Is the CAN-Bus worth it??

[jphealy]

I'm fitting an Alpine CDA-105Ri in a Mk5 GTI.  If I want the CAN-Bus adapter, it'll cost me about an extra €80 (£70 or so).  Is it worth having?  As far as I know, it basically allows you to use the stereo without the engine running.  Is that all, or are there any other advantages?

[Mew]

Would it not allow you to use the steering wheel controls too, and maybe make the volume speed sensitive?

[jphealy]

No steering controls myself, I'm afraid!  If it makes the volume speed sensitive then I guess that's another plus anyway.  I think I'll go for it.  Want it done right if I'm doing it at all.

[Mew]

I don't know if it would do the volume control, it was just a feature that it might enable

[jphealy]

Fair enough - I won't hold you to it!

I should probably do some digging on the forum to see if there is some more info about it, previously discussed.

[wampablo]

do you know what can bus adapter it is ?

[troublestarter]

CAN is a serial bus protocol to connect individual systems and sensors as an alternative to conventional multi-wire looms. It allows automotive components to communicate on a single or dual-wire networked data bus up to 1Mbps
what a canbus adapter does is carry digital information and converts it to analogue
it is a direct plug in and will give the following outputs
ignition live
reverse wire
handbrake
speed pulse
steering wheel control(vehicle dependant and a patch lead is required)
where have you seen it for £70-80 as i do it for £54.99 plus carriage
http://www.awesomeautomotive.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=60_65&products_id=684

[jphealy]

Thanks for the info.  I've been quoted €80 for adding the canbus from a car audio place here in Dublin that's going to fit the head unit for me.  I've decided to have somebody do it for me, rather than fit it myself (need it done by Friday and don't have all the bits I need myself, and also I'm rubbish at all that stuff).  If I wasn't in a rush, I'd probably order the canbus and the aerial adapter online, and a torx head screwdriver or whatever I need, and do it myself.  I'm sure I'd save some money that way.  Just want the thing in by the weekend though - going on a bit of a road trip.

Can you explain what these things actually mean in practice?
ignition live
reverse wire
handbrake
speed pulse

I'm guessing the speed pulse is the speed sensitive volume?

[wampablo]

ignition live ---- so when you take key out of car the h/u turns off and keeps memory
reverse wire ---- so navigation would know your in reverse
handbrake ---- so navigation would see your parked
speed pulse ---- so navigation can see how naughty you`re being and how long it will take you to get there (reads speed)

just a guess there maybe soeme other applications for reverse and handbrake

[Obbzi]

So is this the same one I would need to install a Pioneer F900bt to a Mk5 R32?


http://www.awesomeautomotive.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=60_65&products_id=684