RNS-510 Sat Nav - is it any good?

[Smurfin]

Hi all

I should be picking up my MK5 GTi tomorrow or Saturday, and was thinking about adding a satnav unit to it.  Currently I have a 4 year old TomTom which needs replacing, especially as it only ever accepts the first part of a postcode and lots of road names are missing (not updated it for a while but it seems wildly hit and miss, plus it's one of the old big n clunky ones).  However, I've read a few snippets about people moaning on the Satnav side of the RNS510...just wondered if it's actually any good?

I'm also a bit perplexed about some of the prices out there.  OEM Retrofits offer them cheap fitted, but only a 3 month warranty?  Sounds to me like they're refurb units, which then makes me wonder....why are there so many refurb units?  Are these things reliable?

I'm a bit wary, even at £600-£700 that's alot of money wasted if the thing stops working.  Any does anyone know how fitting things like this and bluetooth etc, affects warranty with the car?  I've got 2 years warranty left on mine...

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks
Matt

[Smurfin]

Anyone?

[TonyZed]

Yes, it is very good, although still only first part of postcode. I don't find that a problem personally. It is much better than the RNS-E unit in my Audi TTS!!

TonyZ

[DanoGTI]

Not a fan personally.
I umm'd and ahh'd about different Head Units....... dismissed the RNS as I'm really fussy about sound (it's also my job!) and went for a Pioneer F900bt.

The *only* nice thing about the RNS, I think, is the built in hard drive.
The satnav aspect didn't blow me away.

Sooo.. the F900bt. Uses Igo8 satnav..... and I really like it!!
Full postcode search, Traffic Management, up-datable speed cameras. Been using it in earnest for the last month and I have to admit there hasn't been any issues.
It locks into my iphone via bluetooth and the addresses also come up.
Gives a great overview of the trip too.

And after being a devoted TomTom user for a great many years, I found the transition to a new satnav quite easy, and using other satnavs, it does highlight the failings of TomTom.
I've also got a GO540, and am running CoPilot Live 8 on my iphone..... and despite the GO and iphone being shinier graphics at times (although OS3 does address this somewhat), it's rock solid.

So, the moral is IF you can live without the OEM look (which imho, if I'm spending alot of money on a stereo, I WANT to show it off!), DO look elsewhere.
The Kenwood stuff is quite OEM too, and Pioneer, well, I just like the sound.

Hope this helps (as an alternative view)

Dan

[p3eps]

Each to their own...
I had the first version of the Pioneer 900BT - and found it absolutely dreadful!
Perhaps they've ironed out some of the problems, but mine took about 2 full minutes to boot up, beeped every time I touched a button (which you couldn't disable) and was incompatible with my phone (amoungst several other problems).

I now have an RNS510 in my new car and love it.  I have the Dynaudio pack, and the sound it pretty decent.  The multimedia interface is top notch and allows you full control over your iPod etc - as well as USB memory and SD cards.  As above, it has a 30gb hard disk - which stores about 8gb of Navi data... and you get the other 20gb ish for storing music on.
Handy if you forget your iPod!

Obviously it intergrates seamlessly with the steering wheel buttons, and looks like its meant to be there.
You can pick them up for about £500 if you hunt around 

[DanoGTI]

Granted - my F900 has got the latest OS... much quicker and more control 

[Smurfin]

Thanks for the comments chaps.  Does the pioneer look really out of place?  Non-OEM is more nickable though isn't it?

The one thing that really baffles me is that places like OEM Retrofits sell them for £600, yet they only give 3 months warranty and they are all "refurb" units.  Which begs the question, how come there are so many refurb units out there?  Under what circumstances would one of these be refurbished?  I can't see many people taking them OUT of their cars to replace with something else, so what gives? 

[nismogtir300]

I just recemtly bought a mark5 gti and managed to pick one up for £450 from someone who was selling one locally. Wasnt too hard to fit, once i read the instructions from here.

Is a good system, especially with the hard drive. Need to fit some new speakers though as standard ones not great.

[Smurfin]

Well just got mine installed this morning by OEM Retrofits, really pleased with it and adds just a bit more class to the interior   All I need now is to get cruise control fitted and bluetooth and aside from xenon's it's now completely fully loaded