I have a few questions about the Kenwood multimedia system, has anyone got one?

I've got the Columbus on my Octy but just ordered a yeti with the Kenwood but now have some concerns whether I've done the right thing.

Does anyone know it;

1) Does the centre box AUX input still work with this media unit?

2) How unsightly is the DAB antenna fitting on the windscreen?

3) Does it have an externally mounted microphone for the Bluetooth connection as there's no voice mic on the unit itself?

I've ordered one for my new Yeti & am worried it'll ruin the look inside.

I've got a Kenwood system.

It's brilliant, wouldn't have any other.

Makes awesome cakes!

I would have stuck with the Columbus.

No the aux input will not work,

The aerial should be fairly discrete but if you live in a poor DAB signal area then reception will be patchy, there is no real alternative to a good roof mount DAB aerial.

The microphone will not be a VW one, so will be mounted on the A pillar or by the light fitting.

You'll also lose the climate graphics, no maxidot connection, in fact the integration is very limited.

I have a Kenwood. The DAB one and it has the climate, reversing graphics etc. Mike on steering binnacle. The screen aerial is not a good luck. Very pleased with it otherwise. May get a DAB roof aerial fitted when car gets its first service for cosmetic rather than reception reasons. Car does not have Maxidot.

I have the USB socket in the glove box, although for recorded music I use the SD slot on the face of the unit.

Edited 28 March, 201313 yr by Richard46

As Richard mentions, the 'new' Kenwood system (DAB) does integrate with rear sensors and climate, which is nice!

The system will have separate iPhone/Pod connection running in to the glovebox if that's of any use? But also has USB, Bluetooth streaming etc.

The antenna is not exactly hidden but (personally) you don't notice it when driving - eyes on the road and all that

As a thought, have you ordered new (specific factory order)? If yes then you can have Columbus DAB fitted at factory.

I have a Kenwood in my VW Transporter. It's excellent but I find it very slow to operate - even turning it on takes an age, a good minute or so after turning on the ignition before it comes to life.

I fitted the previous one to my Superb when the Columbus failed. I hated it. If the iPod lead goes into the glovebox rather than sticking out of the front, and the integration is better then those are two of the big issues solved. Other things I hated:

- Nannying phone system. It will not let you dial a number using the keypad if the car is moving. Sensible, you might say, you should be concentrating and not fiddling with the phone. Ah yes, but I often used to say to my wife "can you dial......" and she'd put the number in from the passenger side. Not possible with the Kenwood. You can do voice dialling, but I found the voice recognition to be very poor.

- Screen colour. The default screen is bright blue, which doesn't go with the rest of the lighting in the car. You can change the colour of the button lighting, but I never managed to work out how to get the screen itself to look more "Skoda".

- Boot time. It seemed to take a long time to start up after you started the car.

- Ugly maps. The maps on my portable garmin unit are beautiful, but the garmin maps on the Kenwood were clunky and ugly. Looking at the box on the new one they may have improved it

- Fiddly buttons. Especially when used with the iPod, the album and track listing was tiny, so you would never end up listening to what you wanted as you would go over a bump just as you were aiming your finger, and end up pressing a different one. Columbus and Bolero buttons are better thought out and much larger

I'm also not sure you get the GALA system that the Skoda units have, to alter the volume as the speed of the car increases and decreases, but I could be wrong.

These are just my opinions, but I'd stick with a Skoda unit every time, as it integrates perfectly with the car.

Thanks everyone for the feedback and boy were you all quick, I'm so impressed.

I've just been to the garage and changed my order to the Columbus, as I love it on my Octy and the only reasons I went for the Kenwood on the Yeti order were price and because the Columbus I've got doesn't have DAB.

But now the new Columbus does have DAB I'd much rather spend the extra £500 and not have the aerial stuck on the windscreen and the additional microphone. Call me shallow, but I think I just prefer the clean look without these things.

Also considering getting the new badges for it if it comes with the old ones, as I think they look rather smart, although had a great convo with the parts manager at my local dealership about how he loves the heritage the older badges show.

So excited about getting the new brand Yeti anyway, just a shame it takes a good 8 weeks to come fresh from the factory.

Mmmmm now what other lovely add ons to buy when it arrives ...

As a thought, have you ordered new (specific factory order)? If yes then you can have Columbus DAB fitted at factory.

Yes I have, and thanks for the advice I've gone for the Columbus DAB now instead

....just a shame it takes a good 8 weeks to come fresh from the factory....

So soon, so soon :think: !

So soon, so soon :think: !

Indeed... I had to wait SEVEN MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So soon, so soon :think: !

Indeed... I had to wait SEVEN MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blinkin' hell, 7 months, well that does make me feel a lot better then!

*Excited like a child on Christmas Eve*

Indeed... I had to wait SEVEN MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, you did order a car that they were refusing to make at the time.........one which had a pair of tips snips taken too it.

I 'only' had to wait 5 months.