DkN
24-06-2012, 01:02 AM
Hey everyone, just posting some details / review of the new Audiosources ANS-810 aftermarket replacement satnav unit.
I bought one some time ago after much research and was quite impressed by the result. this is NOT along the same vein of the old WD6050 or the newer AS-7608 / 7609 series and a cut above - I will explain the differences shortly.
Anyway, here is the 8" (yes 8 inch! :D) unit:
http://www.golfmk5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=83531&stc=1&d=1334222453
Image courtesy of Mindrunner from golfmk5. I don't have pictures of my own because the one I bought for my car is a version with no dials (ordered by mistake), as you will see in the video below.
Videos of the unit in action:
In my car (mk5 Golf), unit with no dials (same interface otherwise):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yINm8QeGr9A
Please excuse the video quality, as it was filmed with my mobile - the display IRL is amazing (you can see this at 3:40 in the video below, which was obviously filmed with a better camera), and there is decent brightness even under sunlight. Also by the way, the "switch" button in the phone interface at 6:27, would switch between using or not using the ANS as headset when in the middle of a call.
My car has no OPS and reverse camera, so here's a video of the ANS-510 (6.5 inch version), with fully functional OPS & reverse camera (seen at 4:27):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN61Eu9q1P8&t=4m28s
The unit also displays full AC controls on screen, but this only works on the white MFD (so mk6 for Golfs). Some pictures here (of the 6.5 inch ANS510):
http://audiosources.net/viewproduct.asp?id=1164
Notable functions:
OEM-feel interface based on the RNS-510, no tacky, cheap UIs
RDS station name saved in radio station presets
Full IPAS & Reverse camera compatibility
Flexible media compatibility, plays WMA, mp3, MPEG-4, divx etc from SD, USB or DVD/CD
Diverse digital ASP control - great audio quality, significant improvement over factory RCD-310
decent Bluetooth phonebook functions - not Parrot standard, but much improved over AS-7608/7609 series
Bluetooth music playback via your phone
Navigation directions fade the front speakers only
There is however a gripe with radio reception, which will be worse than factory - on my car, FM is normally fine but more susceptible to interference, while AM is non existent. I was told this is due to AM not being tested in China since it is phased out. Doesn't bother me as I never listen to AM, but I wouldn't want anyone to receive nasty surprises.
ANS810/510 vs AS-7609:
The ANS series is NOT AS-7609 with new software. While the external design is more or less the same, the internals have been completely overhauled by switching to ARM11 architecture. This makes the unit faster, more efficient and more responsive.
Audiosources is now no longer developing the AS-7609 and putting full force behind the ANS series. The ANS software is being actively developed with a focus on advanced CANBUS functionalities. Some very exciting updates are going to come through firmware updates, which is a no-brainer on these units, takes 2 mins and no chance I can see of bricking the unit (I interrupted the update halfway while flashing the OS and it just restarted the procedure when I turned it on again). Coming updates include OBD functions that will put Dynavin to shame - it's all being kept very hush-hush atm but I have seen an (exclusive :P) preview of the interface, and let me tell you that is no overstatement.
I can also tell you that while these units come from China they are far superior to the $400 units you can find from eBay. Audiosources have really been upping their game and taking it to a whole new level, in terms of quality of both the hardware and the software. They have even sold into dealerships in Germany - but only the 8 inch ANS810 not the ANS510 due to its similarity with RNS510 (IMO unless you are adamant on the RNS510 look, the ANS810 is far superior purely due to that amazing screen...)
I was impressed enough to become a distributor for these units since Audiosources do not have one yet for Australia - I have setup sponsorship over on VWWatercooled but not yet here so I will refrain from any selling information other than PM me if you're interested ;) In the mean time if you feel my review may be biased, there's a lot of information out there for the ANS-510, so take a look for yourself - my personal belief is that you should always do as much of your own research as you can before buying.
Cheers
I bought one some time ago after much research and was quite impressed by the result. this is NOT along the same vein of the old WD6050 or the newer AS-7608 / 7609 series and a cut above - I will explain the differences shortly.
Anyway, here is the 8" (yes 8 inch! :D) unit:
http://www.golfmk5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=83531&stc=1&d=1334222453
Image courtesy of Mindrunner from golfmk5. I don't have pictures of my own because the one I bought for my car is a version with no dials (ordered by mistake), as you will see in the video below.
Videos of the unit in action:
In my car (mk5 Golf), unit with no dials (same interface otherwise):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yINm8QeGr9A
Please excuse the video quality, as it was filmed with my mobile - the display IRL is amazing (you can see this at 3:40 in the video below, which was obviously filmed with a better camera), and there is decent brightness even under sunlight. Also by the way, the "switch" button in the phone interface at 6:27, would switch between using or not using the ANS as headset when in the middle of a call.
My car has no OPS and reverse camera, so here's a video of the ANS-510 (6.5 inch version), with fully functional OPS & reverse camera (seen at 4:27):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN61Eu9q1P8&t=4m28s
The unit also displays full AC controls on screen, but this only works on the white MFD (so mk6 for Golfs). Some pictures here (of the 6.5 inch ANS510):
http://audiosources.net/viewproduct.asp?id=1164
Notable functions:
OEM-feel interface based on the RNS-510, no tacky, cheap UIs
RDS station name saved in radio station presets
Full IPAS & Reverse camera compatibility
Flexible media compatibility, plays WMA, mp3, MPEG-4, divx etc from SD, USB or DVD/CD
Diverse digital ASP control - great audio quality, significant improvement over factory RCD-310
decent Bluetooth phonebook functions - not Parrot standard, but much improved over AS-7608/7609 series
Bluetooth music playback via your phone
Navigation directions fade the front speakers only
There is however a gripe with radio reception, which will be worse than factory - on my car, FM is normally fine but more susceptible to interference, while AM is non existent. I was told this is due to AM not being tested in China since it is phased out. Doesn't bother me as I never listen to AM, but I wouldn't want anyone to receive nasty surprises.
ANS810/510 vs AS-7609:
The ANS series is NOT AS-7609 with new software. While the external design is more or less the same, the internals have been completely overhauled by switching to ARM11 architecture. This makes the unit faster, more efficient and more responsive.
Audiosources is now no longer developing the AS-7609 and putting full force behind the ANS series. The ANS software is being actively developed with a focus on advanced CANBUS functionalities. Some very exciting updates are going to come through firmware updates, which is a no-brainer on these units, takes 2 mins and no chance I can see of bricking the unit (I interrupted the update halfway while flashing the OS and it just restarted the procedure when I turned it on again). Coming updates include OBD functions that will put Dynavin to shame - it's all being kept very hush-hush atm but I have seen an (exclusive :P) preview of the interface, and let me tell you that is no overstatement.
I can also tell you that while these units come from China they are far superior to the $400 units you can find from eBay. Audiosources have really been upping their game and taking it to a whole new level, in terms of quality of both the hardware and the software. They have even sold into dealerships in Germany - but only the 8 inch ANS810 not the ANS510 due to its similarity with RNS510 (IMO unless you are adamant on the RNS510 look, the ANS810 is far superior purely due to that amazing screen...)
I was impressed enough to become a distributor for these units since Audiosources do not have one yet for Australia - I have setup sponsorship over on VWWatercooled but not yet here so I will refrain from any selling information other than PM me if you're interested ;) In the mean time if you feel my review may be biased, there's a lot of information out there for the ANS-510, so take a look for yourself - my personal belief is that you should always do as much of your own research as you can before buying.
Cheers