Upgrading Amundsen+ to DAB

[LovingMyYeti]

Hi

Firstly I'm new to this site, so if these questions have been answered before please let me know.  I have seen some partial answers but not full - or some that get a tad technical for me!

 

So, I recently bought a Yeti SE Plus.  We fell into the trap of test driving the L&K model as it was the only one fully taxed on forecourt, but di know it had lots of upgrades that other models didn't. We looked at the regular SE but it didn't have Sat Nav - deal breaker - so went for the Plus as it did - and the set up looked identical to the one we played with in the L&K. Sadly no DAB though and as we live by coast with many favourite stations on MW channels this is a real disappointment.

As its nearly new we can't pay the advertised £160 for factory upgrade to DAB and have been given 2 options:

Install Kenwood multi media - quoted £1500, though Skoda Parts website says £945 + labour - but still pricey.

Or add Pure Highway 300Di which they promote at £270 but its not integrated.

 

Now the questions (the system fitted is Amundsen+):

1. Pure Highway cant be integrated which is annoying - does anyone have it? I can imagine it being frustrating to have steering wheel controls for regular radio that are redundant for Pure; plus it wont look as nice & streamlined.

 

2. AutoDAB - I've seen this advertised but mixed comments re compatibility with Amundsen.  It would enable the integrated steering wheel controls though.  Does anyone know if compatible with Amundsen+?

 

Any other options??

 

If I went for Kenwood could I resell the Amundsen unit for any decent amount??  Doesn't seem to have many fans - though I think its fine so far, its just missing the DAB.

 

Appreciate any advice - please don't be too technical though! 

Thanks!!

[simonsheil]

I don't know the skoda unit but when Vw updated their units over two years ago they all had dab capability just not the antenna. I added antenna and coded to suit.

[LovingMyYeti]

Hi Simonshell

I'm presuming it has DAB capability as if I had ordered from new it would have been a simple affordable upgrade, not a new system, but I don't have the technical know-how to add antenna or code it? How/where would I get this looked at? 

Thanks

[RainbowFire]

You can easily check if the unit has DAB:

A scan with VCDS will reveal whether the unit has DAB or not.

This would also show if the unit has Bluetooth or not as well.

 

-or-

 

Remove the trim panel

Undo the 4 exposed T20 screws.

Slide the unit towards you.

At the back, towards the top there should be a black, small, round connector.

If it doesn't, you have a non-DAB model

If it does, you'll need a DAB aerial (about £20,and dead easy to fit) and someone with VCDS to switch the DAB side on.

 

 

 

I'm up in Redhill (and have VCDS) if I can be of any help.

[LovingMyYeti]

Thanks RainbowFire

 

I called Skoda HQ today as so much conflicting info online.  The one key thing they clarified is that the "+" in Amundsen+ doesn't mean it has DAB as so many forum posts have suggested, it actually means it has an SD card slot rather than just a CD slot.  So that has made me lean towards assumption that it is not DAB ready, and if I'd bought from factory they'd have fitted a whole new system rather than installing an add on.

It def has Bluetooth as am currently using that to stream from TuneIn Radio app.

 

As a total layman at this I am reluctant to get a screwdriver out, and v wary of impacting warranty, but the scanning option sounds like the perfect way to satisfy the query once and for all.

 

On talking to carcommunications.co.uk it seems DABaudio is the way to go, more discreet than PURE and uses Amundsen screen to show radio channels rather than using the separate display that PURE does, but there is nothing that can be fully integrated with steering wheel controls without parting with £1500+!!

 

I am in Crawley on Thursday so if your offer stands to scan the system that would be great ... though if its something a local radio specialist can do I can try there rather than disturb your day!

Many thanks

[simonsheil]

Yeah I has a look on eBay and none of the + units had the dab unfortunately. Don't know whether the dab options on skoda are built in our an add on module.

[RainbowFire]

In their infinite wisdom, VW managed to unleash two visually identical units: RNS310(Amundsen) and RNS315(Amundsen+) I've never seen what the actual differences. I have seen some 310's with DAB/BT/NAV as well.

 

When looking on ebay, you should also search for RNS310 as you do come across things like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-RNS-315-Navigation-System-Sat-Nav-GPS-HDD-VW-310-510-BLUETOOTH-DAB-/321223788245?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item4aca6e06d5

....not everyone lists with the name

 

VCDS is not always something an audio specialst will have as it's quite a "big" tool for what they usually deal with.

 

Don't worry about disturbing the day, I need something to relieve the boredom A scan will only take a few minutes.

I also have an RNS315 in the car if you wanted to have a look (it's the SEAT one, so the buttons are red and it has the SEAT logo on startup, but other than that they're the same )

[LovingMyYeti]

Yes they said both can have DAB options, but neither do as standard. Its just the SD card that differentiates.

 

Will def aim to take up your offer to scan - thank you. 

Contemplating Ebay option, hadn't looked there - though don't want to nullify warranty by messing with system too much.  :think:

[RainbowFire]

Whilst we're here.....

 

This one has no DAB (look at the second picture)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-RNS-315-Navigation-Bluetooth-HDD-SD-MP3-/271297301094?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item3f2a944a66

 

This one has DAB (again second picture)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEAT-RNS-315-Navigation-Bluetooth-DAB-Radio-HDD-SD-MP3-/271297464550?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item3f2a96c8e6

 

(Oddly, the one with DAB is £10 cheaper than the one without) Both are cheaper than the other offerings on eBay. I got my RNS315 from them. Bullet-proof packaging and came with code.

[LovingMyYeti]

Added them to my ebay watchlist! 

[io1901]

Yes they said both can have DAB options, but neither do as standard. Its just the SD card that differentiates.

Will def aim to take up your offer to scan - thank you.

Contemplating Ebay option, hadn't looked there - though don't want to nullify warranty by messing with system too much. :think:

Both the + and the "old" Admunsen have SD slots. I think the main differences the + has internal flash memory for the nav data.

[Gyp]

Added them to my ebay watchlist! 

 

Have you sorted this now?

 

I'm picking up my Yeti in the next couple of weeks and that too is an SE plus with Amundsen without DAB :(

 

I've just removed the Highway 300Di from my Octavia with the intention to put it in the Yeti, but am now wondering about alternative options. To be honest, the highway has been excellent, I'd just prefer something a little more integrated and (sad to say) a little more colour coordinated.

 

I know that the Alpine EZ-DAB can (partially) change colour to match, but in some ways I'd prefer to replace the Amundsen with an Amundsen with DAB and sell the old one (as long as it all integrates and the maps move over etc)

 

Of course, if I can simply mount the Highway in a less prominent position than on the Octy that might be OK

[LovingMyYeti]

Have you sorted this now?

 

I'm no further on with this but that is more owing to my 8 month old daughter and the lack of time with work/home than desire to resolve. Simply shifted right down the priorities list as was taking such an effort to find the answers needed.  My initial delay was from being stuck in jargon i don't understand and not knowing if Skoda were trying to pull a fast one with expensive upgrades when hardware/software is virtually all there!  Massive help from RainbowFire but lacking confidence to remove system to check on installation behind means this is way beyond my comfort level.

I'm getting used to the rubbish radio signals again and see myself resorting to the Pure highway, but like you I really want something integrated.  Perhaps by the time I trade in/ upgrade in 2.5 years DAB will be standard.

Please keep me posted if you do resolve. 

[Gyp]

I'm in a bit of a pickle with this at the moment.

 

I have a 300Di. For about £40 (for a new aerial) and a morning of swearing I could get it in the car. But the only place I can see the controller sitting is fixed to the air vents, similarly to the way it was in the Octavia. Not a problem in itself, but it will make the dash look a little cluttered.

 

My further frustation with the 300Di is that the illumination colour is fixed and (with my colour blind vision) is rather orange and clashes with the rest of the dash illumination

 

The Alpine badged version of the 300Di has a white display and the buttons can be colour changed to a similar green to the Skoda dash illumination so that would be much better, but then I'm in for a further £150-£200 or so.

 

The preference would be to buy an Amundsen+ DAB and simply swap out & sell the existing one, which would probably cost less than upgrading to the Alpine, but they seem rarer than a rare thing second hand.

 

I can see me fitting the 300Di and then swapping the controller & display for an Alpine one at some point when funds allow.

 

As an aside though, I tend to find the steering wheel controls very fiddly so having controls off-wheel would suit me fine!

[j0hn]

There's a DNX321DAB or whatever it's called for sale on here for £620.

[Gyp]

There's a DNX321DAB or whatever it's called for sale on here for £620.

There is, but I think what I'm after is an RNS315DAB.

[Gyp]

Interesting chat at the local Skoda shoppe today... Apparently Skoda's aftermarket DAB install price has stayed the same (£279 inc VAT fitted with 2 year warranty), but they have moved away from the Pure Highway 300Di to an AutoDAB unit.

 

Have a look here...

 

http://www.carcommunications.co.uk/car-accessories/dab-digital-car-radio/skoda_3568

 

I think the one that Skoda are fitting at £279 might be one of the ones with a remote control rather than being integrated into the steering wheel controls.

 

So, not quite fully integrated, but doesn't have the control mounted on the dash. That said, I think I prefer the functionality of the Pure/Alpine, as it can pause/rewind/forward and can plug into/power a phone too.

 

Hmmm

[LovingMyYeti]

Yes that's correct. The initial post relates to integrating the DAB - for which Skoda charge £1500. The integrated system can be bought for about £380-£400 on eBay but the big mystery is whether the existing systems simply require DAB to be switched on and an aerial installing, or need to full unit installing. It's then a case of waiting for the right model to be available.

If anyone just wants DAB then adding the Pure or Auto DAB is an easy option - and incidentally an install through Skoda is pretty competitive unless your garage go overboard on fees for fitting etc.

[Gyp]

Sorry, so long since I read your first post that I forgot that you'd mentioned the AutoDAB. Oops!

 

The 510 doesn't have the fakra connection on the back for the DAB aerial, so the hardware isn't there. If you look at ebay item 271377820590 (the Seat version of what i think we'd need), you can see the single fakra at the top left of the back of the unit. Item 291027538755 (A VW version of what we've already got) doesn't have it.

[RainbowFire]

Yes that's correct. The initial post relates to integrating the DAB - for which Skoda charge £1500. The integrated system can be bought for about £380-£400 on eBay but the big mystery is whether the existing systems simply require DAB to be switched on and an aerial installing, or need to full unit installing. It's then a case of waiting for the right model to be available.

If anyone just wants DAB then adding the Pure or Auto DAB is an easy option - and incidentally an install through Skoda is pretty competitive unless your garage go overboard on fees for fitting etc.

 

If you'll pardon the phrase.......you've not popped yours out and had a look yet?

[LovingMyYeti]

Ah that is they key bit of info - thank you! That's what Rainbowfire said I needed to check for but I haven't had time or been confident enough to remove the unit to check. So basically it's a case of finding the right model to integrate & install via eBay, or opting for the addon approach with AutoDAB etc.

Thanks Gyp - that's resolved THE big unknown query. Much obliged,

Just need to save up for the right option now!

[RainbowFire]

Next time you're passing......

[Gyp]

Thanks Gyp - that's resolved THE big unknown query. Much obliged,

Though all I ended up doing was repeating the info up there. If only I'd taken the time to read it...

One thing I'm yet to discover, is whether access to the back of the radio can be achieved by removing the dash top tray. Likely to be less daunting than taking out the radio. If course, once the radio has been out once, it's quite easy, it's just that first time...

What would be nice to know is if the internals of the Amundsen+ are modular. There's one with dab but faulty gps on eBay at the moment. Wouldn't it be nice if the back panels were interchangeable and the dab was a slot in module.

The more I look at it, the more I'm drawn to the Alpine solution. I've used the Pure version for the last couple of years and have been pretty impressed with it. The Alpine will be a lot closer to the Skoda dash colour-wise.

I'm going to chat with the Skoda dealer later in the week to see if the Skoda looms are available without buying the kit, as they are a lot neater than the generic SOT cables, and the fakra breakout is much better.

Question then will be whether to mount the usb connection in the jumbo box like on the Octavia or in the dash top box.

[LovingMyYeti]

Next time you're passing......

Thanks !!     I'll ask daughter to give me a day off so I can sort one day ;-)

[j0hn]

There is, but I think what I'm after is an RNS315DAB.

At the risk of dismissing everything point you've considered I wouldn't waste anymore time and buy one. Unless you're dead set on a green Amundsen+ version, the Seat/VW units are anywhere between £280 and £350 and will do exactly what you want. There is a guy on eBay who regularly has Amundsen units but normally prices them a bit higher.

One thing I'm yet to discover, is whether access to the back of the radio can be achieved by removing the dash top tray. Likely to be less daunting than taking out the radio. If course, once the radio has been out once, it's quite easy, it's just that first time...

Unlikely I would have thought and if you're going to go to the effort of removing the dash top tray, you might as well pull the fascia panel off and undo the 4 screws that hold in the head unit. It's dead easy, take your time and it's nothing to worry about.