RNS-510 USA Nav Unit with Australia Maps ??

[rabbitproof]

I recently hastily bought and installed a 2012 2nd hand USA region RNS-510 E unit loaded with 2015 Australian maps. But street names aren't showing and cannot be selected when entering navigation points and no routes can be calculated, although the map displays fine.

Is there a compatibility problem with this setup. Do I need to update the VAG com codes (everything else works OK). Can the firmware be updated with oz region firmware?

[VW Central]

Hi Rabbitproof,

Unfortunately, US versions have specific US firmware and neither European firmware or Australian mapping software will work.

The Firmware download repository can be found here:
Volkswagen RNS 510 Firmware Download Repository | my-gti.com

[rabbitproof]

Thanks VWCentral. First straight answer I've managed to get.
Can USA units be updated with Australian firmware?

I tried 5238 but after he unite exports finding the SWL image on the CD it eventually reports some strange error code (010390 or something) and won't go any further. I'm hoping it's just a CD or burning problem so I'll try a few more methods.

[FJ Steve]

I wouldn't have thought a USA unit will accept Euro (Aus/NZ) Firmware. For starters, the radio board would have totally different specifications.

[Guest001]

The gapping between frequencies is different as well so will be pretty hard to get radio reception. Fraid you bought the wrong one The first post in this thread tells the story
Firmware updates for RNS510 units in Australia/NZ

[kamold]

Just sell it and buy a European/Australian unit. There is no conversion between NA and rest of world units.

Sent from my HTC One M8 using Tapatalk

[rabbitproof]

Just sell it and buy a European/Australian unit. There is no conversion between NA and rest of world units.

Sent from my HTC One M8 using Tapatalk

Yep - That's the best option I think. Beware of the ebay low life selling these - he trying to offload a bunch of them, some of them USA spec (though he doesn't state that) with 'latest 2015 Aus maps'. Despite advertising them on Ebay, he won't actually sell through ebay, wanting you to buy privately.

When I received the unit and find out it was a USA spec unit and it didn't seem to work properly with aus maps, he insists I installed it wrong or didn't code it properly (despite that I've got everything else working fine).

Sigh! Live and learn

[rabbitproof]

I wouldn't mind so much ..... if it wasn't for the responses (like the selection below) from the seller when it was politely suggested (before I asked this question on this forum) that a USA unit is not fully compatible with Australian maps. Apparently a self proclaimed VW expert who says he has sold and sometimes installed many units in Sydney for years ..... Dunno, maybe we're all wrong?

[moderated and anonymous for this forum]
"The unit is fully functional, has the Australian map installed"
"You have no idea of the VW electronics, so please keep your silly suggestions for someone else"
"... I sick of dumbs like you who have zero knowledge "
"Is it clear for your f&@!%g brain????"
"Do the f&@!%g installation and coding properly and STOP email me with your f&@!%g dumb suggestions
"F&!K OFF, YOU F&@!%G IDIOT"

[Guest001]

Well a couple of things come to mind here.
Firstly NEVER complete a sale outside of Ebay if it is advertised on there as you no longer have the buyer protection which would have enabled you to get a refund as the article was not what he claimed.

Secondly it is a fairly well known fact that USA and AUS radios are different in frequency gaps and so dont work very well here.

Unfortunate but sorry to say you need to do your homework before buying like this.

[kamold]

If you want the definative answer, get in touch with Josi on the vwnavi forum.
Apart from the designers at Continental, nobody knows more about the units than him.

As far as I am aware, its more than just the radio tuner board which is different for North 'Murica. The mainboard itself is different.
I've never heard of anyone converting a NA unit to Europe or vice versa with software and/or hardware changes.