I got you, seems easy enough :-)

Thanks Gents.

Just out of interest as I'm looking to get my Columbus soon which is the better one to go for?

There is a lot of different models. I'm guess this is down to the year of build? I've seen ebay ads saying this is the "a" or "c" spec which relates to the last letter on the part number. Does that matter?

Just out of interest as I'm looking to get my Columbus soon which is the better one to go for?

There is a lot of different models. I'm guess this is down to the year of build? I've seen ebay ads saying this is the "a" or "c" spec which relates to the last letter on the part number. Does that matter?

I am sure someone else will advise more accurately soon but the newer ones have an LED display which is brighter etc and as I understand it from when I read up before getting mine that is the only real difference as the firmware and maps versions can all be updated by the people with fancy cables etc on here! Personally I would recommend getting the newest one you can afford/find as the newer it is the newer it is. At the end of the day (JK was on today in work) should in theory have longer life left in it as it has fans HDD etc in it moving parts etc (might just be me but I think its logical)

Cheers Fubar. Currently looking on ebay at a few. It will be my birthday present to myself!

Cheers Fubar. Currently looking on ebay at a few. It will be my birthday present to myself!

Keep an eye out on here aswell for people selling them there has been plenty said on here for questionable history on units not knowing where they are from or whats been done to them if you will be able to update FW / maps in the future etc and even if the thing might have been stolen at some point. It is a widely used radio across Skoda and VW and it can happen. I am sure there are traders on Ebay that regularly stock second hand ones that people on here would be able to recommend if you search a bit also if on ebay stick with the people who are traders who offer some sort of warranty should be able to get 90 days.

I found that the best satellite reception by far is when the GPS antenna is bonded to the underneath of the dashboard cover, right next to where the dash top box sits. I used no more nails on mine, and the GPS display on the Columbus shows at least one satellite better than when the antenna was on the metal bar by the heater.

Mike

I can't say I have ever had a problem with reception it works straight away and smoothly maybe different antennas or a weaker one? mine is under top layer of dashboard offset to left or right so nothing else above it on the metal rail.

I can't say I have ever had a problem with reception it works straight away and smoothly maybe different antennas or a weaker one? mine is under top layer of dashboard offset to left or right so nothing else above it on the metal rail.

Same place on mine and never had any issues with my reception.

My Ciolumbus has now arrived, its in excellent condition etc perfect!

Just a quick question, I want to test it in my current car before I put it in my new car in a few weeks time, so just wondered if I was to remove the Bolero in my current car and pop the Columbus in test its all working etc, then remove it and put the Bolero back in etc, I guess the car will recognise the Bolero will it? Or would it need coding again??

Just a query before I go and test the Columbus?

I do believe that once a radio has been bonded to a car it stays that way. You only have to put the code in if it is going into a different car.

Ok cheers, will swap and test the new one, hopefully tomorrow!

ok lads can someone help me out here,ive a 2010 columbus from a superb,my car is a vrs due in september 2012 so brand new,what do i need to fit it into my vrs,do i need a splitter ?????? for the airel,do i need a facia trim,if so is this a columbus facia or a facia to fit my car and if so anyone got a part number as mine is the carbon look trim.also because mines a 2010 is that the new led screen or the old lcd screen.

ok lads can someone help me out here,ive a 2010 columbus from a superb,my car is a vrs due in september 2012 so brand new,what do i need to fit it into my vrs,do i need a splitter ?????? for the airel,do i need a facia trim,if so is this a columbus facia or a facia to fit my car and if so anyone got a part number as mine is the carbon look trim.also because mines a 2010 is that the new led screen or the old lcd screen.

You will not need a splitter it will be pretty much plug and play (bar some coding for MaxiDot integration if fitted to car and it has speaker optimisation on VCDS for Octavia rather than Superb) The Fascia is needed which will be the trim for around radio itself and climate controls etc it just pops off as described in the forum dead easy then need to pop off the trim over Bolero and take the 4 screws holding it in out and all straight forward. I would imagine its the LED one but I am unsure of when it started. Mine came from a 2011 Superb and is LED if you have seen a picture of it I think if the top left button on the unit is a mic symbol that is a basic indication that its the newer type.

The part No for the fascia trim in piano black is "1Z0 858 069 CQN77" with thanks to DBT85 for supplying it in the Octavia II useful parts thread last post inc a pic on this link, post 118 it looks well in there not sure on carbon effect one may be in that thread. http://www.briskoda....rs/page__st__90

ok so I've done a search but how do you remove the top cubbyholder type thing where the air vents are.

Gone and got myself a 2013 model and I'm stuck on the vent removal. Help!!! :-)

ok so I've done a search but how do you remove the top cubbyholder type thing where the air vents are. Gone and got myself a 2013 model and I'm stuck on the vent removal. Help!!! :-)

 

Top cubby hole on top of dash pulls out using something non sharp to pry it out. Top centre air vents come out in exactly the same way and pull forward if I remember correctly. I may have been able to grip the air vents from behind and push them out actually now I think about it, with the new found access of having removed top cubby hole. 

 

Here is a link to the old Octavia-VRS site an archived copy from 2008 ish but same for your car, great guide. 

http://web.archive.org/web/20080719135447/http://www.octavia-vrs.com/technical/mfd2.html

 

 

You just get better access with top vents out to see where to fire the GPS antenna this vid should give the jist of normal install. 

 

Screw driver under it, just make sure that you put something around the head of it so that you don't damage the plastics!

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Cheers chaps!! Got it off the end. I'm now a member of the Columbus gang!!

Just need to get the surround and maybe a few changes needed with VCDS (once I've got my laptop repaired).

+1.......really good to read about this and the option i maybe taking in the next year or so...

I recently upgraded to a Columbus, nothing fancy like maxidot or MFSW in my car so I didn't need any coding, literally plug and play.

The surround trims are a bit of a minefield with all the different variants and I couldn't find a post here with the right combination. I needed metallic grey with manual AC which turned out to be 1Z0 858 069 CB 1AR. It cost £47.77 including a token 10% discount because I moaned at the high price!

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The Columbus arrived and is now in 10 min job having seen the guide online and having the correct parts and tools ready, screw driver and a trim removal tool (slight delay as my screw driver was too thick had to improvise) GPS antenna mounted under top dash just on metal rail behind centre air ducts all is well.

Plug&Play By simply plugging it in all works instantly inc climatic screens etc (haha unlucky to all the poor older model sufferers) only thing I need is the Maxidot nav box ticked in VCDS http://www.briskoda.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/#EMO_DIR#/emoticon-0101-sadsmile.gif

With thanks to fellow Briskodian EoinM for selling me his 2011 Columbus (LED) upon selling his VRS and Vectra1 for being his salesman of the year (must have been on commission)

Fubar, how do you remove the centre air vents. I'm just about to fit my Columbus and couldn't quite figure it out. I've had the Bolero out for a look but couldn't see anything obvious. The link guide you posted doesn't seem to be working for me?

Cheers

Paul

Fubar, how do you remove the centre air vents. I'm just about to fit my Columbus and couldn't quite figure it out. I've had the Bolero out for a look but couldn't see anything obvious. The link guide you posted doesn't seem to be working for me?

Cheers

Paul

 

They just pull out, use something that wont scratch the trim around it and slide underneath them to get a grip and they pull out up a little and towards you, all one unit. It is not vital to remove them just lets you see what your doing more and gives the best access for putting GPS antenna in. 

Many thanks. Just noticed you'd already answered that question about 5 posts back... Doh!

What is the new surround people are talking about. A new one over the columbus or new silver facia for the whole centre unit like the silver one above.

What part number Columbus are you guys getting and how much please?

Are there currently any reliable sellers for the VAG units?  Preferably I'd like an RNS315 which has DAB should the vehicle change to a VW happen, but there arent any cars with the factory fitted units.