Dear all

I'm thinking of installing one of these badboys into my MKII Octavia (http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/25/111/241/AVIC-F9310BT/page.html)

The Pioneer site suggests it fits 2009-on Octavias, but I'm not sure why that would exclude the 2004-2008 models?

I've got a 58 reg. Has anyone else got experience of fitting this, or a similar, entertainment unit? Will I have any problems doing so?

Cheers

D

SWMBO has the F930BT in her MX5. It's a decent well specified unit but the mapping display is a bit old school/outdated. I'm guessing that the 2009 onwards fitting is the need for integration in later CAN modules which need BAP protocol. Someone who knows more will be along shortly to give better advice I'm sure!

I always found that Pioneer UK were good at giving info about figment questions if their dealers couldn't!

I'm guessing that the 2009 onwards fitting is the need for integration in later CAN modules which need BAP protocol.

Please excuse me, I'm a complete newbie/numpty when it comes to installing things like this. Does this mean that i can't get it to work in a 2008 Octavia, or that I'd need to do more than simply plug-in-and-play?

IIRC the facelift 2009 on Octy has a different CAN communication module (the bit that gets all the cars electronics talking to each other). So it may be that some of the functions might not work. If it is the CAN module thats the issue, you may be able to have a newer CAN module fitted, there are a few folks on here who know how to do this, and that may get it working.

But to be honest, I'd get in touch with Pioneer UK technical and ask them first. I got very good support from them when I fitted SWMBO unit to her Mazda, when their dealer couldn't tell me where to find the speed pulse wire!

Thanks for the info and advice man, appreciated.

Are there any alternatives to this unit I should consider?

Personally................ I'm not sure. There a loads of cheap Chinese machines out there, but not a patch on the Pioneer. I think there's a Kenwood unit a few have fitted and liked, but it doesn't look as OEM IMHO. Of course you could have a look and see what the genuine Columbus is going for on fleabay! When I had my vRS that's what I did, never e regretted it, but then they are getting a bit old school too these days!

Personally................ I'm not sure. There a loads of cheap Chinese machines out there, but not a patch on the Pioneer. I think there's a Kenwood unit a few have fitted and liked, but it doesn't look as OEM IMHO. Of course you could have a look and see what the genuine Columbus is going for on fleabay! When I had my vRS that's what I did, never e regretted it, but then they are getting a bit old school too these days!

Do the Columbus units have DVD, Bluetooth and USB though? They are a fair bit cheaper on eBay, when compared to the Pioneer, but seem to have less functionality. I also had CD head units by Pioneer back in the day, and the sound quality was absolutely superb! I'd love to replicate that quality of sound again

Had one of the F9110BT in my 2007 passat, worked with the steering wheel controls, displayed "pioneer navgate" in full height MFD

I wouldn't take another one if i got it for free, biggest load of rubbish i ever used, the maps are very outdated, the software is slow, and it takes about a week to power up, and you can't power it off when your driving

not sure have they improved the 9310, but I personally wouldn't risk it

You would need the BT module and wiring as well if you went for the Columbus. They do play DVDs rather well however! Unfortunately, I don't think sonically they as good as the best aftermarket units, but then even the Pioneer will have to cope with standard speakers unless you upgrade them too.

I'm really pleased with the sound from SWMBOs unit, but it is driving some decent Infinity's. I did a lot of research before going for it, and nothing seemed to offer the around package it did. As I said, the map display is a bit "basic", And the touch screen isn't as good as the Columbus, but the map data and routing is perfectly acceptable.

Had one of the F9110BT in my 2007 passat, worked with the steering wheel controls, displayed "pioneer navgate" in full height MFD

I wouldn't take another one if i got it for free, biggest load of rubbish i ever used, the maps are very outdated, the software is slow, and it takes about a week to power up, and you can't power it off when your driving

not sure have they improved the 9310, but I personally wouldn't risk it

Thanks for sharing the experience. What do you now run instead?

Had one of the F9110BT in my 2007 passat, worked with the steering wheel controls, displayed "pioneer navgate" in full height MFD

I wouldn't take another one if i got it for free, biggest load of rubbish i ever used, the maps are very outdated, the software is slow, and it takes about a week to power up, and you can't power it off when your driving

not sure have they improved the 9310, but I personally wouldn't risk it

Some of that was the same on SWMBO's, but the last FW update made some sensible alterations. You can now turn it off & the UI is a lot better speed wise. Still takes 15 seconds to boot up first time on a morning, but a bit quicker subsequently as the first time it boots it has to fully initiate the Parrot BT. It seems to put it into standby after then so more responsive. Maps were updated in Nov 2012 IIRC, and so you should get them or the free upgrade that I got.

You would need the BT module and wiring as well if you went for the Columbus. They do play DVDs rather well however! Unfortunately, I don't think sonically they as good as the best aftermarket units, but then even the Pioneer will have to cope with standard speakers unless you upgrade them too.

I'm really pleased with the sound from SWMBOs unit, but it is driving some decent Infinity's. I did a lot of research before going for it, and nothing seemed to offer the around package it did. As I said, the map display is a bit "basic", And the touch screen isn't as good as the Columbus, but the map data and routing is perfectly acceptable.

Yeah, I'll be upgrading the speakers too! Funnily enough, my old Pioneer unit was wired up to some savage Infiniti speakers! I'm pretty sure that's why I am hard of hearing now!

You've mentioned it a few times now, but what do you mean by SWMBO?

Edited 20 February, 201313 yr by nutters_uclan

Sorry "She Who Must Be Obeyed". Hehehe

Sorry "She Who Must Be Obeyed". Hehehe

LOL. I'm such a noob.

Noooo........... Just a wise person to ask

Thanks for sharing the experience. What do you now run instead?

I switched back to the RCD300, but the superb has the columbus with bluetooth so i won't be changing that