Looking at the UK VW website (for the Phaeton) I see the RNS510 system on there (which AFAIK is the same as the Columbus in all but name) now has the option of being able to access Google maps. This is a useful progression and will save all the issues with the various versions of the mapping data we currently have to download as Google maps is constantly getting updated. Far more features on google as well (assuming the VW option mirrors the internet accesible version) such as satellite imaging, driving and walking routes etc. The VW options on their rns 510 also has an upgrade to TV function for £790. It's a shame the 'premium' brand gets the upgrade first and Skoda has to wait as usual.

But look how much you have to pay for one of those things agaist the Superb. Any best to let someone else trial it first and then get the MK 2 version

But look how much you have to pay for one of those things agaist the Superb. Any best to let someone else trial it first and then get the MK 2 version

Cynical but true

You can't even play Blu-Ray discs on the Columbus! It's like being in the dark ages.

You can't even play Blu-Ray discs on the Columbus! It's like being in the dark ages.

True. The Columbus really needs updating. Apart from blu ray the Columbus is capable of reading data in MP3 form from the SD cards it accepts but not AVI or MP4. It's really easy to copy video onto an SD card and if the Columbus could read that data (AVI or MP4 being the most common format types of video at present)then DVDs could be consigned to the Antiques roadshow and we could watch video stored on the SD cards.

You can view googlemaps on the new MMI system on the Audi A8 too. Would be cool if that finds its way over to the UK.

Looking at the UK VW website (for the Phaeton) I see the RNS510 system on there (which AFAIK is the same as the Columbus in all but name) now has the option of being able to access Google maps. This is a useful progression and will save all the issues with the various versions of the mapping data we currently have to download as Google maps is constantly getting updated. Far more features on google as well (assuming the VW option mirrors the internet accesible version) such as satellite imaging, driving and walking routes etc. The VW options on their rns 510 also has an upgrade to TV function for £790. It's a shame the 'premium' brand gets the upgrade first and Skoda has to wait as usual.

Because the Phaeton is a premium car at a premium price, the Superb is neither.

It's a shame the 'premium' brand gets the upgrade first and Skoda has to wait as usual.

It's not a shame, however, that the Skoda Superb is under £40k fully specced with all the goodies, while the Volkswagen Phaeton starts at over £40k for a base model vehicle. You pays your money, you gets your car.

I know the Superb is a large vehicle and I assume some people actually use it as their residence?

TV / DVD / BluRay / AVI-WMV-MP4 etc would only be usable (legally) when you're parked up. Personally I'd sooner watch any of these in the comfort of my home on a proper HD TV, not a tiny screen in my car. If it's a case of kids or other passengers watching films to pass the journey then there's plenty of legal options available.

The Columbus / RNS510 does everything I need as a driver - assist in my navigation, warn me of potential problems ahead, hands-free mobile phone, and provide musical entertainment.

Yes, there are some updates that would be convenient, such as Google Maps - which would be useful so long as your phone contract doesn't have a restrictive data policy.

I seriously think some people need to keep a realistic perspective.

I know the Superb is a large vehicle and I assume some people actually use it as their residence?

TV / DVD / BluRay / AVI-WMV-MP4 etc would only be usable (legally) when you're parked up. Personally I'd sooner watch any of these in the comfort of my home on a proper HD TV, not a tiny screen in my car. If it's a case of kids or other passengers watching films to pass the journey then there's plenty of legal options available.

The Columbus / RNS510 does everything I need as a driver - assist in my navigation, warn me of potential problems ahead, hands-free mobile phone, and provide musical entertainment.

Yes, there are some updates that would be convenient, such as Google Maps - which would be useful so long as your phone contract doesn't have a restrictive data policy.

I seriously think some people need to keep a realistic perspective.

Thanks for your subjective opinion. Realistic perspective? What makes you think yours is right and others are wrong? I certainly don't reside in my car but I do use my Superb to ferry my kids around virtually every day. Time spent waiting stationary for whatever reason is far more bearable for little kids when they can watch cartoons etc. Sadly the car doesn't have a 'proper HD TV' hence my comment about the Columbus needing an upgrade to store video data on SD cards rather than filling the glovebox and door pockets with DVDs.

Other than being able to read larger capacity SD cards and minor firmware updates, the Columbus hasn't been updated since it was introduced and it's overdue now. Technology has advanced in the last 3 years.

Regarding your point about Google maps connecting via the users mobile? That may or may not be the way it works. There are other possibilities such as stand alone connectivity from the unit itself, possibly with a monthly fee (as per Tom Tom).

Edited 23 July, 201114 yr by 2slo

Thanks for your subjective opinion. Realistic perspective? What makes you think yours is right and others are wrong? I certainly don't reside in my car but I do use my Superb to ferry my kids around virtually every day. Time spent waiting stationary for whatever reason is far more bearable for little kids when they can watch cartoons etc. Sadly the car doesn't have a 'proper HD TV' hence my comment aboce about the Columbus needing an upgrade to store video data on SD cards rather than filling the glovebox and door pockets with DVDs.

Other than being able to read larger capacity SD cards and minor firmware updates, the Columbus hasn't been updated since it was introduced and it's overdue now. Technology has advanced in the last 3 years.

Regarding your point about Google maps connecting via the users mobile? That may or may not be the way it works. There are other possibilities such as stand alone connectivity from the unit itself, possibly with a monthly fee (as per Tom Tom).

I agree that the Columbus system is out of date. It was out of date when I bought my Superb in 2008 and it is now looking a little prehistoric. However, the Superb also needs updating along with a large increase in interior quality.

But from what I have read in the German motoring press we will have to wait until October 2012 for the major facelift.

In the meantime enjoy your Superb for what it is, an average car at a below average price.

You got some false informations there.VW Phaeton has RNS-810,and it had Google integration since it was realeased.

You can see the Phaeton features here and an youtube video with google integration

(Dated August 2010).

So,I don't think we will receive any updates,our only solution will be to get a RNS-810 firmware to run on our RNS-510.

You got some false informations there.VW Phaeton has RNS-810,and it had Google integration since it was realeased.

You can see the Phaeton features here and an youtube video with google integration

(Dated August 2010).

So,I don't think we will receive any updates,our only solution will be to get a RNS-810 firmware to run on our RNS-510.

Well spotted, I thought it had an RNS 510, the 810 appears to be a slightly different model (although it looks the same)

Thanks for the youtube link, sadly my Spanish isn't up to the standard needed to understand it.

I think it says something like : "The RNS-810 system allows the combination of navigation with Google informations."

I guess the differences are only the shape and a bigger hard disk drive,so I guess that if there is someone good enough at this maybe he can port the firmware for us :wonder: .

I guess the differences are only the shape and a bigger hard disk drive,so I guess that if there is someone good enough at this maybe he can port the firmware for us :wonder: .

Hmm, interesting idea. It raises the issues a] would the firmware from the Phaeton (or Audi A8 as mentioned above) be compatible with the Columbus, and b] would it be legal to use it. I know that copying nav discs isn't legal but firmware upgrades? I don't know. Anyone else?

Edited 23 July, 201114 yr by 2slo

http://www.my-gti.com/719/differences-between-the-volkswagen-rcd-210-rcd-310-rns-310-rcd-510-and-the-rns-510