Hi!
My Columbus audiosystem has been recently stolen from my 2010/11 Skoda Octavia L & K (by using universal key, so alarm didn't even turned on) and I am looking into (apart a hole in the dash) my options and as I see it, there are three solutions and I would be delighted, if I could hear your opinions, suggestions or experience in this field.
1. Buying used Columbus again
Probably the most ideal solution in terms of compatibility, stock looks and future sell-value of the car, but also the most expensive one. And as I found out, that you can't have **** in eastern Europe and how easy is to get into the car, I am not sure, if it's not only matter of time, when I'll be radio-less again. So, my question is, is there some way how to secure the lock, so it won't be so simply bypassed by universal key or any anti-theft solution for these cars?
2.Downgrading to Swing or Amundsen
Another logical solution would be to settle with lower-end of original hardware, as I am not keen on having big screen or built-in navigation (who is, anyway) and my car being so atractive to burglars is also big plus, but I am bit worried about proper works of equipment connected with the audio system, such as parking sensors, bluetooth connection with the phone (for hands-free) and aux inpunt in the armrest. I really don't like the idea to have two systems working independently at each other (bluetooth for example). Does anybody has an experince with those systems and how they handle functions mentioned above?
3. Aftermarket path
For me, the least desirable option. I am really not a huge fan of aftermarket systems mostly because of cheap and tasteless looking software and the worry of compatibility is same as in the Swing or Amundsen. So I would like to hear your experience with aftermarket systems, how they work, how they look and how are you satisfied?
Which of these three solutions would you suggest and why? Thanks for any answer and sorry for my English :)