RNS510 cost-justified?

[STV4SYT]

One element that hasn't been mentioned that is becoming more of a viable option is smart phone sat nav.

Personally I have always had a windscreen or vent mount for my phone as long as Bluetooth has been around. With the apps coming in at under $100 and the ability to also run live alerting via trapster or similar the only drawback is the power cable but $6.99 on eBay for a longer black cable to hide and I reckon I have a far superior system that is also portable.

As for the reliability. I just did a 10,000 km trip thru 16 European countries with only an iPhone and Tom Tom Europe maps loaded up. Not even a backup map in the car.

I find it hard to justify $3k for lesser functionality that will be out of date in no time. Just look at how many different versions Vw have produced since the mk V.

[Transporter]

To answer the OP's question. I remembered to talking to my neighbor who was car shopping. She asked what car to buy, since I service both their cars for some 15 years. Despite she likes look of Golf she couldn't justify the price difference between base model Corolla and Golf.

So, my answer is, if you spend a lot of time in the car and would use GPS and other functions of RNS510 and perhaps also get optional bluetooth kit, reversing cam then yes, it is justified. Of cause if the budget allows.

The decision is yours, you pay for it.

[Corey_R]

Despite she likes look of Golf she couldn't justify the price difference between base model Corolla and Golf.

After having to spend the weekend with a base model Corolla one weekend about 3 weeks ago, I've come to the conclusion that it's almost criminal that there is ONLY $3,250 difference between the base-model Corolla and Golf. Toyota should be dead-set ashamed of themselves.... if it weren't for the fact they're the #1 company still

But yeah, considering there's only 15% price difference between the Corolla and Golf, I just can't believe that an educated person who cares about their purchases can honestly evaluate both cars and still come to the conclousion that the Corolla is "good value".


When it comes to the RNS-510 vs a Portable unit though, there is obviously much more than a 15% difference (it's actually more like a 700% difference, lol). So I can truly appreciate why certain people look at a Tom-tom vs a RNS-510 and wonder why they're paying $2500 for an RNS-510 when both are "Sat Nav" units.
It's why I made a mental list in my head (which I transcribed in my long comparison post earlier today), and it's why I chose to look at it in the total cost of the car. Don't look at it as $300 vs $2500. Look at it as $47,800 vs $50,000 (Random drive away price for a Golf GTI that I've pulled out of my a%#$). For 4% difference in cost, the elegance, simplicity, convience, and additional features of a Golf GTI with RNS-510 vs Golf GTI with Tom-Tom is well worth the 4% difference in price!.

[Transporter]

After having to spend the weekend with a base model Corolla one weekend about 3 weeks ago, I've come to the conclusion that it's almost criminal that there is ONLY $3,250 difference between the base-model Corolla and Golf. Toyota should be dead-set ashamed of themselves.... if it weren't for the fact they're the #1 company still

But yeah, considering there's only 15% price difference between the Corolla and Golf, I just can't believe that an educated person who cares about their purchases can honestly evaluate both cars and still come to the conclousion that the Corolla is "good value".


When it comes to the RNS-510 vs a Portable unit though, there is obviously much more than a 15% difference (it's actually more like a 700% difference, lol). So I can truly appreciate why certain people look at a Tom-tom vs a RNS-510 and wonder why they're paying $2500 for an RNS-510 when both are "Sat Nav" units.
It's why I made a mental list in my head (which I transcribed in my long comparison post earlier today), and it's why I chose to look at it in the total cost of the car. Don't look at it as $300 vs $2500. Look at it as $47,800 vs $50,000 (Random drive away price for a Golf GTI that I've pulled out of my a%#$). For 4% difference in cost, the elegance, simplicity, convience, and additional features of a Golf GTI with RNS-510 vs Golf GTI with Tom-Tom is well worth the 4% difference in price!.

I couldn't agree more!

[FJ Steve]

The decision is yours, you pay for it.

That is not what the OP wants to hear (been there, done that)

[stealthfalcon]

I have an alternative opinion to the RNS-510 / portable Sat-Nav comparison.

When I first looked for a GTI with RNS, they either come with everything or nothing. Being the prudent driver who do not want to spend on frills, I then ask myself what is it a RNS-510 can do that other units can't do, really boils down to the integrated MFD.

What I did was, I installed the Bluetooth kit (which I wanted anyway since you be leaving the Phone button unused without this kit), I noticed that the BT kit has AD2P, and all of a sudden, I conceived of a pretty solution.

My smartphone has GPS software on it, updated almost every half a year, and through A2DP, the instructions to turn left/right is being piped through the car speakers!

That means that:

1. No more suction cups for me ... I can place my phone beside the shift stick, and take the phone with me when I leave the car.
2. Instead of MFD, I listen to the verbal instructions, which is actually safer than shifting your eyes to read the MFD.
3. $0 upfront for GPS functionality.

To me, the RNS-510 is a good-to-have, but it is not a must-have.

[Transporter]

Also none of these standalone units have navigation via vehicle sensors, RNS510 has.
Navigate me when there is no reception with standalone

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[The_Hawk]

Also none of these standalone units have navigation via vehicle sensors, RNS510 has.
Navigate me when there is no reception with standalone

I have to say that's a nice feature and far more accurate with all the sensor information, but the last Tomtom I had *assumed* you were still driving at the appropriate speed when you entered a tunnel rather than just stopping dead (like my old Navman used to), it also turned the screen black and white to let you know there was no satellite coverage. When you exited the other side and it got coverage again it adjusted appropriately, switched back to colour and continued on it's way. Sure it's not 100% but it's not a bad compromise for a standalone unit.

[FJ Steve]

I have to say that's a nice feature and far more accurate with all the sensor information, but the last Tomtom I had *assumed* you were still driving at the appropriate speed when you entered a tunnel rather than just stopping dead (like my old Navman used to), it also turned the screen black and white to let you know there was no satellite coverage. When you exited the other side and it got coverage again it adjusted appropriately, switched back to colour and continued on it's way. Sure it's not 100% but it's not a bad compromise for a standalone unit.

My TomTom Rider V2 does the same thing (on the motorbike). The GPS notes your last speed travelled at (before losing signal) and 'predicts' where you are on the road until such time as a signal is restored.

[blutopless2]

i have the avc9000 unit in my jetta and our new tiguan has the rns510. We chose the rns510 in the tiguan because we weren't that impressed by the avc9000 unit. its good for the price etc but the satnav is not up to the same standard as the rns510. It integrates with the MFD and displays the next intersection movement and distance etc whilst the unit gives the voice commands. It also has voice control when in satnav(only or playing music etc. Steering wheel controls all work with the rns510 but not with the avc9000. the satnav system starts on power up(even when its not selected) so when you select the satnav part it is ready to enter a destination etc, the avc9000 needs to load and then locate a satellite etc... damn annoying.
I will definitely buy the rns510 or whatever they have when i update my jetta. in my opinion its definitely worth it.