How many have gone for the climate windscreen ?

[Sootchucker]

Just wondering how many people have gone for the climate windscreen and advanced phone package ?

I would have loved to spec the windscreen, however combined with the advanced phone package, its nearly £600. As far as I can see the phone package adds nothing really for me (don't need a wifi network in the car and my iPhone doesn't support rSap - which I believe the package uses ?).

Does the windscreen use a separate switch in the centre console (there seems to be an unused one at the top right next to the gear lever - just ahead of the parking sensor buttons), or is it linked with the rear screen.

I'm really struggling to justify the cost even though I want the screen. If anyone's ordered it and can share their reasoning, I'd be glad to hear.

[Gryzor]

I have ordered the combo, and my reasoning is simple - I promised myself that my next car would have a heated front screen after suffering quite bad misting issues in my Mk5 when cold or very wet.  Not to mention quickly and efficiently clearing ice.

I almost cancelled/delayed my GTI order based on rumours the Golf would be getting such a screen.  It's one of those things that I know if I left it off the list, I'd be kicking myself as soon as the time comes when I would have really benefited from having it.  I'm also keeping my car for a good number of years, so the last thing I want is for it to not be right and have to live with regret.  Nor do I have a garage so the car is always out!

I'm in the same boot as you, I have an iPhone, and have little use for the advanced features even if it were compatible.  I rarely use my phone in the car as it is anyway.  But, I understand the radiation-blocking potential of the screen and so OK, rightly or wrongly it is what it is.  I'm not happy it costs so much in total, but I'm very happy that I have it.  I just look at it like this - 19" wheels cost almost a grand, and leather costs around £1,700 I think.  Neither of which perform any real function other than cosmetic.  Every single option I've chosen has a genuinely useful function either all year or when it's cold.

As for the button, not sure whether it's a separate one like they have in the Fords, or just linked to the rear heater switch.  Not fussed either way to be honest as long as it's effective! 

[carotino]

I'd like it but at six ton you'd need to be off your rocker cover.

[SF-GTD]

I noticed the description of the advanced telephone package in the new price list doesn't mention rSap, it just says:

"Storage compartment in front centre armrest with integrated uSB socket for telephone charging. Connection to the vehicle’s external aerial for improved reception."

[Gryzor]

I'd like it but at six ton you'd need to be off your rocker cover.

Being something I want as part of the spec for my car, it's actually only £310 extra on top of what I'm happy to pay.  I could say the same about people who pay £1700 for leather seats, or those who think a grand for 19" bling wheels is great value.  I could even say the same about anybody buying a new car at all given how much they depreciate...

I noticed the description of the advanced telephone package in the new price list doesn't mention rSap, it just says:

"Storage compartment in front centre armrest with integrated uSB socket for telephone charging. Connection to the vehicle’s external aerial for improved reception."

Right, but nor does the price list mention the HFP protocol used by the standard media unit.  It will almost certainly be bluetooth rSAP, not a physical connection via USB.

[SF-GTD]

I was hoping it would be a bit like the phone box on the new A3:

"A new and innovative feature available for the Audi A3 is the Audi Phone Box.

By placing your mobile phone into a compartment within the centre console your mobile phone will connect wirelessly to the roof’s aerial, improving phone reception and removing the need for a phone cradle. A USB socket, located in the compartment, can be used for charging your phone."

Or is this rSAP too?

[Gryzor]

Well, unless the car has it's own WiFi hotspot for you to connect through, it's almost certainly going to be Bluetooth rSAP they refer to as wireless.  I'm changing phones in October anyway, so if iPhone doesn't work with it very well/at all, it's no big deal.

[mcmaddy]

Does anyone know which phones will work with the VW systems. been reading that not all phones will give full functionality. will all brand new phones work?

[Sootchucker]

Had a check over on the German VW forums (motor talk.de), and a couple of them have the climate windscreen already. Interesting to hear their comments that whilst it does a great job at de-misting the screen when it's humid, it's apparently not so great with heavy frost and ice. It's supposidly not as powerful as the rear screen and (according to them at least) is only good for light frost and is no substitute for an ice scraper, and doesn't seem as powerful as Ford's "Quickclear" system. See below:

"My conclusion:
I would take the climate windscreen again, even if it clearly is not doing what is expected in snow and ice on the windshield. Anyone hoping to be able to enter in the morning and have the screen clear free of ice will be disappointed, you will still need your scraper."

Like I said looks like it will be great for de misting, and lets not forget the special UV coating that's suppost to make the interior cooler in the summer (not that it's something we have to worry about in this country  )

[monkeyhanger]

For £600? No way! TBH I find fogging up of the glass more of a pain than freezing up and this new screen would keep that at bay. A bucket of luke warm water over the windscreen when setting off from the house is my usual method of deicing, it warms up the screen enough so that it doesn't freeze over again 2 minutes into your journey.

I don't have a mobile and if I did I wouldn't use it in the car, hands free or otherwise so why VW have to force the phone stuff onto me to get the heated screen is beyond me. Sell the screen separately, but make sure the customer knows there may be phone "issues" if you spec the screen alone.