Recommend a new Head Unit

[Andyg1978]

Hi

Decided to change the stock head unit with an aftermarket one.
Would like it to be;
Double DIN and touchscreen (touchscreen not essential but would like)
Compatible (if using correct adapter) with the steering wheel controls
iPod compatible, preferably with connector for iPod at the back of the Stereo
Bluetooth not essential as I have standard bluetooth in car already.

Have seen Sony XAV-63 and Pioneer SPH-DA100

Just after advice from anybody who has done, looked into or is planning this.

Thanks

Andy

 

[Masterkm]

Get the Pioneer with DAB built in for £350ish, great unit. Will have all of those things you want but no sat nav.

Lots of members inc myself have aftermarket double dins

 

[J400uk]

I've been investigating this myself recently. I don't like the aftermarket units so was thinking of getting a VW radio. Depending on the year of your Leon they either fit straight in or just require a fascia.

RCD 510 looks like the best bet if you don't need Nav. Its got a large 6.5" touchscreen, 6CD Changer, SD Card Reader and facility for AUX/ iPod connectivity. As its OEM steering wheel controls are supported. There are a few versions, the latest UK model packs in DAB but is pricey so I've been looking at the Chinese version which lacks DAB, RDS and traffic but comes with USB out of the box. Can be had for as little as £115 shipped here - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/VW-RCD510-Unused/751229302.html#thf

Fitted to the Leon:

 

[Andyg1978]

Thanks for the advice guys

Would the Pioneer be something like the AVH-X3500DAB?

Interesting thought about the Chinese units though - I have an 08 plate liek yours, do we not need to worry about Power drain with the RCD 510?

 

[mrbubba]

Thanks for the advice guys

Would the Pioneer be something like the AVH-X3500DAB?

Interesting thought about the Chinese units though - I have an 08 plate liek yours, do we not need to worry about Power drain with the RCD 510?

I've got one of the Chinese models, Bought it second hand from someone on VW Audi forum, it was a year old and has been in my car for another year. Only problem I had was the gps unit had a split cable, ordered a replacement off eBay for a fiver and works a treat. My bluetooth is very basic, but the quality of the calls is superb.
Sat Nav is brilliant, will work with an ipod, SD Card reader is probably the best feature, usb reader, dvd player and radio (my version wasn't dab but you can get them and even get 3g)

For the price my unit is superb value and looks oem, I would certainly but another one, maybe with dab

I also think it looks better than the one above

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2

 

[J400uk]

Interesting thought about the Chinese units though - I have an 08 plate liek yours, do we not need to worry about Power drain with the RCD 510?

Apparently the 08 is fine, its only the older Leons that have power drain issues. The Chinese RCD 510s I've been looking at are actually VW original units, they just weren't designed for the EU market hence the spec differences. Very tempted to go for one

 

[Masterkm]

Yes that pioneer one is the one I would go for now If i ddnt have mine

 

[J400uk]

I've got one of the Chinese models, Bought it second hand from someone on VW Audi forum, it was a year old and has been in my car for another year. Only problem I had was the gps unit had a split cable, ordered a replacement off eBay for a fiver and works a treat. My bluetooth is very basic, but the quality of the calls is superb.
Sat Nav is brilliant, will work with an ipod, SD Card reader is probably the best feature, usb reader, dvd player and radio (my version wasn't dab but you can get them and even get 3g)

For the price my unit is superb value and looks oem, I would certainly but another one, maybe with dab

I also think it looks better than the one above

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2

Think that's different to what I was looking at as yours doesn't look like it was made by VW?

There quite a few different variants floating about, some VW and some non-VW then you've got Chinese market versions and EU versions.

 

[mrbubba]

Think that's different to what I was looking at as yours doesn't look like it was made by VW?

There quite a few different variants floating about, some VW and some non-VW then you've got Chinese market versions and EU versions.

It won't look like a VW unit as it's a Chinese copy. The Chinese models aren't genuine VW, they are all copies. However when I took it apart the components inside are Samsung

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[itsmefishy]

I want a head unit similar to the original list but my 08 Leon doesn't have sat nav Bluetooth or steering when controls. Are there head units out there to give me sat nav and Bluetooth without having it fitted from standard?

 

[rik_t]

I've been investigating this myself recently. I don't like the aftermarket units so was thinking of getting a VW radio. Depending on the year of your Leon they either fit straight in or just require a fascia.

RCD 510 looks like the best bet if you don't need Nav. Its got a large 6.5" touchscreen, 6CD Changer, SD Card Reader and facility for AUX/ iPod connectivity. As its OEM steering wheel controls are supported. There are a few versions, the latest UK model packs in DAB but is pricey so I've been looking at the Chinese version which lacks DAB, RDS and traffic but comes with USB out of the box. Can be had for as little as £115 shipped here - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/VW-RCD510-Unused/751229302.html#thf

There are so many offered on this site, its hard to find the cheapest one which offers RDS and DAB.

 

[J400uk]

I want a head unit similar to the original list but my 08 Leon doesn't have sat nav Bluetooth or steering when controls. Are there head units out there to give me sat nav and Bluetooth without having it fitted from standard?

Yes - you need the RNS315 which comes with bluetooth and nav out of the box.

There are so many offered on this site, its hard to find the cheapest one which offers RDS and DAB.

Yeah true, eBay tends to be better for the DAB units can pick them up for around £200

It won't look like a VW unit as it's a Chinese copy. The Chinese models aren't genuine VW, they are all copies. However when I took it apart the components inside are Samsung

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

The Chinese RCD 510 is actually genuine and not a copy, the difference is it was built for the Chinese market and as such carries less features than the EU such as RDS and DAB. If you buy a new Passat or Tiguan in China that's the unit you get but they tend to swap them out for the 3rd party nav units similar to yours.

 

[Andyg1978]

Sorry for not checking this for a few days - thanks to everyone who's posted, loads to think about now, especially as my 08 wont have the power drain problems.
Quick question about the RCD 510. Is the iPod connector attached via the back or the front of the unit.

 

[J400uk]

Sorry for not checking this for a few days - thanks to everyone who's posted, loads to think about now, especially as my 08 wont have the power drain problems.
Quick question about the RCD 510. Is the iPod connector attached via the back or the front of the unit.

Should be via the rear normally. The Chinese version generally has the connector built in (see picture) and the EU version would use the existing CD-Changer/ iPod wiring in the car if present.

 

[TarekElsakka]

mrbubba would you happen to have a link to that head unit, mate? By the way, the one in the OP's post is a replica of the OEM RCD 510 and seems to actually have genuine parts from VW, whereas the second one is completely aftermarket but I think it's so much better feature and value-wise. The RCD 510 comes as standard with the Golf Mk6 and when I played with it I felt like it's nothing more than a glorified RCD 310 like the one that came with my car. I'll be going for a Chinese one soon hopefully when I can get enough money.

 

[mrbubba]

mrbubba would you happen to have a link to that head unit, mate? By the way, the one in the OP's post is a replica of the OEM RCD 510 and seems to actually have genuine parts from VW, whereas the second one is completely aftermarket but I think it's so much better feature and value-wise. The RCD 510 comes as standard with the Golf Mk6 and when I played with it I felt like it's nothing more than a glorified RCD 310 like the one that came with my car. I'll be going for a Chinese one soon hopefully when I can get enough money.

Mine was bought from a member on the VW Audi forum and was second hand, most of the Chinese copies are the same on ebay, just find one from a reputable seller

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Andyg1978]

Got a few here;

DAB versions

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-RCD-51...5?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item1e7604f6c5

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAB-Volks...0?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item27d1bdaac6

Non DAB versions, from China I think

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Car-ra...8?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item53f32dae1c

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-RCD510...8?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item460e385fd0

are these the sort of thing?

 

[J400uk]

Got a few here;

DAB versions

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-RCD-51...5?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item1e7604f6c5

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAB-Volks...0?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item27d1bdaac6

Non DAB versions, from China I think

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Car-ra...8?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item53f32dae1c

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-RCD510...8?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item460e385fd0

are these the sort of thing?

No those are the proper VW units, think mrbubba and TarekElsakka are referring to the third party (non-VW made) units.

I've just got hold of a RNS 310 (aka SEAT Media System 2.0) from a 2010 Leon been broken for parts. Should arrive soon hopefully and planning to fit next week

 

[rackha]

Bought one of these Chinese units. Having a problem recognising my usb stick. And configuring steering wheel controls. Does the usb have to be any particular type or formatted in any particular file system? And I want to reassign the steering wheel controls. How do I do this. The manual is a waste of paper does explain anything well.

 

[Jimbobcook]

I've been investigating this myself recently. I don't like the aftermarket units so was thinking of getting a VW radio. Depending on the year of your Leon they either fit straight in or just require a fascia.

RCD 510 looks like the best bet if you don't need Nav. Its got a large 6.5" touchscreen, 6CD Changer, SD Card Reader and facility for AUX/ iPod connectivity. As its OEM steering wheel controls are supported. There are a few versions, the latest UK model packs in DAB but is pricey so I've been looking at the Chinese version which lacks DAB, RDS and traffic but comes with USB out of the box. Can be had for as little as £115 shipped here - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/VW-RCD510-Unused/751229302.html#thf

Fitted to the Leon:

Hey buddy I know I got this from the ancient times but just wanted to check that the unit you got fitted is still going strong? I only need the access to put a sub in and connect my ipod to the screen...

Cheers

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