Hi All A3 Gurus
I have used both the RNS-E & now this Chinese made HU & these are my thoughts.
The RNS-E was bought as replacement for the crappy Chorus HU which came as standard unit for A3s in Singapore & we pay alot of money for cars in Singapore. The A3 1.8T costs about S$118,000 or about 65,000 British pounds (which I can buy a top end BMW M6, I think, so you guys don't complain please).
The RNS-E was bought from a seller in Germany (together with cable harness, radio codes, Navigation & removal keys) & I also installed the Dension Ipod Interface GW16AC1 which shows the Ipod menus on the MFD. The system retrofit was easy & seamless & the Ipod Interface worked which showed Ipod Menus, Charged Ipod & Steering Wheel Control. But I could not watch Videos, GPS does not work as Audi does not have navigation maps for Singapore market(can You believe it that after how much we pay for our vehicle, they did not deem our market as important to make GPS maps for Singapore???). I had to buy additional cable harness for the DVD & Reverse Camera Connection which again added up to the total cost. While radio & cds worked, it was alot of money for very little function.
I chanced upon the Chinese made HU & asked them many questions before deciding to take the plunge & bought a unit which is relatively cheap compared to the RNS-E. The seller sent me unit with the following accessories :
- Head Unit
- Cable Harness
- Reverse Camera
- Remote Game Controllers
- Ipod Cable
- Remote Control & Touch Screen Pen
Installing the unit was quite easy as its plug & play but there are several things you have to look out which I will highlight later. Unit worked quite well surprisingly, GPS system (a little slow at start up) worked seamlessly & located my destination easily. DVDs played were clear & crisp & so did CDs. Ipod interface showed Ipod Menus & selection via steering wheel also worked & radio functions also functioned. Installed reverse camera (but you need a device to reduce the screen from fluttering) & remote Game Controllers also functioned. So for what its worth, the unit worked what its promised to do & alot of bang for your buck in comparison to the RNS-E.
Things to consider is that the unit only drove the front speakers & the rear amb/sub woofer was not wroking. So had to get my experienced installer to wire amp/sub woofer via the AV outputs. I added amp & sub-woofer & changed the speakers & the unit sounded much better than the stock unit.
So to all you doubting naysayers this unit is quite a cost effective unit. Fit & finish may not be up to Audi quality but for that price, it works pretty well.
I would like to clarify that I do not represent the manufacturer nor supply the unit but only a satisfied customer & enjoying the benefits of this system.
Anyway here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure
Navigation At Work
Navigation At Work
Ipod Interface Menu At Work
Ipod Interface Menu At Work