RNS-E Nav/Radio opinion

[stretchS4]

Hello - I just picked up a 2006 S4 that does not have the Nav/RNS-E but I am thinking about upgrading to one. Prices are around $1000 through ebay. I have read the other threads and recent group buy efforts so I am aware of the challanges in getting one.
Can any of you give me an opinion on the unit?
How does it function?
Is the Nav interface good?
Is the MP3 interface good?
Does it work well with the Bose speaker system?
Is the SD card the only way to listen to MP3s?
Can you burn MP3s on a CD or DVD and listen through the player as well?

Should I scrap this idea and go with an aftermarket unit like a Kenwood?

Thank you!

[charliemike]

Hello - I just picked up a 2006 S4 that does not have the Nav/RNS-E but I am thinking about upgrading to one. Prices are around $1000 through ebay. I have read the other threads and recent group buy efforts so I am aware of the challanges in getting one.
Can any of you give me an opinion on the unit?
How does it function?
Is the Nav interface good?
Is the MP3 interface good?
Does it work well with the Bose speaker system?
Is the SD card the only way to listen to MP3s?
Can you burn MP3s on a CD or DVD and listen through the player as well?

Should I scrap this idea and go with an aftermarket unit like a Kenwood?

Thank you!

The unit is a high quality headunit. It's OEM so don't expect an AVIC kitchen sink type experience.
Not sure what you mean by how does it function.
The NAV interface is leaps and bounds better than my Magellan 4050. The voice directions are better and more accurate when naming streets or highways.
The MP3 interface works fine for me with SD cards. I have 2 2GB ones. With the RNS-E and Bose I have heard details in songs that I haven't heard in any of my previous cars.
You can hook up an MP3 player through the AUX inputs on the back.
If you take out the DVD then you have no navigation.
I dunno about Kenwood but I considered a Pioneer AVIC D3 and decided the OEM look for about 90% of the AVIC's abilities was worth the tradeoff.

[stretchS4]

Thanks for great reply. Where did you get your RNS-E? Did you install yourself? I see a few on sale on ebay that claim they come with the correct adapters and even the keys to take out the old radio. Did you also unlock the nav entry in motion?

[charliemike]

Thanks for great reply. Where did you get your RNS-E? Did you install yourself? I see a few on sale on ebay that claim they come with the correct adapters and even the keys to take out the old radio. Did you also unlock the nav entry in motion?

I bought it from someone privately, actually. I did put it in myself and it took me about an hour because I wasn't quite sure what I was doing. If I had to do it again it would be about 15 minutes.

You're definitely going to need the BOSE adapter and the keys to take out the old radio. I put the GPS antenna behind the instrument cluster (using double-sided tape) and it works fine. I get 7-8 satellites regularly. I wish I could say the same about the satellite radio (different antenna).

It was already unlocked. Short of choosing a pre-programmed destination I would never put in an address as a driver. It takes way too long without a touchscreen.

[stretchS4]

Thanks again. The lack of touch screen is tough. That must be the biggest negative of the RNS-E.

[sakimano]

yes it definitely is. that being said I don't really care much. Nothing's perfect really. I've had touchscreen nav in cars before, but they weren't attached to a 340hp V8 and Quattro...so I prefer the S4!

there was another thread about RNS-E a little while back. Lots of good feedback. I'll find...
__________________________________________________ _________________
edit: here's the thread
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ht=rns-e+cards

__________________________________________________ _________________
here's my post.

LOVE the system. GET IT at all costs! well maybe under $1500

I traded my S4 for a few days with another friend with 06 S4 with the symphony? w. Bose and I was REALLY missing my system.

Reasons to get it:

1. SD MEMORY CARDS - 2 slots behind the screen turn your can into a big fat ipod. The interface is awesome, with artists/albums all seperated in folders and laid out nicely on the screen. Two slots x 2GB = 4GB = 1000 songs = 100 albums = your ten favourite artists entire collection of works. I've even heard of guys with 2 x 4GB SD cards in theirs (hard to find 4GB SD cards since when they were coming out, everyone changed over to SD HC which is NOT compatible with the Audi). This beats the piss out of the ipod hookup, I think, as most guys have trouble with the menus on the ipod thing (no song/artist info displayed on screen)

2. SAT NAV - love the OEM-ness of it. Integrated to audio system is awesome too. Steering wheel control of girl's voice...steering wheel button to hear next direction whenever you want it...nice big screen...no awful windshield/dashboard mounted standalone unit to encourage thieves to smash your window and snatch it.

3. Bluetooth phone (if you have it) on the screen is nice for incoming calls etc.

4. Big screen - it makes navigating through all the menus and settings etc. so easy. It also delivers 30 preset radio stations and they can be from either AM, FM or Satellite. This is fantastic...have a couple AM, a few FM and two dozen Sirius satellite stations in mine.

Thanks again. The lack of touch screen is tough. That must be the biggest negative of the RNS-E.

[stretchS4]

Thanks sakimano. Good info.

[40valve]

I'm gonna threadjack here for a sec.
Does the system see SD cards as single storage unit or you would have to select which one to read from?
Is the system limited on SD capacity? Like some cameras can't read over 4GB.
Anyone with the unit care to post a video of some basic audio/nav functionality? What I've seen so far has not bee the greatest. Or if you know of any decent video that show real functionality that would be great.

[SCWells72]

I'm gonna threadjack here for a sec.
Does the system see SD cards as single storage unit or you would have to select which one to read from?
Is the system limited on SD capacity? Like some cameras can't read over 4GB.
Anyone with the unit care to post a video of some basic audio/nav functionality? What I've seen so far has not bee the greatest. Or if you know of any decent video that show real functionality that would be great.

The system does not see the SD cards as a single storage unit. It allows you to choose between them and navigate the folder structure on the selected one, plus choose .m3u or .pls playlists.

The system can only use standard SD cards, not SDHC. As a result, I believe the largest it can handle is a 4GB SD card per slot.

I don't have video to post, but I'll say this...I've had OEM navigation from Lexus and Acura (x2) before having this one, plus I have a portable navigation system for my wife's Mini Cooper S Cabrio and for when we rent cars during travel. The Audi unit isn't quite as good as the best units in other manufacturers' cars today, but it is quite good overall, and the integration with the car is far superior to what you'd get with an aftermarket unit. It displays redundant navigation directions and info in the dash display so it's right in front of your eyes and so that you can switch the nav screen to satellite radio, MP3s, or whatever while you're following nav instructions. The Bluetooth hands-free integration is also tight, allowing dialing and answering from the steering wheel, pausing and muting of the audio system during calls, voice recognition, etc. Honestly, my big beefs with it are the dial entry system after being used to touchscreens and the fact that POIs aren't subcategorized, e.g., restaurants by type.

I have a hard time recommending anything but the RNS-E personally if you're wanting to add in-dash nav to your S4. I know some folks have gone other routes, but it just never looks as seamless or integrated.

[stretchS4]

I just realized I may have a problem if I install an RNS-E. My current radio has an in-dash CD changer, not the glove box one. So if I switch I will loose my CD player. I understand the the CD/DVD player in the RNS-E is needed for the NAV disk, so I will not be able to listen to a CD while using the NAV. Is this true?

Would I need to install the glove box changer too? Sounds complicated.

[SCWells72]

I just realized I may have a problem if I install an RNS-E. My current radio has an in-dash CD changer, not the glove box one. So if I switch I will loose my CD player. I understand the the CD/DVD player in the RNS-E is needed for the NAV disk, so I will not be able to listen to a CD while using the NAV. Is this true?

Would I need to install the glove box changer too? Sounds complicated.

It's true that the RNS-E's in-dash DVD drive is primarily used for navigation data, though you can put an audio CD in at any time that you're not navigating. If you want to navigate and listen to CDs, you'll need the glove box changer, yes. However, given that you can load up two SD cards of MP3s, I'm not sure why you'd listen to a CD at all. I don't have the changer and I've never missed it personally. If anything, I strongly prefer the ability to have relatively high capacity removable media over constantly changing the audio CD cartridges as I've done in my previous cars.

[stretchS4]

Again, great information and opinion. This forum is great. Thanks SCWells72.

[XwalkerX]

im on the fence between getting the stock nav unit and the pioneer f90bt (basically the updated d3)

so far im leaning tward the pioneer

pros/cons?

[sakimano]

good point. When I ordered my car I believe there was the option for CD changer vs ipod hookup. I took CD because the ipod thing has been kind of flamed on here.

I have 6 CDs in my car that have been in the changer for 6 months. I never listen to them. (not never...but may as well be). For music I'm almost 100% MP3. I'll listen to Mp3 cards 20 times before I listen to the CD once. It makes you realize how slow and awful CDs are...plus you can't tell what CDs are in (I keep a list in my blackberry so I know what's in slot 1, 2, 3 etc.)

The MP3 is so much better...just click return to go up a folder level and see all your artists...then click one and it's INSTANT music...no lag...no 10 seconds while CD changes...no whirring noises. INSTANT.

It's true that the RNS-E's in-dash DVD drive is primarily used for navigation data, though you can put an audio CD in at any time that you're not navigating. If you want to navigate and listen to CDs, you'll need the glove box changer, yes. However, given that you can load up two SD cards of MP3s, I'm not sure why you'd listen to a CD at all. I don't have the changer and I've never missed it personally. If anything, I strongly prefer the ability to have relatively high capacity removable media over constantly changing the audio CD cartridges as I've done in my previous cars.

[sakimano]

do you have a B6 or B7?

as for pros and cons, just read this thread, and do a search for 'RNS-E' or 'RNS-E vs' to find comparison threads. It's all out there.

im on the fence between getting the stock nav unit and the pioneer f90bt (basically the updated d3)

so far im leaning tward the pioneer

pros/cons?

[XwalkerX]

do you have a B6 or B7?

as for pros and cons, just read this thread, and do a search for 'RNS-E' or 'RNS-E vs' to find comparison threads. It's all out there.

i have a b6 and i have searched i know the rns-e offers the oem look but its capabilities are lacking and thats where the f90bt picks up. with the newest update the boot time is down to 45 sec but it has blue tooth, dvd capabilities, touch screen, 2 YEAR WARANTY, plus is $699 vs the 1000-1400 i see rns-e units going for.

i just wanted to see if anyone had other points to make that i was not aware of....

[RudeBwoi]

has anyone integrated a phatnoise with their rns?

[stretchS4]

One question. The RNS-E vendors on ebay are charging more for new build dates. For example a 2004 is $899 and a 2007 is $1199. Anyone know of functional differences between them? Or are they all the same.

[Beelzeebub]

since we're on the subject, where can i buy those sd cards? i know sd cards have different sizes; i dont know which one to get; or better yet, does anyone here have any sd cards they want to part with?

[SCWells72]

since we're on the subject, where can i buy those sd cards? i know sd cards have different sizes; i dont know which one to get; or better yet, does anyone here have any sd cards they want to part with?

You can get SD cards almost anywhere...Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, camera stores, etc. A 2GB SD card should run you about $10 or so and a 4GB can be had for under $20 if you scan the weekend ads. No need to buy from someone here when they're so available and cheap.

[PetrolDave]

It's true that the RNS-E's in-dash DVD drive is primarily used for navigation data, though you can put an audio CD in at any time that you're not navigating. If you want to navigate and listen to CDs, you'll need the glove box changer, yes. However, given that you can load up two SD cards of MP3s, I'm not sure why you'd listen to a CD at all. I don't have the changer and I've never missed it personally. If anything, I strongly prefer the ability to have relatively high capacity removable media over constantly changing the audio CD cartridges as I've done in my previous cars.

I've got an RNS-E with a glove box CD changer - which I think I've used once in over 2 years.

The SD cards are so convenient (and better since you get album and track names), that a CD changer is really is bit of a waste of space.

[PetrolDave]

since we're on the subject, where can i buy those sd cards? i know sd cards have different sizes; i dont know which one to get; or better yet, does anyone here have any sd cards they want to part with?

I buy all my SD cards online.

Make sure you only get SD cards, SDHC cards will NOT work in the RNS-E.

For cards up to 2GB that's not all problem, they are all SD.

For cards 8GB and over, they are all SDHC so they won't work.

4GB is the problem point - you can get both SD and SDHC 4GB cards and you have to be VERY careful to make sure you get an SD one.

[Beelzeebub]

thanks. i'll hit up a Best buy over the weekend.

[stretchS4]

So the 4 gig SDs (non HD)will work? I thought the RNS-E only took 2 gig SDs.

[Sharkfin]

I selll them if you are interested pm me

[sakimano]

So the 4 gig SDs (non HD)will work? I thought the RNS-E only took 2 gig SDs.

common misperception...because most people don't know that 4gb SD cards exist.

SDHC came out just as 4gb was becoming the top end on SD cards...so manufacturers quickly abandoned the old SD format. Unfortunately the Audi system ONLY reads that old format.

TRANSCEND makes a 4gb card that a lot of the guys on here use on their RNS-E systems. They work great, apparently. $10 each online now. Try newegg.com (I think that's it)

[Stevelev]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the RNS-E unit is capable of reading a maximum of 400 songs per card ...

[PetrolDave]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the RNS-E unit is capable of reading a maximum of 400 songs per card ...

Correct, but at high rip rates or with long tracks you can still fill a 4GB card with 400 songs.

BTW there's also a limit of 512 objects (folders + playlists + songs), and a path length limit of 64 characters.

[stretchS4]

Great, found the TRANSCEND 4 gigers. Thanks. Have any of you done the RNS-E install? I am preparing for my install, and have watched that video online here:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/444044...e_installation

Do I really have to take apart the instrument cluster for the GPS antenna connection? Looks scary. Is that where the wire from my shark fin antenna is? The unit I bought has a separate antenna I can use also. Please help!

[sakimano]

MP3? The Audi system is definitely not the best but I wouldn't swap for the aftermarket for $500.

Do you have controls on your steering wheel? Not sure how that would work with the aftermarket system...but with the RNS-E everything's nicely integrated...I scroll through my phone numbers with it (in the DIS display)...I adjust volume/stations...I activate voice commands with the steering wheel when I want to bark out a phone number without dialing my phone and rear ending someone...all around awesome.

Plus when you want to sell it, with the Audi MMI system in your car, it looks stock, and awesome. When you have a pioneer thing with funny coloured trim and buttons that don't match, it starts to look a little too high school. Just my heavily biased opinion!

i have a b6 and i have searched i know the rns-e offers the oem look but its capabilities are lacking and thats where the f90bt picks up. with the newest update the boot time is down to 45 sec but it has blue tooth, dvd capabilities, touch screen, 2 YEAR WARANTY, plus is $699 vs the 1000-1400 i see rns-e units going for.

i just wanted to see if anyone had other points to make that i was not aware of....

[sakimano]

I think you can go to the roof...I've seen someone run it up to the shark fin via hiding it along the ceiling trim somehow. Can't remember though. Maybe even in that video?

Do I really have to take apart the instrument cluster for the GPS antenna connection? Looks scary. Is that where the wire from my shark fin antenna is? The unit I bought has a separate antenna I can use also. Please help!

[PetrolDave]

Have any of you done the RNS-E install?

Done it twice in my own Audis (a B6 S4 and my current B7 RS4) and in about half a dozen other owners cars from A3 through RS4 to A6.

[sakimano]

Done it twice in my own Audis (a B6 S4 and my current B7 RS4) and in about half a dozen other owners cars from A3 through RS4 to A6.

^^^PM this guy for help!

[stretchS4]

Thanks guys, I started a new thread on the topic so we can close this one out. Seems like its not that bad to install behind the cluster and it gives you the best reception, arguably better then the shark fin too.