MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: MrP80 on September 04, 2011, 10:38:16 pm

Title: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: MrP80 on September 04, 2011, 10:38:16 pm
Hi All,

I've just joined in search of a Mk5 but I've got some questions, I did search but wanted some opinions that I couldn't find.

The first is about audio. I've seen the various options and I've seen iPod integrations from VW. But it looks like to get full control of the iPod (search any track, all playlist etc) then the standard head units come up a bit short, even with Sat Nav - is this correct?

In my current car I have full integrated SatNav and fully featured iPod integration, as well as bluetooth. My feeling is trying to recreate this with the standard VW offering I can't replicate it - so going aftermarket is best and to get something like an Alpine with full iPod integration, run a Parrot for Bluetooth, and either get a flip out screen for the head unit to get nav, or just stick with a decent portable unit? Does that sound fair?

Plus I'm assuming the VW nav is much like the BMW's that it's not really got much on offer above a TomTom anyway? Apart from a lack of wires to hide...

If thats the case are their any issue with going aftermarket in a Golf. I've fitted anything from head units to full systems before so thats not the issue, just wanted to see if the Golf is a bit 'unique'?

I'm thinking this should also make finding cars easier rather than limiting myself to cars with Nav only

Thanks all

Paul

Hmmm, just seen there is an audio section - how do I move the post?
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: shugyboi on September 04, 2011, 11:48:43 pm
it really is down to preference. the rns510 is a popular unit for oem retrofits.
this does the full lot apart from ipod videos and ipod movies

for me personally i would go for something like a kenwood or alpine double din
these have all the stuff you need built in without having to add bluetooth etc and they are great quality

however there are alot of guys on here who swear by the oem stuff so as i say it is down to users choice
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: Gene Hunt on September 05, 2011, 07:38:48 am
Got a Pioneer in mine which has all the things you listed. :happy2:
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: dalco on September 05, 2011, 09:11:40 am
I've got the Pioneer VW fit unit.

Had it in there for around a year. Absolutely fantastic, Does everything and more + the sound quality is much better.
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: Gene Hunt on September 05, 2011, 09:22:41 am
I've got the Pioneer VW fit unit.

Had it in there for around a year. Absolutely fantastic, Does everything and more + the sound quality is much better.
...........sounds like mine  :wink: VW fit. :happy2:
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: shugyboi on September 05, 2011, 09:28:29 am
kenwood does a vw fit unit as well. not far away from 1k but :scared:
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: dalco on September 05, 2011, 09:31:06 am
kenwood does a vw fit unit as well. not far away from 1k but :scared:

Only think I hate about the KW is it has front connection for iPod, Nasty cables out the front,

What were Kenwood thinking?????

Pioneer Connects round the back  :smiley:
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: shugyboi on September 05, 2011, 09:33:57 am
really?? mines is fitted into the rear of the unit and comes out in my glovebox   :happy2:
not a cable to be seen  :happy2:
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: dalco on September 05, 2011, 09:37:52 am
OH,

To be honest then, I only saw it at the Kenwood Product Launch, They said to us then it has no Rear iPod output, Front connection only! HOWEVER it is also not available to Specialists or normal Kenwood Dealers, They done a sneaky deal with the VAG Group to guarantee more units sold !

I really did think the Connection was on the front though?? Does it have a front USB?
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: shugyboi on September 05, 2011, 09:55:35 am
depends on the units. the newer ones are all at rear and have a 3.5 jack in front

heres mine

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fy271%2Fshugyboi%2FP040508_1608.jpg&hash=b62945786d21a69eadb869ed6158d0f6f4d5b81b)

thats an ipod vid playing
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: dalco on September 05, 2011, 10:31:24 am
Ahhhh, No Thats a different model to what I thought you suggested.

The VW fit unit is actually shaped like the VW radio, It is specific to that shape, Yours is just a double din in a Facia adaptor.

The VW Kenwood unit has from connection iPod and is about £1k
The VW Pioneer has rear connection iPod and is apron the same money.
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: shugyboi on September 05, 2011, 10:38:19 am
the vw fit deffo has rear connection as well. i knew mines was a double din.

i could have had the vw fit as part of the deal but the stealers wanted 1k for it

had everything on it (satnav,bluetooth,dvd) and the ipod connection was at the rear of the unit

theres also a usb at the front for a pen drive. this can read most audio and video files. cracking units but wouldnt pay that ammount for a unit again.

gonna be a skint flint and wait till it drops in price  :grin:
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: MrP80 on September 05, 2011, 11:55:09 am
Is this the Pioneer one?

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-avic-f9110bt_p-24796.htm

Looks good for all that it does!
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: mortygttdi on September 05, 2011, 12:54:50 pm
The RNS510 with MDI and Bluetooth module will do every thing your BMW system will, Even the maps are the same system but more detailed. 

I know some of the aftermarket units do stuff a lot better but they just don't look right in the dash, and most of them don't work the highline if you have it.

From personal experience the Pioneer is an awesome kit I had it in my Zafira GSI and it never let me down but the VW offering intergrates so well.

You pays your money, its your decision in the end mate

Darren
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: JackG on September 05, 2011, 02:32:24 pm
You can get the rear iPod lead for the DNX-5220vbt  :happy2:
Got one in our showroom with one on it too
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: shugyboi on September 05, 2011, 02:45:57 pm
You can get the rear iPod lead for the DNX-5220vbt  :happy2:
Got one in our showroom with one on it too

I think this is a cracking unit! Cant wait for it to come down in price. Was thinkin of buyin the nav box for my current unit but is over £300
wish id just bought the all in one at the time  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: AlanEdition30 on September 05, 2011, 03:47:13 pm
I had an RNS510 sold it because the audio specialists said for decent audio quailty you would need to change the headunit. Plus at that time the RNS510 didnt do full postcode search, so I took the plunge sold the RNS 510, i then bought:

£400 Rainbow ipaul amp
£950 on a Pioneer AVIC-F9210BT  
£500 rainbow 3 way component speakers
alongside an 8 inch rainbow sub which i already had

It sounded brilliant however i missed the audio/navigation info on the highline, and it just doesnt look as good as the RNS510.

After a year i sold the amp, pioneer headunit and sub and ive now got an LED RNS510 . Ive lost a fair bit of money but im finally satisfied with my audio setup. Comparing the two setups yes the aftermarket route sounds crisper and bassier but in my opinion the money i spent didnt justify the ugly headunit (i thought it would grow on me) and the lack of compatibility with the car, it was too much of a compromise for sound quality. However i had to spend all that to find out what i really wanted  :laugh:

Go for what ever suits you budget and your audio needs. I personally will never spend another penny on aftermaket.  :fighting:

In my opinion you either have awesome sound with slightly compromised looks, or a headunit that looks great with slightly compromised sound.
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: mortygttdi on September 05, 2011, 03:59:56 pm
You can still get good sound from the RNS510, you just need to use a good set of speakers and a decent amp. Use a line lock out and a remote wire to an ignition live and your good to go.

Darren
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: AlanEdition30 on September 05, 2011, 04:09:08 pm
Yeah the line lock out was the route i was going to do after going back to the RNS 510. However i had a listen and decided it sounded good with just the RNS510 and Rainbow 3 way component speakers up front. Turns out im not as fussy about sound quality as i thought i was  :jumping:

Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: DMcG on September 05, 2011, 05:06:05 pm
Pioneer unit looks good value. Wonder how easy it is to fit?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pioneer-AVIC-F9110BT-Sat-Nav-AV-System-VW-Seat-Skoda-/260773041059?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item3cb748d3a3
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: dalco on September 05, 2011, 06:41:45 pm
This is the Pioneer Unit I have, It's a lot better than the other model being posted.

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/25/111/241/AVIC-F9310BT/index.html

Looks a lot neater also as there is less plastic.
Title: Re: Audio Options for Mk5
Post by: ArthurAskey on November 04, 2012, 09:31:41 pm
Does the Pioneer AVIC-F9310BT display the clock and/or date when turned off, and will my car's maxi-dot dashboard display still show the compassed direction of travel when the Radio/iPod is on? (N,S,NE,SW, etc). I have a multifunction steering wheel with bluetooth phone access, radio volume and iPod track selection/radio preset selection, will all this be retained too with the 9310BT?