I have just got a 2010 Octy Vrs with Bolero, whilst it seems a good spec std Hu, I had a Kenwood fully integrated Sat Nav in my last octy ( still got the sat nav) I am split on whether to put in the Kenwood as it has Garmin built in and plays my huge MP3 collection on my Ipod seamlessly and is very user friendly or to buy a Columbus and fit MDI.

The Columbus looks a little limited on both the Sat Nav and its Ipod handling capabilities in comparison to the Kenwood but I have GSM Telephone preparation with a MFSW which in my opinion is one of the best mobile phone solutions I have ever used and believe me, being out on the road, I have used most. I don't want to loose the telephone function on the bolereo and the maxidot as its that good but I need a decent Sat nav bulit in ( before anyone makes the argument for Tom Toms, Garmin units, I want built in as I cannot afford to forget to wipe off the sucker marks every time I park up and end up with a brick through the window....the car is my living / office)

Also with regard to the Columbus units what is the difference between the B and C units?

Whats the general concensus on the OEM Sat Nav? the cost of buying one is not an issue as selling the Kenwood would pretty much pay for it, how easy / what needs to be done to code it to the Maxidot, I'm going to get the lates Vag com lead so just need to know what steps are required to code it properly

Columbus with the addition of the MDI interface for full iPod control, and you'll keep phone control

Sounds like you'll miss the in-built Skoda Bluetooth more if you fit the Kenwood, and you can achieve very good iPod control with the MDI. This can be retrofitted in either the glovebox or armrest.

Steve

Columbus with the addition of the MDI interface for full iPod control, and you'll keep phone control

Sounds like you'll miss the in-built Skoda Bluetooth more if you fit the Kenwood, and you can achieve very good iPod control with the MDI. This can be retrofitted in either the glovebox or armrest.

Steve

Steve, Thanks for your reply, I'm inclined to agree with you, think I'll have a mooch around youtube to see if I can find a demo of MDI somewhere as its looking more likely this is the way I'm going to go

The operation of the MDI is almost the same as the way the Bolero navigates the SD card.

I can't fault the columbus, I retofitted it after about 3 days of owning my vrs. I love the intergration with the maxidot, see pics below. If you have ~ £500 to spend you can get a new unit from ebay if your willing to spend some time looking. I managed to get one with a manufature date of 12/2009, in about March and the unit did not look as if it had been used. I plan on retrofitting the mdi based on what other people have said about it, however you did get about 20gb of space for mp3's on the columbus.

I'm still trying to get the bit that goes between the unit and freeview box so I can watch TV like trying to find hens teeth I need the bit that goes slots in above the fan with the red white and yellow plugs

I'm still trying to get the bit that goes between the unit and freeview box so I can watch TV like trying to find hens teeth I need the bit that goes slots in above the fan with the red white and yellow plugs

Don't Kufatec sell this?

Edited 22 August, 201015 yr by Wardy

I'm still trying to get the bit that goes between the unit and freeview box so I can watch TV like trying to find hens teeth I need the bit that goes slots in above the fan with the red white and yellow plugs

TRY blaupunkt http://www.bluespot.co.uk/default.aspx . i had a vw sat nav and had freeview ect running though it ,

I can't fault the columbus, I retofitted it after about 3 days of owning my vrs. I love the intergration with the maxidot, see pics below. If you have ~ £500 to spend you can get a new unit from ebay if your willing to spend some time looking. I managed to get one with a manufature date of 12/2009, in about March and the unit did not look as if it had been used. I plan on retrofitting the mdi based on what other people have said about it, however you did get about 20gb of space for mp3's on the columbus.

Is it just a case of removing the old and in with the new ?

Is it just a case of removing the old and in with the new ?

In a FL car fitted with Bolero currently?

Effectively yes. You'll need a new trim surround as they are different shapes (£30 ish) and its best to have the car coded with VAGCOM (beer tokens if you get someone here to do it for you, takes 5 minutes)

Edited 26 August, 201015 yr by Keith Lard

In a FL car fitted with Bolero currently?

Effectively yes. You'll need a new trim surround as they are different shapes (£30 ish) and its best to have the car coded with VAGCOM (beer tokens if you get someone here to do it for you, takes 5 minutes)

Thanks, car due in 11 days time so best get a move on to look for a Columbus unit....is there a list of VAGCOM owners who will accept beer tokens ?

....is there a list of VAGCOM owners who will accept beer tokens ?

Here you go

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/74720-vag-com-diagnostic-system-vcds-owners-map/

Enjoy your new wheels.

Don't Kufatec sell this?

I have had a look but Im not sure what I need anyone any pictures of the TV adapter and the cables that's required for connecting to the unit, or even a link to a picture

http://www.kufatec.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p529_c289_TV-in-Motion----Plug-and-Play----VW-MFD2-RNS2-RNS-510-RNS-810.html/beschreibung/#subaction_div

http://www.kufatec.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p529_c289_TV-in-Motion----Plug-and-Play----VW-MFD2-RNS2-RNS-510-RNS-810.html/beschreibung/#subaction_div

Keith, the way I read the description on that link is that, thats the wiring loom for being able to watch TV on the move,

I need something that plugs into the back of the unit, the thin long slot just above the fan, and has a box that takes the 3 colourd pins from the DTV box

I can't fault the columbus, I retofitted it after about 3 days of owning my vrs. I love the intergration with the maxidot, see pics below. If you have ~ £500 to spend you can get a new unit from ebay if your willing to spend some time looking. I managed to get one with a manufature date of 12/2009, in about March and the unit did not look as if it had been used. I plan on retrofitting the mdi based on what other people have said about it, however you did get about 20gb of space for mp3's on the columbus.

That looks like exactly the reason I'm going to go columbus, what was the Part number on yours, did it start 3TO, I think that this is the latest one? did it need coding to the maxidot?

Keith, the way I read the description on that link is that, thats the wiring loom for being able to watch TV on the move,

I need something that plugs into the back of the unit, the thin long slot just above the fan, and has a box that takes the 3 colourd pins from the DTV box

http://www.kufatec.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p870_c244_IMA-Multimedia-Adapter-w--Control----Basic-Plus-.html

and its wiring harness

http://www.kufatec.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p962_c244_IMA---Harness---VW-MFD-3-RNS-510----Basic---Basic-Plus-.html

That looks like exactly the reason I'm going to go columbus, what was the Part number on yours, did it start 3TO, I think that this is the latest one? did it need coding to the maxidot?

I put a 3T0 unit into my 2010 FL the same day I collected it. Did need coding, 5 minutes with VCDS.

Edited 26 August, 201015 yr by Keith Lard

http://www.kufatec.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p870_c244_IMA-Multimedia-Adapter-w--Control----Basic-Plus-.html

and its wiring harness

http://www.kufatec.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p962_c244_IMA---Harness---VW-MFD-3-RNS-510----Basic---Basic-Plus-.html

I put a 3T0 unit into my 2010 FL the same day I collected it. Did need coding, 5 minutes with VCDS.

3TO being the latest version of the Columbus? is this what's referred to version C as well with the LED display

anyone know how to tell whether a 3TO unit is LED, was there a particular date they started using the LED Display?

anyone know how to tell whether a 3TO unit is LED, was there a particular date they started using the LED Display?

anyone know this, I could REALLY know with finding this out?

Don't think it makes a difference - i saw a 1Z0 on ebay that was LED. About March this year i think they started using it and the latest firmware will take an older 1Z0 to a 3T0 anyway from what ive investigated on here!

Don't think it makes a difference - i saw a 1Z0 on ebay that was LED. About March this year i think they started using it and the latest firmware will take an older 1Z0 to a 3T0 anyway from what ive investigated on here!

The problem with ebay is that a lot of the sellers just refer to the LCD screen as an LED due to ignorance, the only units that appear to be LED are the 3TO units from what info I have gleaned but there seems to be an overlap period with 3to units having LCD ( florescent backlit) and the newer LED Backlit which I believe is better in sunlight and clearer maps.....I may be wrong..... but thanks for the info