MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Sat Nav and Car Audio => Topic started by: mtainkat on January 19, 2010, 08:49:03 pm

Title: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: mtainkat on January 19, 2010, 08:49:03 pm
Having just bought a MK5 GTI with the RNS510 I'm a bit disappointed that the unit doesn't have better security to discourage theft.

As a result I've been looking into potential security options & came across window security film, much like tint film but thicker & completely clear. I wondered if anyone has had this fitted or has any experience of it?

thanks

Simon
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: vRStu on January 19, 2010, 08:51:26 pm
I think a decent insurance policy is your best defence.


They'll just break things until they get in or until they get bored of breaking things.
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: stealthwolf on January 19, 2010, 09:47:08 pm
The RNS is installed in such a way that it is impossible to remove without taking the dash apart. Good for opportunistic thieves. Bad for determined ones.
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: JPC on January 19, 2010, 10:10:57 pm
Don't you worry stealth, a proper one will have that out in less than 30 seconds! Get it on the insurance
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: Greeners on January 19, 2010, 10:20:28 pm
Don't you worry stealth, a proper one will have that out in less than 30 seconds! Get it on the insurance

Yep they aint gonna worry about taking the dash trim out carefully!! Gone in 60 seconds!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: pazz on January 19, 2010, 10:27:34 pm
Bang goes your no claims bonus!

I know my insurance policy only covers audio equipment up to the value of £1250. So might be worthwhile reading your policy booklet as this is quite common. Especially on non-standard equipment, but I'm not sure where you'd stand on that one.
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: VC on January 19, 2010, 10:28:45 pm
there are various options for window security films, i can supply most of them  :smiley:

but unless youre really really wanting them, for the sake of protecting a smashed window for a stereo? i would say dont, but its personal choice

fire crews can pop smash windows quickly in an accident, film covered ones have to be folded before they can be removed with most films  :smiley:

ICE insurance ftw
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: vRStu on January 19, 2010, 10:32:47 pm
In truth a stolen unit wouldn't be much use to a scally as they are coded.  Unless you have access to the VW code generator or the code is written on the unit (as most retrofit ones do) then it's quite difficult to make use of one.
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: JPC on January 19, 2010, 10:34:59 pm
Can't they change the EEPROM of the chip or simply change the chip?
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: vRStu on January 19, 2010, 10:45:11 pm
Can't they change the EEPROM of the chip or simply change the chip?

Yeah but your average ned ain't gonna be doing that.
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: JPC on January 19, 2010, 10:45:50 pm
Ah. True true
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: mtainkat on January 21, 2010, 05:24:02 pm

 Thanks for the replies guys...

 Having thought about it I'm not going with the Security film, looks quite limited in it's usefulness & even a couple of tinting companies have told me not to bother, even though they could have made some cash out of me.

 Unfortunately my insuarnce only covers ICE up to £1250 although I think if it ever got stolen I'd go with something aftermarket anyway, preferably with better unit security (removable panel etc)

 One thing I have considered is using the fascia from a basic VW OEM unit as a "dummy cover", might just work?


 simon
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: xxx_mojo_xxx on January 21, 2010, 05:50:25 pm
I don't want to tempt fate...but surely there can't be a vibrant stolen RNS 510 market out there in the hood?  :jumping:
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: stealthwolf on January 21, 2010, 05:53:59 pm
I can't remember who but someone else had an aftermarket HU with a fake OEM standard HU cover. Don't think it'd fit the RNS without making it look too obvious.
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: gazbutS3 on January 21, 2010, 05:56:26 pm
I can't remember who but someone else had an aftermarket HU with a fake OEM standard HU cover. Don't think it'd fit the RNS without making it look too obvious.

It was Hurdy, he cut the front of an old RCD unit
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: VC on January 21, 2010, 09:32:23 pm
..and apart from a few glue vapour burns it looked bang on too  :happy2:

cant find the thread though
Title: Re: Protecting your RNS 510 ?
Post by: Lyons on January 22, 2010, 07:51:05 am
Unfortunately my insuarnce only covers ICE up to £1250 although I think if it ever got stolen I'd go with something aftermarket anyway, preferably with better unit security (removable panel etc)

Do you have other ICE aswell, or are you just thinking that a new RNS from VW would be over £1250? Because you could get two of them off ebay for that price.

I dont think the RCD front over an RNS would work to be honest. The 2 knobs on the front of the RNS would mean that the RCD couldnt get anywhere near flush enough, and if anything it would look like the stereo was sitting out- ready to steal.