RNS-D --> RNS-E in FL D2, but leave old Nokia 6310i phone in place?

[notorious]

Thanks for this Ian.

A couple more questions:

1. Is configuration done with RNS-E menu or with VagCom? If relatively fast via menu, then it's just great.

2. Is there any car kit for RNS-E that connects to it via bluetooth, but still use OEM external phone antenna? I use iPhone and it'd be great to put in into armrest like that old nokia 6310i for external antenna and use bluetooth advantages at the same time... I maybe dreaming, but I'm thinking now to remove the stock car kit and replace it with bloetooth one that can still use OEM antenna...

[Adrian E]

In Ian's absence, I believe vag-com required to code the car systems to talk to each other.

My RNS-E is bluetooth only with my SE handset - I can put it in the armrest and get decent signal, with no issues.

If you use your iphone for music as well, then maybe add a phone cradle with charging and dock connection to the RNS-E? You'd get decent line of sight connection through the windscreen then.

I wish there was a simple way to use the old internal hard dock cradle, but so few phones were ever supported by Audi that choice is very limited. Ideally I'd love to be able to pull the external antenna and power connections from the docking port and mate them to a suitable fly lead to the phone. I end up with a fag lighter charger draped from the back of the centre console into the armrest at the moment - not terribly elegant solution.....

[notorious]

Thanks Adrian,

Switching with VagCom is nightmare

Then it boils down to finding iphone cradle kit that can:

* Prodive power
* Use OEM external antenna from the old OEM kit
* Can possilbly be mounted in passenger armrest where stock phone was located
* Nice to have: Music interface with RNS-E by wire

Since voice connection with RND-E will be done via bluetooth, then the biggest challange is support of OEM external antenna.

[Adrian E]

Agreed

Will be interesting if Ian thinks anything is possible to use the old connections - I'd certainly like a minimum of a fly lead solution in the armrest (my wife and I both have SE handsets).

[notorious]

I update this thread to confirm I've installed RNS-E in my car with OEM Bluetooth module and left existing wiring for traditional Nokia 6310i phone in place, so both OEM Bluetooth and old OEM hands free system are now working with RNS-E together. This configuration is not mutually exclusive and it just works without any additional switch. RNS-E is coded for A6 (mute signal is taken from traditional mute pin and not from CAN bus message like in newer cars) and for OEM Bluetooth kit of course.

As you know, A8 have two microphone slots in overhead light. Traditional OEM phone kit occupies passender side slot (driver side in Germany), so second OEM Bluetooth microphone was installed in driver side slot. That slot was occupied by some electrical connectors for sunroof, etc., so I had to clean that space by rearranging those connectors a bit before actually fitting OEM bluetooth microphone there. Now both OEM microphone slots are occupied by OEM microphones -- fully loaded car! You can even call from one phone to the other and talk to yourself. Thanks Ian for suggesting proper direction.

Now all I need is to find the way to take advantage of external antenna for my iPhone that I've connected via OEM Bluetooth Organizing charging for iPhone is now the easy part.

[frankow]

Any pics of the RNS-E fitted?

[notorious]

Hi Wayne,

I didn't make pictures yet, but it perfectly sits in place since i've spent literally a day sanding off edges and trying it on inside the car every 15 minutes to get fine gaps. You know I'm crazy about that. But I'll make a picture later.

Now thinking about rear view camera and OEM digital tuner, but can't find anyone selling the type C digital tuner