Summary of Bluetooth Options for RNS510 & RCD510

[Swallowtail]

There have been so many posts recently about the different Bluetooth options available for the RNS510 that I thought it might be worth doing a summary of the different options. Perhaps others with more info can add some more info?

I have restricted these options to integrated systems, so it does not include Parrots, or headsets!

These options (in price order) are basically valid for all the RNS510-fittable vehicles - Golf V, Jetta, Golf VI, Passat, Eos, Touareg, Tiguan.

1. VW supplied "cheap" Bluetooth system

This is a Nokia unit and is available for about $800. Based on a Parrot BlueTooth system.

Integration with MFD (dash): NO
Integration with RNS510: NO
Multi Function Steering Wheel button works: YES
Voice Activation: NO
Extras: None

Comments: This is a very basic system. Not worth the $... IMHO

2. Fiscon Bluetooth
(either "Basic" without RNS510 integration or "Basic-Plus" with it)

Available from either www.kufatec.de directly (Euro420 including shipping, or about $750 - 800 dependent on exchange rate), or via advancedice and their agents here in Australia. There are also a few car sound places that now will install these - i.e. Northfield here in QLD. Fitting should be about $200, or a relatively simple DIY, takes about 1 hours. Install is simple as the cable loom is a plug and play into the back of the stereo with the existing cable plugging into the new piece. Very easy. Northfield in Brisbane - supply and fit $995. Trickiest part of the install is getting the RNS510 back into the dash with the added bulk of the extra cables.

Integration with MFD (dash): YES (after VAGCOM coding change to advise the car that there is a telephone controller installed)
Integration with RNS510: YES on the Basic-Plus model. 349 Euros without (Basic), 399 Euros with (Basic Plus).
Multi Function Steering Wheel button works: YES
Voice Activation: NO - although an RNS510 with voice control activated can be used to voice control this unit.
Extras: On cars with red MIS display, will display various engine parameters (boost, oil temp, etc).

3. What used to be called the Skoda kit otherwise known as the 9W3 kit, or VW 729
(VW part number is 1Z0 035 729) - the Skoda Bluetooth kit is very popular, as it offers a good combination of features. You can get this from Kufatec for about Euro590 shipped (about $1050), or supplied and fitted for about AU$1500 from places like Volkspower, or Harding Performance. EDIT April 2010 some VW dealers (e.g. Barloworld) are supplying and fitting this unit in new VWs for $1500.

There is a guy in the UK who can ship these to you for approximately GBP350, or about $750. He has done a heap of group buys for car clubs as well as supplying lots to AUS already. He doesn't take credit cards except via PayPal or he will accept a transfer to his UK Bank Account. If he has stock then the turnaround is next day, if not and he obtains to order it may take a little longer to get than a company with them in stock. There is a "howto" that shows what's involved in fitting it here: Octavia-vRS.com - OEM Integrated Bluetooth Telephone Install. Note also that in that “howto” the guy has bought about $50 worth of extra bits to simplify fitting the cables, so that's about $800 worth of bits.

This is a premium level functionality kit, but does NOT use rSAP, so will (should!) work with any Bluetooth phone.

Installation is NOT plug and play (see link above for example). Involves connecting the Bluetooth system into the CAN bus and +ve 12V and ground by piggybacking into the stereo's connections.

There ARE plug and play ones out there, sometimes on ebay. 1Z0 035 729 items at low prices on eBay.com.au

E.g. for about AU$450 - AU$550 you can get them from Poland. Be aware that the Plug and Play harnesses that come with these units have a non-twisted pair CAN BUS cable, which in theory is non-compliant with manufacturer specs. I rewired mine with some twisted pair cable purchased from my local VW dealer's parts dept.

Integration with MFD (dash): YES (after VAGCOM coding change, usually done by installer)
Integration with RNS510: YES
Multi Function Steering Wheel button works: YES
Voice Activation: YES
Extras: ?

NOTE - there are different firmware versions of this unit that mean some work with some cars and some don't.
UPDATE (unconfirmed though):
1Z0 035 729 A - for white MFD equipped models (CC, MKVI Golf, 09 Passat)
1Z0 035 729 B - for red MFD (MKV Golf, older Passats, Tiguan)
1Z0 035 729 D - works with new white MFD. Some rumours that it does A2DP, but no-one appears to have actually proven it...
1Z0 035 729 C - new from 22/6/09 apparently supercedes A and D. Functionally I believe the same as D.

See post further down on my fitting of this...

4. VW supplied "Premium" Bluetooth kit
(part number 1K8 035 730).

About $2200 - $2300 with the car. This is an rSAP ONLY device, will NOT work with a lot of Bluetooth phones. It is also available aftermarket - you can buy the unit from Kufatec for 840 Euros - about $1600 + fitting.

Integration with MFD (dash): YES
Integration with RNS510: YES
Multi Function Steering Wheel button works: YES
Voice Activation: YES
Extras: Uses rSAP to borrow the phones identity and uses its own built-in GSM radio to make calls.

This system only uses the GSM 900/1800 band, not the Next G UMTS 850 band. As such, once you are outside of the city or major regionals it will have more connection issues.

I hope that is clear...


EDIT April 2010

Dash mount system - VW dealers now also appear to be offering a dash mounted display Bluetooth system - I don't have many details on this though as yet. MyNetspace Picture Gallery :: Untitled :: BT