Hi all,

         I've recently purchased an Octavia VRS and it has a Columbus unit.  It looks like the unit was fitted sometime after the car was manufactured as I have found the receipt in my documentation for the car.  I'm really pleased with it but I have a few questions.

 

1. Is it worth updating the maps and if so is it an easy process?

2..Do you need some sort of a viewing kit to enable the TV (Mine is grayed out).

3. If I want to upgrade the maps does the firmware need to be updated first (I am unsure on how to find out the current firmware version).

 

From looking at other Topic's I understand there is a link to download the maps, I understand this is down to the user if they want to take the risk.

 

Any help and advice anyone can give me is much appreciated.

 

JLR.

You really need to know what unit part number you have (it's on the sticker on the HU) and also what firmware you have currently.

Can you remove the HU to find the part number (it should start 3T0 or 1Z0) and also see if you can access the hidden menu by pressing the 'Setup' button for 30+ secs and seeing if it goes beyond the 'Radio' menu.

Updating maps is painless. Downloading them is illegal as it infringes copyright. Your choice.

Updating firmware is a little more worrying and will wipe your maps & music (probably). So do this first.

To be able to watch TV (not DVD's) you will need a new module/receiver, aerial & wiring but I can't advise further on this.

Have a look at Kufatec or CarSystems.pl to see if they have modules for you.

You really need to know what unit part number you have (it's on the sticker on the HU) and also what firmware you have currently.

Can you remove the HU to find the part number (it should start 3T0 or 1Z0) and also see if you can access the hidden menu by pressing the 'Setup' button for 30+ secs and seeing if it goes beyond the 'Radio' menu.

Updating maps is painless. Downloading them is illegal as it infringes copyright. Your choice.

Updating firmware is a little more worrying and will wipe your maps & music (probably). So do this first.

To be able to watch TV (not DVD's) you will need a new module/receiver, aerial & wiring but I can't advise further on this.

Have a look at Kufatec or CarSystems.pl to see if they have modules for you.

 

Thanks for the reply the TV is not a big issue tbh just wanted to know if there was a way to turn the feature on. I will try the hidden menu tomorrow and see what I can find. If a more up to date firmware is not required to run the latest maps I will probably just update the maps.  I will give my local dealer a ring to see if and how much they charge for a map upgrade.

does it have a code, like old one is RNS510

does it have a code, like old one is RNS510

 

Not that I can see I've checked the receipt for the sat nav and all it says is Skoda Sat Nav. The unit was fitted in 2009 I've found the website and they still have the unit for sale on there.  See link

 

http://www.autotronics.co.uk/cscart/zenec-ze-nc2010-6.5-screen-oem-look-for-vw-skoda-and-seat-clone.html

 

Judging by the picture it looks like the same unit as mine but as I'm new to these units I'm not sure if it is the same version.

 

I've tried holding the Setup for 30+ seconds but it only goes as far as the Radio Service mode so I'm guessing the firmware is pretty old.

2009 unit is probably on 27xx firmware or slightly earlier.

Two partitions and old format POI's.

2009 unit is probably on 27xx firmware or slightly earlier.

Two partitions and old format POI's.

Thanks for the info  .

 

I phoned my local Skoda dealer for a price on a map and firmware update (Out of curiosity and expecting the worst) and they said for both it would be £40.  I don't think that's too bad at all. I would rather pay that than run the risk of bricking my unit.

Ask them what the firmware version is they'll be using (should be 402x or 523x I think) and what version maps they'll use (probably 8).

For £40 to keep any problems with the dealer, I'd have done that.

I'm hearing more people getting great deals on map/firmware updates from dealers. Maybe they are beginning to see a potential revenue source if the price is kept low enough and comparable (ish) to the stand alone sat navs.

Ask them what the firmware version is they'll be using (should be 402x or 523x I think) and what version maps they'll use (probably 8).

For £40 to keep any problems with the dealer, I'd have done that.

I'm hearing more people getting great deals on map/firmware updates from dealers. Maybe they are beginning to see a potential revenue source if the price is kept low enough and comparable (ish) to the stand alone sat navs.

 

When I phoned I asked them about what versions they are using he did ask if my unit does the five digit or seven digit postcode he said when they update mine it will have the seven digit search on there.  He also said they have the latest maps as they change them every 6 months or so,I wont get to keep the disc/memory card etc but I'm not bothered about that.

 

Yeah I have read on here about dealer's giving some surprising prices to some customers.  As you say maybe they are seeing the benefits of giving lower quotes.

Does sat nav have full post code search pls? Ie 6 digit.

Also what part number is current columbus some say it is ending K and some L

Also what part number is current columbus some say it is ending K and some L

'L' is a safe bet.

I took a 'K' out of my car rather than risk it.

At some point I'll put it back in to see if I get battery drain (and OPS display) with the 'K' and then sell the newer one on.

Does sat nav have full post code search pls? Ie 6 digit.

Latest versions have full 7-digit postcode search with an appropriate firmware.

I think v.5 maps (or later) and firmware 27xx (or later) if I remember correctly.

Certainly 38xx & 42xx firmware and v.8 & 9 maps have 7-digit search.

UPDATE.

 

Sat Nav and Firmware updated today at my main dealer total cost £39.47.

UPDATE.

Sat Nav and Firmware updated today at my main dealer total cost £39.47.

That sounds a lot better than trying to update the firmware yourself and risking 'bricking' the unit :-)

FURTHER UPDATE

Tried to start the car last night and the battery was flat. Jump started it took it for a spin and this morning it was flat again.

Can anyone advise if this firmware update is flattening my battery?

If your car is an '07 plate or earlier, then it almost certainly is as the CAN Gateway will be too early to avoid battery drain and you Columbus will need modified firmware.

Might be worth a call to the dealer to explain the situation and refer him to the Internet regarding this matter.

Oh great thats all I need the car is a 2007 but the unit was fitted sometime after the car was made (2009) I think. Not what I need at the mo as we are having a baby and my wife is due in 6 weeks.

I'm not advocating this solution long term, but its reported to work and will relieve your frustration temporarily: http://www.r32oc.com/topic/31099-rns-510-a-simple-solution-to-battery-drain/

There is a modified firmware for the Columbus which will allow 7-digit postcodes, PDC display and won't suffer from battery drain.

adamal will be along shortly to advise as he is in the know with modified stuff (PM him and he'll help, I'm sure).

The modified firmware may well be a 'downgrade' from what the dealer put on, but if it avoids battery drain then it'll be worth it.

I'd be inclined to go back to the dealer though and insist the put it back and refund you or come up with another solution that will work.

I'm not advocating this solution long term, but its reported to work and will relieve your frustration temporarily: http://www.r32oc.com/topic/31099-rns-510-a-simple-solution-to-battery-drain/

There is a modified firmware for the Columbus which will allow 7-digit postcodes, PDC display and won't suffer from battery drain.

adamal will be along shortly to advise as he is in the know with modified stuff (PM him and he'll help, I'm sure).

The modified firmware may well be a 'downgrade' from what the dealer put on, but if it avoids battery drain then it'll be worth it.

I'd be inclined to go back to the dealer though and insist the put it back and refund you or come up with another solution that will work.

 

Thanks KBPhoto you have been great with me all the way through this topic and your help is much appreciated. I'm going to go back to my local Skoda tomorrow and insist they put the old firmware back on I will worry about the firmware update when the baby is born it's definitely going to have to be the modified version which like you say will be worth it. If I take the fuse out for tonight as a temporary measure to start the car tomorrow will this re-set the unit and ask for a security code to be entered? I ask because I dont have the code for the unit.

Edited 22 September, 201312 yr by JLR

No it won't need the code.

I have an '07 Octavia and have removed the battery several times and not needed to enter the code.

It has spooked me a few times by asking for it on first connection to power (reconnecting battery or putting fuse back in for example), but ignore it and it will soon pick up the stored code from the car where it is stored.

No it won't need the code.

I have an '07 Octavia and have removed the battery several times and not needed to enter the code.

It has spooked me a few times by asking for it on first connection to power (reconnecting battery or putting fuse back in for example), but ignore it and it will soon pick up the stored code from the car where it is stored.

 

 

Thanks, one thing I forgot to mention previously I was sitting in the car scratching my head while searching through the secret menu (one good thing about the new firmware so far) and I kept hearing a clicking noise on the passenger side of the car near the glovebox, I'm assuming this would be the canbus gateway trying to communicate with the new firmware?

Your CAN gateway may be located behind the glovebox, but mine was above the driver's right foot!

No rhyme or reason on '07 plates...

Can't think why it would be clicking though... It's only a computer module not a relay.

Yeah that's what I thought very strange. I just want to get down to my local dealer now and get this sorted its going to be a sleepless night for me tonight I think.

Try and relax:if you can: if you've pulled the fuse you'll be OK in the morning.

And whatever they have done can be reversed and either an update CAN fitted or a modified firmware installed.