RCD330+ review

[Rjg]

Just thought I'd post this up in case anyone was looking into fitting one of these units to their car.

 

I noticed the RCD330+ being mentioned on a couple of other forums, so decided to take the plunge. Purchased a NoName unit from AliExpress in early Jan, and have been running it since. Considering they only cost $150, it's a massive improvement over the Bolero!

 

I was previously using a Joying Android head unit, which cost a lot more and had considerably more bugs.

 

After a bit of research, I installed a firmware update that enabled Android Auto (I had to install a "wrong" firmware first, then install the correct version to get it work).

 

PROS:

Cheap!

SD card playback

In-built bluetooth out of the box (hands free call quality is great, despite mic being mounted in the unit)

Android Auto/CarPlay integration (Spotify, Google Maps, Google Play Music etc etc)

Voice control (can safely reply to text messages while driving. Sounds stupid, but actually really useful for me)

OEM interface (some versions available with Skoda green lighting too)

Sound quality on a par with OEM unit (bluetooth streaming is VASTLY better than my previous Chinese Android head unit too)

Rear view camera input

 

CONS:

FM reception is really bad, even using supplied adapter. Can pick up 2 or 3 BBC stations outside my house, but loses them within a couple of miles. Has no AF function either.

Front facing USB cable looks a bit rubbish

Has a few minor bugs (Spotify sometimes doesn't respond, every time I connect my phone it asks to pair)

 

I also recently purchased a cheap (£17) fascia from eBay. Colour match isn't perfect, but it doesn't stand out that badly.

 

 

Now I just need to find a rear view camera that fits a Mk2 Octavia Estate. I've currently enabled it with VCDS, but still need to find a rear camera than fits. The AliExpress seller I bought the unit and rear camera from claims to sell a lens that fits Skoda Octavia, but has now sent me 3 wrong sizes! So need to find the right one to test the camera.

[langers2k]

I don't have any FM reception issues with mine, what type of adaptor did you get sent for the white antenna connector?

 

I don't listen to FM but the lack of AF is pretty annoying. It defaulted to FM and would often play static until I started AA (Android Auto). My workaround is an SD card with some music on it as at least it stops the static.

[MarkyG82]

How easy would it be to take it apart and reroute the USB? Save having to have a cable hanging out the front.

[langers2k]

Pretty easy, I soldered a panel mount USB extension to the rear of the front connector and attached it back of the unit.

 

You'll probably not be able to use the front port afterwards due to signal reflections.

[Superb36]

On 3/28/2018 at 07:02, langers2k said:

Pretty easy, I soldered a panel mount USB extension to the rear of the front connector and attached it back of the unit.

 

You'll probably not be able to use the front port afterwards due to signal reflections.

 

 

Hello

 

Can you still use / see the functions seen on the original headunit - e.g, heating info, settings menu, parking sensor display?

Thanks!

[langers2k]

Parking sensors are still shown, at least on a MY12 Octavia.

 

Heating controls are not shown.

 

Not sure which settings menu you're asking about? The only thing shown in the maxidot is incoming calls. The navigation, audio and phone/bluetooth menus are no longer shown if that helps?

[Superb36]

I was thinking about things like being able to adjust car settings such as door self locking etc.

[langers2k]

There are no options to control anything else on the car I'm afraid.

[Rjg]

Turns out I had a loose connection, so the FM signal isn't awful anymore! Still not as good as the Bolero though.

[fabatron]

@Rjg - finally had one fitted to my Octavia and it’s great. However when using Apple Car Play Siri is terrible. It won’t detect voice commands so no texts and I have to pull up phone numbers via the touchscreen. It’s odd as the the mic works (I can talk on the phone) are there any options I’ve not activated within the unit set up?

[Rjg]

@fabatron I've never actually tested mine with Car Play, but certainly don't remember enabling any settings to use voice. With Android, as soon as my phone is plugged in, voice commands work.

 

I've half installed a rear view camera now too, but haven't managed to get it working yet.

[fabatron]

On 21/07/2018 at 12:34, Rjg said:

@fabatron I've never actually tested mine with Car Play, but certainly don't remember enabling any settings to use voice. With Android, as soon as my phone is plugged in, voice commands work.

 

I've half installed a rear view camera now too, but haven't managed to get it working yet.

 

I might look into connecting up an additional mic, I had an Audi hire car with Car Play and Siri worked superbly so hopefully I can replicate that. Good luck with the reversing camera, do let me know if you get it sorted as this was a possible addition I want to make.

 

 

 

[langers2k]

Not sure if you'll have much luck with the additional mic. For instance, mine has two pins for an external mic but they don't seem to do anything. The only obvious option is to disconnect the internal mic and wire an external one to the same connector. Do you know what hardware and software versions you're running?

 

That being said, voice commands are working perfectly on mine for android auto. Never tried an iPhone :/

[fabatron]

21 hours ago, langers2k said:

Not sure if you'll have much luck with the additional mic. For instance, mine has two pins for an external mic but they don't seem to do anything. The only obvious option is to disconnect the internal mic and wire an external one to the same connector. Do you know what hardware and software versions you're running?

 

That being said, voice commands are working perfectly on mine for android auto. Never tried an iPhone :/

 

Had a fiddle with my iPhone settings and thankfully now works. Now want to do the mod similar to yours and move the USB port to inside the jumbo box as my OCD can't stand that cable poking out of the unit!

[Rjg]

You seen this guide @fabatron? Had it saved in my favourites for a while, but not had the balls to actually do it (my soldering is rubbish)

 

https://www.drive2.ru/l/468837806471380994/

 

@langers2k guessing you had no issues with your rear USB install?

Edited 26 July, 2018 by Rjg

[langers2k]

The only "issue" is the front port no longer works. Other than that, it's been perfect

[fabatron]

On 26/07/2018 at 08:36, Rjg said:

You seen this guide @fabatron? Had it saved in my favourites for a while, but not had the balls to actually do it (my soldering is rubbish)

 

https://www.drive2.ru/l/468837806471380994/

 

@langers2k guessing you had no issues with your rear USB install?

 

Thanks, really useful. I've not got the skills to do this at all but I'll be asking this onto to the chap who installed my RCD330+ and MFSW.

[L354uge]

Anyone had any issues fitting on of these to their Pre-FL Octavia 2?

 

I have fitted a can emulator which has given me my steering wheel controls, but now the up and down buttons for the MFD change the song aswell, so i go to change from miles completed to range and it changes the song too!

I've tried contacting the seller but not much help.

[MarkTB]

Looking at putting one of these in my wife's Fabia and wonder if someone can help me. Looking around I've found the "No-name" 187B seems to be the best variant. My confusion comes from this particular model being listed as both "RCD330" and "RCD330+" on fleabay. Is this in fact the same model, and if not, does anyone know what the differences are?

[Rjg]

On 19/08/2018 at 12:43, MarkTB said:

Looking at putting one of these in my wife's Fabia and wonder if someone can help me. Looking around I've found the "No-name" 187B seems to be the best variant. My confusion comes from this particular model being listed as both "RCD330" and "RCD330+" on fleabay. Is this in fact the same model, and if not, does anyone know what the differences are?

 

There are definitely different versions. Don't think you can do CarPlay/Android Auto with the old ones?

 

RCD330

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Car-BluetoothUSB-MP3-Radio-New-High-Version-MIB-RCD510-RCN210-For-Golf-5-6-Jetta-CC/32697952377.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.130.1fcd43fc9zUoyv&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_10130_10342_10547_10343_10340_10341_10548_10696_10192_10190_10084_5724015_10083_10618_5724315_10307_10820_10301_10821_5724215_10303_5724115_10059_100031_5725015_10103_5724915_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_55,ppcSwitch_3&algo_expid=790fc23e-8082-466c-bd17-1c2eabca07d9-19&algo_pvid=790fc23e-8082-466c-bd17-1c2eabca07d9&priceBeautifyAB=0

 

RCD330+

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/RCD330-Plus-RCD330G-Carplay-MIB-Radio-For-VW-Golf-5-6-Jetta-MK5-MK6-CC-Tiguan/32832998742.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.1.1fcd43fc9zUoyv&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_10130_10342_10547_10343_10340_10341_10548_10696_10192_10190_10084_5724015_10083_10618_5724315_10307_10820_10301_10821_5724215_10303_5724115_10059_100031_5725015_10103_5724915_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_55,ppcSwitch_3&algo_expid=790fc23e-8082-466c-bd17-1c2eabca07d9-0&algo_pvid=790fc23e-8082-466c-bd17-1c2eabca07d9&priceBeautifyAB=0

[MarkTB]

I've been watching these on fleabay to try and get one as cheap as possible (obviously! ) but they have some listed as NOT having RDS? Does yours have RDS, or is this another 'model specific' feature as per Android Auto? It seems to be a mine-field trying to source the 'correct' version.

 

As I said above, I've figured I need the 187B 'No-name' version, but is there sub-versions within this version?

 

Cheers.

[Rjg]

I don't use the radio much, but I'm fairly sure mine displays the most basic of info (i.e. "Radio 1") but nothing more.

 

Also doesn't do AF, which is a bit of a nuisance on long motorway journeys. Pretty much exclusively use Spotify, Google Play music or the odd SD card!

[MarkTB]

On 05/09/2018 at 20:11, Rjg said:

I don't use the radio much, but I'm fairly sure mine displays the most basic of info (i.e. "Radio 1") but nothing more.

 

Also doesn't do AF, which is a bit of a nuisance on long motorway journeys. Pretty much exclusively use Spotify, Google Play music or the odd SD card!

Thanks. I've seen they dont have AF but would like the name to appear.  just gave to try and select the right one! 

Edited 15 September, 2018 by MarkTB