RNS510 retrofit: my buying and installation experience (positive)

[FroGTI]

First off, thanks to all those on this forum who answered my queries re. latest version numbers and p3eps' how-to. Your help basically gave me the confidence to go for it and I'm glad I did.

Buying: I sourced a seller in Lithuania (yes, I know...) on UK eBay with a solid profile and ordered the latest LED / 6.1 software version from him at lunchtime yesterday. It was £550 + £25 shipping. Amazingly, the parcel arrived this morning, less than 24 hours after I payed

Opening the parcel: it was extremely well packed with thick slabs of polystyrene protecting the unit, which itself was wrapped in several layers of cellophane. In addition to the headunit, there was a DVD and a GPS antenna. Packaging was not OEM, however, so I can only speculate as the exact origin of the headunit. There was an 'official' VW card with the security code on it, however.

Installing: this is always the scary bit, but p3eps' excellent write-up here http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=152441.0 made it look simple and indeed it is. I think 15 minutes is a bit optimistic: it took me about 30 minutes all together, but that's probably because I'm thick

Setup: amazingly, it really is plug & play. Everything worked immediately, including the Climatronic / heated seat display, parking sensors and steering wheel controls. The only moment of slight panic was when it didn't seem to be picking up the satellite signals. Current position seemed to be stuck on a street in Germany, despite the setup menu saying it was detecting 5/10 satellites. It did eventually realise I was in France, though, and now seems to be working fine.

I haven't tested all the features yet, but I couldn't help putting in a DVD movie (Die Hard 4), just to see what it's like. Fantastic, especially as you get almost home cinema quality sound through all the car's speakers. The screen is very bright and the whole system seems significantly faster than my 'old' RCD510. Also, the sound quality (radio) seems very slightly better, though this could be just my imagination.

I am selling my RCD510 + TomTom and hopefully should get about £400 for both, which means the RNS system should only end up costing me about £175. Well worth it, IMHO.

Thanks again to all of you who helped.

The Frog

[p3eps]

Glad it all went well!
It sounds like the same seller as mine as the packing was the same.  The code card could have easily been whipped up on a computer - but its nice to believe its authentic.  I thought mine was a one off from him as he only had one LED unit... but now has obviously got a big batch.

The first Satellite signal takes a while.  After that, it should start up where you left off.

15 minutes is maybe a bit optimistic for a first time, but I bet if you were to take it out and put it back in, you could do it in 5 mins now!!!

[p3asa]

I am selling my RCD510 + TomTom and hopefully should get about £400 for both, which means the RNS system should only end up costing me about £175. Well worth it, IMHO.

If you bother about the speed cameras I'd keep the TomTom. Its certainly the only let down on the RNS510.

I read the other day that the RNS automatically puts in any roadworks on the screen that comes through the traffic announcements. Can anyone confirm this?

I have video in motion (Not for me I hasten to add) but the kids and wife love it when we are travelling to the football.

[FroGTI]

p3eps: you're probably right, I could do it in 5 minutes now. Your tip on a few extra layers of tape around the antenna was great, BTW. In fact, if you hadn't mentioned that it could be installed in there, I'd probably have thought it needed installing on top of the dash for a clear view of the sky. So thanks for that.

p3asa: I'm not that fussed about losing the speed trap feature of the TomTom. It never really seemed very reliable anyway and, of course, I never break the speed limit I have already thought about that video in motion add-on and possibly tv, too. Do you have any pointers (tips, sellers, threads on how to install, etc?)

TIA

[p3asa]

Mine came with the video in motion built in from Morty although cost not too far off what he is now selling the LED versions for, only a few weeks ago 

There is a button press workaround for video in motion however it only works if you don't then touch the stereo again while you are driving. But yours might be too new for that to work  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HucwvWLX0GI&feature=related

Did you see the video in p3eps "How to" That I linked to that shows the guy putting the GPS on top of the air vents but obviously still hidden?

[p3asa]

On a similar note, does anyone know if the RCD510 would need coded if someone with a RCD310 bought it?

I can imagine me selling mine and then getting grief it doesn't work because it needs coded!!

[p3eps]

On a similar note, does anyone know if the RCD510 would need coded if someone with a RCD310 bought it?

I can imagine me selling mine and then getting grief it doesn't work because it needs coded!!

I'm pretty sure its just plug and play as the RCD510 does exactly the same as the RCD310 apart from it looks prettier and has a nicer interface.  The features are the same.

[p3asa]

I'm pretty sure its just plug and play as the RCD510 does exactly the same as the RCD310 apart from it looks prettier and has a nicer interface.  The features are the same.

True enough. Cheers.

[FroGTI]

There is a button press workaround for video in motion however it only works if you don't then touch the stereo again while you are driving. But yours might be too new for that to work  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HucwvWLX0GI&feature=related

Lol, thanks for that. Jeez, you can find everything on YouTube

Does anyone have the tv function?

[Snoopy]

On a similar note, does anyone know if the RCD510 would need coded if someone with a RCD310 bought it?

I can imagine me selling mine and then getting grief it doesn't work because it needs coded!!

No it does not, I looked into it as a RCD310 owner.