Japanese RNS510 model

[Rob1]

Hi all I have seen the above advertised on eBay, I am not totally clued up on the technical side of things my question is would a unit from japan work in the UK.
Thanks Rob1

[bacillus]

I'm no expert but you need to ensure the tuning frequency scale/increments of that unit matches the UK ones or else your stations will never be properly tuned.

[Degudodger]

You will also need to update the maps

[Viking]

I know you can't operate a UK spec RNS510 in the States as there are issues, even after updating the maps. Whether it's a firmware issue of not I'm not sure, but I would be inclined to buy one designed and built for this market. I've seen that Jap spec one on Ebay loads of times (I presume he's listing it as a "Rare" one?), and no one else has bought it. That ought to tell you something.

[Rob1]

Indeed it definitely raised my suspicion, however I may have another one built in the uk apparently a 2013 led model.

Ok next question if I buy a unit built for the British market and install it in mk5 would I need to upgrade my standard bee sting aerial, apologies if that's a silly question but my knowledge regarding the rns510 is fairly limited.
Thanks Rob1

[Viking]

What are you replacing? You shouldn't need to replace the aerial, but you may need to fit a gps antenna if you don't have one fitted already.

[Rob1]

Thanks for the reply Viking, I don't have a gps antenna fitted but just to clarify are you referring the black lead with a square box which would sit just under the dash board?

Thanks rob1

[skard]

I think Japan use a different bandwidth to the UK, so you might not got many radio stations

[Viking]

Thanks for the reply Viking, I don't have a gps antenna fitted but just to clarify are you referring the black lead with a square box which would sit just under the dash board?

Thanks rob1

Yep, that's correct.

[Rob1]

Cheers mate, also once fitted would I be required to have a garage plug in the computer so the unit can be reset with the car?
Thanks rob1

[Viking]

Now that I'm not sure.There might be something to do depending on your existing setup, but I only upgraded from an earlier version to a later one so it was plug & play.

[Degudodger]

My advice would be to buy a unit destined for the Uk/European market as you know it will be compatable. Others may be slightly cheaper but is it really worth the hassle?

If you car doesn't already have a GPS antenna you can buy a square puck antenna for less than £10 which can be mounted just above the stereo but still under the dash. If your car is pre 2008 chances are you will also need a new Gateway which can be bought from Eddie-NL. My advice would be to get it pre coded.

Just my 5p of advice (adjusted for inflation)

[Rob1]

Thanks for the responses guys, my car is a 08 plate registered in March 2008 so I would assume the cambus gateway would be fine. The current set up is the standard radio (RCD 500 I believe) with the iPod adapter in the centre console.
I have found one in the London area priced at £400, it is apparently a 2013 model with the LED's.

[bacillus]

08 model should have a canbus gateway that will not have a battery drain issue with a RNS510.