Help newbie with upgrade to GPS

249 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by ecavuoto, 13 d ago

Randy Fransoo

Discussion Starter · 14 d ago

Hi all. Randy in Winnipeg. Just bought a 2013 EOS Komfort. Really want to upgrade to have GPS, but also need to keep compatibility with steering wheel controls and prefer plug-and-play DIY if possible.

I suspect there are numerous forums / threads on this - but I don't have time to read them all, so hoping somebody experienced sees this and takes pity on me

Pls help me find my way. Found a few gently used RNS-510 units for sale, so happy to go that way if that's the smart move.

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2phast

· #2 · 14 d ago

Personally, I wouldn't bother with any headunit that has GPS. Choose a headunit that is Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatible and use Waze or another GPS app via your phone. Most all aftermarket headunits can be used with an Idatalink Maestro RR, which gives you steering wheel button control.

I have plenty of videos on sound system upgrades on my YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL15Im6UUOZ8aEneNqxSgucrhaTMnbo-Iq

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voxmagna

· #3 · 14 d ago

It's not what I'd do, but for some willing to trade off limited functions for 'Guaranteed to work' and not wanting to invest time or get issues with DIY install, I'd suggest the OEM route fitted by a Dealer and get stung for the cost of V.W maps and updates?

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2phast

· #4 · 14 d ago

voxmagna said:
It's not what I'd do, but for some willing to trade off limited functions for 'Guaranteed to work' and not wanting to invest time or get issues with DIY install, I'd suggest the OEM route fitted by a Dealer and get stung for the cost of V.W maps and updates?

Well, most people don't install aftermarket components themselves, most go to a stereo shop and pay a professional to do it. I was a professional in the past, so these things are easy for me.

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voxmagna

· #5 · 14 d ago

The OP prefers 'Plug & Play' DIY if possible, so I guessed he wanted to search for products on the internet, or take a recommend, believe the sales description, then follow instructions to fit (which he doesn't have time to read).

What kind of professional car stereo shops exists in Winnipeg, any recomends from anybody?

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Randy Fransoo

Discussion Starter · #6 · 13 d ago

Thanks for the replies to date. Believe it or not, the reason we want GPS in the head is that my wife is committed to not using data on her cell phone, so has no ability to use it when out of wifi. What I'm thinking about now is buying a gently used RNS-510 unit from somebody, then either install myself, or bring to great local car stereo shop I've used before.

So my revised question is: what do y'all think of that plan? I like staying with OEM to avoid glitches, keep steering wheel controls and compatibility; but not buying new, and likely not getting VW dealer to do install.

But do I have it correct that installing an RNS-510 in my 2013 Komfort means I have to buy an antenna cable as well (and where does that route?), and might also need a car-specific code to enter into the head somehow? How do I find out what the code would be - and how to enter it?

Sorry if this sounds too needy to be real

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voxmagna

· #7 · 13 d ago

I am with you on your reasons but many here assume the car is internet connected and like you I have to pay for data usage. My Chinese Android head unit has a built in phone data modem for browsing, social media, satnav and all the other stuff. But I don't want to dedicate a phone data SIM contract for the car. Plus a lot of personal data can head off to China in the background, although my head unit firewall is there to stop it.

If you go the V.W OE route you have local maps and software installed in (Their) head unit. V.W put all their antennae and any amplifiers inside the trunk lid. Most GPS antenna are a very small puck with a built in amplifier. I haven't got the RNS -510 but suggest 2 routes. Check if it can use a standard GPS antenna even if you have to get a plug adapter and locate the antennae up front in space above the head unit - That's where mine used to be. If you have to use their antenna (doubtful) it would probably be an expensive V.W module fitted in the trunk lid with a long cable run to the front. Most GPS antennae need switched power from the radio. There's usually an option in radio settings to tell it if external power is needed for a GPS antenna and dc power is fed down the antenna cable. Of course you always need GPS satellite reception and some may argue using online mapping via a cell is more reliable? Most modern new satnav boxes can receive up to 3 different satellite systems and pick the strongest. In Europe its Russia

, American or Galileo - take your pick!

Aftermarket satnav apps have a lot of whistles & bells you can play with but many aren't needed. Most important for you is you want the radio steering controls to work, the satnav voice to link correctly to the radio to dim it during nav instructions, and pretty graphs on the screen showing doors open and reversing guidelines. All things the OE stocker should give you.

I haven't used V.W satnav but I suspect unlike the Androids its features and operation will be designed by V.W to be driver friendly. If you are replacing a head unit, make sure it's bluetooth capable for hands free mobile. I trialled many free and paid for offline satnavs in my Android clone and the only one that came close to driver friendly with simple operation and functionality was TomTom Go. I used to like iGo but they changed the look and feel moving from WinCE to Android and I didn't like it so much. IMHO paid for gives you a better product with after sales support.

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2phast

· #8 · 13 d ago

Randy Fransoo said:
Thanks for the replies to date. Believe it or not, the reason we want GPS in the head is that my wife is committed to not using data on her cell phone, so has no ability to use it when out of wifi. What I'm thinking about now is buying a gently used RNS-510 unit from somebody, then either install myself, or bring to great local car stereo shop I've used before.

So my revised question is: what do y'all think of that plan? I like staying with OEM to avoid glitches, keep steering wheel controls and compatibility; but not buying new, and likely not getting VW dealer to do install.

But do I have it correct that installing an RNS-510 in my 2013 Komfort means I have to buy an antenna cable as well (and where does that route?), and might also need a car-specific code to enter into the head somehow? How do I find out what the code would be - and how to enter it?

Sorry if this sounds too needy to be real

If the radio requires a code to unlock, either get it from the seller or you can pay a service company to unlock it for you. These companies list their services on EBay, costs something like $10. VW won't give you the code for free anymore.

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ecavuoto

· #9 · 13 d ago

Randy Fransoo said:
Thanks for the replies to date. Believe it or not, the reason we want GPS in the head is that my wife is committed to not using data on her cell phone, so has no ability to use it when out of wifi. What I'm thinking about now is buying a gently used RNS-510 unit from somebody, then either install myself, or bring to great local car stereo shop I've used before.

So my revised question is: what do y'all think of that plan? I like staying with OEM to avoid glitches, keep steering wheel controls and compatibility; but not buying new, and likely not getting VW dealer to do install.

But do I have it correct that installing an RNS-510 in my 2013 Komfort means I have to buy an antenna cable as well (and where does that route?), and might also need a car-specific code to enter into the head somehow? How do I find out what the code would be - and how to enter it?

Sorry if this sounds too needy to be real

If there is a Bluetooth component under the passenger seat (it has a black Styrofoam cover over it), then you can use the RNS 510 as it should be plug and play. If there is no bluetooth in the car, then the RNS 315 is recommended as it has built in bluetooth in the unit. As for the GPS Antenna, here is a video that I used that helped me when I had upgraded the radio in a Jetta to an RNS 315. It will show you how to install the GPS antenna as well.

VW Navigation System Blowout..... RNS 315 DIY Install - YouTube

Keep in mind that if you don't have SiriusXM with your old radio, you will also need to get an antenna and place the antenna receiver somewhere on the dash.

And finally, please note that tha map provider no longer is providing map updates for either model. The last update was in 2018. So if you still mover forward with this, try to get the applicable unit with the final map update already installed.

Hope all this helps...

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