Kenwood DNX520VBT

[Markydee]

Cheers for the advice - did u update the firmware before u installed it or was it already up to date?
If u did what was involved?

Thanks again

[Randeep]

Yes I updated to version 1.8 which is the latest. All you need to do is put the files at the root level on a USB stick.  Put the system into standby, go to Menu, setup, system, version (can't remember the menu of the to of my head  ) .  This tells what code the system is on. If the files are valid the update button highlighted

[Markydee]

Cheers mate - some great info. 

[Markydee]

I'm looking at getting this HU fitted so have rang a few car audio places - been quoted £65 but then said I'd need to buy a quad lock harness (surely this is already included on a VW specific unit)? And also an Ariel booster ( is this required?). Also rang VW main dealer and they quoted £59. If it was a simple install I'd go with the VW dealer but the vehicle already has a nokia Bluetooth kit installed and the VW specific iPod connection in the armrest. I don't want these ripping out incase I want to remove the kenwood at alter date. I can see this causing problems as I'm unsure on a main dealers knowledge /experience with ICE?
Sounds like the audio specialist is going to try to flog me loads of extras I don't need though - guy said he'd installed the same unit in a sirocco this week and he had to replace ISO for quadlock- is this the case?
Any held/ advice, as always, will be greatly appreciated
Cheers

[Randeep]

Hi Markydee,

Did you get it fitted in the end. If not, it is pretty straight forward. If you purchase the headunit from the place we did (VW) the harness should come with the unit. To be honest I think it comes with the unit anyway!I dont think you need the ariel booster either as I do recall an adaptor coming with the headunit. In regards to the bluetooth and and Nokia handset VW will not touch any of that, just ask them to leave any spare wires tucked in round the back.

Cheers
Randeep

[Markydee]

Hi Randeep

Not got it fitted yet - It's an xmas pressie from the mrs! Hope to get it fitted next week! Yeah got mine from VW so harness etc included.
One question - Everywhere I am ringing for installation quotes is saying i'll need an ariel booster/adapter or change the whole ariel?
Does anyone know if this is the case - I presumed it would just be plug an play?
Anyone had reception issues on the kenwoods?
If adapter is required which one do I need? What are the options for replacement ariels.

Cheers

[Markydee]

Finally goy this unit fitted at the weekend by COVICS nr Coventry - quality work, nice guy, great price, certainly knew his stuff. Can thoroughly recommend his work if anyone is looking for a decent place for an install.

Anyway first impressions of the Kenwood are spot on. Great unit.
Nav is perfect as garmin usually is - reception great with GPS antenna located under vent nicely hidden away.
Bluetooth - faultless with iPhone 4S, paired straight away, downloads phone book instantly, phone quality excellent with mic located on top of rear view mirror- looks very neat. Tried to install in unit for interior light but would quite fit but hardly noticible where it is - looks much better than on A pillar.
DVD - great - 10 speaker surround sound DTS superb.
iPod interface - this bit pains me as it is awesome - works instantly, plays iPod video faultlessly etc. I was hoping it wouldn't be great as I don't wont to use leads at front of unit!
USB - purchased tiny 32gb thumb drive - filled to max with music - found that total numbers of folders allowed per device is 255 so had to re- structure my library but now all works faultlessly, shows I'd tags, album art etc. even sorts itself to can play playlist by genre, artist etc by using the I'd tags.
By far the best thing though is the sound quality - blows the rcd300 out of the water, never thought for a second that standard speakers could sound so good!
Overall I'm chuffed and would recommend one to anyone - not quite Oem but looks great IMO, especially with new start screen loaded on 






Just changed the start up screen to this-

[Andy]

looks really good that unit--take it there is a cover that goes over the usb slot when not in use

[Markydee]

Cheers  :happy2:There is indeed a cover that slides over the USB port - the pics shown are with my USB drive plugged in - went as small as could find but think its actually too small as doesn't fill the open slot.

[Alltorque]

Hi, I am looking at one of these too,
I have a few questions ....,, just one or two 

Does it have internal storage ?  If so how much??
Can you connect USB or iPod into the back of the unit?
Does it show the sat nav directions on the mfd??
 Does it connect straight into the factory wiring???
And finally,,, , can you make a call by just pressing the phone button on the steering wheel and "saying" the name of the contact you want??.

[Markydee]

Hi
No internal storage but I have a 32 gig USB thumb in and works no probs - may even take a 64 if u want more.
There is a mini USB in rear of unit but seems to be only for map updates - can't seem to get a definitive answer on this - going to give kenwood a bell.
No sat nav on mfd - just says "kenwood"if select audio option but I always have mfd showing mpg etc anyway - not an issue to me as why have a 7 " screen if going to look at a 2"  dot matrix display. Nest nav instructions show on bottom of screen for all sources if u don't want full map displayed on screen. Vice versa track info is displayed at the bottom if you are displaying full screen map.
Fitting is just plug and play to original loom - canbus, Ariel booster etc all there.
I've not got steering wheels controls (yet) but all apparently work as with OEM kit, the unit does support voice dialling so can't see why this would work with MFSW either.
Loads of info on the seat Cupra forum - just google model name etc. some guy on there has put together a whole web page on the kenwood with really usefull links for updates etc - loads of great info - well worth a read if your considering 1.
I was dubious when I purchased mine but am defo glad I got it now its installed - great bit of kit and I can only recommend...

Did I mention the sound quality improvements!

[Dave J]

Great write up - still have yet to fit this unit into my car - had planned to over Christmas but it rained so much!

Just a couple of questions, if you don't mind. How did you manage to change the boot-up splash screen? I really like the idea of using the VW Navigation logo - I think it makes the unit much more OEM. Does it have to be a specific size & file format?

[Markydee]

Take a look at these links - all the info you need...

Some great info on this site with a link to a guys site that contains links for firmware updates, Bluetooth updates, how to guides etc... Have a look... Can also get free lifetime subscription to garmins traffic servi ce for free which works a treat..

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=317369

http://darkmoon.dyndns-ip.com/dnx520vbt

Loads of start up screens here so take ya pick...

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f78/rns-510-custom-boot-screens-67987.html

Guide on how to change start up screen...

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1033549/kenwood-dnx8120-custom-start-up-screen

Loads of info on kenwoods site too - instructions on how to change start up screen etc are included in the instruction manual that comes with the headunit - you can download an electronic copy of the manual from me woods site if you haven't got it.

I also accidentally ordered 2 iPod leads from kenwood so am going to put one on eBay - rrp £60 - but if you're are interested in buying one let me know - was only looking for £20.

Enjoy you're headunit - it's a great bit of kit and the sound is awesome, Bluetooth and nav are both faultless, been looking at getting the reverse camera today £120 on amazon.... Tempting 

[Markydee]

Few more pics of the unit...

[Dave J]

Many thanks - i appreciate all the info! I'll go away and read up on the manual as I've missed some bits in there on the splashscreen.

Look forward to having this fitted - was worried I'd made the wrong choice compared to an RNS510, but I keep looking at cost of headunit, plus bluetooth module, plus MDI, and I still think what I paid for the Kenwood is better (paid nowhere near the RRP of £999!).

Cheers for the extra pics - it looks great. I'm off to look for a mini USD drive now...

Coming from my mkiv with a MFD1 & the VW upgrade speakers all round, I was pretty disappointed with the RCD300 in the ED30. Sounds as though just the headunit alone helps improve the sound.
Also - cheers for the offer on the Ipod lead - weirdly, my unit seems to have this included already!