More RNS-510 queries....

[Norbreck21a]

Hi Chaps. Still getting to know my RNS that I recently purchased from JPC 

I do have a question though. A fiend of mine also has a RNS in his Passat (direct order from the factory a couple of years ago), and we were comparing them last night. The only thing external that was different was the small button to the right of the CD eject.

His had a picture of what looked like a brightness control, where as mine has a "i" and a speaker symbol. When pressed, mine just speaks the last Navi command (mine looks like below)



Also, when we went into the menus, he has an option for Automatic screen brightness. The "automatic setting" is half way down his scroll list, where as mine only has Brightest to Darkest (as below)




Is this something that was added / removed via firmware ? My (aka Jay's old unit) is a Rev B, and Darren recently downgraded the firmware to 1100, but I also don't remember seeing it when it was running Jays 2660 firmware either ?

Not that it's a major issue, just curious to see if there are different hardware versions of the RNS ?

Cheers
Andrew

[Richn83]

That button re-plays the last nav announcement, incase you missed it.  As for the other I dont know as I run REV B with 1100 firm-ware also, but I have always thought that the sensor you have pictured looks alot like a light sensor for auto adjust-ment so sure it might be a firmware thing.

[micaerin]

Sorry to jump this thread but i will soon be upgrading from a RCD300 to the RNS510 b version, and what i thought would be an easy swap, im now feeling a little apprehensive, especially with can gateways and firmware that flattens your battery. are there anyways to make sure i can install without any of these problems, or is it install and see what faults come up?
thanks in advance

[Norbreck21a]

From what I have gathered it's pretty straightforward.

If you have an old CAN Gateway earlier than Revision L (usually cars built around 2008 backwards I think), then you have 2 options.

Option 1- Buy an A or B revision unit for a firmware up to and including 1100 (some say also 1200 works OK ?). This will ensure no battery drain issues.

Option 2 - Upgrade the CAN Gateway module to a newer version (about £140 from the dealers, cheaper on Ebay), then take your pick on A, B or C revision units, with any firmware including the latest (2660 ?)

For me, as the later firmwares only gave minimal improvements and added things like voice control and reverse camera functionality (which I don't need), I've got Darren to install FW1100 on my Rev B unit and kept the existing gateway (for now at least). Mines a 2005 GT TDi with a Revision "E" Can gateway BTW.

Other than that, it's a pretty much straight swap for an RCD300, RCD500 or MFD2. The only cable that needs to change (if you have it) is one wire on the CD changer connector (move pin 2 to Pin 3) and that's it.

[Garth]

Or option 3- get the latest revision and drive your car every day, thus having no battery drain issue 

I have an RCD510 in my 05 plate GTI with the old CAN gateway and everyone has been going on about battery drain issues, but I have never had a problem. I sometimes leave my car for up to 2 or 3 days max without driving and it hasn't gone flat yet.

[Norbreck21a]

Hadn't thought about option 3 Garth 

[micaerin]

im getting a version B how can i find out what firmware im running?

[Richn83]

You will need to enable the secret menu via VCDS, and then hold setup button down (for longer than the radio setup screen) and you can then view the firmware and hardware versions, system temperatures, and other features.