[CLKman]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, and currently looking at ordering my Eos. I have a few queries I wonder if someone may be able to help?

What is the difference between the RCD300 & RCD500 radio's? I know the RCD500 comes with a 6 CD shuttle and 8 speakers, but then if you have the Sport model, you get 8 speakers anyway, even with the RCD300. And I'm not worried about the shuttle as I was going to get the I-pod interface. I can see that the RCD500 has an extra button, labelled "TIM". Can someone let me know what that does? And is that the only difference, or is it also better sound or more powerful?

Secondly, is the optional wind deflector worth getting? I imagine it wouldn't make much difference around town, so at what speed does it start to make a difference?

And finally, is it worth paying the extra for the "Nappa" leather as opposed to the "Vienna"? What is the difference between the two?

Thanks very much for any help!

 

[der32]

Hi, I ordered the RCD 500 unit for my EOS, as when I looked into it the TDi sport only comes with four speakers as standard as against the 2.0 and 3.0 petrol models which have either 8/10 speakers. The RCD500 unit also has the six CD buttons which I use to access the different playlist via the Ipod cobnnectivity, so over all quite impressed with the unit. Not sure what the Tim is though I,d have to read manual to find that out.
The wind jammer is one option I didnt buy and regretted after reading reviews on them by other EOS owners. I bought one last week through Ebay via someone from Austria called "carolina". She seems to have a regular supply and they are the genuine VW part with bag. They cost £190 delivered to the door and so far I,m well impressed, at motorway cruising speed my girlfriends is well impressed as her hair hardly moves a hair out of place !
I not sure the red nappa was worth the money I paid but it is beautifully finished off and complements the silver essence finish perfectly !
Hope you enjoy your EOS !

 

[Gavster]

Hi CLK Man,

We have the RCD 500 with Dynaudio. The TIM function allows you to record and play back traffic announcements. It will even record when the radio is off and the car all locked up.

As for the sound quality of the Dynaudio as against the standard setup, for me there is no contest - I know its an expense but the Dynaudio is far far superior. The sound is delivered in such a crisp and clear way.

 

[CLKman]

Thanks for the info der32 & Gavster.

Can the wind deflector be bought after market then? I assumed that the lugs where it locates would be missing if it wasn't supplied as a factory fit item?

Thanks again!

 

[jamcar]

Hi clkman.
Welcome to the forum.
I have the rcd5000 unit with dynaudio, no grumbles over the sound quality even when played very loudly the clarity is excellent.
Wouldnt be without my wind deflector it makes a tremendous difference.
If you get the wind deflector from the e bay seller carolina, it is a genuine part and fits perfectly.

 

[dhaider]

I've got the RCD 300 in my EOS Individual (a high spec Sport version). My wife has the RCD 500 in her Touran.
My main use is with the iPod adaptor.
I have 8 speakers by default. No Dynaudio.

Only differences as already mentioned are.
1. 6 CD
2. TIM (records traffic)

Both have 6 buttons for the iPod playlists. I would never use the TIM function so it's not a notices absence. I had it on my Passat and never used it.
If all you are using is mainly iPod I wouldn't bother with the 500, especially if you get 8 speakers by default.

Read up about the iPod adapter before you get it. I have used it previously in my wife's touran and also it is based on the Denison iPod kits which I have used in the past. The unit has had a lot of critisim for the following reasons:

1. Can't see track names on radio display
2. Can't use iPod interface while plugged in to radio
3. Can only access first 5 playlists
4. Slow response

I actually happen to like mine, even with all its failings because:

1. It's better than a tape adapter
2. It's better than those god awful FM transmitters

Wind Deflector
Love it. Noticeable difference above 30mph and exponentially more as the speed goes up. Most useful on motorways.

Nappa
I've got Nappa, but I'm not sure of the difference. I THINK the vienna leather is more traditional shiny leather that is probably harder wearing.
The Nappa is softer and feels more luxurious. It's lush, I love it.

 

[JClem]

My gripe with the 300 unit is it does not play MP3 files, my daughter has a £50 Sony unit in her car which can, so she only needs 1 cd rather than a car full - perhaps thats because VW would prefer you to pay for an autochanger.
The car I bought was a demo so I got what I was given. Non the less I personally don't like changers because I can never be bothered to keep rotating the cd's so the same half dozen keep rotating round. On a 23k car I do find the unit a bit basic but it appears the 500 unit is little different

 

[dhaider]

My gripe with the 300 unit is it does not play MP3 files,

My RCD 300 does play MP3 CDs. It even says MP3 CD just above the slot!

 

[davidp]

I have the RCD500 it plays CDs with MP3 files just fine. You only get track 1, track 2 etc on the display no track names or artists. The sound is excellent, certaily ample enough for my needs and the FM radio is brilliant, really holds the signal. You get 8 speakers with the 2.0T sport model. I think only dynaudio has ten speakers.

David

 

[rex]

Wind Deflector

Get the wind deflector. You will not be sorry. Great with speeds over 30 miles per hour and women love it. When the top is up I fold it in half and my view to the side is not obstructed.

 

[dhaider]

I have the RCD 300. Not only does it play mp3 CDs, it displays track and folder names.

 

[SiJ2000]

Does it have to be MP3 files on the CD or can it also play WMA like some others?

 

[jamcar]

Its really annoying that I am unable to get the ipod tags to show on the display, and another slight pain is having to reset the cd player after the ipod has been used, it does not automatically kick back in when the cd button is pushed.

 

[dhaider]

Does it have to be MP3 files on the CD or can it also play WMA like some others?

No. It only plays vanilla MP3s as far as I can tell.

I tried to put an MP3 cd in my wife's Touran (RCD500) but it didn't like it. That said, it does not have 'MP3' written above the slot like my RCD300 does.

 

[don coffey]

Hi CLKman,

Welcome to the site. Enough has been said about the audio so I'll leave that for you to decide on. As for the wind deflector, regardless of whether or not you order it with the car the holes will still be there for it.

Nappa leather is a softer, finer leather and also smoother then the grained effect in the Vienna option. If this not of importance to you and the colour you want is available in Vienna then go with that.

Don

 

[davidp]

I have the RCD 300. Not only does it play mp3 CDs, it displays track and folder names. [/IMG]

Ooh thats cool! How do you get it to display track titles? Clearly I am doing something wrong in the burning of my CDs
David

 

[dhaider]

Ooh thats cool! How do you get it to display track titles? Clearly I am doing something wrong in the burning of my CDs
David

Ok, firstly make sure the mp3s you are going to put on the CD have track names etc. built in. I'm assuming that is already sorted. If the CD you make doesn't work we'll return to this point as it may be the problem.

I use Infrarecorder (free) to burn the mp3s. Create a new data cd and drag the mp3s to the bottom right window. Putting them in folders is not a bad idea as the RCD can read them.

The default options in the software create the right type of disc and don't need to be changed.

Burn the disc and try.

One last point. Does your unit have mp3 written above the slot and does your manual have a page in the radio section about playing mp3 cds?

David

 

[davidp]

Ok, firstly make sure the mp3s you are going to put on the CD have track names etc. built in. I'm assuming that is already sorted. If the CD you make doesn't work we'll return to this point as it may be the problem.

I use Infrarecorder (free) to burn the mp3s. Create a new data cd and drag the mp3s to the bottom right window. Putting them in folders is not a bad idea as the RCD can read them.

The default options in the software create the right type of disc and don't need to be changed.

Burn the disc and try.

One last point. Does your unit have mp3 written above the slot and does your manual have a page in the radio section about playing mp3 cds?

David

Thanks for this David, I curently use Yahoo music box, I have the track names listed but seems to loose them on burning. I'll check the manual and get back to you.
Cheers, David

 

[CLKman]

Thanks for all your comments everyone. I think I'll go for:

RCD300 with the ipod interface
Wind deflector
and the Vienna leather

Thanks again!

 

[dhaider]

I curently use Yahoo music box, I have the track names listed but seems to loose them on burning. I'll check the manual and get back to you.

David. How confident are you that the CD/s you're been making are MP3 cds rather than normal audio CDs? If you've been putting in excess of 25 (often upto 200) normal 3-4 minute music tracks on the discs thay must be MP3 discs.