rapid stereo upgrade query

[zed50]

Hi there,
I've just joined this forum after having ordered a Rapid spaceback. I figured i'd post in this subforum as this is the only one I could find with a Rapid thread. I was initially in the market for an octavia but couldn't afford new and so chose the new rapid over a used mk2 octavia.
It's a few months off arriving but i want to get rid of the 'swing' radio and fit a 'columbus' (RNS510). My opinion is that the swing looks a bit outdated and that fitting a columbus would have the additional benefit of being able to get rid of my horrible navman and it's associated cable.
I'm excited to find that the VAG offer the dash fascia for the columbus for my car and even more excited to find out that the navigation can be integrated with the MFD after having had it programmed via VCDS.
I've noticed that I could save some money by buying the columbus unit from Europe. I'd like to know whether i could buy a 2nd hand columbus from Europe and change the maps to Australia?
Further, is the VCDS programming of a skoda the same as for a VW? If so, I'll post on the general VCDS location thread nearer the time.

cheers,
Zed50.