VW Working on new OEM bluetooth connectivity for RNS510

[Tailpipe]

After all of the questions about MoBridge versus Fiscon bluetooth units, I contacted Volkswagen UK about this.

The answer i got was that VW is well aware that the current OEM Bluetooth unit, which only allows rSAP phones to be used, is inadequate. They've been inundated with complaints. Guess what, they're working on a new unit to be installed within the RNS510. We should see something later this year, I interpret that as for model year 2011.

If this is an issue that bothers you, do take the time to contact VW and complain about the current OEM Bluetooth unit. The more pressure they feel, the faster they will respond. I'll go as far as to say that this should be an issue that bothers all of us. Very few of the people lashing out £30K on a new GTI with an RNS510 are satisfied with a simple old Nokia phone. We're a bunch of fully paid-up card-carrying members of the Blackberry / iPhone / smartphone club. More than that, the Police are coming down much harder on people who use their phones while driving. So we need a reliable solution for handsfree calling. If your phone doesn't properly integrate into the car and you have an accident while fiddling around with it, guess whose fault it will be? Not VW's.

So, IMHO, a new Bluetooth unit cannot come quickly enough. What to do in the meantime? Don't order the OEM system if you have a non-rSAP phone. Get either Fiscon or Mobridge or Parrot. (Apparently, the Parrot system is also very good and fully integrates with RNS510). Dealers will be able to retrofit the new system quite easily when it's available. Hope that helps.

[StuTheDon]

Hi there - I saw your post and it concerned me a bit!  I've just ordered a GTI with a RCD510 and a bluetooth phone prep pack.  I use a Blackberry so will this not work with this setup?

If not I'm definitely calling VW to complain!  Cheers for the heads up...

[keelaw]

correct, you need to have an RSAP (remote sim access profile) phone to use with the factory bluetooth kit.  This is a bluetooth profile that is a pain in arse to find in the specs of a phone.  e.g. it is also known as SAP  (SIM Access Profile)


generally nokias will work, but you need to check.  Some HTC phones work, e.g. the new HD2, BUT people have had issues and its not straightforward.


I have just changed my phone and opted for a Nokia N97 Mini.  Nice phone, has rSAP and smaller than those tablet like smartphones (iphone, HD2, N900).  When the factory kit works, its seamless and very impressive.  Availability of phones is awful though.

[JJH]

I use a blackberry 8900 and have a GTD due soon; the only alternative I've found to equal factory bluetooth/MFSW function is Mobridge. Fiscon doesn't give you full function of the steering wheel buttons..I'm planning on attaching a proclip to the centre console so I can see the face of the phone while I'm on the move. Thinkng I might even get a new XXL euro mapped tom tom and et a proclip for that all wired in. Anyone else got any trick set ups? If you have, pics would be super...

[keelaw]

I use a blackberry 8900 and have a GTD due soon; the only alternative I've found to equal factory bluetooth/MFSW function is Mobridge.

Close but not quite.  MoBridge doesn't do voice activated controls using the mic button as far as I can tell.

[JJH]

what ever floats your boat man, i dont give a sh!te about voice control, I prefer buttons..

[p3asa]

Yeah I must admit, voice control is so infuriating at times.
You could do the function a lot quicker manually.

The only success I had was using "wildfire" on the Orange network.

[Tailpipe]

You're right about Parrot. it requires an extra box attached to the dash. it's quite fiddly to operate, IMHO. I think MoBridge is the best option as things stand, not sure how good support is for it. 

I have written to VW UK again to complain about this. I've actually suggested that if non rSAP phones are not able to properly integrate with the well thought out controls designed into the car, then VWs might actually be dangerous to use mobile phones in!

Are there any Policemen on the forum who'd like to volunteer an opinion?

In the final analysis, the need to fit a third-party Bluetooth control really p****s me off. This is something that's relatively easy to get right. After all, both Blackberry and Apple have been around for 3 years now. VW need to get on top of it, as other manufacturers have.

[mac7]

I have written to VW UK again to complain about this. I've actually suggested that if non rSAP phones are not able to properly integrate with the well thought out controls designed into the car, then VWs might actually be dangerous to use mobile phones in!

Are there any Policemen on the forum who'd like to volunteer an opinion?

Didn't you already get a response from VW saying they are working on a solution?

I'm not a policeman, but in my opinion drivers shouldn't really be making or taking calls whilst driving at all. They definitely shouldn't be reading or writing text messages. Doing so has a large effect on the driver's concentration which is why if you are involved in an accident and a phone call was in progress, you could be prosecuted for careless driving, or whatever they call it these days.

[JJH]

I think MoBridge is the best option as things stand, not sure how good support is for it. 

Mark at Cartronics has always been more than helpful - he's been there as long as I can remember ( 20 years I'd guess ). Mine is being fitted right now so I'll be able to give a review in a few days

a few days! no no Damian, we need it sooner than that...You know what would be really interesting? a video.
Keeping my fingers crossed you can.......
cheers, Jon