Hi guys,

 

We are looking to purchase the latest version of the Columbus head unit for our 14 plate Suberb, but have no idea what to look for.  There is something called an MDI(?) and also need to consider if it needs to be coded.

 

Does anyone know the best place to start?  We don't want to pay the price Skoda are charging for the Columbus.  Also does fitting one affect the warranty?

 

Thanks,

 

Conor

Does it need to be a columbus as i may be selling my rns315 with phone function built in 

Fitting one shouldn't affect the warranty, as long as anything warranty wise isn't caused by the actual fitting of the unit. However, dealers can be funny sometimes, can't they...

 

Anyway, fitting the latest Columbus. Essentially the line goes from early LCD screen units, then to LED screen, then through various minor hardware (and software) changes which you'd hardly notice, then on to DAB enabled units, and finally (most recently) on to SSD drive units instead of HDD. How new you go will dictate how much you spend, but I would avoid the early LCD screened ones as they're now starting to be problematic and have smaller hard drives which affect the new maps loading on.

 

Essentially, decide on a budget, whether you want DAB or not, and then you can start shopping.

MDI is an add on which is fitted to the car (or not as the case may be) and can be made to work with any genuine head unit with minor changes via VCDS. Any unit you do buy will need coding via VCDS anyway to enable steering wheel controls, and other stuff to work.

I would be looking for a DAB enabled unit. Not too worried about regular updates either as the built in nav unit in our previous Avensis never got updated in the 6 years we had it. Not too worried about SSD or HDD size as we have an iPod for music which might be easier to use if we had the MDI. Some thought needed I think.

I would be looking for a DAB enabled unit. Not too worried about regular updates either as the built in nav unit in our previous Avensis never got updated in the 6 years we had it. Not too worried about SSD or HDD size as we have an iPod for music which might be easier to use if we had the MDI. Some thought needed I think.