RNS510 cost-justified?

[Dubya]

she couldn't justify the price difference between base model Corolla and Golf.

She should get a Mazda3 then. The Corolla has the dynamics of a wet jumbo sponge. I rented one in FNQ and had to hoof it from PD to Cairns and it was as sharp as a brick (fully laden admittedly). I think the i30 is probably sharper (I had to hoof it in one from Surfers to Coolangatta).

But a Mazda3 would beat them both hands down (but you can't rent a Mazda or a Golf, which probably says something in itself!).

(Please direct any comments on the relevance of Corollas to a discussion of RNS510 features to Transporter.)

[alf13]

Hi guys

If you update from an RCD510 to RNS510 at a later stage, will you still get the info on your MFD as you would with a factory fit?

[FJ Steve]

yes...but you will need to activate the MFD settings via VAGCOM

[alf13]

Great,Thanks FJ

[Maverick]

I find it hard to believe that not a single car manufacturer has thought it a good idea to offer the same features as the portable units. I mean, why wouldn't Audi do this so they can advertise this as a feature of theirs over BMW etc? Therefore I truly wonder whether there is some kinda "contract" between the portable vendors and Sensis to prevent the car manufacturers from offering these features in order to protect the portable industry!

You mean like this?

YouTube - All new Audi A8 MMI Navigation with Google functionality
YouTube - 2011 Audi A8 Rear Seat Entertainment Overview
YouTube - Nvidia Chipset in the 3G MMI Tablet in the Audi A8 CES 2010
YouTube - Audi A8 Tech Feature by Inside Line

I'd give my lefty to have this in my Golf! I wouldn't be surprised if this technology isn't available in the Mk7.

Just goes to show what you can achieve by not following the mediocre offerings from other manufacturers including the portable units.

[Maverick]

BUT... bottom line I would swap it in a second for a Tomtom based unit since I prefer the way it all works (after using a portable unit for a couple of years). Why is there such a big gap? Why haven't any of the car makers partnered with one of the big names to integrate their software? One day we might all find out

Partially because of all the BS licensing that goes on which thanks to the governments is another tax on us (like huge license fees for taxis or massive spectrum costs for telcos drive up the cost of delivering services which taxpayers pay (plus GST on top)). The US is one of the few countries where the map data is owned by the people and this is why google offer free turn by turn mapping systems in the USA whereas they are restricted in many other countries throughout the world including Australia.

Companies like Tom Tom like to make hardware and software sales on a regular basis which they wouldn't get by partnering with a car manufacturer.

[Ryan_R]

In my old car I had my Nokia N96 in a holder attached to the windscreen similar to GPS Units. It has a Nokia Maps subscription for directions, and it worked well. I paid just over $1000 for the RNS 510 and fitted it myself. I wanted the integration and the HDD for music. I also wanted it to go with the 9W3 Premium bluetooth kit. TomTom's and such are better, and I recommend them to others, but I didn't want a portable satnav stuck on the windscreen of my Golf.

[MkVIGTI]

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.

Or if you are like me, using the Tom Tom on the iPhone, you can plug it in the MDI and play your music while having the GPS on. The turn by turn guidance will then mute the music and come on through the car speakers when it is giving out directions. It'll fade back out the play your music once the direction is finished. I still like to see the actual display though on the GPS as it gives me more confidence in unfamiliar surroundings.

[night_flight]

so what is the cost when you buy rns510 after market, and how much would it cost to have it installed?

[ian]

A friend of mine has a 2005 vw golf and it had the GPS in the dash, he moved to Tasmania a couple of years back and decided to get the GPS updated at VW , he was shocked when they quoted him $800 just to up date to the latest map, he declined and bought a Navman which he can use in either of the 3 cars he owns.