Hi All,

Just picked up a Columbus unit to replace the current Audience unit in my 8/2008 RS Octavia (TDI liftback, RHD Australian model - if it makes a difference). Have also ordered a new trim piece from SuperSkoda, so I think I have the makings of a reasonable upgrade.

I have read lots of posts about the fitting of the head unit, but have not found anything on the antenna.

My question is, where does the gps antenna mount. I am assuming its under the dash somewhere, but also somewhere where it can pick up a good signal.

Any tips / hints / suggestions greatly appreciated.

Tom

Ideally the GPS antenna has to see the sky, or at least the immediate horizon, so in effect position the antenna with no metallic or conductive surface in front or immediately above it, i.e the roof or surrounding panels......Hope this helps..

Dead easy. The antennas are magnetic and you just stick them on this metal beam...

Reception is perfect there.

See my album for other Columbus install pictures...

http://photobucket.com/rns510install

If the reception in/under the dashboard is too poor. You can put the gps antenna in the place surrounding the rubber seal of the boot.

Here should be enough place to put it and it can be stuck to the metal because it is magnetic.

All you have to do is lead the wire from front to back.

Someone in the german forum did this, because he had the special glass that you can order in Germany (double glass, with IR isolation that doesnt let the GPS signal through)

Hard to describe, but just open the boot and you will see the space I mean. It is between the rubber seal and the roof panel or C pillar panels.

Nothing wrong under the dash, I always get a strong signal. Don't think the athermic windscreens were ever available on Skodas so that won't be an issue.

That is why I mentioned the athermic glass. In Germany it is an option (dont think a lot of other countries have it as an option) and I had it. Had a triplex antenna on the roof though.

Thanks to all for the advice.

Nick, the photo's make it seem so easy. How long did it take to fit? (mine unit is being shipped from Lithuania as I write this)

Another 'interface' question regarding getting the Columbus to 'display' on the maxidot, does the cars computer need to be 'reprogrammed', or is it smart enough to pick up the 'new hardware' and install those functions?

Regards

Tom

Mine picked it up as normal with no reprogramming needed.

I upgraded from a Bolero to a Coumbus and VCDS coding was required to integrate with Maxidot.

I put the GPS antennae under the dash too and no issues with reception so far

Nick, the photo's make it seem so easy. How long did it take to fit? (mine unit is being shipped from Lithuania as I write this)

It really is easy. Sorry the photos aren't in order in that album - I'm sure you get the idea anyway. I guess it takes ~30 mins the first time you do it. I can swap one in and out of my car in < 5 mins easilly. That said, I installed one in a workmate's car the other day and it took ages - the clips on his original trim around the head unit were unusually stiff - it was SO hard to remove.

BTW, don't worry about disconnecting the battery (shown in my pics), you really don't need to.

Another tip is the magnetic GPS antenna - you have to get it in the right place on that metal beam (note the position on the pic above). For some reason it doesn't seem to stick further over to the left. Also, as you can see in the pics, you can just coil up the excess wire and pop it down the cavity to the right of the Columbus.

Another tip is the magnetic GPS antenna - you have to get it in the right place on that metal beam (note the position on the pic above). For some reason it doesn't seem to stick further over to the left. Also, as you can see in the pics, you can just coil up the excess wire and pop it down the cavity to the right of the Columbus.

Or fix using double sided No. Plate tape...

Thanks guys;

Just waiting on the delivery now, both the radio and facia trim (from superskoda).

I think that the car will need to be reprorgrammed (for want of a better word) to intergrate the functions to the car.

Have to find someone in Brisbane with the appropriate vag-com / vcds gear .

cheers

Tom

It really is easy. Sorry the photos aren't in order in that album - I'm sure you get the idea anyway. I guess it takes ~30 mins the first time you do it. I can swap one in and out of my car in < 5 mins easilly. That said, I installed one in a workmate's car the other day and it took ages - the clips on his original trim around the head unit were unusually stiff - it was SO hard to remove.

BTW, don't worry about disconnecting the battery (shown in my pics), you really don't need to.

Another tip is the magnetic GPS antenna - you have to get it in the right place on that metal beam (note the position on the pic above). For some reason it doesn't seem to stick further over to the left. Also, as you can see in the pics, you can just coil up the excess wire and pop it down the cavity to the right of the Columbus.

Nick P....have you any tips for the removal of the trim? I have just tried to remove mine to fit a ipod interface and its a right pain. the bottom and mid sides clip off reasonably easy but the top clips just won't come off. I feared that I would snap the trim trying further so reclipped everything to come on here for advice!

Thanks

If the top clips are stuck, you can try taking the dashtop storage box out and accessing the clips from the rear. Also, once you've done that if, if you've got a Stream headunit rather than a Columbus or MFD2, you can tease out the four screw cover covers, remove the 4 screw and use the radio itself to help pull the trim off.

Take care that the trim is not too cold. Otherwise it could break.

Heat it up a bit and it will flex easier without breaking.

I always started at the bottom going up. Having unclipped the sides I could just get my fingers under the trim and carefully wiggle the last clips out.

But mostly in summer at higher temperatures as we have now...

I dont think cold will be a problem at this time of year in Brisbane, Australia.

The biggest headache maybe getting a map that works in Aus, as I think most of the lithuanian ones ship with Western Europe maps.

I dont think cold will be a problem at this time of year in Brisbane, Australia.

Woodyallen asked for the removal of the trim. He is situated in the UK

That I am! But its a balmy 5 degrees celcius today...almost beach weather! Good suggestions all round, I'm going to take the top box off (as I want to route the ipod cable through there), removing all the screws without taking the trim off and see if I can get it out that way, I think that'll do it. So looking forward to getting my iphone hooked up to the car, been listening to the same 6 cds for months now!

You still have to remove the trim to get it out. It's just once you've removed the four screws from a Stream headunit, you can use the loose unit itself to help ease the trim off.

Ah I see, thanks for that.

Sorted, fitted today. Managed to get the trim off after undoing the t20 screws. Decided not to remove the topbox, instead I routed my aux wire out the top right corner of the trim, looks and sounds great, I like that my tomtom app fades the music to say instructions. A very happy bunny.