Just got my vrs and its got the normal stream mp3 unit with 6 disc changer in the boot.

Id like to fit the columbus unit.but im very confused,some say its a straight swap others say it wownt fit ect ect.

Also some on ebay are £300 and others £500+ all RNS10 

 

Could someone put me straight.

 

 

Thanks

It will fit but you may need a can gateway upgrade to avoid battery drain depending on yr cars age. Around 07 is the cut off.

The rns510 is a vw unit, the Skoda equivalent is the Columbus but both are fine, it's just the vw units light up red and are generally a bit cheaper as more around.

The price differential reflects age of unit. Newer DAB ones are more expensive.

Beware knocked off units on eBay, and at the very least go for a reputable seller with feedback. Some appear on the classifieds here from time to time too, which you can potentially be more sure about. Rustynuts is worth asking, he has some repaired ones sometimes and he is a well regarded member.

Adam

Edited 15 November, 201510 yr by adamal

Great thanks.

 

All the ones ive viewed are rns10 and skoda.wouldnt be right with a VW unit.

how do i tell the difference between them? will i need a module for the DAB?

will it just plug straight in,or a special lead? mines a 58 plate.so am i good?

 

Hey @rustynuts lol can you help me out?

 

Thanks

You'll also need a new fascia as the two units are a different shape.

Messaged you mate.

You will also need a GPS receiver for about 10 quid and if you get a DAB unit you will also need a DAB aerial. Some use the stick on windows ones for 20 quid, but you can fit a rooftop one too for around 50-100 quid, but it's a bit of a faff.

Edited 15 November, 201510 yr by adamal

Thanks everyone...still cant get my head around the prices...some are 300+ 400+ 500+

I know some will be DAB,but surely a 100-150 difference on the same non DAB unit is weird.obviously i want to pay as little as possible.

 

Cheers

If you're looking at buying a car for £5000 and there's others at £4000 & £3000, then most likely the cheaper ones will be older so obviously worth less.  There are some sellers who think because it's a Columbus then it's worth the same as the £450 someone is charging for a DAB unit, when clearly the age, condition, and features of the units are more important than the overall price. Buy a cheap unit and it could well be an old LCD version which is much less of a machine than a nearly new DAB uit with later LED screen, faster gps unit, and bigger hard drive.

 

You get what you pay for, and if you shop wisely you'll get a good deal. But a bargain might bite you in the neck (as someone on here found out recently).

I bought one from Rustynuts and haven't had a single issue. He also helped me out so I could make a connector to power up my bolero so I could show it working before I sold it.  If the man has one for sale or points you towards one I'd take his advice

Yep hes the man! we will be talking very soon.

 

Cheers all many thanks

They are about and I found xmas is best time of year to buy one as saw a few last year sell very cheap...

I've managed to pick up a columbus cheap arriving tomorrow

Cool.did you go DAB? do you need another antenna?

No didn't go DAB might upgrade in the future again if keep car long enough when the price of those units come down...yeah need another antenna for gps but have all bluetooth unit already with my bolero