RNS510 in Mk6 - GPS Aerial Options

[Grover]

Hi all

I apologise in advance if this question has been answered somewhere else. I could not find anything via search.

I have a new 118TSI Mk6 Golf with the RNS510 system unstalled (by dealer). To anyone else who has such a system, the question is... "Do you have an ugly GPS transponder/aerial module thingy in the centre of the dash?"

I thought that these were old hat and that there where better options these days but what would I know given this is my first full factory SatNav system.

It just seems a bit crap that this ugly thing (looks like a black jar lid) is planted right in the middle of the dash (top). The annoying reflection it casts from the windscreen is a permanent distraction.

One of the service guys at my local dealer (not the dealer I bought the car from) indicated that he thought it should use the aerial in the rear window. That sounded like crap to me as we are talkning about a GPS unit, not the radio reception... but, like I said... what the hell would I know?

[Maverick]

I have a new 118TSI Mk6 Golf with the RNS510 system unstalled (by dealer). To anyone else who has such a system, the question is... "Do you have an ugly GPS transponder/aerial module thingy in the centre of the dash?"

I thought that these were old hat and that there where better options these days but what would I know given this is my first full factory SatNav system.

You don't have a full factory system.

What you have is a retrofitted RNS 510.

A factory fitted RNS 510 has the GPS aerial on the roof in a combination unit with the radio aerial.

It just seems a bit crap that this ugly thing (looks like a black jar lid) is planted right in the middle of the dash (top). The annoying reflection it casts from the windscreen is a permanent distraction.

They should mount it under the surface of the dash or on the glass at the top of the window. Either one will work ok.

One of the service guys at my local dealer (not the dealer I bought the car from) indicated that he thought it should use the aerial in the rear window. That sounded like crap to me as we are talkning about a GPS unit, not the radio reception... but, like I said... what the hell would I know?

There is no GPS aerial for the rear window, the Golf's have a roof mounted unit. The rear windows have some antenna's for use with the radio.

[Grover]

Thanks very much for the info. That makes perfect sense. I may relocate the dash unit to the upper windscreen (behind the rear vision mirror) myself.

Cheers.

[Diesel Dubber]

Hello all,
I too have had an after market dealer fitted RNS510. I was told over the phone the aerial would not be able to be seen. When I went to pick it up, there was the black box sitting on top of the dash exactly the same place and look as Grovers. Is there anyone who can verify that the unit (black box) can be used successfully under the dash out of sight before I try to ring VW themselves?
I also had some other issues, such as-
Day 1 - Driving home from having had it fitted, it locked up when in the map mode. It shut down and rebooted itself.
Day 2 - When loading music from an SD, it locked up again and rebooted itself.
Day 3 - Driving home from work, when in nav mode, it locked up again and rebooted itself. When it rebooted I didn't put map or nav on, I just used the HDD to play music and, yep, it locked up again 3 more times.
Same trip - On the F3 in the middle of nowhere the satnav told me to turn right. There was no road and I was on the highway. Wierd. I have V2 maps installed.
GRRRR by now.
I have since been back to the dealer and asked to have the issues resolved. I will post my outcome here after they have a go at fixing it.
Has anyone else had similar/same issues with the 510.
I guess the lesson here for me is, try to avoid after market fitting.
BTW, the rest of the car is terrific.

[Grover]

...
Has anyone else had similar/same issues with the 510.
I guess the lesson here for me is, try to avoid after market fitting.
BTW, the rest of the car is terrific.

It has taken me all of 2 months to finally get my RNS510 replaced and while the screen is now perfect I am left with a supposedly new car that is ruined.

Yes I have removed the GPS antenna and mounted it under the dash ) behind the top vent assembly. It works OK under there (not quite as good as on top of dash but good enough) but there is now permanent damage to the dash where it was originally mounted. This is not because I removed it badly (removed perfectly) but because when it was mounted, it was pushed with some pressure (to make it stick) and in doing so created a crater which is irrepairable (thank you dealer #1).

Then when dealer# 2 removed the original unit (rns510) so as to check that dealer #1 had done the right thing by VW Oz, they dented the dash while using a screw driver to remove the facia (surround). Thankyou dealer #2.

My $50K golf ($49K on the road with options) was meant to be an enjoyable experience and when you combine the above with windscreen damage (probably done in transit to the dealer) and a remarkably bad rear window tint (full of marks and blemishes when the sun is low on the horizon) it is just terrible.

I basically get upset every time I get in the thing now becaue I am confronted with so many things that just simply should not be in a brand new car.

VW Australia... if you are reading this and can offer a solution to this misery, then please message me because this is just absolutely unacceptable and the worst new vehicle experience I have ever had. This was my first ever VW purchase... I am not likely to ever buy another VW unless it can be shipped directly to me from the factory (yeh right).

Dealer #1
Dealer #2

VW Aus

[Diesel Dubber]

Thanks Grover for letting me know the aerial does work under the dash. I will take your post in to them and show them that you have had success with it under there. (I'd rather have it under the dash than out in the open even if it doesn't work as well)
I was lucky with the installation of the unit - I had a dash mat fitted and so they just velcroed the box to the mat. One stroke of luck.
Sad about your experience with the fitting/removing of yours though. It's a pity some mechanics don't care as much about our cars as we do.
Thanks again for your fast response Grover.