Hi

I'd like to replace the car stereo with a built in sat nav and Bluetooth module to do hands free calls and stream music from my phone. Can anyone recommend a unit and possible steer me towards the right product code? There are all sorts of bits of kits offered on eBay but I can't find much in the UK.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Rich

The Columbus is the current Skoda unit that has Sat Nav, but it does not have Bluetooth built in - that is a separate unit. There is also a new VW unit that is being transferred across the Skoda with Sat Nav, but I'm not sure when or if that has happened yet. I think it is the Amundsen+, but don't hold me to that. There are LED and LCD screen versions of the Columbus, older ones (???) and newer ones (3T0)

I retrofitted a Columbus to my 2007 Octavia and needed to upgrade the CAN Gateway as well in order to stop battery drain, so that might be an extra expense that you had not factored in yet.

The Bluetooth module is a separate purchase, but is largely 'plug-n-play' with the Columbus. The actual part required depends upon what type of MFD (display in front of driver) you have as there are several different versions.

All of this will need coding by someone with VCDS (there is a list of Briskodians with VCDS on this forum) or VAG COM (dealers usually).

Without know more about your specific vehicle, it is hard to give specific part numbers. Even with it, I would not be the best person to advise as I don't have the technical knowledge.

Hope that helps get you started.

Quite a few people on this forum and others seem to like one of the Zenec units (which has Sat Nav & Bluetooth built in), but is not OEM.

ive just purchased a pioneer double din avh4400 head unit,has everything apart from the navi which i dont need and if i do now and again then i have my phone

the unit is absolutely Awesome! and the best part is,its not out in the uk for another week or so,ive already paid for mine so the moment it arrives,its getting fitted!

The Columbus is the current Skoda unit that has Sat Nav, but it does not have Bluetooth built in - that is a separate unit. There is also a new VW unit that is being transferred across the Skoda with Sat Nav, but I'm not sure when or if that has happened yet. I think it is the Amundsen+, but don't hold me to that. There are LED and LCD screen versions of the Columbus, older ones (???) and newer ones (3T0)

I retrofitted a Columbus to my 2007 Octavia and needed to upgrade the CAN Gateway as well in order to stop battery drain, so that might be an extra expense that you had not factored in yet.

The Bluetooth module is a separate purchase, but is largely 'plug-n-play' with the Columbus. The actual part required depends upon what type of MFD (display in front of driver) you have as there are several different versions.

All of this will need coding by someone with VCDS (there is a list of Briskodians with VCDS on this forum) or VAG COM (dealers usually).

Without know more about your specific vehicle, it is hard to give specific part numbers. Even with it, I would not be the best person to advise as I don't have the technical knowledge.

Hope that helps get you started.

Quite a few people on this forum and others seem to like one of the Zenec units (which has Sat Nav & Bluetooth built in), but is not OEM.

I have been looking at the Columbus. Does that mean I have to buy a new CAN gateway?

Maybe, maybe not. Depends how old you car is and what revision gateway is fitted at the moment.

You can get them cheap-ish from Ebay. I paid £35 for one. They are £120ish new from Skoda. Easy to fit and code with VAGCOM.

Just to clarify,

VW RNS 310 = Skoda Amundsen

VW RNS 315 = Skoda Amundsen +

VW RNS 510 = Skoda Columbus

Amundsen has been available for some years. Fitted one myself a few weeks ago, happy with it!

I have been looking at the Columbus. Does that mean I have to buy a new CAN gateway?

Possibly / Probably.

Get a scan done with VCDS (or find the CAN Gateway and read the part number off the box) then check it against this list for an answer if you are planning on fitting a Columbus.

Just to clarify,

VW RNS 310 = Skoda Amundsen

VW RNS 315 = Skoda Amundsen +

VW RNS 510 = Skoda Columbus

Amundsen has been available for some years. Fitted one myself a few weeks ago, happy with it!

Thanks for the clarification on the Amundsen units. Is the difference between 310 & 315+ just the Sat Nav, or is there another difference?

If you would consider going aftermarket, then the ZENEC NC2010 is a very good option. Fitted one to my '08 (still pre-FL) a couple of weeks ago and love it to bits :-) A few quid more tha a second hand Columbus, but brand new with a warranty!

Thanks for the clarification on the Amundsen units. Is the difference between 310 & 315+ just the Sat Nav, or is there another difference?

Knock yourself out

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

Main differences are the 315 comes with Europe cards, the 310 only local (UK or Benelux in my situation) It also has the capabilities to display 2D aswell as the normal 3D map, although with a firmware upgrade and map upgrade this is possible on the 310 aswell (but that's a bit of a risky process without guarantees that it will work) You also get the option to display the speedlimit on the screen I believe.

I got a secondhand Amundsen, works just fine. Satnav was more of a gimmick for me, have an iPhone + TomTom, and another TomTom in the glovebox. But I found the Amundsen satnav works surprizingly well! Only downside are the expensive disks...

Edited 14 February, 201214 yr by Too Tall