hello everyone,

iam a new member but owned my octavia 2.0 TDI PD ambient (06) for more then a year now, i have the non MP3 stream audio system with a 6CD changer,, i want to be able to listen MP3's and much more space and freedom of music, i have a few questions and options, i would really appreciate all your opinions, suggestions and help,

1. should i buy a columbus system, being an ambient version my car does not have maxidot or steering wheel controls.

2. there are USB interface devices in the market that could link a card reader to the STREAM via the CD changer link, how about that?

3. might be a shot in the dark, but is it possible to install maxidot on my car with all the bells and whistles related to columbus caz i use my phone alot and it would be very handy for calls and texts.

4. if i do end up with any of the above options, are they DIY or should strictly be left to the professionals, i have a next to nothing knowledge of electricals.

thank you very much for reading,

naj

1. should i buy a columbus system, being an ambient version my car does not have maxidot or steering wheel controls.

Makes no difference, the columbus works fine without either.

2. there are USB interface devices in the market that could link a card reader to the STREAM via the CD changer link, how about that?

These emulate a CD changer, and you will lose the use of the changer. The navigation is very limited and you dont get the info displayed as you would on the columbus.

3. might be a shot in the dark, but is it possible to install maxidot on my car with all the bells and whistles related to columbus caz i use my phone alot and it would be very handy for calls and texts.

You can fit maxidot, however to get phone functionality you will need an extra BT module as the columbus does not do this itself.

4. if i do end up with any of the above options, are they DIY or should strictly be left to the professionals, i have a next to nothing knowledge of electricals.

Some bits are easy, others not. You'll also need VCDS to complete the coding of the car.

Naj - depending on what you decide, I've got a MP3 Stream head unit and a Phatbox for sale in the 'for sale' section at the moment. MP3 Stream gives you MP3 in the single slot CD, the phatbox has a 20gb cartridge in it.

Cheers, Tim.

1. should i buy a columbus system, being an ambient version my car does not have maxidot or steering wheel controls.

Makes no difference, the columbus works fine without either.

2. there are USB interface devices in the market that could link a card reader to the STREAM via the CD changer link, how about that?

These emulate a CD changer, and you will lose the use of the changer. The navigation is very limited and you dont get the info displayed as you would on the columbus.

3. might be a shot in the dark, but is it possible to install maxidot on my car with all the bells and whistles related to columbus caz i use my phone alot and it would be very handy for calls and texts.

You can fit maxidot, however to get phone functionality you will need an extra BT module as the columbus does not do this itself.

4. if i do end up with any of the above options, are they DIY or should strictly be left to the professionals, i have a next to nothing knowledge of electricals.

Some bits are easy, others not. You'll also need VCDS to complete the coding of the car.

[/quote

first of all thanks very much for the info, furthermore, iam interested in the fact that i could get maxidot with columbus, do you have any idea what the costs would be roughly and how to get my hands on a maxidot

cheers again

Hi Najone,

To get maxidot I believe the whole instrument binacle has to be replaced to one with the maxidot fitted. You can pick up Columbus units from ebay( could be dodgy stolen units, buyer beware) or there are companies who will do a new or reconditioned unit at a lot lower price than from Skoda, hazzydayz springs to mind (vwcruise.com if I remember correctly) The man to speak to is Ben at shark performance, one of the site sponsors (shark_90 is his forum name i believe) I have read on here that he has done many maxidot installations amongst other things and has a good reputation for doing jobs well, he would be able to code in the Columbus to your car at the same time too I'm sure, might be worth getting in touch.

Ian