Hey guys, long time since I've posted.

I apologise if this has been covered before. Has anyone any experience of the vehicle specific stereos that you can get from Hong Kong? I saw this one and thought 'OMG, I want one!' Apparently it will incorporate all the parking sensor. air-con, etc functions and communicate with the Maxi-Dot too. Bluetooth and iPod compatible. At around £380 it's a bit of a bargain too, (even if customs charge you VAT on top). Would it be a straight swap or would I need to get the vag-com thingy done? And would it work with iPhone 4?

http://www.dinodirect.com/volkswagen-car-dvd-player-can-bus-bluetooth-fm-tv-am-rds-hl-8785gb-2-currency-GBP.html

Cheers

Paul

By the way, I've got the Skoda Stream MP3 in an 07 Octavia VRS

Edited 4 September, 201015 yr by paulusvRS

Hi Paul,

I bought a similar unit (a Timeless Long 7501) and fitted it into my Octy mkII Estate.

The install was easy and the bluetooth worked with my iphone 4. It also connected to and charged my ipod, sat nav was either tom tom or Igo 8 (I was sent a download link by the seller which I downloaded to a 2 Gb SD card) and it would read SD cards, DVD's and CD's. It interfaced with the steering wheel buttons but not with Maxidot (and as I was told by the seller thats what it would do I was happy)

Everything on it worked but not in that nice rounded, smooth way that everything VW does (Columbus, etc) however it was a lot cheaper than me changing to a columbus and adding a MFD kit for Ipod control and the GSM II kit for mobile phone.

Then - my work circumstances changed and I am now not using the car and my wife is. She hated the CD player so much so I have removed it and put the original audience in it. It was just too complicated and "Clunky" for her to use on the 30 mile a week journey she does.

So - if you are prepared to have something not as perfect as the VW solution - go for it. If you are a perfectionist and want the proper thing then I am afraid it will not do that and you will be disappointed.

PM me if you want any more info and I will have a Timeless Long 7501 for sale before long as I don't think it will ever go back in. It's a shame as its only about 4 months old......

Tom

Spend a little bit extra and buy a Columbus instead.