I am looking to replace the factory radio in my Octavia Elegance 2008 with a GPS Naviation / DVD system.

I am wondering if anyone can recommend the best unit to me?

It should:

Have bluetooth connection to telephone (not sure if I need to install a microphone?)

Work with all steering wheel controls

Work with front and rear parking sensors

Maps available for Europe (I live in Denmark)

Reputable company preferably

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

IMHO the simple answer is don't.

Get a Bluetooth kit which Shark_90 can fit for you, he did mine and yes it works with the steering wheel controls.

As for the Sat-Nav it's far cheaper to have a separate Sat-Nav system from either Tom-Tom or Garmin or if you have a smartphone get the necessary app for it, than go for the built in system.

Buy a Columbus but please don' t buy something nasty and made in China from eBay. The units are loaded with features but are poor quality and sound absolutely awful.

Use the VW Bluetooth module - it works a treat and is invisible.

Ignore the front and rear parking sensors - bleeping ones are OK but looking at a display screen when you should be looking outside the vehicle is a recipe for disaster. It's just a stupid selling point and has no real use whatsoever.

The nav on the Columbus is superior to TomTom, Garmin etc and if you have a Maxidot display you also get turn by turn pictograms on your dashboard which is a nice safety feature. Before somebody kicks off with the "my nav is better" argument - I've got an all singing, all dancing TomTom XL with Google search, traffic etc languishing on my desk at work because the Columbus wipes the floor with it and yes, I've used Garmin and others. As for maps, I recently drove from Brighton to Brussels without a hitch so can't see that there would be a problem with other European countries.

Oh and it works with steering wheel controls if you have them.

The advantage of a Tom-Tom, Garmin is you can have "safety camera" alerts, which you can't with a Columbus.

The advantage of a Tom-Tom, Garmin is you can have "safety camera" alerts, which you can't with a Columbus.

Someone will crack it soon then we will have them, you can get them already but without warnings

I'll admit to not knowing alot about the RNS-510 but I did spot the ability to add safety cams to it!?

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Cameras#compat

Bottom of the list.

Cheers

BIG Nick

I've got an all singing, all dancing TomTom XL with Google search, traffic etc languishing on my desk at work because the Columbus wipes the floor with it

In what way?

Not being argumentative, just interested to hear.

I looked at upgrading my Bolero to a Columbus, but I'm not going to pay dealer prices and I don't want to buy something of ebay with unknown provenance. I already have MDI for my tunes and a Fiscon (OE type) bluetooth.. so I got a Garmin Nuvi 3760T and installed that in my dash-top box with hidden wiring. Other than popping up on the maxidot I don't see what I'm missing vs. a Columbus?