DAB Upgrade Options

[maxnutter]

Hi,

 

I'm looking to replace my factory head unit (pictures attached) with a DAB option and I'm a little confused and need some help please.

 

I know I will require (at the very least) a DAB aerial, either internal or external, but will I need anything else?

What are my options?

Checking ebay I can see VW head units, such as the VW RCD 310 DAB+, various Android units, Skoda Drive Audio, etc etc.

Very confusing!

 

Thanks.

[maxnutter]

Not much love for this?

 

Is there a sticky or a recommended thread anywhere that I can peruse?

[langers2k]

I think the only OEM options are the Amundsen+ (RNS-315) and the Columbus (RNS-510). Only some variants come with DAB so make sure there is a black fakra connector on the rear.

 

There is also the Amundsen (RNS-310) which looks identical to the Amundsen+ but never has DAB.

 

You might be able to use a VW unit, the button illumination will be the wrong colour and you'll get a VW startup logo. Both would bug me but it's your car...

 

Android units get mixed reviews, your best bet is to search the forums and see what you can find.

 

Other notes:

- Internal DAB antennas don't tend to be very good, an external one should give you better reception.

- You may need to replace the radio/climate surround as there are two difference shapes for headunits.

- You might need a new CAN gateway to avoid battery drain issues depending on the age of your car and whats fitted.

- There are also add-on DAB modules but I'm not sure if they support the stream or only the stream MP3.

[maxnutter]

So I'm more confused now, does the RCD 310/RCD 510 not work, or something like this?

[langers2k]

RCD-310 and RCD-510 are both VW head units, I didn't mention them as they aren't Skoda head units.

 

They should work but be aware that:

- they will have red illumination for their buttons instead of green

- not all have DAB fitted, look for the black fakra connector on the rear

- you might need a new CAN gateway to avoid battery drain issues

- if they have bootscreens or logos, they will say VW not Skoda

- you'll need a new facia/trim panel

 

I've no idea about that eBay headunit. It could be good, bad or just terrible...

[maxnutter]

How about this one?

 

[langers2k]

1Z0035156F don't have DAB

[maxnutter]

16 minutes ago, langers2k said:

1Z0035156F don't have DAB

 

Seriously? Thanks!

 

The lister says it does, the scamp!

 

This is baffling.

 

Here's the back of a RCD310 that is supposed to have DAB. Which is the fakra connector? Is it the one on the upper left hand side?

 

I've decided I'm not fussed about the logo or light colours, I just want the easiest DAB solution. Bluetooth and SATNAV would be nice, but I don't want to spend too much, so these are very much secondary.

[Cryonut]

Dont forget you will need the radio code if you go for a second hand oem unit,

 

There are pleny of after market options to look at which give far more functionality,  see link below,

 

 

[maxnutter]

38 minutes ago, Cryonut said:

Dont forget you will need the radio code if you go for a second hand oem unit,

 

There are pleny of after market options to look at which give far more functionality,  see link below,

 

 

Thanks, most of them are a bit out of my budget and require stuff like an external DAB box it would seem. 

 

Something like this needs an extra DAB+ box: 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F112791642881

 

And I'm not sure about battery drain and the fascia fitting etc. Otherwise it looks good. 

Edited 24 February, 2018 by maxnutter
Added link

[maxnutter]

Just wondering if this would fit my Octavia '06 Estate, and if there are battery drain issues:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9-Android-7-1-car-radio-DAB-for-Passat-Polo-EOS-Touran-Sharan-Altea-Seat-GPS-RDS/112673496483?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649#vi-ilComp

[langers2k]

Looks like it's a different size to your stream so you might need a new facia or adaptor.

 

No idea about battery drain, it depends on the headunit so you should contact the seller

 

You might find it's hard to use on the move as it looks to be an android tablet with an amp stuck on the back rather than a headunit designed to be used in a car.

[maxnutter]

1 hour ago, langers2k said:

Looks like it's a different size to your stream so you might need a new facia or adaptor.

 

No idea about battery drain, it depends on the headunit so you should contact the seller

 

You might find it's hard to use on the move as it looks to be an android tablet with an amp stuck on the back rather than a headunit designed to be used in a car.

 

Yeah, it's too small, I've checked.

 

Which one is the fakra connection?

[langers2k]

For the RCD310 picture you posted, the black and white connectors are both Fakra, the big block in the bottom right is known as a quadlock.

 

Fakra connectors tend to be colour coded for different functions in Skoda and other VAG vehicles, for example:

- White, AM/FM

- Black, DAB

- Blue, GPS

- Purple, GSM

[maxnutter]

Further confusion: my unit measures 255mm (top), 230mm (bottom) and is 126mm high (approx), but these third party Android devices all seem to measure 220mm (top), 210mm (bottom) and are 130mm high, so isn't this going to leave a gaping hole unless I get a new fascia? And where the heck do I get a fascia from?

 

Sorry about all the questions!

 

never mind, one like this would seem to work, although seems to be for the 2010-13 Octavia, not the 2006 model like mine.

Edited 27 February, 2018 by maxnutter

[Cryonut]

Take a look at eBay item number 253355453163, 

It's the same unit as In my posts above and fitted straight in to replace a Bolero, dims are 

Top 256

Bottom 235

High 130

Hope that helps.

[langers2k]

I think android headunit sellers claim your size is 260mm top, 235mm bottom and 130mm height. Couple of examples, not that I'm recommending these, just to show something of the correct physical size:

- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132474747744

- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323044893399

 

If you fitted the smaller 220/210/130mm headunit, you'd need a facia designed for the Amundsen/Amundsen+/Columbus. Based on your picture in your first post, it looks like you have a pre-fl with the least expensive (matt black) trim. Therefore, you'd probably need something like this, just double check the climate panel looks to match your existing one:

- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322504531331

 

[maxnutter]

2 minutes ago, langers2k said:

I think android headunit sellers claim your size is 260mm top, 235mm bottom and 130mm height. Couple of examples, not that I'm recommending these, just to show something of the correct physical size:

- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132474747744

- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323044893399

 

 

So the ones the same size are about £100 more than the smaller ones?

 

Quote

If you fitted the smaller 220/210/130mm headunit, you'd need a facia designed for the Amundsen/Amundsen+/Columbus. Based on your picture in your first post, it looks like you have a pre-fl with the least expensive (matt black) trim. Therefore, you'd probably need something like this, just double check the climate panel looks to match your existing one:

- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322504531331

 

That is indeed the one for my motor, thanks. Bit more expensive because it's a genuine Skoda one.

[maxnutter]

5 minutes ago, Cryonut said:

Take a look at eBay item number 253355453163, 

It's the same unit as In my posts above and fitted straight in to replace a Bolero, dims are 

Top 256

Bottom 235

High 130

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks. Bit more than I wanted to spend though!

[langers2k]

2 minutes ago, maxnutter said:

So the ones the same size are about £100 more than the smaller ones?

 

There might be cheaper ones elsewhere.

 

It's not too surprising as I think only the Octavia can take the larger headunit. Most other Skoda and VW's will take the smaller version

[maxnutter]

Just a thought, with these smaller head units, are the screw holes for securing it to the dash still in the same place? 

[langers2k]

All the OEM headunits use the same 4 screw holes.

 

Obviously with aftermarket headunits it's down to whoever designed it, I'd be surprised if they didn't use the same mounting holes though.

[maxnutter]

Thanks. I've emailed a couple of sellers to check anyway. 

[maxnutter]

So is Android the way to go, or are the Windows CE devices OK? 

[maxnutter]

So I decided to bite the bullet and went for this: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F112793394164

 

First impressions are good, fits well,  the navigation and DAB are excellent, but there are a few odd things: 

1. The door open display shows the opposite door as being open, so when the driver's door is open, it shows the passenger door open, and vice versa. The rear doors are fine however. 

2. No beeping when reversing. I don't have a camera, but there is a sensor. 

3. Can't pair any Bluetooth device, nothing shows up on the head unit or device. Do I need a Bluetooth dongle? 

4. The boot CD changer doesn't work, doesn't appear as an input and doesn't seem to be powered as I can't eject any discs. 

5. No steering wheel integration, but that's no biggie. 

6. No FM radio, but only because I've broken the connector off the end of cable, d'oh! 

 

I'm guessing some of these are down to the canbus and my lack of connections; I only had the big black loom connector and the aerial, so there is nothing to connect all the new connectors that came with the head unit to. 

 

I'm also a bit wary of the battery drain issue, but I guess that's a case of 'wait and see'.