OEM VW RNS 510 VW radio navigation system FAQ - head unit and comparison to RCD 510 and RNS 315

Introduction

The RNS510 radio navigation system is the optional color touchscreen GPS navigation system on the Volkswagen 2010 Golf and Jetta TDI.  Here are some specs, reviews,comparisons, and part numbers.

For 2011, the RNS-510 will be replaced on Golf, Jetta, or Sportwagens (Golf wagons) with the RNS-315, a less expensive, smaller screen, more basic system.  See 1000q: RNS315 GPS system for information on that system.  You can still buy either as parts later and swap them in any 2011 or newer VW TDI (except Touareg).  It's also available on the Tiguan and Passat (those weren't available as TDI in North America).  The RNS 510 on the Touareg has a slightly different surround and is a different part number.  

The main benefit of ordering it instead of an aftermarket system is that it's integrated into the car and can be controlled through your Multi Function Steering Wheel (MFSW).  "Text+turn arrow" navigation instructions and song/artist name or radio station are displayed on the Multi Function Display/Indicator (MFD+ or MFI+) on the instrument cluster as well as on the main display.  The display brightness and colors also automatically go into "night" mode when you turn on the headlights vs. calculating it from GPS location and time as with some aftermarket navigation systems.  It stores songs on a 30GB HD, has color touchscreen control, and has USB/ipod functions through external adapters.  It also plays DVD-A (audio DVDs) and CD text.  Diagnostics can be done through a VCDS (vag com) since it's CAN Bus.  It can be retrofitted into any mk5 or mk6 car but can't be easily retrofitted into non CAN bus cars.

If you retrofit one, make sure to buy a North American one since Euro units doesn't have the same AM, Sirius XM, or HD radio signals and the maps are different!  Make sure you get the security code or else you bought a paperweight!  All add-on accessories should work.  Note that the Jetta sportwagen station wagon is called the Golf Variant or Golf estate in Europe.

It has traffic capability through sirius and because new cars come with a few months worth of satellite radio, the traffic comes with it too.

In comparison to the older MFD2 in dash GPS system, the 510 has video capability, a touch screen, SD input, bluetooth dialing/phone book capability.  For more features of the older MFD2 GPS navigation system, see 1000q: MFD2 GPS FAQ.  For the price, I'd rather buy or swap in an RNS 315 over the older system even though the older system still works and has new maps available.

The main dislikes: It only receives the main HD-audio channel and not the sub channels.  Adding bluetooth with the RNS 510 lets you view phone book on the screen but only with the correct bluetooth module.  It also cannot store custom points of interest in the GPS.  Currently, the only way to add custom points of interest is to hack the map using your computer and load it as a newer map onto the GPS.  I don't know how hackable the maps are.  Since the data is stored on an HD, you must have the DVD map data if leaving the home map area.  This takes longer than popping an SD card in and out.  I'm sure the DVD also have some copy protection to deter downloading maps or torrents from hacked navteq maps.

Comparison to RCD 510 (the stock radio in a 2010 VW Jetta or Golf TDI) and RNS 315

Note - since this is a TDI site, all 2009 and newer mk5 and mk6 2010 VW Jetta TDI and 2010 Golf TDI in the US come with the highline cluster MFD+ (aka MFI).  If you have a highline cluster, adding a RNS 510 is plug-play.  If you have a gasser and don't have the highline cluster, you must add one to use the RNS-510 GPS and have it display information on MFD+.  Here's a picture showing the difference between the half screen cluster and the highline full screen MFD+ cluster.

It displays the phone book and screenshots if you have high bluetooth.  See 1000q: Bluetooth FAQ for more details on the bluetooth differences. (pics by 71sbeetle)

Here is a demo of the navigation function and touchscreen.  Once nice feature is that you can pan the map by touching and dragging your finger on the touchscreen.

Here is a demo of some of the other functions on an RNS 510 in a Touareg.

VW RNS-510 GPS specs:

Make sure you get the security code or else you bought a paperweight!   

retail price: $1990
invoice price: $1758
North American part number for Jetta, Golf, wagon VW# 3c0 035 684 available as new unit from MFD3.com  (or as previously owned unit)
North American part number for Touareg VW# 7L6 035 684 b  (touareg specific part)

Manufactured in the Czech republic by VDO-Siemens

maps by Navteq, US catalog number: U0022-0075-805, vm midline v(version) 1m, north american dvd package, vw# 7L6 919 859
30 gb hard drive (better than SD cards), 10 is reserved for GPS, 20 is reserved for music
unit by Siemens, hard drive by Hitachi
screen size: 6.5", 800 by 450 pixels high resolution
aux input for ipods/other
SD card slot for mp3s or data

Radio specs:
radio presets: 24 stations
adjustable fader and balance
siruis satellite radio
mp3/wma play on SD card
ability to play music and use GPS at the same time
can play dvd-audio and dvd video while stopped, can use this TV in motion add-on to play while in motion (Observe all laws while using it.  The driver must give full attention to driving at all times)

GPS Navigation specs:
day color/lighting switches to "night" color/lighting with headlights on
split screen display - compass/3d map view, gps stats/map, bird's eye map view/3d map view, etc.
ability to play music and use GPS at the same time

maps by Navteq, US catalog number: U0022-0075-805, vm midline v(version) 1m, north american dvd package, vw# 7L6 919 859

CAN gateway
1K0 907 530 R - supports panoramic sunroof on the sportwagen, any gateway after N should work.

MDI Parts -
5N0 035 341A MDI Module
000 051 446C iPod Cable (Audi 4E0 .... will NOT work)

Parts for Golf w/o CD Changer center console - (71N is anthracite color code)
1K0 863 323A 71N CD Changer Center Console
1K0 863 328A 71N CD Changer Insert
1K0 864 255 CD Changer Air Duct

MDI harness connector and terminals (1 each is required except 000 979 009 which requires 5)
8E0 972 112 Housing
000 979 009 Terminal (1 wire with 2 terminals, 7 are required on the MDI side, 3 on the RNS side, so 5x total)
000 979 133 Terminal (1 wire with 2 terminals, 1 is required for CAN bus t-splice on RNS side)
000 979 134 Terminal (1 wire with 2 terminals, 1 is required for CAN bus t-splice on RNS side)
000 979 225 Terminal (1 wire with 2 terminals, 1 is required for Power/Ground t-splice on RNS side)
000 979 226 Terminal (1 wire with 2 terminals, 1 is required for Power/Ground t-splice on RNS side)
893 971 634 4 connector housing for power/gnd/CAN t-splice
4B0 971 994 4 connector housing (mate) for power/gnd/CAN t-splice

6 feet UTP (CAN)
6 feet 3 conductor shielded audio cable
12 feet 18ga wire (power & ground)

Aux in on console -
1K0 863 323L 71N CD Changer Center Console with aux in hole
5M0 035 345 blank cover if you don't want aux in port OR
1K0 035 724B Aux in port
1C0 973 119B Connector housing for aux in port
000979009 2x (3 terminals needed for aux in port)

Aftermarket GPS/head units that will work and other issues

Some aftermarket double din nav systems that fit are the Pioneer AVIC-F90BT, Kenwood DDX812.  There are also made in China copies of the OEM units like the AVC-9000 or Waywell WD6050 that exactly match the factory interior, even down to the buttons.  Rosen also makes a factory look GPS system.  The copies also have MFSW or MFD compatibility but have no hard drives or satellite radio capability.  They use SD cards for memory.

The advantage of buying one of the OEM style copies or another an aftermarket double din headunit instead of ordering the factory RNS 510 is value and more features.  For less money, you can get backup camera, bluetooth for your mobile phone (2010 VW have standard bluetooth), and a better stereo.  These options are available as OEM retrofits to the Jetta/Golf , like rear view camera or parallel parking assist (pictured below) with plug-play functionality, but they cost as much as buying an aftermarket unit.  For example, the OEM backup camera is hidden under the VW symbol on the trunk and comes out when you put the transmission into reverse....but adding the camera, wire, and motorized VW symbol costs over $700!

The disadvantage of non factory equipment is that some won't be integrated into the design of the dashboard, won't display on the dashboard's highline multifunction display (MFD+), and you have to self install.  Some have complained about the software integration as well.  The Chinese OEM copies (about $500) exactly match the interior, will display on the MFD+ and work with the MFSW but they run off windows CE.  Here is a demo of the Waywell Chinese copy.  Of note - you can add a cheap backup camera but they're normally stuck onto the license plate and you have to manually select them instead of displaying when you put the car in reverse.


Ease of installation, value, quality, looks/integration: choose 3 of these preferences because no navigation option has all 4.  The OEM doesn't require installation, is a quality unit, has a hard drive for memory, but is expensive.  The aftermarket units are cheaper and have better add ons but are either: not compatible with the MFSW/MFD+ and don't look factory, or work with MFSW/MFD+, look like factory, but because of their modability and windows CE operating system, could be more problematic.  They also don't have sat radio or hard drives.

Aftermarket bluetooth

If you have don't have bluetooth or have 9w2 bluetooth, you can add fiscon basic plus.  This is an aftermarket bluetooth with full MFD+ compatibility.  It also adds gauges like actual water temperature and boost to the MFD display.  *Note, the gauge units are metric (bar instead of psi, C instead of F).  Other options are the 9w3 highline bluetooth.  The 2011 TDI models will all be equipped with the new 9w7 highline bluetooth.  See 1000q: mk5 mk6 bluetooth FAQ for more details.

OEM add ons

Other available OEM add-ons: backup camera, parallel parking assist (guide brackets on backup camera shifts in response to steering wheel), play TV while driving.  The backup camera came with the system on the Tiguan.  The RNS510 head unit is also available on the Touareg.  It is an essential safety device since it increases situational awareness while backing up.  Many children are injured or killed by cars backing up so be careful to not get tunnel vision when operating a vehicle.  In other words, don't stare at the screen while the car is in motion - you should also check your side mirrors and maintain awareness of nearby pedestrians, etc.  Here is a picture of the parallel parking guide.  As you turn the wheel, it moves the guide brackets.  Just remember that you should always know the basic dimensions of your car.  

Below is a screenshot and a video of the rear view camera/parallel parking assist in action

Another OEM add on is the DVD in motion module.  This lets you play video while the car is in motion.  Obviously, observe all laws applicable to you when driving.  The driver's full attention should always be on driving.  

Also remember that you can also retrofit the RNS 510 GPS to your VW later.  After the cost of installation, you're not saving any money since the price to buy it later is more expensive than the invoice price of adding it as an option.  Make sure the dealer loads the map data when you take delivery of the GPS!  Early RNS 510 were even delivered without map data!  At this time, the best way to get map data is from a dealer ordering it from Navteq to prevent use of stolen GPSs and map data.  Disclaimer: do not buy, borrow, trade, copy, your DVD nav map data since it is copyrighted material!  Any torrents you find of map data are illegal so don't download the maps!

Note - If you retrofit one, make sure to buy a North American one since Euro doesn't have the same AM, Sirius XM, or HD radio signals and the maps are different!  All add-on accessories should work.  Make sure you get the security code or else you bought a paperweight!  Note - the Jetta sportwagen station wagon is called the Golf Variant or Golf estate in Europe and may just become wagon or sportwagen in the future.

Note - the 2009 Jetta TDI loyal edition did not have the RNS-510 as an option.  It had an optional older MFD2 navigation.  See 1000q: MFD2 FAQ for more details.  You can retrofit the RNS510 into the loyal edition or other mk5 CAN BUS cars with the correct modifications.

Other useful pics:

3d map view

bird's eye 2d overhead view

Related links:

1000q: 2009 and 2010 VW Jetta TDI buyer's guide 2009-2010 Jetta sedan FAQ, options, info, msrp, invoice price

1000q: 2009-2011 VW Sportwagen specific TDI buying guide

1000q: *revised differences between 2009 and 2010 and mk5 and mk6 VW TDI 

1000q: 2010 and 2011 VW Golf TDI FAQ and buying checklist

1000q: 2011 new mk6 Jetta TDI buying guide

1000q: 2009-2010 VW Touareg buying guide

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3647765 installation procedure and pictures

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3586182 more pictures of the RNS-510 head unit

http://www.kufatec.de/shop/index.php/cat/c26_Golf-V-5---Golf-V-5-Plus.html German site, good english

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