RSNAV Alternative

[kashanova]

Hey Everyone,

I've pretty much have had it with my RSNAV, it's so buggy that I want to replace it. Now I'm looking for a reputable vendor, I've heard rumblings of Alpine offering a radio that allows us to keep core Audi functionality while getting a better multimedia/navigation experience. My top priority is keeping the screen size and keeping Apple Carplay. Anyone else come by a system with those requirements?

[NixonKB]

4x4shop.ca - similar hardware, but better software (from what I hear).

[Envy187]

4x4shop.ca - similar hardware, but better software (from what I hear).

I recall 4x4shop.ca being asked about months ago, as per the following thread: https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...ght=4x4shop.ca

Tons of eyes looked at the thread, but no one added any input.

Wanna be the guinea pig for us, kashanova?

[igotag]

Which version RSNAV do you have?


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[slacktide]

Here's the Alpine. Not sure if it is available in the USA. https://www.alpine.co.uk/p/Products/...View/X702D-A4R

Dynavin has a solution that might be good - keeps the original radio, adds Android Auto, Carplay, and Nav. I have one of their drop-in system replacements in my B6, works fine. Their built-in nav is OK, Carplay apps works great. https://dynavinnorthamerica.com/coll...19490567487545

[adkmooserider]

Looks like neither of the above are mmi friendly. Bummer

[seanm135]

Curious to know what version RSnav you have and if this is a common theme with them?

I was toying with the idea of getting one.

[akim14]

I have chinese copy, if you have any question, let me know... it works better than I expected.

[kashanova]

Curious to know what version RSnav you have and if this is a common theme with them?

I was toying with the idea of getting one.

I'm on the S1, but I wouldn't recommend you get one, especially if you're getting it for Carplay. I got it for the bigger screen and to use Apple Carplay. Problem is, you need to buy a separate USB dongle to get CarPlay to work. Oh, and you need an external USB hub to maintain the CarPlay connection, or else it disconnects. In order to maintain a connection RSNAV sold a harness that was said to fix the issue. Except, after you spend all that time taking out the old harness to install the new one, it still doesn't work how it should, so much so that they don't even sell the harness anymore. So in my opinion, you're better off using another product.

[igotag]

I'm on the S1, but I wouldn't recommend you get one, especially if you're getting it for Carplay. I got it for the bigger screen and to use Apple Carplay. Problem is, you need to buy a separate USB dongle to get CarPlay to work. Oh, and you need an external USB hub to maintain the CarPlay connection, or else it disconnects. In order to maintain a connection RSNAV sold a harness that was said to fix the issue. Except, after you spend all that time taking out the old harness to install the new one, it still doesn't work how it should, so much so that they don't even sell the harness anymore. So in my opinion, you're better off using another product.

I’ve got an S2 on the way. Hope I don’t see the same
Issues.


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[slykens]

I’ve got an S2 and other than a few minor issues it works perfectly now. I feel there was some bait and switch on the offering between when I ordered in January and when it shipped in March but with the “new” auto play box the CarPlay functionality is great. I never use the android interface, audio sounds good, and I have the option of wired or wireless CarPlay. It connects automatically.

[Andy-S]

Anybody know what he's using in this vid?



I looked around and found this on Ali Express, which is similar but not the same unit. Cheap @ $225 if it could work.

No touch screen because it taps into the existing screen, but it would be a cheaper option.

EDIT: Is that the same box as RSNav in that AliExpress? Maybe with different firmware?

[coop3422]

There's a few features I wanted that I was thinking about ordering RSNav. There was a thread I was following on the C7 A6 board, but I switched cars and thought I'd look into this for the S4. But if it's problematic, then I don't see the point. They aren't exactly cheap.

[miketv84]

Hey Everyone,

I've pretty much have had it with my RSNAV, it's so buggy that I want to replace it. Now I'm looking for a reputable vendor, I've heard rumblings of Alpine offering a radio that allows us to keep core Audi functionality while getting a better multimedia/navigation experience. My top priority is keeping the screen size and keeping Apple Carplay. Anyone else come by a system with those requirements?

I've been debating between buying rsnav or from this company 4x4shop.ca. Like you said I see alot of people posting bug issues with the rsnav. The other company is slightly less expensive.

[NixonKB]

The Carplay/AA interface boxes are the way to go - you lose none of the OEM functionality, and get every benefit of your phone's superior UI.

It takes a few days to get used to using the wheels/sticks to control vs. touch, but after that it's perfect. 2012 S4 6MT - no issues.

Make sure you get one that has WIRELESS connectivity (uses Wifi) - having to plug in the phone EVERY time is lame.

[KRS Aaron]

The Carplay/AA interface boxes are the way to go - you lose none of the OEM functionality, and get every benefit of your phone's superior UI.

It takes a few days to get used to using the wheels/sticks to control vs. touch, but after that it's perfect. 2012 S4 6MT - no issues.

Make sure you get one that has WIRELESS connectivity (uses Wifi) - having to plug in the phone EVERY time is lame.

I'm not too familiar with the technologies out there. What product is an example of what you are recommending?

[Eddiegelr]

Check out Joyeauto. Winn autosports uses them

[B8S4inKC]

The Carplay/AA interface boxes are the way to go - you lose none of the OEM functionality, and get every benefit of your phone's superior UI.

It takes a few days to get used to using the wheels/sticks to control vs. touch, but after that it's perfect. 2012 S4 6MT - no issues.

Make sure you get one that has WIRELESS connectivity (uses Wifi) - having to plug in the phone EVERY time is lame.

Link?? Alot of these MMI replacements make me nervous, but I'm so sick of dealing with the stupid tune2air quirks.

[B7TitaniumA4]

DMP car designs. There’s another thread on here somewhere for it. I’m very happy with it. All factory functions retained, larger screen and the CarPlay dongle adds $50 but its wireless CarPlay and charging capabilities while plugged in. (This was big for me as my charging ports always pop their fuse). They have models/programming specifically for the full mmi or the lesser like I have.




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[morph2k4]

Have you run into any issues with the DMP at all? I've been following RSNAV for quite some time waiting for the bugs to be fixed with sound and connections, but it sounds like maybe this one is just perfect out of the box.

[JACKAL]

And is the DMP solution compatible with iPhones?

[Thxrick]

The Carplay/AA interface boxes are the way to go - you lose none of the OEM functionality, and get every benefit of your phone's superior UI.

It takes a few days to get used to using the wheels/sticks to control vs. touch, but after that it's perfect. 2012 S4 6MT - no issues.

Make sure you get one that has WIRELESS connectivity (uses Wifi) - having to plug in the phone EVERY time is lame.

I just bot one of these.Waitning for it to arrive. Seems like a nice alternative to RSNAV. I bot mine through Alie Express.

[thaifoodninja]

DMP car designs. There’s another thread on here somewhere for it. I’m very happy with it. All factory functions retained, larger screen and the CarPlay dongle adds $50 but its wireless CarPlay and charging capabilities while plugged in. (This was big for me as my charging ports always pop their fuse). They have models/programming specifically for the full mmi or the lesser like I have.




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how do you access your Hazard button now?

[JACKAL]

I just pulled the trigger on this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Should be here Saturday so I'll give it a shot and see how it works.

[Ashtonts]

I just pulled the trigger on this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Should be here Saturday so I'll give it a shot and see how it works.

I want one of these but can’t stomach paying that much for one. Wish you could add this in for closer to $100

[NixonKB]

I want one of these but can’t stomach paying that much for one. Wish you could add this in for closer to $100

Don't we all. :)

I bought mine from a guy on the FB B8/8.5 S4 group - $250 USD shipped to your door. There are multiple vendors on AliExpress - all pretty much do the same thing, with slight variations. Again - look for one with wireless Carplay and Android Auto - some only do one of them wireless, some are not wireless at all. The newest/greatest units have wireless capability.

Install is waaay easier than RSNav too... it's basically take out the radio (easy) and plug in some in-line connections. No splicing/cutting nothing - very easy. You'll regret not doing it sooner - it brings your MMI into the 21st century finally.

[JACKAL]

That’s good to hear! I’m hoping it can eliminate the frustrations of the Tune2Air module and refresh the MMI screen look a little bit.

[Thxrick]

Don't we all. :)

I bought mine from a guy on the FB B8/8.5 S4 group - $250 USD shipped to your door. There are multiple vendors on AliExpress - all pretty much do the same thing, with slight variations. Again - look for one with wireless Carplay and Android Auto - some only do one of them wireless, some are not wireless at all. The newest/greatest units have wireless capability.

Install is waaay easier than RSNav too... it's basically take out the radio (easy) and plug in some in-line connections. No splicing/cutting nothing - very easy. You'll regret not doing it sooner - it brings your MMI into the 21st century finally.

Awesome! I am looking forward to getting mine. Just bot the "keys" to take out the cd players. Should be a straight forward install.

[Thxrick]

I want one of these but can’t stomach paying that much for one. Wish you could add this in for closer to $100

Yeah. $200-$300 just for Apple Car Play or AA. Gotta pay to play!

[B7TitaniumA4]

how do you access your Hazard button now?

The bracket moves it towards the driver. Still slightly awkward to get to, but I hardly if ever use my hazards...


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[B7TitaniumA4]

I’ll add a few details,

No issues, install is pretty simple as stated above, hardest was routing lines up to the screen through the dash (I have big hands)
It Is CarPlay and Android compatible, I bought a carplay dongle with it and ended up with wireless CarPlay. Has WiFi, apps, video, SIM card slots, navigation, easy access to factory radio/satellite controls/screen. They offer rear view camera and 360* kit too.

comes with all tools to install, not the greatest quality tools but the right tools To get this done. No instructions, but they have a good couple of videos to help.

No issues to speak of, just learning to use all of the functions still.


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[omgContra]

Don't we all. :)

I bought mine from a guy on the FB B8/8.5 S4 group - $250 USD shipped to your door. There are multiple vendors on AliExpress - all pretty much do the same thing, with slight variations. Again - look for one with wireless Carplay and Android Auto - some only do one of them wireless, some are not wireless at all. The newest/greatest units have wireless capability.

Install is waaay easier than RSNav too... it's basically take out the radio (easy) and plug in some in-line connections. No splicing/cutting nothing - very easy. You'll regret not doing it sooner - it brings your MMI into the 21st century finally.

Aren't all of these based on the same thing? i.e. RSNAV, Carlinkit, and others on aliexpress.. but we know of the bugs in RSNAV because of the prevalence of it on the forum. however wouldn't the other chinese versions has some sort of bugs also that might not be as widely known because there are less owners with it on the forum? Also what was the splicing and cutting you had to do? I thought RSNAV standalone was plug and play, the newer versions at least...? I want to get one of these and with them all being similar price range.. i just want the one with the least amount of headaches.

like JACKAL i have tune2air and it's frustrating sometimes when the MMI isn't recognizing that tune2air is connected. i just want bluetooth audio without issues.

[NixonKB]

RSNav does have a Carplay interface - but most people are talking about their standalone tablet displays. The Carplay modules use the stock MMI screen and buttons. The table RSnav install is more involved than the Carplay interface.

[NixonKB]

Also there are no 'bugs' with the Carplay modules for the most part - it really just uses your phone software and processor and outputs to your screen. RSNav standalone tablets are much more prone to bugs - it's different hardware and software.

[Ford Prefect]

I just pulled the trigger on this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Should be here Saturday so I'll give it a shot and see how it works.

Can you start Saturday when you get it please? lol


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[NixonKB]

Can you start Saturday when you get it please? lol


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Install is very easy on these units. I've done in three times now (once with the first purchase, second time was a 'test' for the dealer using a new provider, and third time was re-installing the first one when the second one turned out NOT to be wireless) - and each time is easier than the next.

Some grab power from the AC unit, some grab it from a connector in the glove box - but in either case, you should be able to install in an hour or so if you are capable of plugging in wires and reassembly of the radio and cables. Really -not difficult.

At the end WAAAAAAY way better than Tune2Air - i don't regret the Android Auto box even a little bit. SO much better in every way than stock nav and music interface... and maps/music is really all i need. :)

[JACKAL]

Can you start Saturday when you get it please? lol


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lol.... yep I’m already planning to make this my evening project. With a pinch of luck I’ll have either buzzed feedback Saturday night or sober feedback Sunday morning

[JACKAL]

Install is very easy on these units. I've done in three times now (once with the first purchase, second time was a 'test' for the dealer using a new provider, and third time was re-installing the first one when the second one turned out NOT to be wireless) - and each time is easier than the next.

Some grab power from the AC unit, some grab it from a connector in the glove box - but in either case, you should be able to install in an hour or so if you are capable of plugging in wires and reassembly of the radio and cables. Really -not difficult.

At the end WAAAAAAY way better than Tune2Air - i don't regret the Android Auto box even a little bit. SO much better in every way than stock nav and music interface... and maps/music is really all i need. :)

Good to hear! It looks pretty straightforward from what I could tell. One question that I didn’t see on my quick scan online - do you knowing any of these toggle switches (1-8) need to be switched down to the ON position?




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[NixonKB]

Good to hear! It looks pretty straightforward from what I could tell. One question that I didn’t see on my quick scan online - do you knowing any of these toggle switches (1-8) need to be switched down to the ON position?




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The model of vehicle and MMI version determine the dipswitches. For example, my 2012 S4 with 3G MMI needed only two dipswitches down (2 and 7 if i recall) - but again that is dependent on the documentation with the box - it will say clearly what you need to move. A4 and S4 are the same - don't worry if your box only talks about A models. :)

[JACKAL]

The model of vehicle and MMI version determine the dipswitches. For example, my 2012 S4 with 3G MMI needed only two dipswitches down (2 and 7 if i recall) - but again that is dependent on the documentation with the box - it will say clearly what you need to move. A4 and S4 are the same - don't worry if your box only talks about A models. :)

Awesome - thanks for the quick response!