If voice control and sat nav are significant then go for the Amundsen with BT enaed, but I would keep an eye out for a Skoda one as I personally would be annoyed with a VW logo every time it started.

 

FYI - Just got a reply from an ebay seller who says none of the genuine skoda units come with bluetooth built in.  Which explains why I was struggling to find a Skoda Amundsen with BT enabled!

 

Which means I'm back to my two options: 1) BT kit for bolero or 2) Volkswagen Amundsen unit with BT built in

Option 1 then if voice control isn't of high importance. (IMO)

Option 2 if you want sat nav & voice control.

Yep, I think you're right KBPhoto.  Even more so if the following is true...

 

I asked the ebay shop seller about buying a VW unit with bluetooth built in as Skoda didn't make them. He said that NONE of VW, SEAT, SKODA or AUDI units have bluetooth built in.  Therefore, my option 2 above isn't an option anymore!

 

Which means...

I have to admit, for the money being quoted in the original post, you could upgrade to Amundsen/RNS315. BT and Nav built-in..

This product might not exist RainbowFire?

 

+1 on the Amundsen +/RNS 315 unit. Have this in my Blackline and its fantastic.

Then you get onto its capabilities out of the box that the Columbus cannot do.....full BT functionality with A2DP audio streaming (just no voice control but its cack anyway so you'd not miss it) and a built in DAB/DAB+ tuner. Simply swap thr headunit, install the GPS antenna, BT mic and loom and a 3rd party DAB antenna and you have it all.

Blackline came with the Amundsen + but no standard Bluetooth, coding (took a few mins) by a local VAG specialist, bought the mic and got a mechanic friend to fit, 80 quid later (not much in my mind though knowing what I do now could have installed the mic myself.....just scared to take my week old 200 mile car apart) had full OEM bluetooth.

Pipsyp, when you said " full BT functionality", I now assume you mean the unit had the capability, but you still needed to buy and fit a BT module kit to enable it.

 

Ok, so looks like I'll be researching the BT kit to add to my existing Bolero.  Only downside is probably no voice control and no satnav, but people have said the voice control is a bit naff anyway, and I can continue to use my Samsung S3 as satnav.

 

I feel like I've got this far in research I should buy and fit myself & try to save some cash, hmmmm...decisions.

Edited 29 July, 201312 yr by hwl100

It's really not hard to fit a BT loom, module & mic.

If you are anywhere near Bromyard, call in and I'll help you.

Hwl100 I'm in the exact same position as you. I want to keep the Bolero and don't need a sat nav and will cope without voice control as long as I can pick what I want to stream either via the Bolero or by the iPhone itself even whilst it is paired.

My only problem now is knowing exactly what to buy since the bluetooth modules I've found on eBay to date are not confirmed by anybody to be what I need. A specific part number would be useful!

This product might not exist RainbowFire? 

 

It does......

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/252899-amunsden-plus-bluetooth-and-microphone-install-how-to/

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-SEAT-RNS-315-Bluetooth-DAB-Touchscreen-AUX-/271248231349?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems&hash=item3f27a78bb5

 

at 99p at the moment

 

plus a decode (ebay people are around £50)....could be a bargin.

Really? Oh god. No wonder there is so much confusion on this topic, getting conflicting messages...or I'm not understanding it!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-SEAT-RNS-315-Bluetooth-DAB-Touchscreen-AUX-/271248231349?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems&hash=item3f27a78bb5

at 99p at the moment

plus a decode (ebay people are around £50)....could be a bargin.

I thought there were Skoda ones around at the time if the Blackline being available.

However the one on eBay is a Seat one - no idea what colour they are...

 

Yep, I think you're right KBPhoto.  Even more so if the following is true...

 

I asked the ebay shop seller about buying a VW unit with bluetooth built in as Skoda didn't make them. He said that NONE of VW, SEAT, SKODA or AUDI units have bluetooth built in.  Therefore, my option 2 above isn't an option anymore!

 

Which means...

This product might not exist RainbowFire?

 

Pipsyp, when you said " full BT functionality", I now assume you mean the unit had the capability, but you still needed to buy and fit a BT module kit to enable it.

 

Ok, so looks like I'll be researching the BT kit to add to my existing Bolero.  Only downside is probably no voice control and no satnav, but people have said the voice control is a bit naff anyway, and I can continue to use my Samsung S3 as satnav.

 

I feel like I've got this far in research I should buy and fit myself & try to save some cash, hmmmm...decisions.

 

 

The Skoda Amundsen+ definitely has the Bluetooth module - it just needs activating through VCDS - I can confirm this, as I had mine activated on Saturday (2 min Job thanks to JAMES I), I then fitted the mic loom which took all of 20 mins (10 of which were trying to get the glovebox out whilst forgetting to remove the last screw!)

 

I of course followed the excellent How To by Welsh_kai_boy  http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/252899-amunsden-plus-bluetooth-and-microphone-install-how-to/

Yep, I think you're right KBPhoto. Even more so if the following is true...

I asked the ebay shop seller about buying a VW unit with bluetooth built in as Skoda didn't make them. He said that NONE of VW, SEAT, SKODA or AUDI units have bluetooth built in. Therefore, my option 2 above isn't an option anymore!

Which means...

This product might not exist RainbowFire?

Pipsyp, when you said " full BT functionality", I now assume you mean the unit had the capability, but you still needed to buy and fit a BT module kit to enable it.

Ok, so looks like I'll be researching the BT kit to add to my existing Bolero. Only downside is probably no voice control and no satnav, but people have said the voice control is a bit naff anyway, and I can continue to use my Samsung S3 as satnav.

I feel like I've got this far in research I should buy and fit myself & try to save some cash, hmmmm...decisions.

Nope, the Amundsen + (the version fitted to all the Blacklines at least) has a built in BT module, as well as DAB.

The Blacklines all came from the factory without BT, all that was required was to have the BT module in the Amundsen + enabled with VCDS and purchase the correc mic and wiring loom from carsystems.pl and it was done. If I had a proper Ross Tech cable and VCDS and had installed the wiring myself (which bar some trim removal was entirely plug and play) would have only cost me 32 quid.

just to reiterate I do not have a separate BT module in my car its all done on the Amundsen.

I want to jump on this band wagon too I too have the same unit with no bluetooth with my bolero I too not bothered about voice activation nor sat nav as I too will use my S2 so ill wait in anticipation to what you go with so I can copy

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

I thought there were Skoda ones around at the time if the Blackline being available.

However the one on eBay is a Seat one - no idea what colour they are...

 

SEAT Logo on startup (slightly animated no less!)

Red button illumination (although not a harsh red)

The menu system is mostly red - however I have no idea what a Skoda version is coloured in that respect. Actually scratch that slightly: the media and radio are red, the nav is white and the phone is green.

 

Can't say that the red buttons are a distraction, however, in mitigation, I did had a VW RCD310 before, so I could just be used to red now. But it's not a bright red. The screen also dims dynamically, properly. Also there's no "always dim" issue, like can happen on Bolero and Pre-FL cars.

 

 

 

Another possibility with the 315 series is the option of RVC......if I could only work out how to get the 315 to realise the car is in reverse!

SEAT Logo on startup (slightly animated no less!)

Red button illumination (although not a harsh red)

The menu system is mostly red - however I have no idea what a Skoda version is coloured in that respect. Actually scratch that slightly: the media and radio are red, the nav is white and the phone is green.

Can't say that the red buttons are a distraction, however, in mitigation, I did had a VW RCD310 before, so I could just be used to red now. But it's not a bright red. The screen also dims dynamically, properly. Also there's no "always dim" issue, like can happen on Bolero and Pre-FL cars.

Another possibility with the 315 series is the option of RVC......if I could only work out how to get the 315 to realise the car is in reverse!

Amundsen Plus has green buttons, screen interface is mainly white black and green

Thanks for the clarification pipsyp & rainbowfire, sorry about that.  Duff info or more likely misinterpretation by me from ebay seller.

 

Clearly the Amundsen+ has BT built in per antonybates & pipsyp post above.  Did either of you buy the unit separately or did you already have it in your blackline and you just got it activated?

 

So it sounds like...and please correct again if I'm wrong:

 

- Some Skoda Amundsen+ units come with BT built in (&DAB).  Are these also referred to as RNS 315 units?

- Some NON Skoda RNS 315 units (EG.. VW, SEAT etc..) come with BT built in.  Rainbowfire, you have one of these, correct?

- No Skoda RNS 510 Columbus units come with BT built in

- No Skoda RCD 510 Bolero units come with BT built in

 

Is the name "Amundsen" specific to Skoda, and other manufactuers simply refer to the same unit as RNS315?

I want to jump on this band wagon too I too have the same unit with no bluetooth with my bolero I too not bothered about voice activation nor sat nav as I too will use my S2 so ill wait in anticipation to what you go with so I can copy

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Sounds good.  Hopefully, we'll get to the bottom of it...then you, me and monkeyalan will be able to get a solution!

- Some NON Skoda RNS 315 units (EG.. VW, SEAT etc..) come with BT built in.  Rainbowfire, you have one of these, correct?

 

 

Is the name "Amundsen" specific to Skoda, and other manufactuers simply refer to the same unit as RNS315?

 

Yes that is correct. Mine is a SEAT unit. (BT and DAB)

 

Yes the name "Amundsen" is specific to Skoda. As is Bolero and Columbus. Maybe Skoda thinks nameing the H/Us will endear them to the drivers. ;)

Thanks for the clarification pipsyp & rainbowfire, sorry about that.  Duff info or more likely misinterpretation by me from ebay seller.

 

Clearly the Amundsen+ has BT built in per antonybates & pipsyp post above.  Did either of you buy the unit separately or did you already have it in your blackline and you just got it activated?

 

So it sounds like...and please correct again if I'm wrong:

 

- Some Skoda Amundsen+ units come with BT built in (&DAB).  Are these also referred to as RNS 315 units?

- Some NON Skoda RNS 315 units (EG.. VW, SEAT etc..) come with BT built in.  Rainbowfire, you have one of these, correct?

- No Skoda RNS 510 Columbus units come with BT built in

- No Skoda RCD 510 Bolero units come with BT built in

 

Is the name "Amundsen" specific to Skoda, and other manufactuers simply refer to the same unit as RNS315?

 

No the Amundsen+ was in the car when I bought it - i just bought the Mic Loom and had BT enabled 

 

Amundsen+ is the Skoda model name for the RNS315,  if I remember correctly Amundsen (without the +) is an RNS310 and Columbus is an RNS510.

 

Obviously the Skoda 'Branded' units have the green lighting etc

What doesn't help matters is that Amundsen+ doesn't always have BT/DAB on it

 

This one, for example:    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Amundsen-RNS-315-RNS315-Navigation-System-Sat-Nav-GPS-HDD-VW-Seat-B-Fabia-/300926606220?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems&hash=item46109f9b8c

 

Clearly no DAB. And there's no way of seeing if the unit has BT onboard without physically connecting to it.

 

 

This does leave one thinking: what is the '+' ?

Yes the name "Amundsen" is specific to Skoda. As is Bolero and Columbus. Maybe Skoda thinks nameing the H/Us will endear them to the drivers. ;)

Ha!  This thread is hilarious.  Bolero, Columbus, Amundsen, Amundsen+....or RCD-510, RNS-510, RNS-310, RNS-315

What doesn't help matters is that Amundsen+ doesn't always have BT/DAB on it

 

This one, for example:    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Amundsen-RNS-315-RNS315-Navigation-System-Sat-Nav-GPS-HDD-VW-Seat-B-Fabia-/300926606220?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems&hash=item46109f9b8c

 

Clearly no DAB. And there's no way of seeing if the unit has BT onboard without physically connecting to it.

 

 

This does leave one thinking: what is the '+' ?

The only way I can think of checking is to ask each seller before bidding/buying.  That's what I've been doing today and finding out that lots don't have BT/DAB built in...

Ha!  This thread is hilarious.  Bolero, Columbus, Amundsen, Amundsen+....or RCD-510, RNS-510, RNS-310, RNS-315

 

The numbers don't really help either......there's an RNS310 and an RCD310, and they're not related at all! A simple system would be far easier.

 

 

The only way I can think of checking is to ask each seller before bidding/buying.  That's what I've been doing today and finding out that lots don't have BT/DAB built in...

 

If there's a picture of the back, DAB is a black connector towards the top.

 

Like on this one: (last picture)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-RNS-315-RNS315-DAB-Bluetooth-Navigation-System-Sat-Nav-GPS-HDD-VW-310-510-/290924042084?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item43bc6c9764

 

Every one I've seen that has DAB has also had BT, although I'm not going suggest that's a hard and fast rule. If you have a proper friendly dealer, they might be able to help sort out this quagmire.

 

 

Just seen this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEAT-SAT-NAV-RNS-315-GPS-DAB-Fits-Most-2005-on-Seats-/141023424018?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20d5a6ae12

 

Keeping a sharp eye out, you can find them cheaper at times though, but it depends on how quickly you want this done. This one recently went through:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271241104521?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Definately works as described ;)

Might be worth dropping them a line and see if they have anything on the horizon coming in.

 

They've got a few Columbus/RNS510s up for grabs at the moment.

 

 

 

If you want to think outside of OEM though there are other options that can be considered:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/184878-today-i-replaced-my-rns510-columbus-with-a-kenwood-dnx520vbt/?p=2214861

The numbers don't really help either......there's an RNS310 and an RCD310, and they're not related at all! A simple system would be far easier.

...and how do Columbus vs Amundsen compare, which is the higher spec or more up to date etc...?

The numbers don't really help either......there's an RNS310 and an RCD310, and they're not related at all! A simple system would be far easier.

If there's a picture of the back, DAB is a black connector towards the top.

Like on this one: (last picture)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-RNS-315-RNS315-DAB-Bluetooth-Navigation-System-Sat-Nav-GPS-HDD-VW-310-510-/290924042084?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item43bc6c9764

Every one I've seen that has DAB has also had BT, although I'm not going suggest that's a hard and fast rule. If you have a proper friendly dealer, they might be able to help sort out this quagmire.

Just seen this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEAT-SAT-NAV-RNS-315-GPS-DAB-Fits-Most-2005-on-Seats-/141023424018?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20d5a6ae12

Keeping a sharp eye out, you can find them cheaper at times though, but it depends on how quickly you want this done. This one recently went through:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271241104521?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Definately works as described ;)

Might be worth dropping them a line and see if they have anything on the horizon coming in.

They've got a few Columbus/RNS510s up for grabs at the moment.

If you want to think outside of OEM though there are other options that can be considered:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/184878-today-i-replaced-my-rns510-columbus-with-a-kenwood-dnx520vbt/?p=2214861

Yep this makes perfect sense. I suspect the unit they fit in the Fabia is the more basic one; no DAB or BT capability. The one fitted in the Octavia is the same unit fitted to the Superb and Yeti both of which are available with Amundsen + with DAB radio now. Possible on these cars that have BT that Skoda still fit the separate modules rather than using the in built one.

...and how do Columbus vs Amundsen compare, which is the higher spec or more up to date etc...?

Columbus has been around for quite a while. Possibly since 2004.

The Amundsen was introduced c.2009 so is slightly newer.

The Columbus has in built hard drive (30 or 40 Gb). Early versions had L D screens newer ones have LED.

I think the Amundsen would be LED screen.

Both have SD card slots. Screen is bigger on the Columbus.

DAB is an option on the Amundsen, and not possible to add to the Cumbus whilst maintaining full contr from the HU.

It may be possible to add TV reception to some Cumbus versions. I don't know if this is possible on the Amudsen.

Otherwise there isn't really that much difference as they functions are essentially the same.

Both high spec units, with differences.

I'm sure if I've missed anything others will add to the list.