RNS510 cost-justified?

[Corey_R]

• The RNS-510 is $2,500, not $3,500
• Hands-free ability to take a phone call is called Bluetooth, not Sat Nav.
• RNS-510 supports Bluetooth, you obviously didn't choose to get that.
• From approximately the MY11.5 cars, the Bluetooth (and MDI) is included in the base-cost of the car.
• The digital radio issue is an Australian issue. The RNS-510 supports DAB. Australia waited and went for DAB+. At the time the RNS-510 was released, I don't believe that a single manufacturer had a DAB+ capable radio in their cars.
• The traffic issue is an Australian issue too. Our local radio stations are too lazy to broadcast the TP messges on traffic congestion. There are other local services which have been setup in Australia, but they don't have universal support yet, and even city support is sketchy.
• The RNS-510 is more than just a Sat Nav, offering DVD and media playback, including built in HDD. It also supports video output for additional screens for rear seat passengers (unfortunatley not an available option/accessory here).
• Being an OEM product, it is far better integrated into the car interior, the MFD in the instrument cluster etc than any aftermarket unit can
• The RNS-510 is far cheaper than competing units from other European manufacturers. Though it is starting to age, and the next generation of units are starting to appear with other manufacturers (including other VAG stablemates)
• No (relatively) low volume OEM system will ever match the high volume disposable consumer products, and to expect such is unrealistic.
• I agree in relation to the maps. However, this issue is also shared with most of the other car manufacturers with their OEM units. Looking at the prices that Sensis themselves directly charge consumers for map updates, it wouldn't at all surprise me that they are using their market position to hold car manufacturers to ransom. The Tom-Tom/Garmin/Navman brands are obviously far higher volume and probably have much more influence to get reasonable map prices.

[Ideo]

I wouldn't pay the price as I don't think it's worth it.

However, Corey does raise very valid points.

[Transporter]

Just to add to Corey's summary of the RNS510 navigation capabilities, the RNS510 is also using the vehicle sensors for navigation, which means if you would run out of satellites the unit would start using the wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensor to draw a map in the internal HDD. No stick on GPS unit can do that.

[frozze]

The pricing for the RNS510 is $2500 if it's optioned together with the car direct from the factory. It is $3500 if you suddenly decide to have it before delivery (dealer fitted). That's what my dealer told me when I put a deposit down for my Jetta last week. I think that's the reason for the price discrepancy.

• The RNS-510 is $2,500, not $3,500
• Hands-free ability to take a phone call is called Bluetooth, not Sat Nav.
• RNS-510 supports Bluetooth, you obviously didn't choose to get that.
• From approximately the MY11.5 cars, the Bluetooth (and MDI) is included in the base-cost of the car.
• The digital radio issue is an Australian issue. The RNS-510 supports DAB. Australia waited and went for DAB+. At the time the RNS-510 was released, I don't believe that a single manufacturer had a DAB+ capable radio in their cars.
• The traffic issue is an Australian issue too. Our local radio stations are too lazy to broadcast the TP messges on traffic congestion. There are other local services which have been setup in Australia, but they don't have universal support yet, and even city support is sketchy.
• The RNS-510 is more than just a Sat Nav, offering DVD and media playback, including built in HDD. It also supports video output for additional screens for rear seat passengers (unfortunatley not an available option/accessory here).
• Being an OEM product, it is far better integrated into the car interior, the MFD in the instrument cluster etc than any aftermarket unit can
• The RNS-510 is far cheaper than competing units from other European manufacturers. Though it is starting to age, and the next generation of units are starting to appear with other manufacturers (including other VAG stablemates)
• No (relatively) low volume OEM system will ever match the high volume disposable consumer products, and to expect such is unrealistic.
• I agree in relation to the maps. However, this issue is also shared with most of the other car manufacturers with their OEM units. Looking at the prices that Sensis themselves directly charge consumers for map updates, it wouldn't at all surprise me that they are using their market position to hold car manufacturers to ransom. The Tom-Tom/Garmin/Navman brands are obviously far higher volume and probably have much more influence to get reasonable map prices.

[Corey_R]

Well... that's the reality with any aftermarket product which requires installation.
Alternatively you could do it yourself for under $1200 including the purchase of the RNS510.

[frozze]

Yeah definitely. I was gobsmacked when I found out the extra!

I'm definitely looking into buying the RNS510 from ebay and installing it myself. I understand the hardware installation is quite a straight swap - probably slightly tricky with the GPS antenna but I'm just a bit more worried about coding/programming the buttons. Is there a specialist around Melbourne that can do this sorta thing for a decent price?

Also, probably a dumb question, will it void my new car warranty (from VW) by installing the RNS510 by myself or 3rd party installer?

[nardini]

Hi Corey and thanks for the reply. Although the unit intergration into the dash DOES look far better than those suction cup models;that it DOES offer DVD and media playback;that it IS possible to attach additional screens for rear seat passengers (which I don't want) the negatives IMO, unfortunately outweigh the positives.I still have a system which produces second rate maps What happened to Google or Sensis ? ( that invove a hefty cost if an upgrade is needed );a digital capable radio receiver that can only receive a frequency we in AUS dont have;as well as a traffic update button which is simply there for good looks! (NAUGHTY LAZY RADIO STATIONS...) NO...YOU'RE 100% RIGHT...IT'S A FANTASTIC UNIT. Why cant we instead find a solution to these problems,instead of heralding how well it sits in the dash?

[Maverick]

Hi Corey and thanks for the reply. Although the unit intergration into the dash DOES look far better than those suction cup models;that it DOES offer DVD and media playback;that it IS possible to attach additional screens for rear seat passengers (which I don't want) the negatives IMO, unfortunately outweigh the positives.I still have a system which produces second rate maps What happened to Google or Sensis ? ( that invove a hefty cost if an upgrade is needed )

The maps are Sensis.

;a digital capable radio receiver that can only receive a frequency we in AUS dont have;

Australia stuffed around for a long time with digital radio and even now it's been a half arsed implementation just like digital tv hence the lack of cars being sold with DAB+ receivers.

as well as a traffic update button which is simply there for good looks! (NAUGHTY LAZY RADIO STATIONS...)

It has nothing to do with the radio stations and everything to do with the government and their arrangement with SUNA who will not sell their service without hardware. Do a search for more information.

NO...YOU'RE 100% RIGHT...IT'S A FANTASTIC UNIT. Why cant we instead find a solution to these problems,instead of heralding how well it sits in the dash?

The unit does what it's advertised to do and it does it damn well whilst integrating into the car making it safe to operate when driving. It's still the best factory head unit available apart from the new google Audi/VW one which is being introduced into high end models.

[Corey_R]

Yep... nardini really needs to fix the issues with the Australian government! I was trying to remember the traffic company, SUNA, thanks for the reminder Mav.

Yep. The government F'd us with digital TV in Australia. They've F'd us with cable/sat TV. They've F'd us with traffic management. And they've F'd us with digital radio. I mean, just look at how awesome TiVo is in the USA... and yet how crap it is here. Same product, just government stupidity here has created an environment where things just don't work how they should...

But if you can find a solution to those issues nardini so that our government stops making these silly mistakes, then great

[Cookie28]

I'm just gonna throw this out there but my parents have a tomtom (which I borrow occasionally) and despite trying to update it it still does not have a lot of the roads (including the Lane Cove Tunnel!!!) but that's just my experience