wawilkinson

Oh how I'm looking forward to the next gen of car infotainment...!! http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/4/7491577/parrot-rnb6-smartcar-screen-apple-carplay-android-auto-ces-2015

I am facing this same issue with my LG G3 with (currently Android 5 - lollipop - but it was the same with 4.4 etc) and its a real pain, as I can't use the phone for google maps or anything that requires a data connection. I've tried to switch to 'SIM mode 2' in the maxidot menu but just end up in the same place? I would happily forgo better call quality (if that's really an rSAP benefit) for the ability to use data on my phone, whilst connected to bluetooth. I can't see any other options on the phone i.e. for 'handsfree' rather than rSAP either, when connected to the car's bluetooth... Any thoughts or is this just the way it is with the Columbus/these bluetooth modules?

Just a quick update to say these bulbs are still working for me...I'll let you know if/when either go pop (which they probably will now I've posted that they're ok)... ;-)

Yep, the Columbus Sat Nav is terrible (I'm sorry but it is), I've mentioned it on these forums previously and I don't go anywhere I don't know without having Google maps or an alternative sat nav on my phone/tablet at the ready but there aren't really any nice alternatives, unless you spend big money... I'm looking into the Android, either dedicated or via a tablet approach, sooo much more possibilities but its early stages for Android in the car yet!

I am a fan of Alpine but with the head unit and the options I want (DAB and full integration with the controls/climate and reverse parking), it comes up a little pricey! I could buy a 2 seater sports car for that money and I very nearly did the other day... ;-) I'm going to have a look at all the options though and see where I get to. I'd love to see pics of head units folks have actually installed too!

3rd party stereo vendors are making some stereos with the same physical look and feel, to give the standard 'manufacture (OEM) fit' appearance but clearly the internals can be very different. They may have extra features such as DAB and TV (granted you can get that from the Columbus with the right model/options) etc. Sat Nav is a prime example - the Columbus is very poor IMO so another head unit may offer a much improved sat nav experience due to the way it's implemented... I'm also interested in Android powered head units, as they offer much more flexibility but they aren't really mainstream as yet...

Thanks for this, will take a look at Blaupunkt too!

Thanks, I'll take a look and have a look at what Kenwood/Pioneer have to offer. I'm not fussed about loosing the nav instructions on the maxidot...it's hardly a massive help...

I'm getting pretty tired of my Columbus, don't get me wrong it's generally fine and offers quite a lot of capability but the Sat Nav is woeful and it doesn't have DAB, so given I'm going to keep my car for a couple more years yet (it's a 10-reg), the unit is going to be very dated, very soon... I have the latest maps/firmware (or near as dam it) so there's no real quick fix for the sat nav - it's just bad. So I'm wondering if others have swapped and if so, what to? i.e. show me yours.... I'm not going to spend £1000s but I will spend a decent amount to get a decent unit. I'd like DAB, a decent sat nav, Bluetooth audio and preferably something that suits the car, from a reputable vendor. I look forward to your thoughts.

Well...Alltronix have totally ignored me via eBay so bought the ones from UCP (Ultimate Car Parts) instead; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170729737146?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 They arrived quickly and are working fine. I would say they are a little less bright but not sure if that's a bad thing or not...I don't think so... Funnily enough one of my brake light bulbs failed at the same time as replacing the DRLs, presumably just coincidence though?? I'll let you know if I run into any issues with these - perhaps in 6-8 months time as that seems to be the theme running through this thread! :think:

One of my Alltronix bulbs - purchased from eBay - has now started to fail... It will come on when you start the car but then go off again about a minute later so not sure if that's because of the car's 'Power On Self Test' (to use IT speak) finds an fault and disables it or whether it's just coincidence and because the bulb is now duff. I also get a bulb failure light on the dash and 'check right daylight running light' message on the MFD. When I started getting the error in late August, the bulb hadn't actually gone out - we happened to be following another family member and we had walkie-talkies between the too cars...I know...what are the chances...and they told me all the lights were good - but then sure enough the bulb started to fail/go out in time. I've swapped the bulbs over on the car and the error follows the bulb, which makes me think it's a simple bulb error rather than anything else. I've contacted Alltronix via eBay and will see what they say with regards to replacement/returns - they've been working fine for just over 8-months... Will keep you all updated!

Very interesting... Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I believe I may have discovered when the headlights are coming on when on auto in normal daylight...it appears to be when I drive more quickly, say somewhere in the region of...ahem...70 mph...well, they appear to come on when travelling motorway speeds shall we say! Not sure if this is a feature i.e. to be safer when travelling at speed or even if it's linked to the speed limit warning setting on the maxidot but this does appear to be what's happening. I've not looked in the manual yet, so will see if I can find anything official when I get chance.

Thanks ksr...will look into it! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Car went in for a minor service on Friday and I asked for the light sensitivity to be looked at and mentioned that I know it can be adjusted...but they said it couldn't... Can't be bothered to argue and will probably look to buy the vcds cable/software in order to run my own future diagnostics as warranty ends in June! Will see if I can adjust then if still causing issues... Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2