Does anyone know how much it costs to activate the voice control on a new skoda ? If you order a new car it's £35 but as I've just bought mine I'm not sure if the cost is different.

Not really worth it 

 

Use Android auto /apple.car.play it's more more useful and free 

 

But I think it's £35-40 from the dealers 

Edited 13 October, 20187 yr by malcster

Totally agree @malcster. Just plug your phone in and enjoy voice control that actually works! You just long press the button on the steering wheel. You get a little 'Voice Control Unavailable' thing in the MaxiDOT, but it then just goes straight through to Google Assistant/Siri. Or you can press the microphone button on the screen, it's in the top right with Android Auto (not sure with CarPlay as I don't use it)

My new Fabia has satnav as standard but it doesn't have voice control. Should it?

Did you manage to sort this out Alex?

Yes. Voice control is an optional extra which is £35 when the car is built. So you request it when you order a new car. If your car does not have it your Skoda dealer can fit it but it will cost about £130. 

However, voice control will still work if you plug in your phone to the USB port and have the Android Auto app installed on your phone. If your phone is an apple phone it's a different app but I can't remember what it's called.

Hope this answers all your queries.

Thanks Alex.

I've been using AA with Google maps but my car has Amundsen satnav as standard and I would have thought it should come with VC but it doesn't.

On 30/11/2018 at 08:15, alex815 said:

Yes. Voice control is an optional extra which is £35 when the car is built. So you request it when you order a new car. If your car does not have it your Skoda dealer can fit it but it will cost about £130. 

However, voice control will still work if you plug in your phone to the USB port and have the Android Auto app installed on your phone. If your phone is an apple phone it's a different app but I can't remember what it's called.

Hope this answers all your queries.

£130 is a lot for activating voice control.

Has anyone shopped around and had a lower quote?

Unless it’s free, or Skoda pay you £130 to activate it then it’s overpriced. 

 

Its as garbage system. 

I'm pretty sure it doesn't cost £130. Your dealer can do it for £40, at least that's what I was told when I enquired about it last year. But like the others, I use Android Auto which I find even better, and it's free.  

Yes I've used AA for a long time now and I'm more than happy with it.

I just wondered why the voice button didn't come enabled with Amundsen satnav, which is standard equipment with my new S EL.

Edited 19 December, 20187 yr by RickW

Rick, have you checked with your dealer on the voice control? It may be that the key hasn't been added by dealer at Pdi.  Some are done at the factory, but some are added at the dealer from what I was told.

Voice control is listed as an option in the price list that is only in conjunction with the Amundsen, and it's not included with the nav. Still, given how good Android Auto is, it's not something I'd worry about personally. 

No,I'm not worrying about it,thanks chaps.

 

I'm one of those that if there's a button I want to use it,I'm a bit of a gadget nerd.

 

Unless I'm  wrong,this was never explained in the brochure,that VC needed to be purchased with Amundsen.

Edited 22 December, 20187 yr by RickW

It's certainly in the price list, which is the main guide IMO!

 

On 22/12/2018 at 00:23, RickW said:

No,I'm not worrying about it,thanks chaps.

 

I'm one of those that if there's a button I want to use it,I'm a bit of a gadget nerd.

 

Unless I'm  wrong,this was never explained in the brochure,that VC needed to be purchased with Amundsen.

 

I think it could be clearer in the brochure text Rick, given the number of folks who ask about this. 

I also feel that the sales people at the dealership should have mentioned it as an option to complement Amundsen.

There will be many hundreds of Skoda owners with voice buttons that sit there doing nothing,looking important,but being as useful as a wet match at a bonfire.

Wanting it or loathing it is irrelevant,like stop start.

For £30 surely Skoda could have given it away?

The £140 is the price for the mirror link activation. Which you will need for Android auto.  Honestly Android auto is actually worth it. I'm used to saying ok Google and having that in the car is very handy. "Ok Google add a McDonald's to the journey"

Yes,I agree,I use Android Auto day in,day out and love it.

I also have Amundsen satnav as standard in my S EL,but unlike AA it's not voice controlled and could have been if I'd have realised I only needed to pay £30 to activate it when ordering the car.

Edited 29 December, 20187 yr by RickW

On 29/12/2018 at 08:40, chicken93 said:

The £140 is the price for the mirror link activation. Which you will need for Android auto.  Honestly Android auto is actually worth it. I'm used to saying ok Google and having that in the car is very handy. "Ok Google add a McDonald's to the journey"

 

All but base model Fabias in the UK have had SmartLink as standard, or on early cars, just MirrorLink. 

Edited 1 January, 20197 yr by vc-10