RNS510 connection to Android phone

[Bingers1978]

Morning All

I have just taken possession of a Golf with an RNS510 sat nav system which does not appear to have bluetooth. Does anyone know if there is anyway I can play music through it from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phone (Android) as the physical connector is only Apple-based.

I have tried connecting the phone using a "Cablejive" apple-to-android adaptor cable (which works on my Bose sounddock) and if I turn the volume up to max on both car and phone I can just hear what is playing as a distant, tinny noise but that's the closest to success I have come.

I have also tried using a Kensington FM Transmitter but the car doesn't seem to be able to find it. All very frustrating. So if anyone can assist I would be hugely grateful. I can't believe there is no way to connect the two systems!

Many thanks,

Richard

[SuperchargedVR6]

You'll need the appropriate MDI connector from VW (or ebay) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Music-Interface-MDI-M... and possibly a firmware update of the MDI box.

Or you can buy a Bluetooth module from VW, or s/hand from ebay. The RNS510 does not have native Bluetooth. It's all done via external boxes. The Bluetooth you want is the box that sits under the seat, not the ugly parrot thing that sits on the dash.

[va1o]

As above you'll need to use the appropriate MDI cable, but even then there is no guarantee that will work as its very dependant on how the phone manufacturer has configured the phone to behave on USB.

The easiest option to get your own music on the RNS 510 is generally either via SD card or AUX input.

For Bluetooth Audio you need a separate module which then gives you the option under the Media menu.

[SuperchargedVR6]

va1o said:

The easiest option to get your own music on the RNS 510 is generally either via SD card or AUX input.

That's what I ended up doing because Apple blame VW for my iPhone 5S not connecting via MDI, and VW blame Apple, so as usual the customer suffers whilst they faff around amongst themselves.

For convenience you can copy the SD card to the internal HDD, which is also a LOT faster to boot up in the mornings. Or you can get an MDI to USB cable and just use a memory stick.

There are also quite a few RNS510 clones appearing on ebay, which apparently play anything and everything, for less than £300.

[va1o]

I've found my iPhone works better after doing a firmware update on the MDI, might be worth trying that SuperchargedVR6?

The RNS clones are cheap but trouble is they lack integration with the rest of the cars electronics. Things like the MFD display, optical parking system and climate control screen can cease to function

[SuperchargedVR6]

va1o said:

I've found my iPhone works better after doing a firmware update on the MDI, might be worth trying that SuperchargedVR6?

The RNS clones are cheap but trouble is they lack integration with the rest of the cars electronics. Things like the MFD display, optical parking system and climate control screen can cease to function

I've just bought the MDI to USB cable to give that a go, using the firmware updates from my-gti.com
I find it a bit confusing though as it's all to do with vehicle manufacture date, and my MDI is a retrofit into a MK5. I might just pay VW £50 to do it if I don't get anywhere

I agree, I always prefer the OEM route if possible!