Review: USA RNS-510

[M3Tech]

DISCLAIMER (verbatim from mdonis; used without his permission so sue me.)
This document is provided for informational purposes only. Any Vehicle modification should be done by a certified VW mechanic. Neither the author nor this website will be held liable for action taken resulting from this information set forth herein.

CAUTION:
Before doing any electrical work on your Vehicle make sure to disconnect the negative terminal on your
Battery

RNS-510 installed in a MY2007 GTI 4-door with OEM Bluetooth (Skoda), OEM iPod adapter and aftermarket processor/amps/speakers

- Seller information: No longer I'm able to state seller information.

Preparation:

- RNS-510 USA Manual (for download): http://rapidshare.com/files/13....html

- Required parts:

twin connector : P/N 4E0 035 608 K
antenna adapter (2) : P/N 000 098 707

The radio antenna jacks in this unit are very close together, which requires a new dual antenna cable jack plug to be used instead of the existing individual connectors.

- GPS antenna
- Sirius Satellite antenna

- Switch AUX and CD Changer grounds pin positions (Pins 2 and 3 in red): http://img233.imageshack.us/my...2.jpg

Without this ground in the correct pin position neither the CD Changer or the AUX por will sound good because their grounds are going to be mismatched.

OEM Accessories installed:

- OEM BT installation P/N 1Z0 035 729: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3488355
To ease the installation of the OEM Bluetooth P/N 1Z0 035 729, a custom "quick connect" harness was created using the American International EWH-1010 and the Metra 71-9003 connectors; this custom harness also included a Line Output Converter with a built in 12V remote turn in feature (using signal sensing):

Installation:

- After setting up the antennas (4 connections) and looking for proper installation sites for them (in my case the GPS and the Sirius antennas are under the top of the dash to the right of the -510) and swapping the AUX and CD Changer ground wires just follow the standard DIY for Nav:

- General removal of OEM HU for swap: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3121070

- Once everything is connected the unit will be ready for power up.

Photos: (not high quality but it is night time)

Installed:

FM Radio:

HD Radio:

OEM Sirius:

OEM iPod Adapter (no longer installed):

SD Card:

HDD:

OEM Bluetooth:

DVD video (it also can play DVD Audio):

Menus (observe the option for Bluetooth Audio):

Notes:

- USA DVD map disc is P/N 7L6 919 859 version 1M.

- Sound quality is excellent; remember, I'm using aftermarket equipment.

- GUI and Video quality is excellent.

- OEM BT module compatible with this unit is P/N 1Z0 035 729

02/01/08 Update: Three Display Variants are available thru VAG-COM programming:

Highline:

Sportsline:

Premium:

02/06/08 Update: Custom maps loaded courtesy of Lassc at the vwnavi.com forums and still under combined development:

06/8/08 Update: - Multimedia Device Interface (MDI) Installed:

- P/N 5N0 035 341 A
- $255 at 1stvwparts.com
- Includes USB cable
- Does not include connecting harness or iPod cable (P/N 000 051 446C)
- requires CD Changer console and A/C rear duct if not equipped
- Only works with RNS-510
- Control from MFSW/touchscreen and display ID3 tags on screen and in MFD
- Excellent sound quality from USB sticks (depending of bps recording)

USB:

iPod:

Modified by M3Tech at 7:34 AM 8-13-2008

[bigbot45]

Wow that's awesome! OEM Sirius worked out of the box?

[Tucci]

Excellent, I will have one when the Us maps are out. Looks sweet.

[mdonis]

I am not a lawyer so I am ok with unless I sue you for the RNS-510 J/K
Nice Setup...! I want one so bad, but I need to find out if my BT unit that I got from VrStu is compatible with this unit. So the unit comes with HD radio & SAT radio built in. So this means I could sell the stock SAT unit.


Modified by mdonis at 8:49 PM 1-22-2008

[carlosabh]

Great work

[VWNDAHS]

awesome, thank you. I fell in love with this head unit the moment i sat in a tiguan.

[NoDubJustYet]

so the OEM Sat antenna works?? Is there an additional antenna for the HD?

is your iPod adaptor the one in the glovebox or center console?

[silverA4quattro]

Wow, HD radio too...nice.

So am I correct in saying the Sirius tuner is built into the unit? Thus, it no longer needs the separate tuner box under the pass. seat and just an antenna?

Interesting. I wonder how this would affect those of us who already have Sirius installed, I want to keep my shark fin.

[prodigymb]

nice

[hamilton318]

Very nice

What about XM satellite radio? Would it work with this unit or is Sirius the only one that's available? As far as the Bluetooth goes, do you have to operate it with the buttons on the steering wheel or can it be operated with the touchscreen? I have pacakage 1 so no buttons on the wheel.

Thanks for your work

[M3Tech]

Quote, originally posted by bigbot45 »

Wow that's awesome! OEM Sirius worked out of the box?

Yes... the welcome channel is tuned immediately. To activate the service, press the Set Up button, select Sirius ID and the ESN's of the audio and traffic services of Sirius show up, including the telephone number to call.

Quote, originally posted by mdonis »

I am not a lawyer so I am ok with unless I sue you for the RNS-510 J/K Nice Setup...! I want one so bad, but I need to find out if my BT unit that I got from VrStu is compatible with this unit. So the unit comes with HD radio & SAT radio built in. So this means I could sell the stock SAT unit.

Damn...

Stu should tell you if that unit is or not compatible; that was something that I made sure before ordering because of reported issues in Europe with certain P/N of the "Premium Bluetooth" option.

Quote, originally posted by NoDubJustYet »

so the OEM Sat antenna works?? Is there an additional antenna for the HD? is your iPod adaptor the one in the glovebox or center console?

I'm using an OEM BMW Sirius antenna with this unit. Most probably you will need an OEM VW Sirius antenna or at least the cable, as the locking plastic cap of my antenna is does not match this unit jack. I have to go ghetto on this sucker and use electrical tape to hold the connection until I get the right plastic locking cap.

HD radio uses the same FM diversity antenna; switching to HD Radio is automatic although you could disable it in the Set Up menu.

The OEM iPod adapter is the one in the glovebox. Either one works because they are the same module with just different iPod mount.

Quote, originally posted by silverA4quattro »

Wow, HD radio too...nice. So am I correct in saying the Sirius tuner is built into the unit? Thus, it no longer needs the separate tuner box under the pass. seat and just an antenna? Interesting. I wonder how this would affect those of us who already have Sirius installed, I want to keep my shark fin.

Yes... just need to run a new cable from the existing Sirius OEM mounted antenna to this unit, and that's it.

[M3Tech]

Quote, originally posted by hamilton318 »

Very nice What about XM satellite radio? Would it work with this unit or is Sirius the only one that's available? As far as the Bluetooth goes, do you have to operate it with the buttons on the steering wheel or can it be operated with the touchscreen? I have pacakage 1 so no buttons on the wheel. Thanks for your work

Only Sirius; I think that VWUSA doesn't have a contract with XM anymore...

OEM Bluetooth now can be controlled from either the MFSW or the -510. Display is on both the -510 and the MFD. Voice Commands seems to be only activated from the MFSW; haven't fully tested it yet for sure. Mute button on MFSW activates the Voice Commands; Mute button on the -510 goes straight to the Phone screen; full keypad is shown also.

Up to 6 direct dialing entries can be programmed in the -510.

[absoluteczech]

son,

you have too much money sick!

[babydubz]

off topic question, but where did you get that chrome trim and ring of light around your climate controls? looks good!

[microbreak]

I see that the sd input shows track info....what about ipod connection? any track info in this mode?

[FlyingTurtle]

[M3Tech]

Quote, originally posted by babydubz »

off topic question, but where did you get that chrome trim and ring of light around your climate controls? looks good!

On eBay... I don't remember the seller right now, though.

Quote, originally posted by microbreak »

I see that the sd input shows track info....what about ipod connection? any track info in this mode?

The OEM iPod adapter is not capable of displaying ID3 tags, it just mimics a CD Changer.

[NoDubJustYet]

Quote, originally posted by M3Tech »

I'm using an OEM BMW Sirius antenna with this unit. Most probably you will need an OEM VW Sirius antenna or at least the cable, as the locking plastic cap of my antenna is does not match this unit jack. I have to go ghetto on this sucker and use electrical tape to hold the connection until I get the right plastic locking cap.

So if we already have Sirius in the car we just need to run the antenna from under the seat (where the Sirius module is) to the back of the -510? easy enough... i think?

[M3Tech]

Quote, originally posted by NoDubJustYet »

So if we already have Sirius in the car we just need to run the antenna from under the seat (where the Sirius module is) to the back of the -510? easy enough... i think?

Yes, just like that although I think that you will need an extension cable... just make sure that while you are sliding this unit back into the dash the Sirius antenna connection have enough clearance in the back. It is very tight back there and if there's anything in the way (the OEM harness for example) you could easily break the unit connector... it already happened in a Passat B6.

[cb1111]

...but not funny....

It'll be interesting to see how the nav unit works one the maps are available or somebody hacks the existing maps to comply with whatever new format this unit wants to see.

It looks quite promising.

The install still seems a bit daunting though - not so much the nav unit itself, but the BT module and associated wiring...

[silverA4quattro]

I was on VWNavi last night and found a post about it. I think he actually loaded the map data to the internal HDD, which is how the thing is supposed to work.

[M3Tech]

Let's do something, cb1111... if you get one day the OEM Bluetooth I will personally make and ship for free a quick-connect harness exclusively for you...

You will swear that you just bought a Parrot kit but "almost OEM"...

Quote, originally posted by cb1111 »

...but not funny.... It'll be interesting to see how the nav unit works one the maps are available or somebody hacks the existing maps to comply with whatever new format this unit wants to see. It looks quite promising. The install still seems a bit daunting though - not so much the nav unit itself, but the BT module and associated wiring...

[forcedfedvw]

thats looks good

[cb1111]

Quote, originally posted by M3Tech »

Let's do something, cb1111... if you get one day the OEM Bluetooth I will personally make and ship for free a quick-connect harness exclusively for you... You will swear that you just bought a Parrot kit but "almost OEM"...

I'll take you up on that.

So where do you put the BT module? I guess you can put it under the seat where the Sirius/XM unit was, but you still need to get the cabling there, right?

I think many of us would tackle the microphone up to the stock position, but I'm not so sure about pulling the center console apart....

[M3Tech]

Count on it...

The OEM BT module is under my driver's seat in a custom bracket that I made because I have an amp under each seat. It is placed just above an Alpine amp already there; so far no overheating, no electrical interferrence, no problem with the seat rails as long as the seat is raised above half way of maximum.

In your case, if your passenger underseat area is already occupied you could use the driver's underseat area instead. If you are getting this Nav unit then there's no need anymore for your SatRadio tuner, so you will have the proper OEM mount real state available.

For any wire/cable "fishing", Crutchfield "wire worm" rods - http://www.crutchfield.com/App...p=990- is a must as you will be routing wires/and cables thru the interior of your car without removing too many trim pieces. This "worm" will be very useful in getting not only the BT module harness from the OEM HU area to the module itself but to get that OEM microphone cable thru the roof trim in no time...

Quote, originally posted by cb1111 »

I'll take you up on that. So where do you put the BT module? I guess you can put it under the seat where the Sirius/XM unit was, but you still need to get the cabling there, right? I think many of us would tackle the microphone up to the stock position, but I'm not so sure about pulling the center console apart....

[cb1111]

Quote, originally posted by M3Tech »

Count on it... The OEM BT module is under my driver's seat in a custom bracket that I made because I have an amp under each seat. It is placed just above an Alpine amp already there; so far no overheating, no electrical interferrence, no problem with the seat rails as long as the seat is raised above half way of maximum. In your case, if your passenger underseat area is already occupied you could use the driver's underseat area instead. If you are getting this Nav unit then there's no need anymore for your SatRadio tuner, so you will have the proper OEM mount real state available. For any wire/cable "fishing", Crutchfield "wire worm" rods -http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=820&i=042DM4533&search=wire&tp=990- is a must as you will be routing wires/and cables thru the interior of your car without removing too many trim pieces. This "worm" will be very useful in getting not only the BT module harness from the OEM HU area to the module itself but to get that OEM microphone cable thru the roof trim in no time...

So major disassembly is NOT required?

[M3Tech]

Quote, originally posted by cb1111 »

So major disassembly is NOT required?

No, unless removing the OEM HU, one of the side trim panels of the center console, one A-pillar cover, and the microphone trim is major dissassembly for you.

Wire-wise, there are only 4 wires that need to be connected to the OEM harness:

- Power
- Ground
- CAN +
- CAN -

This can be taken care for by the "quick-connect harness", so no splicing or taps is required, just plug two connectors.

The rest are ready made connectors... microphone, module, antenna. The OEM bracket for the passenger underseat area have the holes already set for it. Check again mdonis thread and you will see how easy it is...



Modified by M3Tech at 3:48 PM 1-23-2008

[.:Dubs]

Quote, originally posted by M3Tech »

The OEM iPod adapter is not capable of displaying ID3 tags, it just mimics a CD Changer.

im really unhappy with my ipod adaptor.... it was a waste of money....

with this unit can u go thru all ur folders or is it the same crap with the unit taking the 1st 5 playlists and then just all the songs in order on the 6 position?

[ranasinghe.nuwan]

looks great

[yvrnycracer]

that looks awesome... is the price comparable to what one can get a pioneer avic z2 for on ebay?! He was quoting just over 900Euro for the EU version... I want nav but would love to stay OE and this looks sexxy!

[SneakyStella]

love it !

[STATUS1]

awesome there is some guy that got that navi to work withUS MAPS

[M3Tech]

Quote, originally posted by .ubs »

im really unhappy with my ipod adaptor.... it was a waste of money.... with this unit can u go thru all ur folders or is it the same crap with the unit taking the 1st 5 playlists and then just all the songs in order on the 6 position?

The current OEM iPod adapter is the limiting factor, as it is a CD Changer emulator. So regardless of the OEM HU used it will still be a CD Changer emulator, with the same 6 choices and no ID3 display tags...

[M3Tech]

Quote, originally posted by yvrnycracer »

that looks awesome... is the price comparable to what one can get a pioneer avic z2 for on ebay?! He was quoting just over 900Euro for the EU version... I want nav but would love to stay OE and this looks sexxy!

It is very comparable, at least from my seller...

[M3Tech]

Just finishing trying to pair an iPod with a Motorola Bluetooth adapter (A2DP) to the OEM BT module but it did not work... the -510 Bluetooth Audio screen never changed from inactive. I will try a music phone later, it could work as it will need to be paired as a phone first and then it could use the A2DP stream audio profile as a separate pipe in the same connection. There was no way of doing this with this single purpose adapter...