Hi All.

I know this has been done to death but its a forum and not a website so I will ask again.

 

Got my 2010 Oct yesterday and although the sound is okay I find it a bit harsh.

 

Is the Columbus much better in the sound department and is there more customization options for sound?

 

Thanks

I know it has many more features but can anyone please tell me if there is an improvement in sound quality?

Some claim an improvement whilst others don't so I imagine it's mostly subjective. I never had a Bolero fitted but both the Amundsen and Columbus I've had fitted seem nice enough for normal use.

 

Best thing to do is find someone local with a Columbis/RNS510 fitted and see if you like it.

Thanks for the reply.

 

I guess I'm in a situation many people have been in where they want to improve the sound and add things like blue tooth and dab but didn't want to change the original look.

 

To go the full Columbus route with bluetooth and DAB is expensive compared to what you can get if you buy a Kenwood or Pioneer for instance which is why I was asking about the sound quality as that's important to me.

 

I've spent the 3 weeks obsessively reading about what to do and how to do it and despite many little threads on forums like this one there is no real guide or sticky anywhere I can find to help.

Modern head unit reviews are very sparse and trying to find out things like what fascia to buy if I use a another unit is a nightmare and I still don't know the answers

Even 2 trips to my local I.C.E store hasn't helped much at all

 

If anybody reading this can help me with any of the questions I still have please send me a PM or just point me to some other links or threads please.

There are OEM style kenwood units that get good things said about them and include bluetooth/sat nav. I think  the DAB version is DNX521DAB and the non-DAB version is DNX520VBT. They are probably the best sound quality OEM style units around although don't integrate with the maxidot navigation menu but do work with steering wheel controls.

 

There are two styles of facia, one which fits the Bolero and one which fits the Amundsen, Amundsen+, Columbus and Kenwoods. I think most of the Chinese android/windows headunits also fit in the Columbus sized surround. As to exactly which one you need, it'll depend on if your air conditioning system and internal trim colour.

 

If you want a standard rectangular double din headunit you'll need a facia adaptor and it won't look very OEM I'm afraid.

 

Couple of links for trims, there are other suppliers around that may offer better prices...

 

Bolero trim to aftermarket double DIN: http://www.cars-equipment.com/www/en/shop/plastic-trims/plastic-trim-for-2din-radio-skoda-2/

Columbus trim to aftermarket double DIN: http://www.cars-equipment.com/www/en/shop/plastic-trims/2-din-trim-for-universal-navigation/

Columbus trim for FL with manual AC: http://www.cars-equipment.com/www/en/shop/navigations/oem-1z0858069efwd1-navigation-silver-trim-rns510/

Columbus trim for FL with climate control: http://www.cars-equipment.com/www/en/shop/navigations/oem-1z0858069eh-navigation-trim-for-rns510/

 

The black versions are often cheaper, if you want to find the exact match for your current trim then you can easily remove the current trim panel (pulls off) and add it's part number here. The last three digits will confirm the colour.

 

Hopefully that at least helps with the trim part of your question

That's really helpful Langers, thank you very much.

I have looked at the DNX521DAB but I'm still not sure if it will work with the climate control or if any other non OEM style unit does.

And thanks for the links, that gives me some other to read tonight :-)

Edited 18 November, 201510 yr by Screenbyte

Looks like the climate display depends which can module is connected to the back of the stereo. At least that's what's suggested here:

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/184878-today-i-replaced-my-rns510-columbus-with-a-kenwood-dnx520vbt/?p=4216341

 

You could always ask kenwood and see what they say

Looks like the climate display depends which can module is connected to the back of the stereo. At least that's what's suggested here:

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/184878-today-i-replaced-my-rns510-columbus-with-a-kenwood-dnx520vbt/?p=4216341

 

You could always ask kenwood and see what they say

Just found the DNX521DAB isn't BT compatible with many modern phones including my Galaxy S6. That was a close one as I just nearly brought one tonight. You can check your phones compatibility at this link. http://www.kenwood.com/cs/ce/bt/index.php

One thing I would really like to know and that is if I get a modern unit will I be able to fit a brushed metal facia to keep it looking correct?

Edited 18 November, 201510 yr by Screenbyte

I wouldn't trust that compatibility checker, its almost certainly out of date. The headunit should use hfp (hands free protocol) which the s6 will support.

If you grab the part number from your current facia you can use it to get an exact match.

I wouldn't trust that compatibility checker, its almost certainly out of date. The headunit should use hfp (hands free protocol) which the s6 will support.

 

Well that's a waste of time then isn't it 

Ill take a look at my facia number, thanks.

I'm quite interested in the Kenwood 525 but still not sure about my phone working (s6) with it.

That compatibility chart features then IPhone 6 so it's quite up to date.

I can contact Kewwood tomorrow but has anybody on here used a Galaxy S6 with this unit?