I have a 2010 Exclusive with a Kenwood DNX520VBT head unit fitted. When I cycle through the MFD using the steering wheel button on the right I only get the fuel consumption etc plus the settings menu. The left buttons increase/decrease the volume and the microphone button cycles through the source options. Am I correct in thinking that there are some displays missing? I don’t have VCDS so Cant programme anything.
MFD Question
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V.W fit different versions and features MFDs according to the 'line'. Yours is probably Hi-line whereas my low/mid line without your wheel buttons only gives basic information. What extra information from the MFD do you think is missing? Have you got an EOS manual in the glove box tray? That should cover the MFD.
I'd expect your wheel to work with the dash MFD as V.W designed it, but the interface to a non OE Kenwood unit may not be fully V.W compatible, although it sounds from what you say that wheel buttons are controlling the radio? If you are expecting buttons like a home button to work, then that is down whether Kenwood included that control feature, They do say they offer the opportunity to control the head unit using steering wheel controls. That may not mean fully compatible. Kenwood are a reputable company to contact if you think some wheel buttons have no function with the DNX520VBT.
I'd expect your wheel to work with the dash MFD as V.W designed it, but the interface to a non OE Kenwood unit may not be fully V.W compatible, although it sounds from what you say that wheel buttons are controlling the radio? If you are expecting buttons like a home button to work, then that is down whether Kenwood included that control feature, They do say they offer the opportunity to control the head unit using steering wheel controls. That may not mean fully compatible. Kenwood are a reputable company to contact if you think some wheel buttons have no function with the DNX520VBT.
I’m fairly sure mine is the HI-Line but I don’t have a handbook. The HU is the VW compatible one but the buttons changing stuff on it were a mystery! I am going to junk it as the reviews even when new we’re not good plus the touch screen has bubbled - there are no firmware updates as Kenwood don’t support it any longer. Looking to get a RCD330 at some point. As for the MFD I thought it would scroll through with a couple more functions but I might be wrong.
The factory head unit on some newer models of the EOS will display the Audio menu and GPS when using it. Older EOS's won't display this information, even with a aftermarket headunit and ODBII/Canbus adapter. I don't know when these features were implemented, I assume its the same year you could get climate info on the radio screen and independent TPMS sensor read out on the screen, probably 2011 or 2012
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My car is a 2008 2.0 TFSi using an Android head unit.
With the steering wheel buttons, I can view the radio station frequency or track numbers if using a USB stick with music on it on the MFD. (I could using the old factory head unit too).
I get TPMS warnings if a tyre is low on pressure, but it won't tell me which one so you have to check them all!
With the steering wheel buttons, I can view the radio station frequency or track numbers if using a USB stick with music on it on the MFD. (I could using the old factory head unit too).
I get TPMS warnings if a tyre is low on pressure, but it won't tell me which one so you have to check them all!
What gets put on an aftermarket (Android) head unit depends on (a) What the CANbus decoder is programmed to detect and b) What the head unit software does with it. That's why Canbus decoders are vehicle and model specific. Its 'personality' are options programmed in the head unit. Pioneer have been around a long time when the practice was to build Canbus compatibility into the head unit like the OE and requires their software upgrades to change anything. There's a potential licensing issue with V.W for the final product
IMHO The Chinese manufacturing concept is smarter. They produce cheaper generic Android head units using their own simple data protocol which isn't CANbus, then use an add on CANbus decoder dongle box to convert car bus control signals from the wheel etc to their own protocol understood by the head unit. They only have to customise the add on CANbus decoder to be brand specific and options for choosing model and year within the same brand. This approach reduces manufacturing costs but may not give all the same custom features that would have been possible with the OE head unit. CANbus control feature compatibility depends on the decoder software design which can be different. The experience one gets with enabled features on their HU may not be the same as another.
Checked today I get the settings menu, the trip computer and vehicle warnings like bulbs out, service etc. Obviously the HU won’t send the radio to it but I can control the volume and change stations using the left buttons. I think a Chinese HU is the way to go.
I would disagree. Chinese no name brands are not designed for audio quality or with many of the advanced features of major brands like Pioneer, Kenwood, Sony, Alpine etc. They get the job done if all you want is a Apple Car play integration and sound.
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I agree. Chinese no name brands are only out for one thing. Money.
The Chinese are good at copying, incorporating technology, new tech. and sometimes faking specs, but they lack the design skill of understanding application in the market and applying it to their products. A Chinese head unit may at first appear good on published spec. and measurements but they haven't done the in vehicle testing and developed the EQ to get the best in car sound or understood the ergonomics of using touch screens etc whilst driving. I'm old school and audio power to me is measured in rms watts if I'm comparing apples with apples, which is what you need for loud in car bass, But the Chinese use music power definitions that give the biggest numbers. If they fuse their speaker outputs, calculate the maximum power into your speaker load and you'll find it lower than you expect.
I have an original Quad 303 amp and a couple of clones I made. Specified output is 45 watts rms per channel in Class B and it can still blow the socks off most new Chinese home audio products. However, I'm too old to appreciate an expensive high end car audio system and a Chinese HU suits me fine after fiddling with their software EQ. My in car priority now is good satnav to get me from A to B.
I have an original Quad 303 amp and a couple of clones I made. Specified output is 45 watts rms per channel in Class B and it can still blow the socks off most new Chinese home audio products. However, I'm too old to appreciate an expensive high end car audio system and a Chinese HU suits me fine after fiddling with their software EQ. My in car priority now is good satnav to get me from A to B.
I had briefly thought that I could fit a VW RNS510 but not sure how compatible it would be. I think it should be plug and play but you never know. I guess that the answer will be yes but whenever I search the forum I don’t get many relevant threads.
At least you have a relatively more recent EOS. 'Plug & Play' is often determined by what electronic software is in other modules to get all features. Dealers can update module software to other versions, whereas DIYers can only source and replace modules if they know what's needed.
I'm sure its basic functions will work and it will be compatibility with other parts of the car that you need to confirm. There are several here who have done radio upgrades. I think there are more expensive genuine V.W versions and Chinese clones with 'similar' part numbers. If you get the latter, don't expect any software reprogramming help from a V.W dealer if you need it.
I'm sure its basic functions will work and it will be compatibility with other parts of the car that you need to confirm. There are several here who have done radio upgrades. I think there are more expensive genuine V.W versions and Chinese clones with 'similar' part numbers. If you get the latter, don't expect any software reprogramming help from a V.W dealer if you need it.
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