How difficult/costly would it be to switch to DAB in a superb se, is just a head unit swap or much more involved? Sorry if this is a bit of a dumb question, but I don't have a clue about any of this, but I do like to listen to Talk Sport when I'm driving. 

 

Ok I've looked into two options, replacing the whole unit and this after market tuner, has anyone had any experience with this bit of kit? 

http://www.amazon.co...=AC_SX110_SY165 

 

Cost for the whole unit change £300/500/900 depending on the unit + new or used, or aftermarket £149, £230 fitted, Anyone on here had this done, or done it themselves, It apparently works with the OE radios and steering wheel controls?      

Edited 15 December, 201312 yr by Dadscab

I have a Pure Move 2500 DAB radio...

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pure-Rechargeable-Personal-Digital-Radio/dp/B005J3PLXE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387130733&sr=8-1&keywords=pure+dab

 

Fits in the centre console & the aux cable acts as an aerial.

 

You can even charge it from the rear passenger 12v socket if needed - but the battery last all day so not usually required.  You'll need one of these...

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Universal-Slots-lighter-socket/dp/B001T9N4GS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387131076&sr=8-1&keywords=car+usb+charger

 

You obviously can't change station on the move but if you only listen to one station then it's a lot cheaper than changing the head unit.

 

You also get a smart portable DAB radio to use when you're not in the car.

 

Perfect 

I have the same solution in my Octavia.

 

Adam

Same in my Superb, works fine

I have a Pure Move 2500 DAB radio...

Does this radio fall back to FM if there is no DAB signal. Listening to Radio 2 on my way to work there are some DAB not spots. When I had a Passat as a Hire car it would flip between The two.

I appreciate that some stations are not available on FM but it is still annoying.

All of the after markets don't seem to offer this as an option. If they did then I would buy one tomorrow.

Does this radio fall back to FM if there is no DAB signal. Listening to Radio 2 on my way to work there are some DAB not spots. When I had a Passat as a Hire car it would flip between The two.

I appreciate that some stations are not available on FM but it is still annoying.

All of the after markets don't seem to offer this as an option. If they did then I would buy one tomorrow.

 

There is an FM tuner but it doesn't fall back to FM if it loses DAB signal. If the signal starts breaking up then I just revert back to the in car tuner - not too much of a pain. You might find that a longer AUX cable would provide a better DAB aerial and reduce the dropout.

Edited 17 December, 201312 yr by JamKart

How difficult/costly would it be to switch to DAB in a superb se, is just a head unit swap or much more involved? Sorry if this is a bit of a dumb question, but I don't have a clue about any of this, but I do like to listen to Talk Sport when I'm driving.

Ok I've looked into two options, replacing the whole unit and this after market tuner, has anyone had any experience with this bit of kit?

http://www.amazon.co...=AC_SX110_SY165

Cost for the whole unit change £300/500/900 depending on the unit + new or used, or aftermarket £149, £230 fitted, Anyone on here had this done, or done it themselves, It apparently works with the OE radios and steering wheel controls?

Hi

I have just bought one of these units and I will fit it, when I get a chance just after Xmas, so will update you later, I must confess I my OCD sense is twitching at the thought of wires hanging around in full view, with some of the alternative suggestions

Regards

Rod

Edited 24 December, 201312 yr by RoDM

Hi

I have just bought one of these units and I will fit it, when I get a chance just after Xmas, so will update you later, I must confess I my OCD sense is twitching at the thought of wires hanging around in full view, with some of the alternative suggestions

Regards

Rod

 

My previous reply implied it sat in he centre console - but I meant it sat inside the arm rest pocket. So there are no wires on view with the Pure DAB solution.

 

You might see a wire if it needs charging - which it rarely does during the day. But you can use the rear 12v socket to avoid seeing a wire.

 

I'm OCD about wires too!

Edited 24 December, 201312 yr by JamKart

Just what I was about to say (I'm OCD about wires too!)

 

My two inches of dash cam wiring from the headlining to the camera behind the mirror gives me the wibbles....

JamKart has a nice easy,low cost solution and if its low cost and easy it get's my vote.

 

James.

I installed a Columbus with DAB in mine + a DAB antenna in the roof (hole is there from the factory).

Excellent reception and it is very nice everything is working when it is integrated.

I had an AutoDAB module with my Bolero before, but this is better.

I've got a PURE Highway 300Di from my old '53 Superb to fit in my new [to me] 11 plate 2.0D 140 SE estate.  I'm struggling with where to locate the Pure head unit - looking a dashmount.co.uk who have 2 options; neither of which I'm particularly enamoured with.  

 

Not only that, the original Pure glass mount ariel went with the old car and was a bit flakey anyway so I was looking at replacing the shark fin with a DAB one from dabonwheels.co.uk - has anyone got experience of doing this and is there anything else i should consider?  My Superb is SE spec with Bolero radio and no satnav so I'm not worried about a GPS antenna..  

 

I think I'd prefer a completely integrated DAB solution rater than an aftermarket unit but the Pure is the only one I can find that integrates iPod/iPhone - does anyone have experience of the AutoDAB or the Kinetic units that dabonwheels offer?

 

Sorry for the 'stream of consciousness' questions!!

My good lady bought me a DABMotion unit for Xmas and it works well apart from the installation issues which you can read about here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/299528-canbus-question-re-dab-adapter/

 

I think the issues I'm having are that the installer is lazy/useless.

Okay well sorry to keep anyone waiting but over the Xmas period there was just no time to do anything, so I had to wait till I the wife gave me time to play.

 

Okay the fitting of the unit and the concealed Glass  mounted antenna was easily managed I took the Antenna coaxial cables down the left hand (Passengers window under the glove box above the carpet felt in the passengers side, un-clipped the plastic cover on the passenger central console and pushing the cables up into the area behind the Removed Columbus RNS 510 radio was easy, the fitting of the box and the Canbus jumper cables was interesting as you have to put the DAB box up behind the top of the recess as it is very tight and the Columbus being a large unit space is at a premium.

Then the moment of truth, Switching on the equipment and powering up, I read the instructions and it seemed easy.... But wait.. I don't have the buttons on my steering wheel that look anything like the ones shown in the picture, my Skoda has rotary controls for the "Maxidot and up/down volume controls with other buttons.

I remember asking the guy before I bought it if this was compatible with my Skoda Superb (62 Plate) , Columbus RNS 510 system, his only question was you have to have controls on your steering wheel and a Maxidot system in the Console, okay then no problem it's very easy Plug and Play.

 

I switched it off after trying for 2 hours frantically pressing every possible configuration to do something with the DAB Radio, later I decided to remove the DAB equipment and send an email to the company asking them where we go from here, I fitted all the original Canbus Cables back into their original positions, switched on the ignition......" AIRBAG ERROR" on the display, I rechecked all my connections and took the battery terminal off to see if this would reset..... NO.

I called the Skoda dealer and explained my predicament, he said " you must have disconnected something during the installation, and sadly the vehicle would have to come into the Garage for the Computer to reset the error, but the AIrbag would not function till this was reset, I was furious as I was returning back to my work in Afghanistan the following day.

 

Now back in Afghanistan for the next 8 weeks I emailed the company who I bought the unit from, and explained the predicament, he was very apologetic and said he would forward my details on to the service support at Connect2 and he would forward their reply and results as soon as they contacted him. that was last Friday, I'm still waiting but since I'm not due home till mid March I'm quite patient. 

So to all who are waiting to see if this is a successful option I would maybe consider looking else where in the mean time, and it would maybe save you, going through the same problems as myself.

I've still got the DAB antenna stuck to the windscreen, so if this is not a working system at least I have the antenna fitted for when we do find a working system.

I will of course update you as soon as I hear anything..

RodM

Hi RodM.

Sad it did not work out.

 

After reading the long story of yours I am thinking:

1. He forgot to modify the BCM and the phone module with VCDS.

2. You did turn on ignition at a time without the RNS frame on, because then the "Pass Airbag" lamp will be disconnected and a reset needs to be done with VCDS.

 

Solution: Refit it all again, find a skilled VCDS person and it will work. You are welcome here, but I am in Denmark. On the other hand maybe its on your way back from Afghanistan :-)

 

Trust me, I have been there and my grey hair was starting to grow first time I meet this issue. So if you are without VCDS you did not have a chance to get it work. Frustating, but true ... I was also in contact with Connect2 first time I meet this issue, and they don't know anything about what they are selling. I got the feeling that it is a box developed in the far east and Connect2 is just a sales office.

Many Thanks i-s for your reply.

Will have to wait till mid March till I get back and then look again at the problem in hand. 

Would be fantastic if you could share your wealth and knowledge and experiance with me regarding this problem ? PM me at [email protected] with the details of the exact requirements or details of what is needed, as I would like to give this system a go and get it working.

1/ would it be beneficial for me to get some extra equipment so I can do it myself regarding VCDS? and if so can you please tell me what I require and where I could buy the equipment?

 

As I fear that regular visits to the Skoda dealer may become expensive, and it could pay for it's self if I master the VCDS system.

 

Kind Regards

Rod M 

Hi Rod and other readers.

First: The superb multi steering wheel comes in mainly two variants in regards to button layout.

A: Car with factory phone module, has a phone button.

B. Car without factory phone module, has a * (star) button instead.

 

The main problem I found is that the AutoDAB module is made for B. I have the factory fitted phone module and hence the phone button. To get the AutoDAB working you need the STAR button which is NOT there. In this case you just end up with system saying "AUTODAB" in the speakers every 10 sec or so. Solution is to disable the phone button in the BCM with VCDS, it will then act as a star button and you can access the menu. The phone will need to be operated from the MFD after this (because no phone button anymore).

Secondly the phone module also monitors the phone button (and it does not care whether it is configured as phone or star). Skoda wise long press is activation of voice input, means everytime you make a long-press for the AutoDAB you will also start up the voice command system for the phone. Solution: Disable the voice command system in the phone module and live without.

 

1: If this is the only thing you need VCDS for, then forget it. Find a VAG fellow near you and buy him a pint for helping. If you decide this is something you need, go buy the VCDS cable from Ross-tech. It is superior to any else on the marked for VAG cars. As I remember it, a Ross-Tech cable is around 300£, and please .. forget the china copies, it is too expensive, you will end up with the original anyway.

Dealers can be found on ross-tech web page: http://www.ross-tech.com/

 

Cheers

Soren.

Correction: 220£ in the UK ...

http://www.ilexa.co.uk/acatalog/vagcom.html

Another correction:

I meant long press on the up/dn wheel. Could be understood as long press on the actual phone button.

 

The AutoDAB is not the most intuitive system in regard to user interface..

Edited 21 January, 201412 yr by i-s

Another comment:

I ended up buying a almost new Columbus with DAB from a crashed 2013 Superb.

My unit is similar to this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-2013-Skoda-Columbus-LED-DAB-sat-nav-navigation-Octavia-Superb-Yeti-RNS-510-/271345290546?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems&hash=item3f2d708d32

Okay Guys thanks. all advice is appreciated and I'll give it a try when I get back to the UK, 

I also looked at the new Columbus unit with DAB fitted and its a lot of money at 899 Uk Pounds but it's a last option lol

 

 

Will update you when I get a result  Cheers

 

Rod. 

Okay Guys thanks. all advice is appreciated and I'll give it a try when I get back to the UK,

I also looked at the new Columbus unit with DAB fitted and its a lot of money at 899 Uk Pounds but it's a last option lol

Will update you when I get a result Cheers

Rod.

Hi Rod, sorry to hear about all the hassle you've been having with the unit mate, I haven't taken the plunge with this unit as of yet because I'm still paying for Christmas. I seem to remember one of the sites selling this unit offered a fitting service for a small fee of around £30 me not being a very technical chap, I think that would be the route for me, hope you get it sorted mate.

P.S. I'm with you on the ocd wires all over the place, with regards the pure highway solution, good luck mate.

Hi I've just gotten a used Amsterdam+ with DAB in my superb. The car was without external antennas so both the GPS and the DAB antenna are fitted behind the unit and/or between it and the glove compartment.

 

DAB reception is not perfect so i would recommend going with an external antenna if at all possible.

 

The main reason for the upgrade was bluetooth streaming/phone and GPS. The DAB was more nice2have

 

I bought it with installation since it requires VCDS "magic" :-)