The first units didn't have a suffix letter so yours looks to be an original unit which the age of your car does seem to confirm.

 

I think there was a date on the unit as well - some where around October 2008 - which would also confirm that assuption as I believe that was around the time the new Superb model was launched.

3T0...A came in during 2009 (towards the end I believe).

Your option is definitely the software for the older European units, see www.rnsfirmware.com. Go for 4020...

Adam

Would you suggest the 60/35/5 (Feb 2014) split Adam?

http://rnsfirmware.com/downloads/RNS510_Firmware/Europe/EU_4020a_FW_60_35_5.ISO

Or the 70/25/5 split?

http://www.rnsfirmware.com/downloads/RNS510_Firmware/Europe/EU_4020a_noru_70_25_5.ISO

Notably I'll install my v3 maps initially but presumably once I have/find a better version of maps I can simply just install them over the old maps using the same method of inserting the maps DVD (with no need to update the firmware)?

I use the 60:35:5. This allows more room for the maps which grow at each version release, albeit slowly. There has been a suggestion that some people struggle to load maps because the 25% partition is too small.

The v3 maps will do for a little while but they won't only be out of date, they will limit the functionality. You need at least v7.2 for the new format of points of interest for example. As you say you won't need to reinstall the firmware.

Some of these older units have difficulty reading map discs due to weak lasers. Hopefully not in your case but mine does and I now have to use a more fiddly SD card method of updating the maps...

Adam

Some of these older units have difficulty reading map discs due to weak lasers. Hopefully not in your case but mine does and I now have to use a more fiddly SD card method of updating the maps...

 

Presumably with the firmware update the device will support SDHC cards (as current version installed does not)?

 

Also (bit of a silly question) but will I also get the Skoda startup screen etc. if upgrading the firmware based on the one(s) I linked to???

Edited 5 October, 201411 yr by sabian1982

The boot screen will still be the Skoda one. There is a way to update the boot screen to whatever you want if you have a search on here. I've updated mine to be the new current Skoda boot screen rather than the original one.

Presumably with the firmware update the device will support SDHC cards (as current version installed does not)?

Indeed it does

The boot screen will still be the Skoda one. There is a way to update the boot screen to whatever you want if you have a search on here. I've updated mine to be the new current Skoda boot screen rather than the original one.

 

 

Indeed it does

 

Awesome stuff - I'll report back if I have any issues or once done

Indeed it does

Isn't it hardware dependent, not software?

Were there SDHC cards available in 2008/09?

Well obviously it needs a SD slot, so to that extent it is hardware dependent!  But my 2008 unit is certainly fine with SDHC cards now its updated to 4020.

I just thought that early units didn't have the capability of reading SDHC despite having an SD slot as the hardware predates the introduction of SDHC cards.

My work laptop has an SD card, but won't read SDHC cards despite having a new enough OS to support it!

I thought it was firmware dependant with SDHC readers rather than OS dependant?

I'm no expert. Just going off my experiences.

 

If Adam says that SDHC is enabled with a firmware update to 4020, then I believe him.

 

I'm just clarifying as it goes against my previous experiences outside of the Skoda Columbus hardware / firmware.

I think older units could read up to 2GB cards. I simply assumed HC just meant higher capacity than that, and didn't actually realise they were different technology! But the firmware upgrade definitely does the trick for cards up to 32GB SDHC on older units if mine is anything to go by.

I'm 76% through so will confirm either way once done...

I'm no expert. Just going off my experiences.

 

If Adam says that SDHC is enabled with a firmware update to 4020, then I believe him.

 

I'm just clarifying as it goes against my previous experiences outside of the Skoda Columbus hardware / firmware.

 

 

Doing a quick google search comes back that SD card readers can be updated to SDHC compatibility via firmware updates for the readers themselves.... So the firmware on the Columbus must do this.

 

With regard card readers in PCs this would obviously be done via a driver/firmware update for the particular card reader being used rather than anything to do with the OS side of things.

I can confirm that the update is complete and SDHC cards do work. I have just successfully tested an 8GB card that did not work previously.

I have also managed to get my HTC One Mini to pair via Bluetooth (before it would say the device was not compatible) however as yet still unable to connect and use the device (likely a hardware update needed due to my phone not supporting the older rSAP standard).

Now onto installing v3 of maps prior to finding a more up to date maps version.

Edited 5 October, 201411 yr by sabian1982

If you can't source a copy of the latest maps (v11 from June this year) i'm sure there will be someone in your area who you could meet up with etc....

If you can't source a copy of the latest maps (v11 from June this year) i'm sure there will be someone in your area who you could meet up with etc....

 

Will the VW version (e.g. VW RNS 510 v11) do the same trick?

 

Notably the full postcode fix doesn't appear present so presume thats down to the maps version (v3) I'm currently using...

Edited 5 October, 201411 yr by sabian1982

Yes and I believe the newer map is needed for full postcode search.

Yeah i think v8 or v9 and above gives you full postcode search.

 

 

Where abouts are you?

V.7.? Will give 7 digit post code.

7.2 I think had it when I first got my Columbus.

Yeah i think v8 or v9 and above gives you full postcode search.

 

 

Where abouts are you?

 

Just down the road... Nottinghamshire

Edited 5 October, 201411 yr by sabian1982

Hi All, just want to share with you my experience,

 

My Radio in Skoda, started rebooting, i tried many resets and other and it didnt work... I got one CD wit 4020 firmware from someone (not sure if I can mention who) and it started with installation however, it always failed... (tried about 20times) later I found this web... because you mentioned something about CD and burning program and speed i did about 7 copies had 7 different programs and tried speeds from 1x up to 8x.... just had enough already so i made more copies to save me the time and to go back to house on pc and do another one... Now back in car, tried first (3times - not working) tried second copy and ? - it finally worked on first attempt.... I have thousand of pictures from installing if anyone is interested please let me know... so I am back with my radio !! 

 

Thank you a lot for your help !! 

 

Just to mention, I had my engine on for whole time of installation, and it worked ( I tried without for the first 20 times)....

 

The only one thing is missing ( what i noticed at the moment) is that i do not have option "audio" on my maxidot (any ideas? )...  now I am looking for maps as the old one are deleted and I dont have any CD with maps, I would like V10 or 11 however, anything is better than nothing... (any help ?) ...

 

anyway, Thank you for all your help Guys !!! ... If you need anything from me, please give me a shout !!