Right folks, where to start.  As you may (or probably may not) know, my first Fabia (a 1.4 TDI PD1) was written off while parked.  At the time I had the original Dance head unit, and was looking for upgrade options.  The good folks on here had pointed me in the direction of an unbranded Chinese unit of the correct dimensions and OEM look.  My replacement car - a 2011 Fabia Monte Carlo 1.6TDI CR came when a Chinese head unit, an A-Sure....and it's not really all that great.  My confidence in these aftermarket Chinese units has been dented somewhat.

 

So, I'm looking at options for replacements, and would ideally like a proper Skoda unit.  After some considerable research, I'm looking at the Amundsen+ units, which look reasonable....however....I'd like it to have Bluetooth and DAB if possible....and from what I can tell, some units come with both, some with none, some with one or the other.  It's a tad confusing.  Any advice anyone can offer, would be appreciated here.  Prices on eBay seem to vary wildly from £200 to £500ish....I'm guessing the pricier units have Bluetooth and DAB.

 

As a cheaper alternative, I'm wondering if one of the Swing units would be any good?  Again I hear that these can come without any Bluetooth and DAB....and with it.  A friend has a Golf which has a similar unit which has both.

 

Sat Nav isn't a must (on the rare occasion I need it, I could just use my phone), but I would like the DAB and Bluetooth if possible.  Is it possible/easy to add additional modules to add DAB and Bluetooth to the Amundsen+ or Swing head units?

 

Alternative suggestions also welcome.  Am I better perhaps just getting a Double Din unit with a fascia adaptor?

Right, IGNORE the names on the units, for example you would "think" an Amundsen + would contain bluetooth over and above the other, not the case either or can have bluetooth and or DAB.

 

What you are looking for in either unit is the label has a MAC address which has figures on it, not 0's, if it has numbers then the unit has bluetooth built in.

If it doesn't its not the end of the world, it can be added by getting the bluetooth module and loom which is plug and play physically but would need coding with VCDS or similar.

Bluetooth modules on ebay all the time, most work with all models, just ensure you get the loom with it to.

 

Is your steering wheel phone prepped ?

 

 

As for DAB, then you can see which has it by the extra antenna connection on the rear, See images attached.

You would also need to purchase a DAB antenna, they are around £65 new, which is not bad

 

For satnav, just need one of these....if you buy without DAB, but if you buy the proper roof antenna then it has FMA, AM, DAB, GPS and GSM in it

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-RNS-510-RNS-310-RNS-315-MFD2-VW-GPS-Antenna-Sat-Nav-Satellite-Navigation/302492015455?hash=item466deddb5f:g:ciUAAOSwqd1Zy83Z

 

Swing unit is very basic, personally I would go for the Amundsen or Columbus, both are nice units.

 

As for chinese headunits, will "imo" they are all dog pooo.

 

Edited 22 July, 20205 yr by UrbanPanzer

Cracking info urbanpanzer when you mention steering wheel prep do you mean just the correct button's? And once the GPS antenna is connected where would the we black box thing go? Thanks

I have just the thing for sale here.

 

GPS antenna can be fitted inside the dash somewhere.

24 minutes ago, Rustynuts said:

I have just the thing for sale here.

 

GPS antenna can be fitted inside the dash somewhere.

 

Message incoming Rusty, I might just have that off you.

 

Good info urban.  My steering wheel/column has no phone buttons or anything on it, but I'd only be using bluetooth for music anyway.

9 hours ago, Rustynuts said:

I have just the thing for sale here.

 

I bought this today, and was installed this afternoon by the good Mr Rustynuts.  What a thoroughly nice bloke.  He explained everything he was doing in detail, and talked me through everything I would need later (DAB aerial etc) and where to get it from.  Went through the whole lot with VCDS to clear any codes relating to the old stereo (and some old engine codes), made sure absolutely every connection and option worked.  The unit itself was advertised as having a scratch, but looked absolutely brand spanking new other than one tiny blemish in the corner that I had to squint to see.  Even made me a cuppa.  Top bloke.

 

If you're in the North East or within easy travelling distance of North Yorkshire, I highly recommend.  Total professional.

 

 

Looks like it was perfect timing for both of you......👍

 

You won't be dissapointed, they are a nice unit.........................and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than any chinese dog poo 🤣

9 minutes ago, UrbanPanzer said:

Looks like it was perfect timing for both of you......👍

 

You won't be dissapointed, they are a nice unit.........................and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than any chinese dog poo 🤣

The drive home was bliss....it just worked....bluetooth connected like it was supposed to, it didn't crash, the sound quality was crystal clear, the menu options were straight forward.

 

It really was perfect timing