Today it arrived, and after a visit to the dealer to collect my new dash surround I now have a fully working MFD3.

I installed the GPS reciever under the dash attached to the metal beam that runs across the car.

All done in less than 20 mins, and I must say that I am really impressed with it. I have not really had much time to play with it yet, but the radio works, dvds work and HDD seems ok as does the Nav display on the maxidot.

I have one issue to resolve, maybe Stu can comment on. My nokia CK-7W was previously muting and playing the calls audio through the car speaker system. Neither happens at the moment, and from what I can work out all the pins on the MFD3 are the same as the Audience HU. I think something may need coding in the MFD3, but I dont know.

And a quick question, how do you copy a whole CD of MP3's onto the HDD. I have worked out how to do one folder at a time, but its a pain having to go back and select the next folder down and copy.

I'll post some pics, but Stu has posted quiet a few already.

At some point I will need someone to code the car correctly, but everything seems to work bar the phone issue.

Probably worth getting the unit coded up Manny and then we'll take a look at the Phone issue.

Manny

Check the mute pin connection, I think that may be the issue.

Have a look -

Octavia-vRS.com - MFD2 Install Guide

Nice one matey, hopefully I should be doing this upgrade near xmas time

Couple of questions...

Where did you source the unit from?

and...

Do you have the soundsystem in your car? and if so does it work ok with it?

I just dont want another performance like I have had with the MFD2 not working with the soundsystem thats all :(

Oh, and post a pic up, show off your new bit of kit

Cheers

Damo

I

Stu, looking at these pictures.

Audience,

http://www.octavia-vrs.com/images/images/mfd2/stream_pinouts_thumb.jpg

MFD2,

http://www.octavia-vrs.com/images/images/mfd2/mfd_pinouts_thumb.jpg

The tel.mute and audio pins are in the same location. One thing I noticed, if I press the phone button, currently the audio mutes.

Oh thats great. As damo says...we need pics:D

I'll be waiting for damo to sell his mfd3...:P

Nice one

What problems are you having with the MP3 issue?

Damo,

I dont have the soundsystem although I am led to believe the MFD3 works fine with it.

I got the unit off ebay, came from eastern europe and appears to be a factory refurb although its in as new condition. Took just over a week to arrive, but thats because it got stuck in customs for 4 days. As it came from the EU there are no fees to pay.

Manny you need to compare with Aud and Stream MP3 which uses the newer arrangement.

Columbus works fine with the Skoda Soundsystem.

Nice one

What problems are you having with the MP3 issue?

I want to be able to copy a whole disk with lots of folders on to the HDD in one go rather than one folder at a time.

Damo,

I dont have the soundsystem although I am led to believe the MFD3 works fine with it.

I got the unit off ebay, came from eastern europe and appears to be a factory refurb although its in as new condition. Took just over a week to arrive, but thats because it got stuck in customs for 4 days. As it came from the EU there are no fees to pay.

A long as you have not bought my previous unit that I eventually had replaced under warranty!!!.

Original unit was a disaster. Replacement unit is the best thing since sliced bread.. Enjoy.

I prefer to use an SD card to download music to the hard drive. Nice and quick and easy. It seems that you have to load albums individually so that you can arrange the folders onto the hard drive.

I want to be able to copy a whole disk with lots of folders on to the HDD in one go rather than one folder at a time.

Just create a folder on HDD, then select all folders from MP3 source (control A) and copy to destination

Couple of quick piccies of the install. See Stus thread for pics of the unit in action.

The other thing I might need to sort is the diversity antenna. Whilst the radio is fine and everything works including TMC, station list etc. I have a problem where I drive to work through the Hatfield Tunnel everyday, after I exit the tunnel I have no radio reception and have to flip between stations to get it back again. I guess whats happening is that its switching to the otehr antenna to try and get some reception except nothings connected to it.

Did you check the Radio Mute connection Manny? If it does need changing then you'll need to buy a different wire. I've probably got a spare one here if you want it.

Did you check the Radio Mute connection Manny? If it does need changing then you'll need to buy a different wire. I've probably got a spare one here if you want it.

Not checked that yet, although I suspect you are right. The audience connection is on vertical row of pins.

The wire will come in very handy if you dont need it.

I only have your work address - Is that ok?

PM me if you want it delivered elsewhere.

Stu, I have PM'd you my home address.

Manny, that looks fantastic, Im not jealous at all...ok, I am jealous lol. Definitely on my wanted list for xmas, as is the maxidot. Did the ebay seller happen to be located in Lithuania? If so he seems to have one for sale every week. Last one started at 599gbp and sold for that, as I nearly bidded myself, but wasnt keen on sending that much money to someone in Lithuania. This weeks one starts at 699gbp so not going to bid. Anyway, I bet your over the moon with your new unit, and rightly so. Thanks for sharing the pics. Cheers, Damo

I'll be waiting for damo to sell his mfd3...:P

Lol, let me buy the bugger first :-)

If it is a seller called "naviandbmwparts", I bought an MFD2 a few months back from him.

Very helpful, well packed and quick to ship.

My feedback comments are left at 07-Jun-08 01:25 under "d!xon"

Yes, thats the fella. I know its cheap for an mfd3 but its still a lot of cash! Nice to hear that he seems kosher anyway. Best get saving now then. Cheers

you wont get it for that price Damo. I just recently purchased a genuine skoda one from Fleabay. Got it for a bit more than £800 (but not much more;)) and it started off at £400 iirc.

The guy i got mine from is NAVIVAG and i know he has got another one up that ends soon and its currently going for around £450

Here

Navegador SKODA Columbus RNS 510 MFD3, //NUEVO MODELO// on eBay, also GPS de coche, GPS, Navegación, HI-FI y Navegación, Coches, Motos y Recambios (end time 11-Sep-08 21:00:00 BST)

The guy has 100% rating and delivers in around 4-5 days with express shipping from spain

HTH

Carl

I have been having a little play in the quiet periods at work, and I have now worked out the MP3 copy for the whole disk. I have also worked out how to get it to copy to the HDD at least 10x faster from CD. To do this, start the copy process as per normal but then select the radio function and switch between media and radio every now and again to see how its going. This way I can copy a whole album in less than 3 mins, before it took about 10mins or so.

yes, i have been on the international ebay sites and seen that seller. The lithuanian seller had one that ended sunday night and it went for 599 with 1 bid! This one he is selling at the minute started at 699 and last time I looked it had had 2 bids. Just shows, they are becoming more readily available now, which is good for us buyers. Cheers, Damo