[DaveyW]

Hi there - thought Id cast the net for Aus Eos owners.

I was interested in your feedback on the Sat Nav in the Eos. Pros\Cons, your thoughts on the screen quality etc.

Is there anything that you loathe with it - problematic areas?

Id love to hear them.

Thanks so much

 

[davidp]

Overpriced and poor quality I would say. Especially compared to a stick on the windscreen type.
Upside is it looks really cool built into the dash and you don't have to worry about windscreen clamps and power cords. I think one chap connected his DVD player to it as its a good quality colour display. Not sure you want to be watching a DVD and driving at the same time though, arf arf!
David

 

[SiJ2000]

Sounds like fun to me!!

 

[DaveyW]

Im not sure thats my definition of fun
So...we're off to a bad start then re the quality of the system...boy o boy what a let down, I was hoping it may have been a nice little system our German friends had developed.
The sat nav audio..the audio comes thru the stereo system though, right?

And the other thing - is it the type that you need to get the DVD updates on disc for & pay for those updates?

Thanks guys

 

[dolcevita]

Funny you should ask....I have Sat Nav. BUT....the software version supplied with my EOS is the outdated "Where-is Version 12" which does not include M7 or LaneCove Tunnel (pathetic!!) but that's a software issue that I'm currently in the process of debating with VW here in Sydney. Apparently the current version has not been approved by VW Australia (or Germany??) for use current VW's. Go figure??? Apparently someone who was more fed up than I paid the $500 for the upgrade DVD and it worked fine...but...for a $3k sat nav system on a $67k car it would want to bloody well have the current version & latest technology, right??

Re its actual function, it's ok. One of the features I havnt found (but may well be there -- I should read the manual) is an itinerary of A to B which my handheld Garmin has, and it doesnt actually voice prompt the street names. One of the great features though is that apart from the centre dash display, you can also have directions on the display panel next to the odometer which means you don't need to look sideways......dont know if you know what I mean but it's late & my eyes are blurring....

Overall...it does look cool, no clamps, no cables, it does get you to where you want to go...but I really do need to sort out the software issue.

By the way, yes, it does come thru stereo & yes need to pay for upgrades, around $500 I hear. What a joke!! given you can buy a voice prompt hand held for $460 MioC520 (I just bought one for my dad for Father's Day- fabulous)

Hope this helps
Dolcevita

ps has anyone else had this "Where-Is" software issue??

 

[DaveyW]

Great feedback - thanks dolcevita.
Hmmm, sounds as if it is satisfactory, but not a lot more.

You are right on the money about having paid top $$ for the Eos & then the Sat Nav update costs also...
As far as the VW Australia approval thing...I heard of the Honda stable doing the same thing when they released the Honda Legend in Australia. Wasnt approved at all, so no functional Sat Nav. Go figure.

Interesting that you mention the whereis software - they seem to have the market cornered.
And I have unfortunately heard about expensive updates for our jolly fine friends in the European stables particularly.$500 is almost criminal - fortunately I know where the Lane Cove tunnel is - maybe I can just draw the M7 on the screen in permanent marker & save my $500.
A colleague of mine nearly fell off his perch when he went in to have his BMW 530i DVD Sat Nav updated. Not cheap. A horror story basically.

Top advice though - I'll make certain the kindly folk at Denlo confirm the Sat Nav version prior to me taking delivery.

If you have the roof down, can you still make out the on screen directions clearly though or does the light kill the screen altogether?

 

[neh321]

Great feedback - thanks dolcevita.
Hmmm, sounds as if it is satisfactory, but not a lot more.

You are right on the money about having paid top $$ for the Eos & then the Sat Nav update costs also...
As far as the VW Australia approval thing...I heard of the Honda stable doing the same thing when they released the Honda Legend in Australia. Wasnt approved at all, so no functional Sat Nav. Go figure.

Interesting that you mention the whereis software - they seem to have the market cornered.
And I have unfortunately heard about expensive updates for our jolly fine friends in the European stables particularly.$500 is almost criminal - fortunately I know where the Lane Cove tunnel is - maybe I can just draw the M7 on the screen in permanent marker & save my $500.
A colleague of mine nearly fell off his perch when he went in to have his BMW 530i DVD Sat Nav updated. Not cheap. A horror story basically.

Top advice though - I'll make certain the kindly folk at Denlo confirm the Sat Nav version prior to me taking delivery.

If you have the roof down, can you still make out the on screen directions clearly though or does the light kill the screen altogether?

Think I'll stick to my £2.99 Road Atlas!

 

[DaveyW]

Hmmmmmmmm, road atlas you say?
Not a bad option - but you still wont see our Lane Cove tunnel in it

I was seriously considering upgrading it to the DynAudio\Sat Nav combo they offer in Sydney - but I couldn't see the point in it - surely most of you in this forum will be driving round with the roof down anyway & the sound quality will be degraded with the outside noise.

Thats why I went for the Sat Nav option & std stereo option - that and I am road atlas challenged.

 

[dolcevita]

Update....Where-Is V12 DVD Is currently being supplied (for Australia). Apparently V13 which includes M7 & Lane Cove Tunnel has been released but only on CD, not DVD?? To be confirmed but sounds lame!!!
So...version supplied was current at the time so I will need to pay for the update

I have lodged an official complaint with VW but will look into further.

Would appreciate feedback from current Aussie Eos owners with Sat Nav.

Long weekend just about to begin in NSW, yippee, enjoy EDA & watch out for those double de-merit points

I just got booked yesterday for not parking "rear to kerb"! Unbelievable!! Another local govt revenue raising incentive........

Anyway, where ever you are, hav a gr8 weekend
CIAO

 

[sydeos]

Hey Davey

I went the other other way and am glad I did. For those rare times I need directions I find the latest Street Directory a good option and that is hardly ever used, but it does fit in the seat pocket.

As for the Dynaudio I use it every time I drive the car and it is definitely a huge step up from the standard system. If you get a chance listen to the two side by side and there is no comparison. There is real depth and quality to the sound and is the equal of or better then the upgraded systems offered by BMW, Audi, Mercedes etc.

 

[DaveyW]

Hey there Leigh, thanks for that...
I was thinking that with my iPod interface I will probably use that more than the AM\FM CD features, but let me ask you this - the DynAudio... do they give you a few sub woofers, more speakers etc? Is your CD stacker in your center console thing under the arm rest?

I think its good advice though & I'll make a point of checking it with the folks at Denlo as you say, compare with & without. Ive still got time to change my specs in the order.

By the way, I believe that I may get 12 way elec seats as std in my 08 build, but lose the heated seat option (but I mean c'mon..living where we do, do we really need them?) Elec seats as a std would be a nice plus

Thanks as always & good to hear from you

 

[sydeos]

Hey Davey

In the order you asked

Check the following link for details on the Dynaudio system in the Eos -

http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/auto/eos.php

But in short - 10 very high end speakers instead of the 8 standard ones, 440 extra watts of power with a 10 Channel active speaker system with a separate amp for each speaker and Digital Signal Processing designed specifically for the Eos. No subs but with four high quality Woofers you wont have a problem unless you subscribe to the window rattling music crowd. The windows across the street that is

Seriously there is more than enough bass response as well as finely controlled treble and a rich deep midrange and bass. Take some of your favourite music on CD and try it out. As I don't have Satnav I have the in dash 6 stacker and the iPod in the glove box.

As for electric seats in a '08 I haven't seen that change but the problem I have with the electric seats is the lack of a memory function so I just couldn't see the point but if they are included then that is no longer an issue.

I can't however see why we would get the only leather seats in the world without seat heating though. Maybe the person you have been talking with is not aware that when you get leather you get the heated seats. But I must admit using then with the roof down during the evening and mornings for the last 3 months. Rear wind deflector in place, windows up, heater and seat heaters on make it a very cosy place to be when the temperature drops close to single figures. The only thing I dislike about them is that unlike the BMW ones the don't switch off when you switch the ignition off. Unless you dial them back to 0 after you use them they will be working again when you start the car up.

 

[dolcevita]

Update....Where-Is V12 DVD Is currently being supplied (for Australia). Apparently V13 which includes M7 & Lane Cove Tunnel has been released but only on CD, not DVD?? To be confirmed but sounds lame!!!
So...version supplied was current at the time so I will need to pay for the update

Would appreciate feedback from current Aussie Eos owners with Sat Nav.

But wait, there's more.....after several calls to whereis & blaupunkt, here is the latest....
The Sat Nav system hardware in VW's is made by Blaupunkt, but powered by Whereis. Blaupunkt buy whereis maps and release maps on dvd compatible with their systems BUT did not release a V13 DVD!! What kind of hardware is VW using that cannot be maintained & kept current?? At a cost of $3k for Satnav, that is truly pathetic!!

Whereis released V3 DVD in Jan07 but apparently this is not compatible with the VW's sat nav hardware.

Then....I thought I'd try one more thing....I rang VW parts & asked if I could buy the V13 DVD upgrade for my satnav. Guess what?? They said YES (cost $425)!!!

I am confused as hell now Please please other Sat Nav owners in Australia, what version do you have in your car? If you're not sure, it's on the DVD cover or eject the dvd.

 

[DaveyW]

But wait, there's more.....after several calls to whereis & blaupunkt, here is the latest....
The Sat Nav system hardware in VW's is made by Blaupunkt, but powered by Whereis. Blaupunkt buy whereis maps and release maps on dvd compatible with their systems BUT did not release a V13 DVD!! What kind of hardware is VW using that cannot be maintained & kept current?? At a cost of $3k for Satnav, that is truly pathetic!!

Whereis released V3 DVD in Jan07 but apparently this is not compatible with the VW's sat nav hardware.

Then....I thought I'd try one more thing....I rang VW parts & asked if I could buy the V13 DVD upgrade for my satnav. Guess what?? They said YES (cost $425)!!!

I am confused as hell now Please please other Sat Nav owners in Australia, what version do you have in your car? If you're not sure, it's on the DVD cover or eject the dvd.

Thanks dolcevita...
you know I suspect by the time I take delivery of mine it whould incl these major infrastructure changes on the version...but I am going to check regardless.
You know what Sydney roads are like, there one day, made one-way, no left or right turns the next.

You know..I am very surprised that there isn't demand for such updates on Torrent sites for download - like in an ISO format. I am not encouraging anyone or condoning this, but I'm thinking that they may in fact exist out there.

I'm bad enough trying to navigate my way round Sydney as it is - don't get me started about trying to find my way round the CBD!

Enjoy the long weekend - Im going to check this thread & see if anyone else has these software version issues later.

 

[DaveyW]

Hey Davey

In the order you asked

Check the following link for details on the Dynaudio system in the Eos -

http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/auto/eos.php

But in short - 10 very high end speakers instead of the 8 standard ones, 440 extra watts of power with a 10 Channel active speaker system with a separate amp for each speaker and Digital Signal Processing designed specifically for the Eos. No subs but with four high quality Woofers you wont have a problem unless you subscribe to the window rattling music crowd. The windows across the street that is

Seriously there is more than enough bass response as well as finely controlled treble and a rich deep midrange and bass. Take some of your favourite music on CD and try it out. As I don't have Satnav I have the in dash 6 stacker and the iPod in the glove box.

As for electric seats in a '08 I haven't seen that change but the problem I have with the electric seats is the lack of a memory function so I just couldn't see the point but if they are included then that is no longer an issue.

I can't however see why we would get the only leather seats in the world without seat heating though. Maybe the person you have been talking with is not aware that when you get leather you get the heated seats. But I must admit using then with the roof down during the evening and mornings for the last 3 months. Rear wind deflector in place, windows up, heater and seat heaters on make it a very cosy place to be when the temperature drops close to single figures. The only thing I dislike about them is that unlike the BMW ones the don't switch off when you switch the ignition off. Unless you dial them back to 0 after you use them they will be working again when you start the car up.

Hey thanks sydeos!
What an excellent link - http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/auto/eos.htm#
Shows a lovely set up of the upgraded system.

I also thought about this though....when it comes time to sell it.....the Sat Nav may help me get a few more $$ in the vehicles resale value as opposed to an upgraded sound system. Propbably not a huge amount by any means, but an amount none the less.
You know, I think I'll pop over to Denlo this long weekend & check them out though!

All the best

 

[glbulldogs]

It is the V12 on mine one. Sat nav looks cool but really only used sparingly, as I know most roads in Sydney ;-) My partner uses it and she gets value out of it, so the cost per use is now down to about $100 per use (i.e. $3000 used about 30 times.....) Actually, it is not too bad....I didn't want it but was not prepared to wait 5-6 months for the car and since I was able to negotiate a discount on the car in the first place of more than the price of the sat nav, I see it as a freebie. Sometimes it does take you on some stupid routes, but that is more software than the hardware fault. Can't really complain...plus it looks really cool when the top is down at night as it is a blue colour. No desire to upgrade the V12 unless it was $20 and came with a blu-ray dvd.......

BTW, have now seen atleast 12 different Eos on the roads in the past few months - silver, followed by black seems the most prevalent ones. Have seen the grey (nice), eismeer blue (mmm?), red (pretty if you are a female...was a bit wrong when it was driven by a man) and gold. Enjoy the long weekend and roof down!

 

[scratchedeos]

I have version 12 and on checking with my dealer 2 weeks ago was told that version 13 will be available in the 1st quarter of 2008. I use it 3 -4 times a week and find it invaluable - works well with the roof down in full light.

Having had a number of red VWs - I also have a red Eos and I am definitely a male.

 

[DaveyW]

Thanks scratchedeos (hope the handle isnt indicative of your car?!)

Are you able to change the voices on the Sat Nav?
Sill question I know... but I gotta know these things