Best after-market GPS / DVD Head unit ?

[TIG_Paul]

Hi guys -

I have just placed a deposit on a brand spanking new TSI - get it in 5 days!!

got the 125 TSI with DSG, Fog lights, Bluetooth, Comfort Pack & MDI - in Candy White

I would like to upgrade the stock radio head unit with something like this - Volkswagen TIGUAN DVD - Volkswagen TIGUAN GPS - Volkswagen TIGUAN Navigation - Volkswagen TIGUAN multimedia system

or even just buy the 'proper' VW RNS off eBay etc -

Is there anything I need to be wary off going down either of these alleys ??

Thanks in advance - appreciate your help!

Paul

[Sharkie]

Stay clear of the Chinese units ...... not worth half of what you pay for them.

The Chinese units all have inferior screens than the OEM RNS510. Due to the angle of the screen in a Tiguan all of the Chinese units are impossible to use in anything approaching direct sunlight whereas the RNS510s are still useable. Chinese units also do not integrate well with the MFD whereas TNS510 does.

I had a Chinese unit that cost $600 and it was nowhere near as good as the $800 RNS510 I have now .....

Buy a RNS510 off eBay, one of the best buys you will make for your Tiguan ..... other than an APR chip ....

[team_v]

Hi guys -

I have just placed a deposit on a brand spanking new TSI - get it in 5 days!!

got the 125 TSI with DSG, Fog lights, Bluetooth, Comfort Pack & MDI - in Candy White

I would like to upgrade the stock radio head unit with something like this - Volkswagen TIGUAN DVD - Volkswagen TIGUAN GPS - Volkswagen TIGUAN Navigation - Volkswagen TIGUAN multimedia system

or even just buy the 'proper' VW RNS off eBay etc -

Is there anything I need to be wary off going down either of these alleys ??

Thanks in advance - appreciate your help!

Paul

Go the Ebay RNS510.
I had a european brand do-everything nav system and it was good but just wasn't worth the hassel to get everything sorted.

I got the RNS510 off ebay, 2 plug and play cables and a re-code to get the steering wheel controls to work and it was like factory.
Haven't had an issue with it yet.

[team_v]

Hi guys -

I have just placed a deposit on a brand spanking new TSI - get it in 5 days!!

got the 125 TSI with DSG, Fog lights, Bluetooth, Comfort Pack & MDI - in Candy White

I would like to upgrade the stock radio head unit with something like this - Volkswagen TIGUAN DVD - Volkswagen TIGUAN GPS - Volkswagen TIGUAN Navigation - Volkswagen TIGUAN multimedia system

or even just buy the 'proper' VW RNS off eBay etc -

Is there anything I need to be wary off going down either of these alleys ??

Thanks in advance - appreciate your help!

Paul

Go the Ebay RNS510.
I had a european brand do-everything nav system and it was good but just wasn't worth the hassel to get everything sorted.

I got the RNS510 off ebay, 2 plug and play cables and a re-code to get the steering wheel controls to work and it was like factory.
Haven't had an issue with it yet.

[clip]

Not sure if I quite agree with others. I've had two chinese units. The first one did have problems with glare on the screen, the other one doesn't as it has a high res digital screen - and after over 2 years, have had no problems.

There are 2 problems with the RNS units:
1. the satnav. On the unit I have I can run whatever prog I want. I choose to use iGO. I can update my maps regularly for Australia, which includes an incredible range of points of interest, constantly updated radar, red light locations etc etc. If you use the satnav often and it is important to you, you can't go past this.
2. the ability to add additional AV equipment. If you want to further enhance your audio environment with the addition of subs, amps etc. then the RNS will not give you the same flexability and control as these units do.

On the downside, the interface is not as good (except for the satnav side which leaves the OEM for dead).

My unit fully integrates with all steering wheel controls and MFD. Plug and play with no re-coding needed. Bluetooth works perfectly, has SD, iPod & USB connectivity. Video outputs for additional monitors (eg in the rear), reverse camera function etc etc.

TBH, I'd be torn between which one to buy if/when I need to again.

[hippyhippy]

IMHO might as well go rns also for resale value. Also u get integration into the multifunction display which is also handy.

[clip]

Also u get integration into the multifunction display which is also handy.

as does mine: radio station - track number - song title display - etc. but not nav info

[TIG_Paul]

Not sure if I quite agree with others. I've had two chinese units. The first one did have problems with glare on the screen, the other one doesn't as it has a high res digital screen - and after over 2 years, have had no problems.

There are 2 problems with the RNS units:
1. the satnav. On the unit I have I can run whatever prog I want. I choose to use iGO. I can update my maps regularly for Australia, which includes an incredible range of points of interest, constantly updated radar, red light locations etc etc. If you use the satnav often and it is important to you, you can't go past this.
2. the ability to add additional AV equipment. If you want to further enhance your audio environment with the addition of subs, amps etc. then the RNS will not give you the same flexability and control as these units do.

On the downside, the interface is not as good (except for the satnav side which leaves the OEM for dead).

My unit fully integrates with all steering wheel controls and MFD. Plug and play with no re-coding needed. Bluetooth works perfectly, has SD, iPod & USB connectivity. Video outputs for additional monitors (eg in the rear), reverse camera function etc etc.

TBH, I'd be torn between which one to buy if/when I need to again.

Thanks mate - do u have any specific links to the 'brand' of non-OEM ...my thoughts are to go for the 'proper' RNS unit and follow the many very helpful guides for install ...but it never hurts to have a look at options, expecially if they have more features and carry reliability -

cheers again!

Paul

[TIG_Paul]

Hi guys -

will this one do the trick ??

VW RNS 510 SAT NAV RNS510 Ver C LED DVD 16:9 Golf Jetta | eBay

What do Version #s and Spec Letters mean ?

Also - what does this info mean ?

Part number: 1T0 035 680 C.

HW: H50.

SW: 2840.

Thanks again - what a great forum!!

[clip]

Not sure what the go is with these. They say: "Original box NOT included" are they stolen, chinese rip offs? Maybe they are refurbished units?

Regardless they look good - and great price. The place I got mine from seems to have disappeared - no surprises.