VW approved RNS-510 Kenwood alternative with Bluetooth £995 fitted!

[Emeye]

While I was in my local VW dealer earlier, picking my GTi up after having a new Cambelt and a service, I noticed a really smart Kenwood Multimedia Nav unit on display.

It was a DNX520VBT and is shaped the same as the OEM headunits.

Check it out here: http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/products/car/vw/DNX520VBT/

Specs here: http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/car/vw/dnx520vbt_spec/

It was £942.13 inc VAT for the unit, £995 inc fully fitted - if you wanted the iPod/iPhone cable this was £35 extra.

The guys were really helpful, gave me the leaflet and a print out about it and we had a good chat - they reckon it's better than the RNS-510 - the built in Garmin satnav Bluetooth and iPhone/USB connectivity with full control being the major benefits. It even works with the steering wheel controls!

Having played with my mate's RNS-510 I can confirm this Kenwood is probably just as good if not better.

There are a couple of things though - as far as I can tell the iPhone/iPod connector has to go in the front USB and aux sockets, which doesn't look great, and there was no mention of integration with the Computer display on the dashboard.

It is a lot cheaper than the factory option or buying a new RNS-510 from VW and not much more than buying a secondhand RNS-510 and having to buy a separate bluetooth unit.

I was trying to get the leaflet scanned in but I'm having technical issues with my old scanner which will only work with XP.

Oh, and surprisingly I can't find it anywhere cheaper online than at VW!

[entropy]

I think it looks awesome and I would def go for it!

[troublestarter]

just to help it will work with the factory steering wheel controls buy the use of a canbus stalk adapter for around £60
there is also an adapter available to integrate it into the factory display but i can't remember off the top of my head which supplier is doing them
i'll look into it 

[Ant]

Does it do full postcode searchs, I wonder?
Integration to the computer screen (esp with the bluetooth/incoming calls) would be the win for me.

[Emeye]

just to help it will work with the factory steering wheel controls buy the use of a canbus stalk adapter for around £60
there is also an adapter available to integrate it into the factory display but i can't remember off the top of my head which supplier is doing them
i'll look into it 

The leaflet I was given says it will work with the steering wheel controls and doesn't say it needs an adapter. It does say you need an iPod adapter though.....

[Ant]

Does it do full postcode searchs, I wonder?
Integration to the computer screen (esp with the bluetooth/incoming calls) would be the win for me.

From the FAQ http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/car/vw/faq/

Does the navigation system accept a 7 character postcode in the postcode search?
Yes, you can input a 7 character postcode

The not so great bits I see for me, there's no hard disk storage, single cd/dvd and I will have a spare 6 disk changer.

[Steve30]

If it does 6 digit postcode its well worth it , I also think its better looking than RNS

[Emeye]

A £100 Garmin does full postcode search, so this must do!

I wouldn't worry about losing the Cd changer or not having a Harddrive - just buy a mini USB stick and put it in the slot in the front - like this: http://www.amazon.com/PNY-Micro-Attache-Flash-P-FD8GBMIC-FS/dp/B001IDYIRY/ref=pd_cp_e_1

I've got the 2Gb version.

Only thing that puts me off this is the front only USB connection.

[ccaasjf]

Had a look at one of these yesterday in Dovercourt, looked very nice and did a full post code search. I wonder if you have full control over the ipod that would be nice?

[VWjon]

will there be a way for DVD's / films to play whilst on the move? for the front passenger to watch on long journeys before someone asks.