Hi, i'm hoping you guys can answer a few questions I have about installing a Columbus (RNS 510) into a 2011 Fabia Elegance...

 

I have used the search function and some of my questions have been answered but I would like a bit of clarification.

 

Firstly will a 2015 Columbus unit physically fit?  (I've read that some Octavia units don't fit into the Fabia??)

 

I have the maxi dot display and my OE Unit displays the reversing sensor images - I understand that to keep these features I need the unit configuring (VCDS?), Who could do this without taking it back to the dealer?  I was thinking of getting a car audio company to install it if they could update these settings as well.

 

What other items will I need to purchase, other than the unit, I'm guessing  a DAB aerial and a gprs aerial.  If I want phone connectivity will I need a microphone?

 

Apologies for bombarding you with questions, i'm out of my depth when it comes to this!  I haven't used this forum for years (I had a Fab vRS when they first came out), it was a good forum then and looks like it's got even better over the years.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Ted

Check the shape. The latest ones wont fit in, but the ones that are the same shape as your current unit will. 

 

Anybody with VCDS can sort that for you. It's really simple to do and theres a VCDS owners map on here. So hopefully a member will help you out for a few beer tokens. 

 

You'll need a GPS antenna to took behind the dash, and yes you will need a DAB antenna if you have a DAB Columbus and want DAB to work. 

 

If you want bluetooth connectivity, you'll need a separate module as Columbus' dont have BT built in. 

 

I was on a similar wave length to you about 9 months ago. I bought a  DAB Columbus and was actually shocked. It sounded crap compared to the Swing, its slow and generally wasnt up to much. So i went aftermarket and bought a Zenec unit. More than happy now. 

Check the shape. The latest ones wont fit in, but the ones that are the same shape as your current unit will. 

 

Anybody with VCDS can sort that for you. It's really simple to do and theres a VCDS owners map on here. So hopefully a member will help you out for a few beer tokens. 

 

You'll need a GPS antenna to took behind the dash, and yes you will need a DAB antenna if you have a DAB Columbus and want DAB to work. 

 

If you want bluetooth connectivity, you'll need a separate module as Columbus' dont have BT built in. 

 

I was on a similar wave length to you about 9 months ago. I bought a  DAB Columbus and was actually shocked. It sounded crap compared to the Swing, its slow and generally wasnt up to much. So i went aftermarket and bought a Zenec unit. More than happy now. 

That's a great help, thank you.

 

Interesting to hear your comment on the sound quality being crap compared to the Swing - that's not too encouraging when spending £500 plus on a unit.  I'm also put off that I'd have to spend extra on the BT.  I'm actually not that bothered about Nav, my priorities are DAB, Bluetooth phone connectivity and decent sound quality.  Maybe I need to start looking at aftermarket stuff, I did want to keep the OE look but not just for the sake of it...

Another option might be an Amundsen+ with Bluetooth and DAB.

 

It also has sat-nav but not all have Bluetooth built in.

 

Phil

Another option might be an Amundsen+ with Bluetooth and DAB.

 

It also has sat-nav but not all have Bluetooth built in.

 

Phil

 

Thanks...

I've been looking at the Amundsen+ on ebay - it would seem that some are listed as having DAB and same make no mention of it.  Do we know if all Amundsen+ units had DAB or not...?

Thanks...

I've been looking at the Amundsen+ on ebay - it would seem that some are listed as having DAB and same make no mention of it. Do we know if all Amundsen+ units had DAB or not...?

DAB was an optional extra, some had and some didn't, I think it's the same with Bluetooth.

That's a great help, thank you.

Interesting to hear your comment on the sound quality being crap compared to the Swing - that's not too encouraging when spending £500 plus on a unit. I'm also put off that I'd have to spend extra on the BT. I'm actually not that bothered about Nav, my priorities are DAB, Bluetooth phone connectivity and decent sound quality. Maybe I need to start looking at aftermarket stuff, I did want to keep the OE look but not just for the sake of it...

I was disapointed, ill be honest. I thought itd complete the car, but i was never happy with it once i installed it. So i sold the unit again.

Aftermarket units have much better sound quality and proper EQ's which you can adjust.

Zenec units look relatively OEM, but DAB isnt built into my one of those either. I wasnt too fussed about DAB tbh as the coverage isnt too good here anyway. I dont know how many units do have it built in though

I fitted a Columbus unit to my wife's MY13 Fabia II 1.2 TSi Dsg SE yesterday. I bought the unit on eBay and was concerned by some of the posts that I had seen about compatibility. It was delivered at 14.30 and was in and working by 14.30. I took out the swing (dead easy), installed the GPS antenna on top of the top glove box and routed the cable to back of Columbus. I did try it underneath the dash, but it would read says properly, so had to put it on top. Connected up the other two cables and the block connected, All worked perfectly. The sound is a big improvement on the original Swing unit. Phone and Sat Nav work great, as does CD and HDD.

The only things that don't work are the Nav directions on the MFD and the Vice control. I never used this on my Octy VRs Bolero so not too bothered. I hope to get the MFD sorted with using the VCDS to enable this.

All in all, I am really chuffed with the unit. From getting the Swing removed, it only took 15 mins to fit. I would reccomend this to any Fabia II owners! I don't have Dab, however, on my MY14 Octy VRs, it was a waste of space....crap reception all the time!

Fabiamk2SE was a great help for this task.....thanks mate!

I thinking of upgrading to the admundsen unit from the swing, as long as the Admundsen has bluetooth is it a straight swap and will everything work? ( I know the nav on the maxi dot will need VCDS setting changed)

Thanks for all the advice chaps - I'm currently looking at used Amundsen units with DAB and BT.  

Earlier in the thread someone mentioned a list with members who were willing to work there magic with the vcds coding.  Can anyone tell me where this list is...?

Thanks for all the advice chaps - I'm currently looking at used Amundsen units with DAB and BT.  

Earlier in the thread someone mentioned a list with members who were willing to work there magic with the vcds coding.  Can anyone tell me where this list is...?

 

Check this out buddy

 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zQlwUpVpfeKA.kRFfm1Y0IXQ0&msa=0

 

Check the members are active before contacting though, otherwise it might be abit pointless aha 

I thinking of upgrading to the admundsen unit from the swing, as long as the Admundsen has bluetooth is it a straight swap and will everything work? ( I know the nav on the maxi dot will need VCDS setting changed)

 

It should work if you just plug it in, yeah . 

Sold my Volvo and bought a nice Fabia MkII VRs. Nov 2014 and low mileage. Was going to put a Columbus in it to replace the Swing, like I did with the wife's 1.2 TSi, but think I might look at some of the Android units kicking around. Has anybody fitted one of these? The Zenec units look way too exspensive, so really looking for something cheaper.

Have a look at Icebox Auto. Liverpool , i had one of their M305 units, looks o.e.m ,for my Monte am pleased with it.

Think I may have to keep I eye on this thread, the difference between a Monte Carlo and the Monte Carlo Tech is about £1500 on Autotrader, so this is a cheaper option..

Think I may have to keep I eye on this thread, the difference between a Monte Carlo and the Monte Carlo Tech is about £1500 on Autotrader, so this is a cheaper option..

Defo worth saving the £1500 n spending it on a proper aftermarket system. You'd get soo much of a better system, better usability, loads better sound and loads better adjustability.

No brainer mate.

I don't think it's just the nav though.

If you've got the nav then you'll have to have maxidot dash (standard clocks are just awful, digital fuel gauge?!)

And probably digital climate control.

I don't think it's just the nav though.

If you've got the nav then you'll have to have maxidot dash (standard clocks are just awful, digital fuel gauge?!)

And probably digital climate control.

Maxidot is retrofitable for cheap enough and found on plenty of cars i think? It was a £150 extra at the factory iirc.

Climate isnt retrofittable but yeah maybe nice to have.

£1500 is alot of money. Especially when the Amunsden is nowhere near as good as aftermarket units and the standard speakers are relatively crap aswel.

Just my view .

It was delivered at 14.30 and was in and working by 14.30

I've heard of jobs taking 'no time at all', but I don't think this is one of them

I'm surprised at someone saying they were disappointed by the sound of the Columbus, as the one I put in my 2012 Elegance sounds fantastic

The mapping, however, is very slow compared to the Amundsen unit in SWMBO's new Mk3 Monte :(

I've heard of jobs taking 'no time at all', but I don't think this is one of them

I'm surprised at someone saying they were disappointed by the sound of the Columbus, as the one I put in my 2012 Elegance sounds fantastic

The mapping, however, is very slow compared to the Amundsen unit in SWMBO's new Mk3 Monte :(

 

I found the Swing to actually sound better than the Columbus and upon searching the net i found some others who found the same. 

 

Spent ages going through settings with VCDS but nothing made much difference for me. 

 

Maybe i just had a dodgey unit.. i dont know, but it was off a forum member.