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Looking to upgrade my factory audio system on 2015 Beach

B

bilberry

Guest User
Does anyone have recommendations for an audio and satnav system to replace the factory set in my 2015 Beach? I’m hoping there’s something that will fairly simply fit into the slot…

No need for CD player, just a more up-to-date audio, phone and satnav that, ideally, would work with the steering wheel controls.
 
Talk to absolute T5 in Amesbury. Will fit or supply. Will give good advice.
 
In my naivety, I imagined a new system might be a few hundred pounds. Goodness! Just looked at the Kenwood option, which looks great…but well over a thousand pounds!

So, what about using an iPad and mount for satnav and music etc. Has anyone done this?
 
Below unit is very good, you will also need a Kenwood interface lead to make use of your existing steering wheel controls, will also show climate control, parking sensors on the headunit, and radio station on the MFD.

It comes with a mic which can be put on the drivers windscreen trim, or you can buy a new fiscon mic (with 3.5m Jack plug) which can be housed in the existing VW trim above the drivers head; If you have Bluetooth already, you will need to just unplug the existing VW Bluetooth module which sits under the glovebox (easy to remove the glove box), as the Kenwood headunit has Bluetooth built in.

Speak to Absolute 5, they will be able to supply exactly what you need. (Don’t buy a third party interface lead as you will loose some functionality & will end up with a birds nest of wires making the units hard to slide back into place. Kenwood interface lead has one plug, no splicing of wires required)

Multimedia Systems & Apple Carplay • DMX8019DABS Features • KENWOOD UK

www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk
 
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Hi, as @Ch1pbutty says. You can use your phone for Waze or similar Satnav with CarPlay and the Kenwood has a good display in bright sunlight and doesn’t take an age to wake up.
 
bilberry said:
In my naivety, I imagined a new system might be a few hundred pounds. Goodness! Just looked at the Kenwood option, which looks great…but well over a thousand pounds!

So, what about using an iPad and mount for satnav and music etc. Has anyone done this?
Click to expand...
I initially had some thoughts about an iPad being inappropriate as it could be a distraction, games, movies, safari etc.

But actually it’s just a big Iphone so it should be legal to use.

But if all you’re using it for is satnav and music then an iPhone would do the job better as they are already hundreds of cradle solution out there to attach it near your dash.
 
I upgraded my 2015 SE. with a head unit off ebay about 3 years ago. Was about £150 and took ten minutes to fit. These are the details from the for sale advert when I sold it on here when I traded the van in.
Fits in about 15 minutes, prise out dash tray, undo two screws, pull fascia trim towards you, undo 4 screws. Pull radio out, unclip cables, fitting new one is the reverse of the above.

The unit has built in bluetooth with its own microphone.

I was told when I bought it that the unit was designed apparently for the Belgian market & taken out of a brand new Polo.

The photos below show most of the features, I replaced the basic radio CD in the van with this.

Steering wheel buttons - paired perfectly steering wheel controls worked the same as normal.

Its touch screen or use the scrolling knob up & down the menus.

Radio - does not support traffic news or auto retuning as you loose a signal.

Phone - has built in bluetooth & microphone, works whether your phone is plugged in via a usb lead or just paired automatically via blue tooth. Features via CarPlay if plugged in include being able to dictate text messages & have incoming texts read out to you.

Parking sensors - my factory fit VW sensors still beeped as usual & there was a far better graphical display showing the van Outline.

Media mode - allows bluetooth pairing & streaming of music from phone with basic next track etc functions. - this can be a different phone paired than the phone used for calls.

Connected by USB - full set of usual car play functions, I hade maps, Waze and google maps on my phone, use any of them, also I use Spotify or Apple Music. Can have split screen showing Music and maps at the same time.

comes with Vw specific leads.

IMG_2182.jpg
 
andyinluton said:
I upgraded my 2015 SE. with a head unit off ebay about 3 years ago. Was about £150 and took ten minutes to fit. These are the details from the for sale advert when I sold it on here when I traded the van in.
Fits in about 15 minutes, prise out dash tray, undo two screws, pull fascia trim towards you, undo 4 screws. Pull radio out, unclip cables, fitting new one is the reverse of the above.

The unit has built in bluetooth with its own microphone.

I was told when I bought it that the unit was designed apparently for the Belgian market & taken out of a brand new Polo.

The photos below show most of the features, I replaced the basic radio CD in the van with this.

Steering wheel buttons - paired perfectly steering wheel controls worked the same as normal.

Its touch screen or use the scrolling knob up & down the menus.

Radio - does not support traffic news or auto retuning as you loose a signal.

Phone - has built in bluetooth & microphone, works whether your phone is plugged in via a usb lead or just paired automatically via blue tooth. Features via CarPlay if plugged in include being able to dictate text messages & have incoming texts read out to you.

Parking sensors - my factory fit VW sensors still beeped as usual & there was a far better graphical display showing the van Outline.

Media mode - allows bluetooth pairing & streaming of music from phone with basic next track etc functions. - this can be a different phone paired than the phone used for calls.

Connected by USB - full set of usual car play functions, I hade maps, Waze and google maps on my phone, use any of them, also I use Spotify or Apple Music. Can have split screen showing Music and maps at the same time.

comes with Vw specific leads.

View attachment 91702
Click to expand...
Do you know the name of this model? It would be what I would like, especially at this price!
 
I cant see one on there at the moment but how about :eBay item number:184762529605

If I've understood you correctly, you don't need a unit with satnav built in, just something that runs CarPlay so it can display a satnav system thats running off your phone? If thats the case something like this should do.
 
That’s it in a nutshell. I don’t need a satnav service. I’ve looked at the head unit and it looks good, but it’s not clear whether it would fit the dash shape.
andyinluton said:
I cant see one on there at the moment but how about :eBay item number:184762529605

If I've understood you correctly, you don't need a unit with satnav built in, just something that runs CarPlay so it can display a satnav system thats running off your phone? If thats the case something like this should do.
Click to expand...
.
 
Take a photo of what you've got & send it to the seller & ask.
Also worth posting on here so there is no confusion as to what you have already.
They might ask for a Vin Number most of the online dealers are extremely helpful & will find you the one that does fit.
 
The VW RNS 510 model is a direct fit, as Andy says very easy replacement process for the head unit in a T5.1 - readily available cheaply.

the RNS 510 does have Sat NAV, SD, CD /DVD, hands free calling etc. see photo of the unit.
(Can be hacked to allow DVD to be watched whilst the vehicle is moving )
will work with steering wheel controls


USB interface can be added via an additional cable subject to the unit having the require interface. (This model was produced over a period of time and updated through the production run so there were quite a few changes to units over the years, to add functionality upgrades)

edit, also has built in HDD so you can load the Sat Nav data to the HDD & use the SD Slot for music etc.

edit: factory reversing camera can be retrofitted for use with the unit


just make sure any unit you buy has the security code to activate the unit

56E03D28-D088-4C47-A8EF-4A4A93EB6786.jpeg

D47B6EED-AD3E-42F9-AD7D-DA1D90565A00.jpeg
 
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A side question here if I were to go for CarPlay. What happens now that we have to pay for data roaming in Europe as these units must rely completely on the phone.
 
bilberry said:
A side question here if I were to go for CarPlay. What happens now that we have to pay for data roaming in Europe as these units must rely completely on the phone.
Click to expand...
You pay for Sat Nav use whilst roaming

typically EE is either £2 per day or £10 monthly subs !
 
AndyFromTheBrac said:
Personally I would avoid the RNS 510
Click to expand...
I have heard that argument before, but I don’t see it myself, I think marketing has a lot to do with that train of thought.

having Had a retro fitted RNS510, I found it excellent and not prone to issues Of some newer units.
maps can be loaded to HDD or SD card or both , phone, DVD, rear camera capable, MFSW compatible and OEM equipment, DAB, Handfree, etc etc.
It can be updated very easily

I suppose it’s what you want from a unit but I don’t see the later offering offering up much (if any ) addition / tangible benefit vs the cost of a used RNS510 which are cheap and plentif U.K. which was what the OP was surprised at (cost of new units) hence my suggestion:
cheap,
factory fit,
Highly useable
reliable
good Sat Nav
 
AndyFromTheBrac said:
Personally I would avoid the RNS 510 as it’s old now and the nav wasn’t that good when they were new. What I think @andyinluton was referring to is more like the RCD 330 (search RCD 330 T5) - I think it’s one of the cheapest options for a decent factory-looking fit.

If you’re happy to rely on your phone nav and music apps on your phone, then items like these are ideal.

I’ve a CarPlay-equipped Alpine head unit and I love it. It retains all the climate/sensor displays and I’ve never been anywhere near regular radio (or even DAB) since I swapped my 510 out several years ago.
Click to expand...
Another one for the RNS510.
Has taken me all over Europe and hasn't failed ma once.
Easy to use especially if you read the Handbook. Certainly seems more capable than some modern units. No roaming charges, easily updated and not dependant on a mobile phone signal.
 
Last edited:
bilberry said:
Does anyone have recommendations for an audio and satnav system to replace the factory set in my 2015 Beach? I’m hoping there’s something that will fairly simply fit into the slot…

No need for CD player, just a more up-to-date audio, phone and satnav that, ideally, would work with the steering wheel controls.
Click to expand...
Try SatNav systems uk limited 0203 141 4114 speak to Hamid he's a top man with top knowledge and and great on Price.
 
AndyFromTheBrac said:
It’s not marketing at all, I don’t sell these. I can only offer my genuine opinion of having had both the RNS 510 and a couple of CarPlay (or android auto) units. They’re night and day. If you’re used to your phone and it’s ecosystem, then you’re going to find it second nature. If you don’t care for that then that’s fine, I just thought I’d offer it up here.

It’s a myth that roaming costs must be incurred for the time you may be abroad. Music and audio books can all be downloaded. Google maps allows caching of map data so that you can operate with mobile data turned off completely. TBH it doesn’t use very much data even with it turned on.

Loved my 510 when I had it, even if it did stubbornly believe for years that a large chunk of the A46 by Newark was a field (despite the best efforts of the VW dealer and my wallet).
Click to expand...
I didn’t suggest you sell car stereos, I suggest a lot of the perceived benefit of “modern solutions” is marketing To solve problems that didn’t /don’t exist in the main.

Your opinion is Valid and welcome, so Appologies if you feel that my opposing opinion & suggestion undermined your views.

if You use Roaming abroad, in general, you will pay either daily or monthly charges (since the B word). Which you wouldn’t otherwise with an integrated Sat Nav system.

Phone need to charged, maintained and phone plans / contracts need to be paid for regardless if lost / broken / faulty or otherwise inaccessible, you loose the ability to navigate, which in your home country may not be a major problem but whilst aboard !
When an Integrated Sat Nav has a back up of a mobile phone, a mobile phone doesn’t generally have a back up (I.e. many of us don’t have additional phones).

I Can only speak from my experience, , in four years of ownership, my RNS510 performed faultlessly. It was easy to update myself !
VW dealers don’t have the necessary skill set to diagnose problems with what is essentially a third party device (a Sat Nav ) They will merely apply whatever update VW tell them. There are some Excellent Experts in the field ( such sd the one recommended above by the OP). that can solve almost all issues, particularly as it is their main business (unlike VW dealer). Would you take your phone to a VW dealer when it doesn’t work in your VW van ?

Horses for courses, thats what make choice great, the OP suggested they were looking for an updated “Audio satnav the replace the factory set” in their van, a phone is neither, its a phone with (as suggested ) the capability’s to plug into another device (head unit) fitted the the vehicle, which will then replicate third party programs, that can be projected onto the head unit which is required as a base interface to enable the phone to function as you state, it cannot play music through the car speaker system, without the head unit interface, it cannot make & receive calls (legally) through the car system without the head unit interface, it cannot be controlled via the MFSW without the car system etc etc.

using a phone has many many advantage, however a phone is an additional bolt on to a head unit without which the phone would be next to useless, in the context of driving legally

The RNS 510 etc is a cost effective stand alone integrated solution to the OPs question.

To “Avoid“ a cost effective and integrated one stop solution simply because it is “Old“ or there is instances where people have had issues with using / updating the unit is simply not a reason to Avoid it,
particularly if the “Old” integrated system is still highly effective relevant.
 
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if you’re making a change then I’d recommend sometime with CarPlay as it really is great. Most major manufacturers now have as standard.
Plenty of apps available for music, Tidal/Spotify/Amazon music etc and no data used if you have downloaded on your phone.
Also Waze beats any other nav hands down esp dynamic routing and incident reporting.
Audible, Tuni in radio, BBC sounds and lots of other stuff.
Some of it uses data but a few £s isn’t a lot for the extra it brings.
As for losing a phone, yes it can happen but the odds are there will be another family member with one anyway. You can always get a unit with nav build on (out Kenwood has Garmin) if you did lose it!
 
bilberry said:
A side question here if I were to go for CarPlay. What happens now that we have to pay for data roaming in Europe as these units must rely completely on the phone.
Click to expand...
I think a fair few have waved roaming fees. Worth checking. I’m on O2 who have no roaming charges.
 
Perfectos said:
I didn’t suggest you sell car stereos, I suggest a lot of the perceived benefit of “modern solutions” is marketing To solve problems that didn’t /don’t exist in the main.

Your opinion is Valid and welcome, so Appologies if you feel that my opposing opinion & suggestion undermined your views.

if You use Roaming abroad, in general, you will pay either daily or monthly charges (since the B word). Which you wouldn’t otherwise with an integrated Sat Nav system.

Phone need to charged, maintained and phone plans / contracts need to be paid for regardless if lost / broken / faulty or otherwise inaccessible, you loose the ability to navigate, which in your home country may not be a major problem but whilst aboard !
When an Integrated Sat Nav has a back up of a mobile phone, a mobile phone doesn’t generally have a back up (I.e. many of us don’t have additional phones).

I Can only speak from my experience, , in four years of ownership, my RNS510 performed faultlessly. It was easy to update myself !
VW dealers don’t have the necessary skill set to diagnose problems with what is essentially a third party device (a Sat Nav ) They will merely apply whatever update VW tell them. There are some Excellent Experts in the field ( such sd the one recommended above by the OP). that can solve almost all issues, particularly as it is their main business (unlike VW dealer). Would you take your phone to a VW dealer when it doesn’t work in your VW van ?

Horses for courses, thats what make choice great, the OP suggested they were looking for an updated “Audio satnav the replace the factory set” in their van, a phone is neither, its a phone with (as suggested ) the capability’s to plug into another device (head unit) fitted the the vehicle, which will then replicate third party programs, that can be projected onto the head unit which is required as a base interface to enable the phone to function as you state, it cannot play music through the car speaker system, without the head unit interface, it cannot make & receive calls (legally) through the car system without the head unit interface, it cannot be controlled via the MFSW without the car system etc etc.

using a phone has many many advantage, however a phone is an additional bolt on to a head unit without which the phone would be next to useless, in the context of driving legally

The RNS 510 etc is a cost effective stand alone integrated solution to the OPs question.

To “Avoid“ a cost effective and integrated one stop solution simply because it is “Old“ or there is instances where people have had issues with using / updating the unit is simply not a reason to Avoid it,
particularly if the “Old” integrated system is still highly effective relevant.
Click to expand...
The only gripesI have with the RNS510 are more to do with ancillaries…
The voice control is entertaining rather than useful, seems insist I should listen to BBC Radio Shropshire rather than BBC Radio 4.
The traffic information source used for the sat nav is not very precise, especially when compared to WAZE etc.
If you can get hold of one for a decent price, well worth considering.
 
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