RCD510 upgrade options? Thoroughly confused.

[R36VW1]

Hi All,

I currently have an MY10 R36 sedan with an RCD510 and an integrated Kufatec Bluetooth option as supplied from the factory. It also has an Apple and USB MDI cable. I am wondering whether to pursue a full RNS510 upgrade; go for the new DNS510 alternative; or look at (if available) some alternative/enhanced firmware for the RCD unit. Thus far in my searching the forums I have not seen any specific mention of anyone looking to do the same from the relatively high functional base I am starting from.

I would like to get the additional functionality of a reversing camera and have seen the RNS add on alternatives. I am guessing the same is not available for the RCD?

Secondly, whilst I am relatively happy with the functionality of the RCD in the media department (connected to an 80GB iPod classic), I would like to know if there is an alternative that doesn't forget where it is every time I go back to the menu, and that does not hiccup (skip the first 0.5 seconds) every time it changes songs.

I also acknowledge I may be going over some old and tired ground for many people who are long tome forum members and if that is the case I apologise but this topic seems to require a good deal of foreknowledge before you start searching, just to know what to search for.

Thanks in advance,
Rob

[tigger73]

You may be able to fit a reverse camera to your existing RCD510, though you will have to first check if your RCD510 supports this. It needs to have a connector on the back for the camera input. If it does then you're in luck. If not then you'll have to upgrade the head unit.

You'd then have to choose whether you just get another RCD510 (with camera input) or upgrade to RNS so you get the Sat Nav (and possibly fix your media issues).

It does appear that there are more firmware updates for the RNS510 than there are for RCD510 (I haven't seen any firmware updates for these units). As far as skipping and forgetting where it is up to I have similar issues with my RCD510 set-up and haven't managed (or bothered) to try and fix this.

[R36VW1]

Thanks for the reply Tigger. I have seen a couple of different posts on removing the RCD from the dash. I'll pull it out and have a look. Thanks again!

[tigger73]

Thanks for the reply Tigger. I have seen a couple of different posts on removing the RCD from the dash. I'll pull it out and have a look. Thanks again!

There are other ways to determine what components (part #) you have installed by performing an autoscan but as you'll have to pull the unit out later anyway it's probably not a bad thing to work out how to do it. Plus it only takes 5 minutes