Alternative Headunit - Zenec ZE-NC3131D Review

@AK47UK

I don't see anywhere that Zenec supplies car specific (B6 or B7) harness. B7 had quadlock, but B6 had ISO connectors so basically it's like upgrading to RNS-E. Zenec provides harness for quadlock. If anyone knows if it's possible to order Zenec with ISO please post, but I don't think so. Same Zenec 3141 will fit B6 and B7, but the connectors are different.

Interesting thing about aerial, didn't know that and thought the adapter would have a purpose.

@MattKeating

yes
 
I'm not sure about the wiring mate but you could send Zenec an email or a Zenec supplier such as caraudiodirect
 
Having the reversing camera installed today, hopefully all being well will post some pics of how it looks on the Zenecs screen
 
Update for anyone interested, reverse camera works great and looks good on the zenec's screen, only one small issue and I was expecting it and thats the canbus sometimes throwing up the bulb error, will see if I can get it changed for a canbus friendly one, all in all works well with the zenec
 
Jet2004uk said:
Update for anyone interested, reverse camera works great and looks good on the zenec's screen, only one small issue and I was expecting it and thats the canbus sometimes throwing up the bulb error, will see if I can get it changed for a canbus friendly one, all in all works well with the zenec
Click to expand...

Did you do the install yourself? Where do you run the wire?
 
That was my main concern, I wanted a professional looking job, I had a look to see how easy it would be and decided I was not capable of doing it so I asked my local garage to install and hide the wires in the trim, it turned out to be quite a job with taking all the boot trim off and wiring in the camera and feeding the wire to the head unit, took them best part of the day and yes it cost me but I am well happy
 
Did you guys plug in the TMC connector? How/where is it meant to go?
Does anyone know if it works in the UK?
 
As far as I am aware the TMC unit is internal and only premium works in the UK which is £50 for life, you can buy it when you update the maps. I haven't got it so don't know if it's any good.
 
AK47UK said:
As far as I am aware the TMC unit is internal and only premium works in the UK which is £50 for life, you can buy it when you update the maps. I haven't got it so don't know if it's any good.
Click to expand...
Strange, my unit came with an external TMC aerial connector. Its in the top left of my first photo.
Where did you put the gps antenna? I tried shoving it above the cage, between the vents.
 
I think I put mine there too, tried bonding a magnet to some trim to stick it to but it kept falling off.
 
I have been looking into new head units as I find the standard audi unit dated. From what little research I have done I find that most of the big names are doing these app units.

The advantage with this is that you don't need to pay the premium of the nav as you can just run the app from your iPhone. Which means for say £500 you are getting a very decent spec unit which would outperform the audi unit on every level for roughly what you would get on eBay for the audi one. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Personally I wouldn't go Chinese as they often have very poor build quality and have heard many horror stories in particular the eonon unit from my e46 m3 days.
 
I tried mine under the dash but kept taking over 20 mins to lock on to a signal, I wired it through behind the glove box and have it stuck on top of dash under tax disc, picks up signal instantly now
 
Scoot Yo said:
I have been looking into new head units as I find the standard audi unit dated. From what little research I have done I find that most of the big names are doing these app units.

The advantage with this is that you don't need to pay the premium of the nav as you can just run the app from your iPhone. Which means for say £500 you are getting a very decent spec unit which would outperform the audi unit on every level for roughly what you would get on eBay for the audi one. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Personally I wouldn't go Chinese as they often have very poor build quality and have heard many horror stories in particular the eonon unit from my e46 m3 days.
Click to expand...

Most things are made in China, there are high quality and low quality units made and often it's the firmware and GUI that makes the biggest difference.
 
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I was actually presently surprised at how responsive the Zenec unit was once its up and running. Was expecting a delay between pressing the buttons and it responding, but its almost instant.
 
Is there a way to disable the Radio via VCDS?
When I do a scan now, I get the error that it cant connect to Radio... I'd like to disable the bluetooth too (as my car came with factory bluetooth).
 
VCDS will show an error because it isn't an Audi radio, I don't believe you can turn this off but mine does the same and it doesn't cause any error bulbs to light so no harm done IMO. As for the bluetooth I'm not sure but have you tried both to see if there is any difference in quality or functionality? I like having my contacts, calls, recents and favourites appear on the Zenec screen and my steering wheel controls work with it, is there a benefit using the Audi bluetooth instead? Is there more info on the DIS?
 
AK47UK said:
VCDS will show an error because it isn't an Audi radio, I don't believe you can turn this off but mine does the same and it doesn't cause any error bulbs to light so no harm done IMO. As for the bluetooth I'm not sure but have you tried both to see if there is any difference in quality or functionality? I like having my contacts, calls, recents and favourites appear on the Zenec screen and my steering wheel controls work with it, is there a benefit using the Audi bluetooth instead? Is there more info on the DIS?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info about the radio.
I meant, to disable the audi bluetooth and keep the new Zenec one.
 
I have no idea but I imagine you can disable Audi BT in VCDS, I just don't know the bits you need to change. Look for a retrofit guide and do the reverse ;)
 
AK47UK said:
I have no idea but I imagine you can disable Audi BT in VCDS, I just don't know the bits you need to change. Look for a retrofit guide and do the reverse ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks, will give it a try.
Here is a pic of the extra TMC unit I received - it must have been sent in error, as I couldn't find a place to plug it into the back of the unit.
2014 05 20 141347
 
saying that, Zenec website states......

GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM


3D High-Definition navigation system
TMC receiver for free TMC data services
Extendable functionality via separate pay service TMC providers such as Traffic Master Pro (country specific)
External GPS antenna
8 GB internal flash memory with map data for 43 Eastern and Western European countries and Premium POI database
Graphical user interface and voice guidance in 28 different languages
2D or 3D map view with auto-zoom and display of 3D terrains and 3D landmarks
Eco and Smart Route Planning, Outlook address import, Real Junction View and Real Signpost rendering etc.
Text to Speech function



looks like the TMC receiver is an external part maybe not built in like I thought
 
Hi fellas,
I could be wrong, but you guys may find you can't disable the radio errors without disabling your MFSW controls. I have similar errors with my Pioneer install, but if you do find a practical solution I'd also be interested to know.

Nice unit BTW, if I hadn't already bought a Pioneer 20 months or so ago, I'd probably have one of these instead
 
If there is no where to connect the TMC receiver then surely it's internal. You could ask the retailer or manufacturer though, that's the first time I have seen that receiver in any product photos.
 
audi upgrades
Did you guys get free Map updates with your unit? Better yet, do you know where I could acquire the latest maps/speed cam database?
How do you know what version of the maps you're currently running?
 
Yes got 30 days to download all the free updated maps, after you have backed up your unit and connect to the server it tells you what updats are available for your unit
 
It's based in igo maps so if you know what you are doing you can modify the USB files after connecting it to the program to add your own customisation ;) You can buy speedcams using the software you use to update your maps, if anyone buys the speedcams can they PM me as I'm interested in comparing them to the ones I loaded into mine :)
 
It is generic iGo format, if you know where to get updated iGo speedcam POIs from then it's easy.
 
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Last night I updated my unit to fix the wrong roundabout exit on the DIS, after that the headunit wouldn't turn off with the ignition. I turned it off using the power button on the unit and now that button doesn't click, it's as if the button has got stuck in but I can't free it up. Pretty annoyed as it won't turn on now and the Zenec site has no contact details for support.
 
I had good relations with them when I had problems with my head unit, they sent out a new canbus, didnt solve the problem so they authorized the dealer to send a brand new head unit, hope you get it sorted mate
 
I read in another forum, that you should disconnect the unit (or battery). That often sorts the startup issues out.
 
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