DNS series head unit (new generation dual core RNS-510 alternative)

[RedDiablos]

So, it snowed here today. Looks like the chances of me installing this in nice weather has just disappeared. I'm really hoping for this unit to become stable and get shipped out already. Can we possibly get any updates Sandy?

[DkN]

Sorry for the absence guys, been extremely busy with my wedding coming up at the end of the month. I really want to finish everything before then, but it may be that the shipping will have to be done the week after (I'm going on honeymoon a week after my wedding anyway so that suits me fine as long as things are done by then!)

I have been testing the new CAN-Bus version of the unit. This unit uses different software so I'm a little out of touch with the old CAN-Bus software status - those of you that have been running the (non faulty) units, can you please confirm any other issues you are having. Just before I installed the new CAN-Bus units a couple of weeks ago I seem to recall that mine was running fine. The only problem is when iGo runs with SD / USB in the background, which is now resolved with Sygic. I will supply Sygic in all future DNS shipments and will also offer it to those with current units soon.

The new CAN-Bus unit has a couple of small issues to fix but is otherwise ready. I'm getting updates pretty much weekly for this unit and it is stable though have little things such as no memory of volume after shutdown, which is annoying right now but very easily fixed.

I'm chasing up the latest version of software for both new CAN and old CAN, I'll post up the latest old CAN version tomorrow and list out the bugs in the new CAN units. At that point I will let everyone decide what they want to do (via PM too). Basically, the new CAN version is now branded DNS-810+ (or 610+) and comes at a slightly higher price point, though I am not charging anyone extra for this group buy. The old CAN units is just the regular model.

The difference, as stated before, is mainly better MFD compatibility (at the moment working dynamic radio list and song name display on MFD) and silent boot function on unlocking the car (makes booting the unit faster when you actually turn on the ignition). In the future, phonebook list display may also be implemented.

It is my belief that with the old CAN version you will get a usable, fast unit out of the box. This is of course with Sygic - those of you with iGo on your current units, please do not take that as an indication of the speed of the unit. It runs very smoothly without issues when Sygic is used as there is an inherent conflict in the system with iGo.

With the new CAN version you get the extra features but may have to live with small annoyances for a little while longer after receiving the unit. For those with current old CAN units who want the new CAN chip, I am also happy to provide it for free as promised, but you have to tell me before I place my order and you will need to replace the old chip and flash different firmware. You may find it is not worth the effort (not everyone necessarily want the additional MFD functions / silent boot on unlock). It is up to you.

I intend to PM all those still in the group buy with a view to confirming all orders (for the DNS810 / 610 or 810+/610+ at their option, or opting out with refunds) by the end of next week. Once confirmed I will place the order with the supplier (at that point $100 deposit will be non-refundable).

More details and PMs will come tomorrow night.

[moda]

Hey Sandy,

Thanks for the update Interesting that they've decided to split it into a plus and non plus version, but anyways. I updated the spreadsheet with issues with the old version a few weeks ago, not too many issues remaining, to be honest, running very smoothly for me.

Is it confirmed that the only difference is the CANBUS chip? What type of chip is it? If so, as stated before, i'll grab the chip, and will be going to Totally Technical to get it soldered, should be ~$88, depending on what type of chip it is.

Otherwise, would it be easier/cheaper to just swap out our working nonplus units for the new plus units?

[moda]

Also also, did they fix the Bluetooth streaming? I'm still unsure whether its a software or hardware issue?

[DkN]

Yes, only difference is CAN-Bus chip. I believe it's actually a small module enclosing the CAN-Bus chip that must be replaced (with soldering). I will chase up a picture.

As Audiosources has branched the new CAN-Bus as a new plus model they will not replace non-plus units with plus ones. As it is I have to purchase the new CAN-Bus chips at my own cost.

I will see if there is some audio tweaking they can do with BT. However I wouldn't expect too much from the current BT chip as I suspect it is designed for voice and the music quality may be a hardware limitation. I'm sure they can tweak the EQ for it though what this would fix may be limited.

I will have to send out the PMs tomorrow - I have underestimated how far behind I am with my bookkeeping, right now I am going through records to get everything updated so that I can PM the right people.

In the meantime the latest firmware I have been able to obtain for the old CAN-Bus units is here (may still be uploading for a while so the link will appear broken until the upload is finished):

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...8Aug14.V24.zip

[moda]

Ok cool, thanks, a picture would be great, because it would greatly change how costly the actual soldering job ends up being (ie if its a BGA chip it could take a lot longer and is a lot more fiddly, where as if its just a surface mount chip it'd be fairly trivial). If its a small module with its own PCB attached to the mainboard it might be easier, depends on how its attached.... but yea, a picture would be great to suss out what kind of job it will be. Would be a lot easier if we could just swap the units, but yea.

The BT chip should be fairly similar to the ones in the ANS and other chinese units, shouldn't it? All the other units i've used have done a fairly decent job at BT Audio, where as the DNS is definitely doing something funky, sounds like its doing some strange compression/clipping, definitely sounds like its designed for voice.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! :p Will load the new firmware tomorrow, looks to be slightly newer (MPU), been working pretty well for me

[Goobz]

Thanks for the update Sandy.

Can you confirm the only difference between these 2 models is the CAN chip? I will be pretty pissed off if all of us who basically beta tested the unit for them (and paid for the privilege) get left out in the cold with a sub par unit. Having said that with the latest firmware (not the one you just listed) and Sygic, my unit has been running really smoothly so on that front I'm quite happy.

Can anyone tell me if I will see any advantage from the new CAN chip with my half height red MFD? Will it display anything or do you need the better one for this. I do like the sound of the silent boot though so put me down anyway Sandy. Anyone know of a shop in Sydney that can do the replacement for me?

My main gripes are the BT audio quality which renders the unit pretty much useless for anything but voice, and the other day I noticed this happening on the buttons:





The FM button is definitely the worst but there is some missing from the SD & BT buttons as well. I rarely even use the FM button so it has me buggered what is going on. I can only see it getting substantially worse over time.

Has anyone else had this happening?

[DkN]

I definitely don't have the same issue with the buttons on the faceplate - not sure what's going on there. If it gets worse the solution is probably a replacement faceplate, which I believe is fairly straightforward to install if you're handy (no soldering involved).

You will get no info from the head unit with a half height MFD, so yes the only benefit in that case is silent boot.

I've never used BT streaming much so I'm not very clear on the issue, but if the ANS streaming quality was much better then it is definitely software. The DNS uses an identical BT chip.

Pic of the CAN-Bus module below:



The circled areas are where it needs to be soldered. The module is easy to locate on the motherboard since it's the only module soldered to the back of the board.

I'm almost through my accounts, it may not be entirely accurate so I will need people to confirm with me. I'll get the PMs out tomorrow.

I've got a complication with the return units at the moment, since a batch of the initial units with the cold temperature bug were sent back to AS for replacement. Unfortunately they have been held at China customs, and I just found out that they are VERY strict and will treat all items as imports if there were no export certificates when the goods were shipped out from China. I've declared them for my purchase value as well so if it is to be considered an import the tax is a whopping $1,000. Trying to get that resolved at the moment (there are about 10 units that are meant to be replaced with the final hardware versions for this group buy...). Of course it cost me over $700 to ship to China so still bad news for me if nothing is done and the units are returned to me, although at this stage that would actually be cheaper if I can re-ship it in a way that won't get taxed (apparently I should go through EMS). I don't want to do that as it would cause more delays though, plus if it doesn't work and tax still needs to be paid then it would be another $700 down the drain.

[moda]

Thanks for the photo Sandy, so it is a daughterboard sitting on top, and only a few solder points, should be pretty easy to solder myself, won't need to take it somewhere, keen So then it would just me a matter of flashing the Plus firmware after soldering the new chip?

One of my friends has an ANS in his Polo, and says the BT streaming audio is perfect, so if the ANS and DNS have the same BT chip, it sounds like it is a software thing then.

That's a bummer about the customs thing, sorry to hear Hopefully you get it sorted though! You would think China would be better at imports/exports thing though, since they are the major manufacturing hub globally.

[PCK]

Good to hear that Sygic seems to address most of the problems with the GPS and SD interaction. Problem for US customers is that Sygic does not evidently sell US maps individually, only to distributors. If we order the 810+ unit, how can we get Sygic US maps?