Replacement for Stream head unit

[NeilMcDonald]

Hi,

 

I've just bought a 2006 Octavia elegance, and it has the Stream head unit + cd changer in the boot.  I'd like to upgrade this if possible, but I'm not sure what I can upgrade to.  Ideally, I'd like sat nav + bluetooth

 

I've had a look around, and there is a huge amount of information on this forum, but I get a bit lost with talk of CANBUS versions etc.

 

Thanks,

 

Neil

[Sarge]

You can replace with the Stream mp3 or Bolero - both of which use same shape fascia but neither of which have sat nav - or Columbus or Amundsen, which require different fascia. Both have sat nav and the Amundsen + also has built in Bluetooth. Otherwise Bluetooth requires separate kit which can be used with basic Amundsen, Columbus and Bolero. Some Bluetooth units can integrate with maxidot and MFSW too. In an older Mk2 there is a well documented issue of battery drain because of controller in car not shutting off the head unit properly. This controller can be replaced.

[Rustynuts]

You can replace with the Stream mp3 or Bolero - both of which use same shape fascia but neither of which have sat nav - or Columbus or Amundsen, which require different fascia. Both have sat nav and the Amundsen + also has built in Bluetooth. Otherwise Bluetooth requires separate kit which can be used with basic Amundsen, Columbus and Bolero. Some Bluetooth units can integrate with maxidot and MFSW too. In an older Mk2 there is a well documented issue of battery drain because of controller in car not shutting off the head unit properly. This controller can be replaced.

Not all Amundsen Plus units have Bluetooth btw.

[Sarge]

Good point. Also, even if it does, you still need to get the microphone separately.

[Phil-E]

As above your sat-nav options are an Amundsen+ or Columbus.

 

Amundsen+ may or may not have Bluetooth intergrated and the Columbus definitely doesn't.

 

Bother will require a new CAN bus module in your year of car.

 

Your other option is something along the lines of this;

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/371620-chinese-android-head-unit/

 

Phil

[VrsMule]

If your looking for low cost there is the Nexus head unit (everybody fails to mention it) although not as good as the Columbus or Amundsun it is OEM and cheap. I have the Nexus with the XCarLink, which gives sat-nav , Bluetooth hands free and bluetooth streaming and USB connectivity , all in I paid £250 (inc fascia) and fitted it all myself.

[NeilMcDonald]

Thanks to everyone for the advice above - it's made it seem a lot simpler than I had previously thought.  I'll have a look around to see what I can get, and look into upgrading the can bus and then I'll no doubt be back!

 

Cheers,

 

Neil

[Welsh_kai_boy]

Note to Britbusdriver:- Please stop touting your head-unit for sale, you have hadtwo posts removed by mods. Please join Freedom if you want to sell your item and even then as per the rules it needs to be advertised in the "For Sale" section.

[RainbowFire]

If you don't mind different colours on the menu and buttons, and a different startup logo, you can get the VW/SEAT versions of Amundsen+ (RNS315) and Columbus (RNS510).

 

The other way of dealing with the battery drain issue is a PolarFis BT unit:

http://www.auto-polar.com/polarbt/

(Note: whilst it mentions the VW 'red' display, this is the white one for Pre-FL Octavias. Functionally identical, just white instead of red.)

 

Adamal has got one, and has nothing but praise for it. I've got it's bigger brother and can't fault it either (acutally....it rocks!)

 

If you're looking at Amundsen+/RNS315 they come in many combinations of BT / RVC / DAB

BT: on the side there's a stick with a MAC address: If that's all 0's then no BT. Needs a mic to work, usually this has a green connector that snaps into the Quadlock.

RVC: has a long rectangular connector. Depending on what type of camera is used, depends on if you need a multimedia controller or not.

DAB: has a round black connector in the top left corner as you look at the back. You'll need a DAB aerial for it....a good one is about £20 from DABONWHEELS

 

RNS315 has more features "out of the box" than RNS510. By far the biggest issue is updating the maps.....officially £200 from a dealer (doesn't matter which) Can be found for as little as £40 on eBay. These are a one-shot SDCard, so has no resale value.

RNS510 requires a separate BT unit, and DAB ones are like hen's teeth. However I've never seen one without the RVC interface. Maps are easily updatable, but that's not a discussion we ever have on here.