ANS-810 / ANS-510 (PROPER RNS-510 alternative)

[DkN]

Interesting thread. Seems like a great product still in it's infancy. Lots of little bugs and things, but a group which seems keen to improve the product asap. DkN, I love your input with your customers, helping them with everything along the way, replying to every post. Awesome.

I'm in the market for a new LCD type unit for my 2008 MK5 GT Sport, and was going to go OEM, but since seeing this...I'm not sure which way to go now. For me, not being tech minded, the price was right, but it seems a bit user intensive; setting it up and maintaining it etc? I wouldn't have a clue how to install all of this stuff.

Out of curiosity, what is the CAN-Bus?

Essentially all I'm after is an LCD panel display for my radio (SATNAV would be a bonus) for my car over the tragic little OEM unit. and seat warmer or A/C functionality is separate to the unit as well. I guess watching DVD's and having the SD/USB functionality would be a bonus as well, but unless I'm on a trip I just listen to the radio.

Thanks for the compliments

CAN-Bus is the central gateway through which all your car electronics communicate with each other. For head units, the relevant information accessible from the CAN-Bus include things like steering wheel controls, MFD display, AC info (but for cars with white MFD only), door open status, and also diagnostic information.

The reason your generic aftermarket Alpine etc units will not retain steering controls is precisely because of the CAN-Bus. It's not a simple button wired directly through to the head unit as is the case for older cars, it goes to a steering control unit which then sends the info to the CAN-Bus, and the head unit must read this information from the CAN-Bus to know which button was pressed.

If you use radio more than your own portable music then the one caveat here is that some users seem to have some signal issues, mostly with AM but a couple with FM interference too. If you can afford waiting, a DAB+ solution is coming, but probably still a few months away. They've had an issue with the original supplier of the DAB+ chip and only just found a new one to start over with. That's not to say you will have FM issues if you purchased now, just that the chance seems to be there.

Also, the unit is plug and play and no more difficult to install than the OEM unit. In fact the OEM units need to be coded to the car, and then also coded for functions like OPS and reverse camera, so in that sense this unit is easier to install. Any installer capable of installing VW units can install the ANS. In fact any audio installer will be able to install the ANS, the concern is more about if the installer would know how to properly remove your trim without damaging it.

[Dazedconfused]

the concern is more about if the installer would know how to properly remove your trim without damaging it.

lol indeed, and it does worry me.

Thanks for clearing up the CAN-Bus thing. When I first got my car in 2008 I went straight into JB (I know..I know) and got an after market unit fitted after much liaising with the rep who assured me I would retain all steering wheel functionality. Picked it up...drove it away, checked it all...nothing. Drove it back, and said pull it all out and refund me...which they did. Bummed me though, as I hate the look of the simple unit.

[Martin Thiesen]

Have tried once again to followed the instructions you sente with firmware update and repeat the process as you recommended. No luck - no matter what I try it remains with the red "keys"
Have more to strange behavior with RDS active.
I'll just have edited the footage they are too long, I think - you get the link within a week's time - ok

[DSGVW]

DkN, all these firmware updates and still the folders don't stay up long enough when searching around your SD/USB/CD menus. When selecting songs you have about 4 seconds and then it jumps back. I find this incredibly dangerous while driving as you need to keep pressing buttons without ANY pauses. Can you inform Audiosources to check into this ASAP?

[DkN]

DkN, all these firmware updates and still the folders don't stay up long enough when searching around your SD/USB/CD menus. When selecting songs you have about 4 seconds and then it jumps back. I find this incredibly dangerous while driving as you need to keep pressing buttons without ANY pauses. Can you inform Audiosources to check into this ASAP?

I have recently reminded them of this, that if they want to keep the timeout function it needs to be at least 30 seconds. It's within a list of suggestions though and they have been focusing on iPod, but it should be implemented soon.

[azn_007]

Perhaps there is a glitch in triggering the display - have you tried adjusting the seat warmer then adjusting the AC, to see if there is seat warmer displayed in the image? If not then I would have to investigate further with the technician. What car do you drive?

Hi DkN
I drive a MK6 GTI, and i tried what you mention above and still got no image.

[DkN]

Hi DkN
I drive a MK6 GTI, and i tried what you mention above and still got no image.

Interesting, I will report back.

On the radio behaviour, there have been some reports of random auto searching etc and after giving feedback to my technician they think they have fixed the RDS for good. Firmware update for this should be coming soon.

[wai]

I received my Dual FAKRA antenna adaptor today and thought I'd pass this on.

Here is a photgraph taken of the male plug that shows how close the curcular plug parts need to be and the offset of the locking on one of them. You can pick on the image to see a larger version.



Basically, if your original radio had the dual plug on the back of it and the wiring harness has the dual socket, you really need this type of adaptor to use both antennae as the adaptors with two separate plugs will not work.

First, the socket holes are too close together. Even if you file/sand the square bodies to get the plugs close enough, you have to file the locking peg off one of the plugs as the dual socket has provision for just one locking peg. Then, the single locking peg is not on the centreline of the respective plug, but offset. This is why you will notice that when you use the single plug adaptor supplied, the plug actually ends up being slightly rotated. So, even if you manage to file/sand the separate square bodies, because one is rotated, you will have problems with inserting the second plug.

It is not a good idea to force the separate plugs in as this will cause the socket to split. It might not split straight away, but it will.

If you want to use both antennae, and your original radio unit had the dual plug, then this is the one you need to get.

I bought the one with separate leads originally because I did not know about this one. That one cost me $26, and even with filing, there were issues. This one cost me just under $20. You live and learn.

[DkN]

Just in response to what I said in the previous page, if you are having issues with GPS locking onto satellites, go into the Primo2 folder, then save\profiles\01 and open system.ini. In this file delete all lines under the [gps] heading, including baud and port.

If the above does not work then you would have to reset the software by deleting / renaming the save folder. Renaming is recommended if you want to keep your user POIs etc, because after you rename the save folder (for example to save_backup), Primo will create a new save folder and re-setup itself. After this is done and GPS is working, you can go back to your old save_backup folder under profiles\01 directory and copy user.upoi and the folder "userlists" over to your new save directory, to keep your POIs and some related settings. You can experiment with how much of the old settings you can copy over but if you had issues with GPS signal, do not copy your old system.ini file.

[DSGVW]

^^wow, so random but I just moved my GPS antenna as I was getting a really crappy signal as well as taking up to 5-10 mins to catch a satellite signal sometimes. Moved GPS and location got better but still slow to get signal. Tried what DkN suggested above and whalaa! GPS almost instantly!!

I did copy my Primo software from my old AS7608 device.. probably why I was having issues. Regardless thanks DkN for restoring my faith in this headunit for GPS!!

Now if they just work out the kinks with SD/CD playback we'll be all set.