Thoughts on Sat Nav / Media options for Exeo Tech?

[donkas]

Hi,

I'm close to buying an Exeo Tech model and see there are two main head units available - the normal OEM unit and also a Pioneer touch screen model that was available for a set period during OEM supply issues.
It seems the main difference is the OEM includes full in dash display where as the Pioneer offers full 7 digit post codes and full iPod info support.
I wanted to ask how these differences impact the user. On the face of it, the Pioneer may seem a more functional product however I'm not fussed about the touch screen and won't use the sat nav very often. I also have Sat Nav in my iPhone so this really isn't a deal breaker. As for music, how well do both units work with the iPod support? I'm happy enough to use music off an SD card with the OEM unit or I could hook up a nano with the Pioneer unit if the support is very good. I just think the OEM unit looks nicer in the fascia and wouldn't want to lose any key info in the in dash display.
I'm asking these questions because with some of the cars I have short listed (low miles, Sport Tech), this head unit is the only real difference. Is bluetooth phone support the same between the two? Any differences in radio reception or general reliability and how do they both sound with the Bose speakers?

Thanks for any thoughts/input on this.

 

[Dave_]

Mine has the RNS-E fitted.

I don't use the iPod connection as the interface is poor. You're better off either using SD Cards and plugging them into the slot provided as you say, or using the Aux In - that's what I do. The BOSE kit is amped nicely so you don't lose much in audio quality or volume through the Aux In.

I use the sat nav all the time and it's never sent me the wrong way or left me driving somewhere that isn't shown on the map - it has the 2012 disc. I've never found the lack of 7 digit postcodes to be a problem really.

Bluetooth connectivity and phone interface works well, never had an issue. Connects straight away to my iPhone or my work CrackBerry. Doesn't drop the BT connection, some people have said theirs do but mine hasn't. It doesn't do A2DP though.

Radio reception is ok. Not much else. There have been reports of some units losing their presets and have really bad reception, mine doesn't suffer from this.

Sound via iPod or decent strength FM signal is really crisp. The saloon has a bigger sub than the Tourer though. I've never tried the CD slot as it has the nav disc in.

I held my order back so I could get the RNS-E unit fitted - I didn't fancy the Pioneer. I'm sure it's a decent unit but I wanted the OEM kit.

 

[donkas]

Mine has the RNS-E fitted.

I don't use the iPod connection as the interface is poor. You're better off either using SD Cards and plugging them into the slot provided as you say, or using the Aux In - that's what I do. The BOSE kit is amped nicely so you don't lose much in audio quality or volume through the Aux In.

I use the sat nav all the time and it's never sent me the wrong way or left me driving somewhere that isn't shown on the map - it has the 2012 disc. I've never found the lack of 7 digit postcodes to be a problem really.

Bluetooth connectivity and phone interface works well, never had an issue. Connects straight away to my iPhone or my work CrackBerry. Doesn't drop the BT connection, some people have said theirs do but mine hasn't. It doesn't do A2DP though.

Radio reception is ok. Not much else. There have been reports of some units losing their presets and have really bad reception, mine doesn't suffer from this.

Sound via iPod or decent strength FM signal is really crisp. The saloon has a bigger sub than the Tourer though. I've never tried the CD slot as it has the nav disc in.

I held my order back so I could get the RNS-E unit fitted - I didn't fancy the Pioneer. I'm sure it's a decent unit but I wanted the OEM kit.

Thanks for your input - good to hear. One question, have you tried adding the Navigation content to an SD card and running from there? I have read mixed reports but I thought some people had this working on the current model using the first SD slot.
Also, do they offer a way to get updated Navigation DVDs?

 

[DWaldie]

Other than the lack of 7 digit Sat-Nav, it is an excellent system (again 2012 disk). I've not managed to get the disk onto SD card and get it working. I have heard that this can be done with the equivalent system in the Audi, but not Seat. The TMC traffic warnings and diversions are also excellent.

The Hi-Fi is better than mine at home and the sound quality has meant I have picked up parts of a track I have never noticed before.

I use a 16G Sd card and it works pretty much faultlessly with the one exception that it cannot recognise some tracks, even if they have been ripped from the same album. Small price to pay for having a large part of my collection on one place. I don't own an Ipod so can't comment on that, but I can't be doing with cables connected to the Aux connector. That's what the SD slot is for!

This is the first bluetooth carphone I have had which has done exactly what it says on the tin. Pair the phone and leave BT on and it will connect every time without fault. If everything in life was a reliable as a SEAT

 

[MisterW]

I've got the RNS-E and echo Dave & DWaldie 's comments.

Also, do they offer a way to get updated Navigation DVDs?

You can buy updated DVD's but they aren't cheap ~ £80 I believe.
AFAIK it's not possible to run the NAV from an SD card , ONLY the DVD.
The IPOD interface is rubbish as Dave says, it just simulates a 6 CD changer and so reads upto 6 playlists from the IPOD & you can not see any track information. Just use the SD cards instead its MUCH better.
The integration on the RNS with the DIS is good, you see turn information and distance on the DIS and thus it's in your eye-line without having to look down at the NAV display. The DIS also integrates with the phone, displaying contacts so you can scroll through and dial with the Multifunction buttons on the steering wheel.

 

[donkas]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. Anyone with thoughts on the Pioneer?

 

[Dave_]

I've not tried putting the nav disc on SD card, I don't really have a reason if I'm honest.

I think there have been mixed opinions on the Pioneer unit, unlike the OEM - I've not seen any bad stuff about it. I have set mine to 'day colours' all the time as I don't like the black night colour scheme. What I also like about it is I can turn the voice off completely and have the display in the centre console show the tuner, with the nav prompts between the speedo & rev counter.

I drove one of my old (it's 3 years old) Citroen C5s today. I used to think the standard nav in that was good but all it did was annoy me. Voice off and it mutes the radio when the voice prompt would have been spoken! Comfortable though... Very very comfortable!