I have noticed there are 2 types of columbus sat navs by each of them having different buttons on the top right. One with 'i' and the other with a microphone? Which version is the newest and is any likely to work with a 2006 vrs without the battery drain issue?

If the seller has upgraded the unit to the latest firmware version they will all have the battery drain issue regardless of age / model. The microphone ones will be later than those with the i buttion.

Thanks for replies, any idea which firmware would not cause battery drain?

Cheers

I'm in east Kilbride just south of Glasgow.

Just to ask also are all the screens led? Or are the older ones LCD? Is there much difference in quality?

You can have firmware with 7 digit Postcode search, voice control in a 06/07 vrs/octavia without changing the can gateway and no battery drain issue.

I know this because I have one in mine!

I think mine is firmware 2660? (how do I find out?) with a patch to stop battery drain, works perfect and my car is not used for 4 days every week.

The seller put the firmware on for me. And ontop of the unit it had a note on saying "soft can" which I think is a note for the patch it has on it. I believe there is only one type of firmware that can run the patch, I don't think I can upgrade the firmware in future but don't think I'd need to as it does everything needed.

Edited 1 June, 201214 yr by vrs777

Is that the seller from Ireland? Can I ask how much you paid all in for your Columbus with patch as he quoted me £540 delivered.

I could get Columbus and new gateway cheaper than that price.

Yes, I think I paid 525 or around that, but it was worth it to save all the hassle of fitting other bits etc. Plus all the other bits are already enabled like DVD in motion, latest maps etc.

They are expensive but you will get most the money back if you needed to sell it.

Edited 1 June, 201214 yr by vrs777

You really wont add £500 to the value of your car by having a Columbus installed.

Especially as most of the dealerships are also aware of their "questionable herritage".

Totally agree, but I meant selling the unit not the car and unit, like anything a dealer will only give you pennies for all optional extras that cost $$$$ when purchased from the same dealers!

I reckon a newer model Columbus if advertised on ebay will still go for £400 in a year or two easily, so if you say that it's only cost say £150 for the upgrade over 2 years it's well worth it.

Edited 1 June, 201214 yr by vrs777

if you look around the net there's a patch you can add to any firmware to stop battery drain

Cheers petetdi, just done a wee search and found the firmware. Cheers.