One more alternative, this time from a solid brand Blaupunkt having something in common with VW:

http://www.blaupunkt.com/en/nc/blaupunkt-world/car-multimedia/car-radio/products/single/5554/

 

At least, they know how to integrate with VW canbus (weren't first Columbuses from Blau, not Continental?). At a price, though:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blaupunkt-Philadelphia-835-Navigation-Touchscreen-Bluetooth-TMC-USB-iPod-DVD-3D-/331033732770?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item4d1325e6a2

Edited 2 October, 201312 yr by ste2000

And what about navigation and updating maps cost?

It's on the "Features" tab (having iGo Primo on-board shoul be much more responsive than VW-Navteq combination for old RNS-510/Columbus): 

• Map update: Yes, online via www.naviextras.com
• Speed camera: Optional, online via www.naviextras.com

Edited 2 October, 201312 yr by ste2000

Sorry, first Bolero makes were from Blaupunkt, not Columbus. Bolero though also has good can integration.

One more alternative, this time from a solid brand Blaupunkt having something in common with VW:

http://www.blaupunkt.com/en/nc/blaupunkt-world/car-multimedia/car-radio/products/single/5554/

At least, they know how to integrate with VW canbus (weren't first Columbuses from Blau, not Continental?). At a price, though:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blaupunkt-Philadelphia-835-Navigation-Touchscreen-Bluetooth-TMC-USB-iPod-DVD-3D-/331033732770?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item4d1325e6a2

It's nice to see an after-market unit that fully integrates with the car and will take extras like front sensors and reversing camera, whilst still looking OE. Nice to see a dedicated sub-out socket, but shame it's not a decent step-up in power output from the factory fit.

I had the Kenwood fitted to my brand new Yeti 6 months ago and at this moment in time the iPhone/ipod media connection has failed completely - The navigation keeps dropping out and the phone keeps losing connection.

 

The Kenwood is overcomplicated not user friendly and really wildly overpriced. I am changing to a Superb with the Columbus option etc and having tried that out it seems far simpler than the Kenwood but then most systems are.