While I’m waiting for my new Octavia with Columbus navigation system, I asked Skoda why it was not possible to buy Skoda/Columbus navigation DVDs on the Navteq internet site. A lot of other car/navigation makes are available.

A Skoda engineer replied that “. . . . but we use the navigation data in the different type of format. So it means, we buy this data from Navteq and then our technical dpt. checks the data and changes and corrects the data . . . .”

Can anybody tell me what “changes and corrections” are made by Skoda in order to produce a navigation DVD for the Columbus system? Does the DVD include any firmware/software updates?

I have only got an mfd2 but i'v brought discs from these people Tele Atlas: Your online navigation maps & software shop, visit Navshop! - Online Shop - Tele Atlas ,who i think you will find make them for all major manufactures, with built in satnav .

They don't do Columbus systems from checking

Have a new VRS on order but couldn't stretch to Sat Nav price. Has anyone bought a Columbus unit from Ebay.

SKODA COLUMBUS MFD3 RNS510 NAVIGATION SAT NAV RNS 510 on eBay (end time 26-Oct-09 11:48:11 GMT)

Thanks

Does that mean they are any good & is it an easy swap?

They're BRILLIANT!!! ...& a doddle to fit - literally out with the old HU, in with the Columbus & they work out of the box. Sometimes a minor VCDS tweak is needed but that's no big deal, someone on here would sort that out for the price of a beer!

Do they integrate with maxidot and steering wheel controls straight off?

The MFD2 used Teleatlas maps on CD, the MFD3 uses Navteq mapping data on DVD. The disks for the MFD3 are almost identical to the BMW Professional system, and its common to create hybrid disks by merging the BMW and VW nav disks. Even the latest VW disk (V5) is based on maps from Q4 2007, whereas BMW are currently using much newer data.

Teleatlas, just looked at there site the MFD2 is not listed

Many intersting things have come up, but could anybody please see if they could answer my original question, which in short is:

Can anybody tell me - in brief - what “changes and corrections” are made by Skoda to the Navteq map data in order to produce a navigation DVD for the Columbus system? Does the DVD include any firmware/software updates?

I think the only corrections they make is to add their own POI data for Skoda/VW/Seat dealers. The same NAV DVD is used by Skoda/Seat and VW, and the MFD3 loads the appropriate data from the disk.

The POI data is held in a separate file, this is why you can create the hybrid disk and still have the Skoda POIs available.

will I be able to fit a columbus in to my december 2005 Ocatavia ? Will all functions work

So lovely to hear. Now I guess I know the answer, but to be sure. I am looking at a used RNS-510 ( letter unknown). It is loaded with wolkwagen software. Will I have any issues fitting such one ?

thanks

As mike has said +1 You may also have to alter the earth pin in the CD harness, as the CD playback from the CD changer had a habit of becoming a bit hissy. There's a good "how to" on here, just do a search

Do you mean that there is blue backlightning in buttons/dials in the vw RNS510 ? Software and startup screen can be canged in to skoda version I guess ?

How accessible is the software versions ?

Thanks for your support.

Buttons are red backlighted. I didnt find it too annoying. Had one of the first RNS510 in my VRS. (Columbus wasnt for sale at that moment yet)

I will try to find some pictures.

Dont be mistaken by the red glow around the RNS. I had a Touareg rear view mirror with ambient lighting in my VRS.

excellent. left is just to find a RNS510 skoda/vw to a affordable price