was very annoying.

Well I have been thinking long and hard about this and still not come to any conclusions. For reference the realistic options I have found are:

Kenwood DNX520 ~ £400 : Only has a front USB socket for iphone so would need cable sticking out the front :( but would retain OPC/Climate Control)

I may well be wrong here but I thought the DNX520 didn't integrate at all aside from the steering wheel controls with an optional adapter?

John

hmm looks like your right. The DNX520 does not integrate but the DNX521 does