Feb 20, 2011. Thanks to the TMC (traffic message channel), you receive up-to-date traffic information – either depicted on the map or in a list. If you wish, the RNS 310 can even automatically suggest an alternative route to help you avoid annoying tailbacks. A multitude of options. The RNS 310 is a complete package as it.

RNS 510 VW radio navigation system FAQ and comparison Introduction The RNS510 radio navigation system is the optional color touchscreen GPS on NMS Passat SEL in North America. How To Install Slax Linux. It was also found on 2010-12/13 Jetta, Golf, and Sportwagen and Touareg and Tiguan. It was optional for all 2010+ mk5/6 VW in Europe. The mk7 Golf and newer used a new headunit which is not compatible with the mk5/6 head units. Yearly changes: For 2012, the RNS system adds a larger hard drive, voice control of some functions, and HD radio tagging.

For 2011, the RNS-510 was replaced on Golf, Jetta, and Sportwagen (Golf wagon) with the RNS-315, a less expensive system with a smaller screen and less features. See 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 because the faceplate is different). The RNS 510 will continue to be optional on the Passat CC or higher models, and outside North America. Here is my video review of the headunit.

The main benefit of ordering it instead of an aftermarket system is that it has a large screen integrated into the car and can be controlled through your 'Text+turn arrow' navigation instructions and song/artist name or radio station/sat radio channel are displayed on the 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 (upgraded to 40 GB for late 2011), has color touchscreen control, has bluetooth control (if equipped w/high bluetooth) and has USB/ipod functions through external adapters. It also plays DVD-A (audio DVDs) and shows CD text info if the CD has that data. 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, 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 for Euro headunits 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, traffic comes with new units too (traffic subscription is in addition to radio subscription). It does do all the regular GPS functions like bypass part of a route, multiple stop trips (tour), route preferences, 2d/3d mode.

Below are some screenshots showing the basic nav screen, the CD changer (if equipped) selection screen, and maps. The iPod control (if equipped) and SD card input screens look similar. Topography can be removed from 2d mode.

As seen above, you can also adjust it to show North at top or direction of travel at top. If you don't have a highline MFD (multifunction display) on the instrument cluster you can bring up a split screen showing that information on the navigation screen. You can adjust it to show directions or next turn.

The bottom menu can also be hidden. The map scale is adjusted with the right knob and you can pan the map by touching and dragging. Map panning is one feature the RNS 510 has that the 315 does not.

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. Below are some screenshots of some main functions. The main dislikes: Early versions only receive the main HD-audio channel and not the sub channels.

*Later versions can select any of the HD channels of a station by first going to the station, waiting for it to start playing in HD, and then opening the stations list which will then show all of the HD channels for that station. Once you have selected an alternate HD station you can then set it as a favorite in the unit so you don't have to navigate to it like that again.

You cannot select or see any of the alternate HD channels of a station though unless your actually listening to that station on the radio; only then it will display the alternate HD channels in the stations list for that station. It could also be a version or firmware difference. I also don't like that adjusting screen brightness requires a number of button presses. I like to have the screen on medium during the daytime and darkest at nighttime. There is a light sensor in the corner and you can select night colors for the map but it's still too bright at night for my preference. If you have a 2005.5-2007 and retrofit it, you might need a new CANBUS module if it won't go into sleep mode correctly.

If the battery gets drained overnight or 2 days, you know you need a new CAN BUS module. Some early mk5 don't have this problem, nobody seems to know why. See for details and how to install the RNS 510. Adding bluetooth with the RNS 510 lets you view phone book on the screen but only with a high bluetooth module like the 9w3, 9w7 (see for more on these).

It 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 map DVD if leaving the home map area and loading another map. I'm sure the DVD also have some copy protection to deter downloading maps or torrents from hacked navteq maps. Although maps are stored on the internal hard drive, you can insert another map region DVD for temporary use without overwriting the hard drive map data. Note - since this is a TDI site, all 2009-2010 Jetta/Golf come with the highline cluster MFD+ (aka MFI). Many early mk5 Jetta had lowline displays and all mk6 Jetta have lowline displays and electrics except the hybrid and GLI which use highline electrics.

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 have the nav display on the 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 for more details on the bluetooth differences. (pics by 71sbeetle) Why pay $1750 MSRP for the RNS510 vs. $590 for the RNS315?

They're both touchscreen but the RNS-510 has many more features, the most obvious being the hard drive for music and map data plus the larger, high resolution touchscreen. Below is a table. Other known advantages of the RNS are tested add-ons like backup cameras. Reviews of the GPS function are good. Differences and comparison of OEM VW GPS navigation systems with the standard RCD 510 radio in the TDI - RNS 310 GPS (Europe) RNS-315 GPS (North American spec) RNS 510 GPS navigation system RCD 510 radio screen size (inches) 5' touchscreen 5' touchscreen 6.5' touchscreen 16:9 6.5' touchscreen resolution (pixels) 400 x 240 400 x 240 800 x 480 400 x 240 cd/dvd single cd single cd single cd/dvd 6cd changer in dash plays video DVD no no yes no SD card slot? Yes yes yes yes internal data storage? No 4gb flash memory destination ->and then a number corresponding to a preset.

The available voice options changes according to the menu. For example, if you're in the navigation menu and say home, it thinks you're saying phone and will take you to the phone menu. To go home you would have to say navigation ->destination ->home. If you buy a Euro unit, note that they don't have HD radio or satellite radio.

A Euro unit will work in the US but there are some GPS function bugs like zip code search. Some have said that you can't input addresses but this may be due to a firmware/software incompatibility. You will also have to find a map. In other words, I would avoid it. How to DIY install the RNS 510 GPS head unit to your Volkswagen You can retrofit the RNS510 GPS to your VW after buying the car.

For 2005.5-2009 models, you may need a wiring adpater. See for more information on this. The wiring is 100% plug-play with 2010 and later models. Below are some installation videos showing some of the steps on a mk6 Golf. Your car may be slightly different. If your car has a compass showing up in the MFD, it means it has a compass module. Use VCDS software to uncheck the CAN BUS bos for 'Position sensing' and unplug the compass module.

If you don't do this, the car's computer will get an additional compass signal from the GPS head unit which causes too much traffic over CAN BUS. Your compass module is similar to this. Below is a video showing how to remove it in Golf. On the mk5 Jetta, the compass module is above the roof of the trunk. Remove the 10mm nut and slide it out.

Click the thumbnails to enlarge and refer to the install link for more details. VW RNS-510 GPS specs: Below is a pin out diagram.