After market nav options

[Luke s]

I'm after a nav head unit for my 05 Gti but would rather go after market for a better sound quality but not sure on what to go for as it's not something I've looked into before. Can anyone recommend a good unit for around £500 mark?

Cheers
Luke

[bbfb10]

I got a Kenwood DNX 521 DAB from ebay for less than £500. Great bit of kit.

[griff30]

Hi, do you know if these kenwoods or other aftermarket units will cause the battery drain problem, or is it just the rns510?   Mines a 2007 so I think likely to have the older canbus gateway

[bbfb10]

No battery drain on mine. I think its only VW headunits that cause battery drain.

[Yorkie92]

Dynavin N6 is a good unit

[skard]

Aftermarket HU's can drain the battery, but for a very different reason to the 'battery drain issue' that is commonly asked.
That particular problem is for third generation OEM HU's where the CAN gateway needs updated with a newer software or replacement.

Aftermarket stereo's only have a permanent live to take power from in the loom, so you need to take a switched live feed from elsewhere or buy a 'CANBUS box' to turn off the power when the key is removed from the ignition. VAG specific units come with them anyway.
Or if you have a face-off stereo that will turn off the stereo.

[griff30]

OK thanks. A VW specific aftermarket might be a cheaper/better option then for me if I dont have to buy and fit a newer canbus as well. Im not bothered about keeping the OEM look with the RNS, Im more worried about sound quality and the Kenwoods seem to have stronger amps in them (4x50W mosfet vs 4x20W).

[skard]

I am a big advocate of Zenec HU's, I have had five different models between mine and what I have put in my mates VW's.

The NC2011D is a good one, though a little older now. Have added a DAB box to it, camera etc.