Best Alternative for RNS-510?

[sarpk]

I see that there is ANS-810 and also this one https://avinusa.com/vw-8-avant2-full...on-system.html

Are there any other?

What I am looking for is:

1) Navigation
2) Android Auto

I also want to use reverse camera so it would be nice to have compatibility with that and full integration with MFD, buttons and microphone support on the wheel.

This is for 2014MY MK6 Jetta.

[moda]

Depends on what you want out of it and how much you want to spend. Probably the budget is the biggest thing, because it will determine what sector of the market you look at.

Copying my answer from a thread a few months ago.

There are heaps of options, and really depends on how much you want to spend and what you want out of it.

The easiest option is to just get an OEM RNS510 (various versions, theres a second hand one going on the forsale forums, but can also look to import one overseas, or people like jku.com.au who is a forum sponsor). Roughly ~$1000-1500 depending on version, and might require activating in VCDS. If you don't have bluetooth, you will need to buy the unit seperately (~$300-500), plus MDI cables for iPod integration etc.

Then there are the aftermarkets, ranging in price from ~$300-1500+.

Several different ways you can go:

• Low End OEM Replica - Eonon/Avin etc, ~$300-500, very cheap, usually made in China, pretty poorly made, software is often terrible. WinCE or Android variants.
• High End OEM Replica - Audiosources (DS Series, new version of the DNS), Dynavin, Zenec, iCartech VX8 (Android Auto/Apple CarPlay!), ~$500-1500. Better made, faster, better hardware, better software, more OEM features, more feature rich, better radio reception, better bluetooth etc etc. Most still run WinCE, but there are a few like the iCartech that is Android based.
• Tier 1 Aftermarket - Pioneer/Alpine/Kenwood etc, Plus Fascia and Interface kit (iDatalink), ~$1500+

Each has their disadvantages and advantages.

All of these units have the ability to hook in a RVC, and most will have the same basic functions etc.

I'd definitely recommend staying away from the generic, no brand chinese units, they're universally pretty awful. If you can't afford to spend much, definitely stick with a known brand like Eonon, either their Android or WinCE version.

Generally as you spend more money the better they get, the more feature rich, the better compatibility, better software/hardware, faster, smoother etc they are.

But yea, really depends on how much you want to spend.

[sarpk]

I don't really want it to look like it's different than what the car's original one (All Tier 1 ones look different, which IMO ruins car's interior looks)

I would love to get RNS-510 but it doesn't have android-auto. Apart from that aftermarket devices don't seem to work with car's own bluetooth?

[moda]

I don't really want it to look like it's different than what the car's original one (All Tier 1 ones look different, which IMO ruins car's interior looks)

I would love to get RNS-510 but it doesn't have android-auto. Apart from that aftermarket devices don't seem to work with car's own bluetooth?

Yep, that was always my reasoning from staying away from the Tier 1 units as well.

How much do you want to spend?

AFAIK the only unit that can use the OEM Bluetooth Microphone is the Audiosources DS. I don't think that the Dynavin or iCartech can. None of the cheap chinese ones will. Otherwise you have to use the units microphone. I've used heaps of different headunits and the built in mics always have the tendency to sound quiet, like you're far away from the microphone (some have said even fishbowl like).

EDIT: On checking, the Zenec unit doesn't use the OEM Microphone either. It has it's own.

I don't think any of them actually use the OEM Bluetooth unit itself.

As I said, the easiest and safest option is to just get the RNS510 and be done with it. It just lacks a bunch of features that would be nice, that's all, though there is a variant with DAB+, which is neat.

You're not going to get Android Auto/Apple CarPlay without spending a lot of money on a Tier 1, or chancing the iCartech unit, fwiw.