Hi all,

 

I've finally got my hands on a mk3 VRS and very happy with it, especially now the weather is starting to improve.

 

I haven't really bothered with the infotainment up to now as I use android auto. However, I'm the sort of person that likes to have everything working / in-order... and now that I've started down this rabbit hole, I'm getting frustrated about it! 😅

 

When I got the car it didn't have an SD card in the slot, and unsurprisingly it says that the satnav is not available. Also, skoda connect needs a dongle apparently to make it work? Skoda Lite I believe it is, is it worth buying the dongle?

 

Is it worth worrying about it or shall I just keep using android auto? 

 

When I click on online update or update software I get various error messages. I have WLAN enabled and working, but for some reason it's not able to do online updates - is that because I dont' have the skoda SD card in?

 

I see you can download maps, radio icons etc... from skoda, but presumably you need to ALSO have the Skoda SD card? If so is it worth purchasing the SD card or can you do a homebrew version of it? I've downloaded the maps from Skoda but of course can't really do anything with them I don't think.

 

I've attached the system information.

 

Sorry for so many questions - if I'm overcomplicating things by wanting to do this I'm happy with that! I just like getting the most out of the systems that exist.

 

Thank you again! 😍

The dongle isn't worth it. Like you I looked at it when I first got my car and as best I could tell is simply gave me info I already had on my phone for free (like the weather).

 

You can download and install radio icons from any sd card but will need a genuine Skoda card for maps as the sd card CID (Card IDentification) is unique to Skoda (VAG maybe?) o others don't work. Plenty available on eBay and other places for not much money. Changing the CID is nigh on impossible however I've seen videos online describing how to disable the check using MIB Toolbox if you're that way inclined.

 

Personally I wouldn't be too bothered about the built in satnav. I only ever use AA / Waze.

thank you for clarifying what I thought. Appreciate it!

 

Waze/AA works so well that it doesn't seem necessary for the other bits. Presumably things like software updates/firmware updates aren't really necessary if you're not using the infotainment?

Infotainment is only good for dab.

The maps aren't updated anymore so AA is the way to go.

Get a wireless dongle to avoid your phone getting hot with the lousy 10w usb port.

As HappySam said, you can unlock the sd card check and use any card for the maps

What wireless dongle do you use? any recommendations?

13 hours ago, Revanite said:

What wireless dongle do you use? any recommendations?

Yes I use this one, the usb stick version. I have it since January and it is flawless.

 

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EG8gSfl

 

 

If you want one that dors AA and carplay, then this one, the 5.0 version 

 

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQqCuZD

 

 

Edited 4 May, 20242 yr by nickytheshaft

Just throwing it out there, but I'm still old school.

Have my phone in a holder to use Google maps.

AA is OK, but I like the real time speed which you don't get on AA, unless I'm missing summat.

I've also found things like accidents/road closures/mobile speed cameras don't seem as accurate on AA as apposed to using Google on my phone. Not sure why

Try using Waze it shows speed and delays.

3 hours ago, JD52 said:

Try using Waze it shows speed and delays.

 

That's what I use

5 hours ago, BT_11vRS said:

Just throwing it out there, but I'm still old school.

Have my phone in a holder to use Google maps.

AA is OK, but I like the real time speed which you don't get on AA, unless I'm missing summat.

I've also found things like accidents/road closures/mobile speed cameras don't seem as accurate on AA as apposed to using Google on my phone. Not sure why

 

The data in Google maps is the same regardless. Just displayed differently.

Waze uses the same source as it's now owned by Google but has other stuff on top like user added obstructions and traffic. The speed info is also very good as it shows the limit as well as your speed. There should be an update coming that shows upcoming limit changes too. Useful for those 60 to 30 jumps in areas you're not used to.

Well I got one of those wireless adapters and a phone holder, works really well so thank you for the advice!

 

I've seen there's a tonne of advice on firmware upgrades and so on on the head unit, is it actually worthwhile or only if there's something "wrong"? All my home devices I tend to keep updated, but I wonder if it's the same for head units?

On 04/05/2024 at 11:48, nickytheshaft said:

Yes I use this one, the usb stick version. I have it since January and it is flawless.

 

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EG8gSfl

 

 

If you want one that dors AA and carplay, then this one, the 5.0 version 

 

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQqCuZD

 

 

I'm giving Waze another try, so I've ordered the 5.0 version, just cos I don't like the idea of the dongle hanging out with having clumsy kids!

Out of interest, what does the 5.0version do over the dongle? Is it just carplay?

51 minutes ago, BT_11vRS said:

I'm giving Waze another try, so I've ordered the 5.0 version, just cos I don't like the idea of the dongle hanging out with having clumsy kids!

Out of interest, what does the 5.0version do over the dongle? Is it just carplay?

Yes it offers the 2.

The usb stick only does AA.

It has an extension though to have it not directly plugged in the socket 

On 04/05/2024 at 11:48, nickytheshaft said:

Yes I use this one, the usb stick version. I have it since January and it is flawless.

 

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EG8gSfl

 

 

If you want one that dors AA and carplay, then this one, the 5.0 version 

 

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQqCuZD

 

 

@nickytheshaft I've decided to take the plunge and ordered the AA one, maybe you should be on commission! 

How easy was it to set up? 

7 hours ago, nickytheshaft said:

Yes it offers the 2.

The usb stick only does AA.

It has an extension though to have it not directly plugged in the socket 

Ah that would have helped.

Could be wrong but I think the V-5 

Was cheaper when I ordered.

Tho it does look like a bigger unit to be fair

16 hours ago, Cakemonster said:

@nickytheshaft I've decided to take the plunge and ordered the AA one, maybe you should be on commission! 

How easy was it to set up? 

Ha ha yes.

Setup is really easy.

Plug it in the usb socket 

When the light turns blue, search for the Bluetooth unit and connect.

It will then activate the wifi on your phone and switch the bt to the car 

The WiFi sort of replaces the usb cord.

Once this is done, the new connections will be automatic.

 

I highly suggest doing an update before first use. 

All the steps are described in the leaflet in the box

9 hours ago, BT_11vRS said:

Ah that would have helped.

Could be wrong but I think the V-5 

Was cheaper when I ordered.

Tho it does look like a bigger unit to be fair

You can't go wrong with any

In fact, the price has decreased 

It use to be around 50 euros 

On 08/05/2024 at 08:02, nickytheshaft said:

Ha ha yes.

Setup is really easy.

Plug it in the usb socket 

When the light turns blue, search for the Bluetooth unit and connect.

It will then activate the wifi on your phone and switch the bt to the car 

The WiFi sort of replaces the usb cord.

Once this is done, the new connections will be automatic.

 

I highly suggest doing an update before first use. 

All the steps are described in the leaflet in the box

@nickytheshaft thanks for this and posting the links in the first place. Mine arrived yesterday and I've just given it a trial run - works a treat. 

Well chuffed 👍

3 hours ago, Cakemonster said:

@nickytheshaft thanks for this and posting the links in the first place. Mine arrived yesterday and I've just given it a trial run - works a treat. 

Well chuffed 👍

Glad that you like it.

Enjoy 🍾

1 hour ago, nickytheshaft said:

Glad that you like it.

Enjoy 🍾

 

I've ordered one too. Thank you!

I've ordered a wireless dongle from ali express and whilst I can connect to it the box connects to the head unit, it won't let me access AA via the wireless (bluetooth) connection.  When I plug my phone in via a cable it opens up AA automatically but with the wireless dongle it doesn't but I get a screen where I can choose which deice to use and the dongle shows but when I choose it I get a message about it not supporting mirrorplay.  When I had AA/ACP activated I had a similar problem with my phone but managed to sort with obdeleven via adding AA and ACP through adaptations.  Does anyone know if this is a similar issue and if there is a similar adaptation I can activate?

5 minutes ago, Strebord said:

I've ordered a wireless dongle from ali express and whilst I can connect to it the box connects to the head unit, it won't let me access AA via the wireless (bluetooth) connection.  When I plug my phone in via a cable it opens up AA automatically but with the wireless dongle it doesn't but I get a screen where I can choose which deice to use and the dongle shows but when I choose it I get a message about it not supporting mirrorplay.  When I had AA/ACP activated I had a similar problem with my phone but managed to sort with obdeleven via adding AA and ACP through adaptations.  Does anyone know if this is a similar issue and if there is a similar adaptation I can activate?

I had an issue initially connecting, as I was on the drive and the phone kept trying to stay on the house WiFi, once I got it to connect to the AA dongle it's been fine.

37 minutes ago, Cakemonster said:

I had an issue initially connecting, as I was on the drive and the phone kept trying to stay on the house WiFi, once I got it to connect to the AA dongle it's been fine.

the one I have is the one that does AA and ACP and connects via bluetooth to the phone

7 minutes ago, Strebord said:

the one I have is the one that does AA and ACP and connects via bluetooth to the phone

Os it the carlinkit 5.0?

Normally you should connect to the dongle Bluetooth, it will then switch to the car Bluetooth and activate a WiFi link between the phone nd the dongle.

I think the connection is in 5ghz so check that your phones supports it.

Also check if you need to enter a password for the WiFi.

 

it's not the carlink one but similar.  Over 10k sold on ali so presumed it worked.  I have just had another play, forgot the bluetooth connection and reconnected and now working.  No idea why or how but it is so I'm not too worried how and why.  Thanks for your replies