RNS 510 Sat Nav

I am after some information on VW's Sat Nav, the RNS 510. Have tried the dealers and answers to my questions are still unanswered.

Basically I am trying to see if the system is really worth the price over something navman, garmin or Tom Tom will stick to my winscreen.

1. Is the system TMC suitable for Australia? I know the system works in Europe (and very well at that) but has VW got their act in gear and have it working for our market.

2. Are you able in input your own POI? If I find a bunch of POIs I would like loaded to my maps is this possible?

3. Are the programmed POIs accurate?

4. How does the system interface with my computer? I know there is an USB post to the front of the unit but will this allow direct communications via a USB cable to my laptop IOT allow viewing of databases/files.

5. Are map updates regular (at lease yearly) and are they priced within reason? I think $300 plus is a bit rude from a dealer.

6. I have heard Sensis do the maps are there any chance of putting other mapping programs on the system? Most hand held GPS systems can "unlock" and allow better topo maps for out of the city areas.

When ever I approach a dealer with these questions all I get is the media handout quoted back to me, so if someone with the system can answer some of these questions then thanks.

all good questions....i am surprised the dealers don't have the answers...:duh:

1: - It is slowly being rolled out across Australia - Sydney & Melbourne have already run tests & trials & should come on line soon.

2: - yes, you can create a new map CD for this, there is some shareware software to do it.

3: - to the best of my knowledge - yes!

4: - won't interface - there is no USB interface directly in the unit - an SD memory slot is provided (for data in only). Software updates are done by DVD.

5: & 6: - Thats up to VW & Sensis, I believe the system may be shared across some other OEM units (ie: Holden etc) - but I don't think anyone has bothered to try or document it.

Hope that helps!

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Originally Posted by Flipper Dog

I am after some information on VW's Sat Nav, the RNS 510. Have tried the dealers and answers to my questions are still unanswered.

Basically I am trying to see if the system is really worth the price over something navman, garmin or Tom Tom will stick to my winscreen.

1. Is the system TMC suitable for Australia? I know the system works in Europe (and very well at that) but has VW got their act in gear and have it working for our market.

2. Are you able in input your own POI? If I find a bunch of POIs I would like loaded to my maps is this possible?

3. Are the programmed POIs accurate?

4. How does the system interface with my computer? I know there is an USB post to the front of the unit but will this allow direct communications via a USB cable to my laptop IOT allow viewing of databases/files.

5. Are map updates regular (at lease yearly) and are they priced within reason? I think $300 plus is a bit rude from a dealer.

6. I have heard Sensis do the maps are there any chance of putting other mapping programs on the system? Most hand held GPS systems can "unlock" and allow better topo maps for out of the city areas.

When ever I approach a dealer with these questions all I get is the media handout quoted back to me, so if someone with the system can answer some of these questions then thanks.

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its all relative. its good value compared to the opposition. & very fast.

no programmable speed camera warnings and school zones is my gripe.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but is there a shortage of the units at the moment? I'm chasing my dealer but no response as yet.

my understanding was that they have been as rare as hen's teeth and they must order them from Germany when a customer wants them (ie. they dont carry spare stock as they mostly come factory fitted).

There are some avaliable on ebay (much cheaper than the dealer price) but that comes with a risk as well as you dont know if its operational etc.

I had RNS-510 in a Golf, and asked about getting it in my Passat here. I was told by the dealer that some of the functionality is lost if the system is retrofitted, compared to the factory-fitted. At a guess, I'd say that the wheel counters aren't retro-fitted, and possibly accelerometers, if they are included in the factory-fitted original. 3-axis accelerometers are reasonably small and could fit within the dash unit of an RNS-510, so I'd expect them to be in a retro-fit.

I'm also not sure if the MFD compatibility comes with the retro-fit units, and it was relatively handy to have with the factory fit, with my wife swearing by it, and I used it on enough times for it to make sense. It basically puts a pictogram up of what's required at the next turn/intersection, so showing (for example) a schematic of a roundabout, and estimated distance to the turn.

I would have liked to know if I could put POIs in the system, although the fitted list was pretty comprehensive, with carparks, major sights, hotels, etc. Within a few weeks of the car being delivered VW offered to update the maps anyway, but I couldn't be bothered paying the postage to send the old ones from London to Glasgow.

If it's any consolation, I ordered a Golf Match (Pacific) with RNS-510 & DSG in London in September 2007, and it was delivered as an -08 reg to me, with 08-reg starting in March 2008, and it only takes 2 days for a train or truck to get from Germany to the UK.

I'd recommend waiting for it, since while it will take a while, it'll be worth the wait in the end, particularly if you can get digital radio traffic updates. It rats over any hand-held units I've seen, for speed, accuracy, position when GPS signal is lost, and the traffic updates.

There you go.. I'd been biting my tongue on replying to this for a while..

We supply a lot of VW dealers with RNS510 retrofit kits.

You will get all of your functionality (100%) of the RNS510 - nothing is missing.

The only thing you may miss in a retrofit is a six stacker CD, it really depends on what spec car you are retrofitting into. Park assist, MFD display, steering wheel control all integrates as per factory!

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At a guess, I'd say that the wheel counters aren't retro-fitted, and possibly accelerometers, if they are included in the factory-fitted original. 3-axis accelerometers are reasonably small and could fit within the dash unit of an RNS-510, so I'd expect them to be in a retro-fit.

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All internal in the RNS510.

We have done a couple of hundred of them now, Passat's Tiguan's Touareg's, EOS, Golfs etc etc - so we know the system pretty well ;)

How will they get the TMC to work with the RNS-510 is what I want to know. most gps hand held units make you pay a licence fee (once off) and then your good to go.

TMC is just broadcast, like a radio station. So any device that can see the signal will receive it.

On the recent testing (last year) from our Audi forum - there were hundreds of calls to the service departments because all of a sudden "TMC" messages started appearing in Audi's (and also benz's, BMW's etc).

Would have been fun answering all those calls :)