The standard unit actually produces a fairly decent sound (I was surprised) but I need bluetooth telephone and would like DAB. 

 

Both can be installed as extras but it seems to me that the best way of integrating both is to replace the head unit.   

 

Has anyone done this?  Any recommendations or pitfalls I need to be aware of? 

 

I haven't explored a Skoda unit as I suspect it will be ridiculously expensive but .....

you can retro fit the satnav units in there place check them out buddy 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Amundsen-RNS315-Navigation-System-Sat-Nav-Bluetooth-Dab-/251843982525?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aa31234bd

Thanks mate - that would be perfect

 

I am fine with spanners but lost with electrickery - is it an easy job to swap them over?  If it's any more than changing connectors, I would probably end up breaking it!

 

I'm guessing it also needs a mic for the handsfree and a DAB aerial? 

Thanks mate - that would be perfect

 

I am fine with spanners but lost with electrickery - is it an easy job to swap them over?  If it's any more than changing connectors, I would probably end up breaking it!

 

I'm guessing it also needs a mic for the handsfree and a DAB aerial? 

here you go my mate check this video and make a decision , if your local  to me ill fit it for you if you buy the unit as I'm an electronics engineer myself , 

That will be plug and play.

 

Just then need a Mic and aerial.

 

The mic goes inside the interior light.

 

Phil

OK - that actually looks really easy. 

 

Is it easy enough to route the microphone to the interior light?  And are these glass mount DAB aerials any good or should I really be looking to put in a roof mount?

here you go my mate check this video and make a decision , if your local  to me ill fit it for you if you buy the unit as I'm an electronics engineer myself , 

Thanks mate - if it all goes wrong I will let you know.

OK - that actually looks really easy.

Is it easy enough to route the microphone to the interior light? And are these glass mount DAB aerials any good or should I really be looking to put in a roof mount?

I'm sure dab uses the same arieal as normal radio doesn't it just uses different frequency's ?

I'm sure dab uses the same arieal as normal radio doesn't it just uses different frequency's ?

DAB needs a different antenna, there's  an extra cable that needs connecting to the head unit.  Different frequency = different antenna.

 

BtW I'm a radio engineer by trade. Don't skimp just buy the cables and antennae.

OK - been looking into this and, if I go down the route of buying a second hand Skoda Amundsen unit, I am going to need to buy

• DAB aerial - £50
• GPS receiver - £20
• Microphone - 50
• (and probably) a compatible bluetooth module - £150

The benefit of this is that the actual head unit is an easy install and retains a standard look.  I would need help with fitting the mic and the aerial so this is probably not a cheap option (even if I already have the bluetooth module).  

 

The alternative is that I go completely aftermarket - for £550 all in, I can get a complete unit (phone, sat nav and DAB) professionally installed 

OK - been looking into this and, if I go down the route of buying a second hand Skoda Amundsen unit, I am going to need to buy

• DAB aerial - £50
• GPS receiver - £20
• Microphone - 50
• (and probably) a compatible bluetooth module - £150

The benefit of this is that the actual head unit is an easy install and retains a standard look.  I would need help with fitting the mic and the aerial so this is probably not a cheap option (even if I already have the bluetooth module).  

 

The alternative is that I go completely aftermarket - for £550 all in, I can get a complete unit (phone, sat nav and DAB) professionally installed 

if you find a breakers you could get all that probably with the amundsen unit 

OK - been looking into this and, if I go down the route of buying a second hand Skoda Amundsen unit, I am going to need to buy

• DAB aerial - £50
• GPS receiver - £20
• Microphone - 50
• (and probably) a compatible bluetooth module - £150

The benefit of this is that the actual head unit is an easy install and retains a standard look.  I would need help with fitting the mic and the aerial so this is probably not a cheap option (even if I already have the bluetooth module).  

 

The alternative is that I go completely aftermarket - for £550 all in, I can get a complete unit (phone, sat nav and DAB) professionally installed 

 

The Amundsen linked to before had Bluetooth integrated.

 

I paid £25 for a microphone and cable.

 

GPS receiver was less than £10 from ebay.

 

Phil

Hi

One to bear in mind, is if you go down the after market route, which I did for the Roomster, you can only use the radio with the ingnition on or you have it on all the time and have turn the radio off when you leave the car!! Seems to be a VAG thing. Had the same problem on my Alhambra.

Steve

Hi

One to bear in mind, is if you go down the after market route, which I did for the Roomster, you can only use the radio with the ingnition on or you have it on all the time and have turn the radio off when you leave the car!! Seems to be a VAG thing. Had the same problem on my Alhambra.

Steve

 

That is to do with the can-bus. As the aftermarket stereo wouldn't be able to receive or send message on the can-bus system it would need rely on a simple switched live from the fuse box which only becomes live with the ignition switched on.

 

An OEM stereo can receive the can signals and so will switch on/stay on with just the key in the ignition etc.

 

My Columbus actually starts booting up as soon as the drivers door is opened.

 

Phil

Phil

Now that sounds useful!! Would be good for my vRS with Columbus and my monte with a Bolero. How do you set it ?

Many thanks

Steve

It should just work automatically. The car may need coding to tell it you have sat-nav for the Columbus.

 

Phil

The Amundsen linked to before had Bluetooth integrated.

 

I paid £25 for a microphone and cable.

 

GPS receiver was less than £10 from ebay.

 

Phil

Thanks Phil - that's good to know and makes everything much more affordable.  

 

So even if I don't currently have bluetooth, this unit will do it all for me and is plug and play once i have a mic and GPS receiver?

Yes. Just make sure whatever Amundsen you buy definitely has the built in Bluetooth as not all of them do.

 

If you can get a picture of the sticker on the side and it has a MAC address with a load of number and letters then it has Bluetooth. If it's just a load of 00:00:00 etc then it doesn't have Bluetooth.

 

Then just plug in the mic, gps antenna and possibly an aerial adapter (the Amundsen has 2 but you maybe only have one) and you're sorted!

 

Phil

Hi hawk I've found a breakers that will supply you with a unit for a Monte Carlo if you want me to drop you a message

Hi hawk I've found a breakers that will supply you with a unit for a Monte Carlo if you want me to drop you a message

PM on the way