G8AMB Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 Hi I currently use a TomTom 500 and I am very happy with the features. However I would prefer a more integrated solution. I am about to trade my A4 in for a new one. Is the DVD sat nav worth the cash? Does anyone know how the features compare? i.e. can you do a full post code search and add favorites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nordberg Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 I know it doesn't do full 6 character post code search ala Tom Tom, pretty sure it does favourites though. Personally, I have only ever considered the RNS-E as a retrofit option. I could not justify the retail price of the unit. From my limited experience of it, I actually found my old Tom Tom Go to be quicker, more accurate and more versatile than the RNS-E. But the RNS-E looks great and is obviously wonderfully integrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 I have the RNS-E in my RS6 and use a TomTom 700 in my MR2. I much prefer the RNS-E in use but there are a few benefits of the TT. Firstly, yes, the TT does full postcode searches, the RNS-E will only search up to the digit in the second group - ie AB1 2xx, from which point you have to select the street name. The TT allows you to plan your route whilst away from the car. The RNS-E does allow you to store your personal list of destinations. Last week, when we had visitors from Lithuania, I was sitting up front with the coach drivers, giving them directions. They spoke no English, but one did have a little bit of German, so it was mainly done with hand gestures. I was taught the Lithuanian for 'right'. When I asked the word for left, I was told that it was 'not right'! Anyway, I then set up the TT for them and they were able to follow the on-screen indications. It was some while later that I decided to check the list of available languages in the TT and found that it knew Lithuanian! After I set that up I was able to leave the drivers with the TT for guidance, and get on with chatting to my friends. It's a shame that I couldn't find a way of telling the TT that we were in a large vehicle - it obviously assumes that you're in a car, and the drivers followed its instructions blindly, down some rather narrow country roads! But it worked, and they were impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 I have found the RNS-E to be very accurate, and far better the than the pioneer unit I had installed on my old A4. The main plus side to the RNS-E is that no one will smash your windows looking for your TT device if they see the cradle or suction marks on the window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupramax Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] The main plus side to the RNS-E is that no one will smash your windows looking for your TT device if they see the cradle or suction marks on the window. [/ QUOTE ] No, they'll just smash your window, hoik the RNS-E out and stick that on Ebay instead... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpgrant5 Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 Get craig to fit rns-e to your a4 it works a treat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigyb Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 Has anyone actually had an RNS-E hoiked out of there cars yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] No, they'll just smash your window, hoik the RNS-E out and stick that on Ebay instead... [/ QUOTE ] I sometimes wonder about the provenance of my RNS-E (bought from a Polish ebayer)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] No, they'll just smash your window, hoik the RNS-E out and stick that on Ebay instead... [/ QUOTE ] My be, but without the pin code the device will not work, but i'm not sure if the code could be bypassed I know when I first looked at the coding on my RNS-E it was setup for an A4 cab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_tdi Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 HI, I use TT 700 with a docking kit so it mutes the stereo etc when directions are given. It is no mounted just left of the stereo too no wires showing freeing up the cig ligheter etc. Works superb and although does not look as neat as the RNS-e it has never let me down and her indoors likes to pinch it too! HTH, the docking kits are pretty easy to fit and not too pricey. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor46 Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 [ QUOTE ] HI, I use TT 700 with a docking kit so it mutes the stereo etc when directions are given. It is no mounted just left of the stereo too no wires showing freeing up the cig ligheter etc. Works superb and although does not look as neat as the RNS-e it has never let me down and her indoors likes to pinch it too! HTH, the docking kits are pretty easy to fit and not too pricey. Paul [/ QUOTE ] I've seen the docking kits advertised, but never seen one fitted. Any chance of a piccie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 If it's fitted properly the docking kit looks little different to the standard mount - just an extra cable running to the (hopefully) hidden box of electronics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 The thing is a tomtom One with the most basic of features is as good / better than the RNS-E but its £200ish not £2000. If you look at the new Tomtom 710 then it will have many features Audi fitted system won't have. Yes its better to have it fully fitted. But for me Audi are taking the pi5s with the price. How can they possibly justify a price thats at least 5 times more expensive than even the Tomtom 710 is these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_tdi Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I've seen the docking kits advertised, but never seen one fitted. Any chance of a piccie? [/ QUOTE ] HI Just going out now to take a picture, will pm you when done! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_tdi Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 HI Here are the links to pictures of it in the car. Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3 Worth noting that when installed you cant use the cup holder! Hope these are of use! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 Looks neat. The big problem for me is the theft attraction. If peolpe see the dock/base, they are breaking in to see if the unit is in the glovebox etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G8AMB Posted July 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 Have you managed to wire the sound in via your head unit. I fitted a iPod ice-link to the Chorus II on my A4 and noticed some connectors labelled for sat nav. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigyb Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 The connectors labelled sat nav are for the audi BNS nav system. Not 100% sure you could use them for a 3rd party nav system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_tdi Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 HI, The tomtom docking kit is designed to power your existing speakers whilst it mutes your stereo. It has its own amp etc that powers the speakers. As for theft granted no doubt some tosser will notice it but I personally think it is less obvious than the windscreen mount and the circles it leaves on the screen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrolDave Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 [ QUOTE ] As for theft granted no doubt some tosser will notice it but I personally think it is less obvious than the windscreen mount and the circles it leaves on the screen! [/ QUOTE ] If you want discreet the RNS-E is the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_tdi Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 Very true Dave! Costings aside, the audi rns-e is a pig to install in the wifes 306!! Would love the rns-e but the tt for now is an excellent contender! Also there are a lot of "dodgy" rns-e units about. If one comes up at the right money I could be tempted to swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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