RNS-E.... is it really THAT good?

[Grangey.]

Hey all,

So currently a major thing im factoring in in my car search is the budget for an RNS-E and a double din conversion if applicable.

What im wondering though, is given these units are about £400-£500 on ebay as it is, are they really THAT good? the reason i ask, is im sure ive read somewhere that they cant even do a full UK postcode search (the digits are limited or something?), and things like having to pay silly money for bluetooth addons etc are kind of making me question them aswell.

So honestly, how good actually are these things. Getting past the OEM lovelyness of it, can they actually playback all audio formats (be it mp3, to wmv, etc etc), do they have a wide support of video formats? is their gps that accurate? are their maps pretty damn good? what CANT they do which you might normally expect? etc etc. So basically are these units really worth £4-500 vs a non OEM alternative?

 

[Tooks]

If you can look past the OEM loveliness of it, probably not!

I thought about retrofitting one for a while, and still do if I'm honest, but as my iPhone is also my iPod, and my iPhone has Navigon installed on it anyway, I went with the phone mounted in a Brodit holder linked up to an X-Car Link adaptor and Bluetooth module. Works for me, and I've got full postcode search, free map updates and free traffic routing with a small one off payment.

The RNS-E does do nav pretty well though, the ones in the Audi courtesy cars I've used has always got me to where I needed to be, and they can play music via the SD card slots too. It's just a bit of a faff for me to keep updating two music libraries really.

They do look good though!

 

[Woorlord]

RNS-E is for the OEM purist!

I am sure there are many specialist Double DIN units out there that do a lot more than the RNS-E. Audi have enhanced the original RNS-E with an RNS-E 2010 model (slight better screen resolution etc.)
For all RNS-E, Bluetooth is an extra module (and only for phone capability, no audio streaming). Video playback can be via a "video device" (iphone/Video ipod/ DVD player/ PS, etc.) through a Multimedia adpator. Requires VIM hack to use TV screen for video in TV mode while driving - not possible on RNS-E 2010 version.
CD changer is external, using the DVD-ROM/CD drive in the headunit loses sat nav capability. DVD drive cannot playback video. Does have dual SD card slots for MP3 audio playback, typically 2GB & some 4GB cards.
No DAB.
Can add a reverse camera via MM interface.
You need access to VAG-COM to fine tune the installation and add the optional modules.

But it does look good!

 

[Cabbyfan]

I retro fitted it to my last A4 did like it, especially 4Gb (2 x 2Gb) SD cards full of MP3s, and also I loved having sat nav without stupid sucky things on my windscreen.

 

[Grangey.]

hmm so far im getting the impression it would be ideal to get a faulty one, rip out its guts and replace with something abit better!

So really its the looks that make it as opposed for great all round functionality?

I dont think id buy one of these DYNAVIN.CO.UK 7" HD AUDI RNS-E A4 S4 SAT NAV IPOD | eBay UK based on price, but this kind of thing does seem quite appealing as it looks as if it would keep the oem look, whilst offering a range of better functions (such as the ability to connect external hdds, load tomtom via sd slot, etc etc).

Hmmm, alot to think about! Im just abit dissapointed it cant even support dvd video playback- even though id never use it, these is relativly standard on double din headunits with screens, and the thought of having extra changers everywhere isnt overly appealing to me either. hmmmm

Thanks guys

 

[hades-]

iin a word its crap
looks the part tho thats why i always have them
the kenwoods pioneer etc do loads more and are 100x better but they just dont look right
you can add BT dvd freeview rear screens ipod etc etc tho

 

[itsmeagain]

I fitted one to my cabby and it looks the ********. It's a shame it doesn't do a full post code search. But I have iPhone with Tom Tom on so that's not an issue. The sd card slot is good, but your limited to the amount of tunes you can stick on it. I also fitted the OEM Bluetooth module to it and for me that is great. I have used parrot kits before but didn't want anything that looked out of place on my dash. Also you can fit things like rear view cameras, screens etc.
If your after the OEM look it's the thing to have otherwise don't get one