Columbus upgrade questions

[Tom Watson]

Hi all,

I have a 8/2008 build RS Octavia, currently fitted with an Audience sound system. I am looking at getting a Columbus RNS-510 control head. The car does not have a multifunction steering wheel.

I have searched many web pages through different forums, but have not found any answers. (doesn't mean they are not there, I just cannot find them)

Is it 'plug and play', with full intergration with factory parking sensors (shows car picture when reverse is selected)?

I believe my car has maxidot fitted, so will the nav display show up on that?

Will this unit run tomtom maps, or does it have to have its own 'brand'?

Any tips / tricks / info greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Tom

[woofy]

Yep no RS' came with the multifunction until the DSG versions came out which were a little later than yours. Its annoying that they have the blank panels where they clearly could have put controls though.

Yes it is plug and play and does work with the parking and maxidot display but needs to be configured, most likely by your dealer. My dealer actually told me to keep an eye out on ebay as they reckon they come up a lot. It won't run tomtom maps, and getting Oz ones costs a bomb from Skoda/VW.

[Tom Watson]

Woofy, Thanks for the reply.

I am under the impression that the car is a DSG model (thats what is on the gear shift) and was sold to me as such. Being new to Skoda, I don't fully understand what the DSG thing is. My understanding is it is the type of gearbox. Not sure what this has to do with the radio though.

If this is a DSG version, does this mean I can fit a multifunction steering wheel?

There are a few Columbus units available from UK and Europe, some with Aus maps, some with out.

Sorry if these seem 'dumb' questions, but i'm having trouble sourcing info on the options fitted and/or available.

Tom

[woofy]

I'm a little confused, dag is the auto box, I'm assuming you have it unless you are driving a manual and must have got one of the first ones. Th bit that confuses me is that it should have paddles and controls on the steering wheel if it's a dsg

[woofy]

Actually unless my memory is bad it should also have the bolero not the audience if it has dsg, there was a minor update that had the dsg and tdi options before the rs got the full update.

[Tom Watson]

I'm a little confused, dag is the auto box, I'm assuming you have it unless you are driving a manual and must have got one of the first ones. Th bit that confuses me is that it should have paddles and controls on the steering wheel if it's a dsg

Actually unless my memory is bad it should also have the bolero not the audience if it has dsg, there was a minor update that had the dsg and tdi options before the rs got the full update.

I'm more than a little confused. Sounds like I have a bit of a hybrid car. It is an auto gearbox, with DSG stamped into the gear lever. It does not have any paddles or controls, and has an Audience sound system.

Taking it to a Skoda dealer today to have a glow plug warning looked at, so will ask them some pointed questions.

Happy enough with the Skoda, but probably should have done a bit more research into options prior to getting this particular vehicle. Well at least the price was right.

[K1W1]

All auto Skodas in Australia since they were reintroduced in 2007 have been DSG.

EDIT:
I remember seeing the Audience radio systems in the pre FL models so I guess that if yours is 8/2008 then that is what it came with.


To be honest I'm not sure an upgrade to a Columbus would be worthwhile bearing in mind how expensive the maps are. There are some third party (Asian made) units that do in some cases more than what the Columbus does at considerably reduced prices and they often run Windows CE as their OS which means that can be convinced to run virtually any mapping software.

Before you lash out on a Columbus do some research into the third party units just to see whether they are right for you or not.

[woofy]

Ok either this is an earlier test vehicle for an rs, or you don't have an rs. That would be the most logical explanation. Either way you can still put a columbus in it. I'm surprised there are any with Aussie maps though.