Aftermarket Handsfree, Bluetooth, Nav suggestions

[coasterjob]

I have been looking at all these options to upgrade to an RNS-E and am blown away by the pricing. I am interested in adding a few technologies to my 2004 A4 w/Symphony 2 Bose.
Here are my desired features in order of priority:

1. Handsfree Calling (via BlueTooth)
2. Audio Input from Iphone/ipod w/control via Headunit
3. Navigation
4. *muting of music/radio when call received or navigation prompt

I know that this will require a complete overhaul of my existing (audi)electronics, so my thought is to replace the symphony with an aftermarket unit.

Here are my questions [confused]:

1. Am I better off going aftermarket? I'm a but removed from the car audio scene but I'm guessing someone like Pioneer or Alpine or (name your brand) has a system I can buy to do this.
2. Is there one that you all have had better experience intergrating into our cars? like reuing the shrakfin, adapters, diagn bus issues, etc.
3. Any chance any of the possible system have been able to send basic info to the Dash info screen, like the factory system? (I know it's a long shot)

Thanks!!!!

[koolade9]

I have been looking at all these options to upgrade to an RNS-E and am blown away by the pricing. I am interested in adding a few technologies to my 2004 A4 w/Symphony 2 Bose.
Here are my desired features in order of priority:

1. Handsfree Calling (via BlueTooth)
2. Audio Input from Iphone/ipod w/control via Headunit
3. Navigation
4. *muting of music/radio when call received or navigation prompt

I know that this will require a complete overhaul of my existing (audi)electronics, so my thought is to replace the symphony with an aftermarket unit.

Here are my questions [confused]:

1. Am I better off going aftermarket? I'm a but removed from the car audio scene but I'm guessing someone like Pioneer or Alpine or (name your brand) has a system I can buy to do this.
2. Is there one that you all have had better experience intergrating into our cars? like reuing the shrakfin, adapters, diagn bus issues, etc.
3. Any chance any of the possible system have been able to send basic info to the Dash info screen, like the factory system? (I know it's a long shot)

Thanks!!!!

RNS-E can do all the above...stick with the OEM unit...you'll thank yourself in the long run. If the price scares you...find a used one...and all-in-all, it's not that expensive [up]

[coasterjob]

RNS-E can do all the above...stick with the OEM unit...you'll thank yourself in the long run. If the price scares you...find a used one...and all-in-all, it's not that expensive [up]

In addition to the RNS-E, I'd need the BT module and the ipod connection, does someone have a Wiki or info page on the what/how of this?

[Titanp321]

I concure, def stick with the OEM RNS-E, google NsxJr., he's written many a' threads on this retro fit along with a very lengthy how .pdf.

Also, if you do go with the OEM RNS-E, information such as directions from the navi will be displayed in the gauge cluster.

[coasterjob]

Are the bluetooth modules easy to get?

[koolade9]

Are the bluetooth modules easy to get?

yeah, check out kufatec.com & oemplus.com (same physical location). They've got two bluetooth options that integrate with the RNS-E. fwiw, I'm going with the fiscon module once I get done with a few other projects. [up]

for the ipod, there's a ton of info on it. The denison icelink seems the way to go, but talk to the guys at oemplus and they may have a better solution. To date, the big downfall is that you don't get id tags displayed on the rns-e or dis, they just show up as 'track 1' 2, etc... since it uses the cd changer interface.

I've got a couple ipods, and don't really have any desire to use them in the car since the rns-e has two built-in sd card slots. 4gb is typically enough music to get the job done. sound quality is theoretically better with the sd slots as well since you're using the headunit's dac, and not the ipod's.

hope this helps...

edit: the guys at enfig have one too, check that one out too!!

[advan24r]

W/the price..I would go cheaper and you still get more. I was in the same boat, did my research and ended up purchasing the Kenwood DNX7140. I bought this unit because it uses GARMIN and PARROT BLUETOOTH. Sound quality is not my priority. All in all, costed me $969 from 6ave.com (Kenwood Authorized Dealer). Not to mention, it plays DVD where the RNS-E still needs additional stuff to get that to work. You can also change the button colors to match the dash red. So in my opinion, still looks OEM to me.

[A42S4]

Id go Kenwood8120 a little more money but worth it. You have the ability to control most all you functions from the steering wheel to. Except BlueTooth but the HU has a nice way of allowing you to auto answer and switch between car or phone on the fly. Also you can change your background screen and slashscreen to what ever you want. I have a red sline backgound and the skin i chose matches the red lights in my car perfectly.

[8520]

Id go Kenwood8120 a little more money but worth it. You have the ability to control most all you functions from the steering wheel to. Except BlueTooth but the HU has a nice way of allowing you to auto answer and switch between car or phone on the fly. Also you can change your background screen and slashscreen to what ever you want. I have a red sline backgound and the skin i chose matches the red lights in my car perfectly.

This.

And as far sound quality goes, you shouldn't lose anything by switching to a quality aftermarket h/u. If anything you should gain sound quality because of the better quality dac.

[coasterjob]

Where is a good place to get an RNS-E Kit these days?

[neverfollow-rs4]

Where is a good place to get an RNS-E Kit these days?

Kuko on ebay has some as well as Haggie over at audiforum. Just got my RNS-e 4 days ago.

[coasterjob]

How do I find these users? I tried searching for Kuko on ebay and it says he doesnt exist...Where did you get yours?

[neverfollow-rs4]

How do I find these users? I tried searching for Kuko on ebay and it says he doesnt exist...Where did you get yours?

I got mine off of ebay, let me know if you need help with installation as I did mine just few days ago and I'm local too.

Kuko ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-RNS-E-DVD-A4-S4-Navigation-System_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2557f0febaQQitem Z160389201594QQptZCarQ5fAudioQ5fVideo

Haggie on Audiforum.us http://audiforum.us/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=285&cat=7

[coasterjob]

I got mine off of ebay, let me know if you need help with installation as I did mine just few days ago and I'm local too.

Kuko ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-RNS-E-DVD-A4-S4-Navigation-System_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2557f0febaQQitem Z160389201594QQptZCarQ5fAudioQ5fVideo

Haggie on Audiforum.us http://audiforum.us/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=285&cat=7
Thanks! Did you get the Bluetooth or ipod interface(s)?

[neverfollow-rs4]

Thanks! Did you get the Bluetooth or ipod interface(s)?

I already had bluetooth in my car and I did not get the ipod interface because I don't have an ipod and don't want one, with two SD card slots its more than enough for me.