[jimxav]

Hi,
My first post... hope there's some help out there!

I have taken out the standard 1 din cd player in my 05 Laguna 2.

I would like to have a genuine renault stereo that has bluetooth compatibility for my phone...

Can these be resourced easily? any ideas?

I have a CLarion head unit with a horrible surround that is in at the moment but it doesn't use the steering control or clock... which would be nice...

Be good to hear about some experiences with possible solutions.... ta

Jim

 

[mrickle]

hi, Being an 05 plate, i bet you have the facelift laguna 2. I have the one where the radio is behind the flap an 04 plate. I have done away with the renault unit, bought an autoleads kit, and then purchased a sony bluetooth stereo with the steering wheel socket on the back.

the autoleads kit just plugs into the existing loom, then into the radio. the other end connects behind the clock.

I now have better unit, and steering wheel controls!! Only down side is the display dont display the radio, but who cares!! It works.

My friend has a facelift, and his dad is a painter. hes bought facia plate, and got his dad to match the dash colour better. With a bit of modification to hold it in better, this too doesnt look out of place. However he did look for a headunit that matched the look of the car.

 

[costeau]

As far as I know, Renault didn't build bluetooth into the head units at the time,
but used an external bluetooth adapter, the Parrot CK4160 or CK4260, if I'm not mistaken…

If the dashtop display and the steering column remote stalk are your only reasons for wanting a Renault head unit,
then there's still some hope in the aftermarket, so read on…

I've fit an Alpine head unit into mine, and the APF-D101RE works a charm with the display.

If your factory head unit model is Tuner List, both Alpine and Pioneer offer a remote interface that also utilizes the external display on the dash top.
The one from Alpine is called APF-D101RE, and the Pioneer one is called CA-D-PI.180.

If the factory head unit model is Update List, however, I've only seen compatible adapter from Alpine, model being APF-D102RE.

In order to utilize the display feature, the head unit must also support this.
Some of Alpine's models have a dedicated connector called "Vehicle Display Interface",
while Pioneer uses the IP-bus for this purpose, so if you choose them, get a head unit that's got IP-bus (because not all models do)

If you're not too fussy with the display, but still want the steering remote stalk, there are more brands to choose from, in addition to more models from Alpine and Pioneer.

Most of the big names in car audio offer units with either built-in bluetooth,
or with the option of adding a bluetooth module that plugs into the back, which you just fit somewhere in a cavity using heavy-duty velcro.

 

[pooksee]

Ok, I joined this forum (my first post to solve a similar situation;

I have a '06 Renault Scenic with a stock "update list" radio cd, and I'd like to switch it for a bluetooth capable HU - but to retain the stalk & in-dash display radio/cd info at the same time.

I searched thoroughly the forums, and this thread has the closest info I could find. Did I understand correctly that only Alpine offers the necesary kit (APF-D102RE), or does Pioneer (or any other) have a similar kit? It would seem a bit odd if not IMHO...

Not to mention Alpine is quite pricey...

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[costeau]

I have a '06 Renault Scenic with a stock "update list" radio cd, and I'd like to switch it for a bluetooth capable HU - but to retain the stalk & in-dash display radio/cd info at the same time.

I searched thoroughly the forums, and this thread has the closest info I could find. Did I understand correctly that only Alpine offers the necesary kit (APF-D102RE), or does Pioneer (or any other) have a similar kit? It would seem a bit odd if not IMHO...

Not to mention Alpine is quite pricey...

APF-D102RE is the correct kit for Alpine if you currently have an "Update List" head unit.

I wasn't able to find something with display support from Pioneer for the Update List.
There is, however, one that supports the steering remote, called CA-R-PI.184 or CA-R-PI.184v2, and it doesn't require a head unit with IP-bus either.

I know Alpine carries a slightly higher price tag, but I felt it was worth the money anyway.
Besides, they've been campaigning Bluetooth head units recently.

 

[alix776]

Sony do one as well with a patch lead to retain the stearing wheel controls

Sent from my HD7 T9292 using Board Express

 

[costeau]

Sony do one as well with a patch lead to retain the stearing wheel controls

Sent from my HD7 T9292 using Board Express

Actually, yes, a lot of the common makes – Sony, Kenwood, JVC, Clarion, etc. – offer Renault steering remote interfaces,
but not that many have interfaces that make use of the external display on Renaults.

Also, it's important to know what generation your car is, and in many cases (including the Laguna II) whether it's pre- or post-facelift,
or what head unit was factory fitted in your car, in order to find the right interface,
as Renault changed their standard for this twice recently, once around 2000, and once around 2005.

 

[pooksee]

upgrading tuner/update list radio - keeping stalk&display info

Thank you both costeau and alix 776.

In the meantime I was googleing about and found a couple of german and french forums discussing the possibility of switching the stock HU but retaining the stalk & display functionality.

Finally, I came across this post: http://www.performancetorque.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3036

Very useful - I wish I found it in the beginning, all pretty much explained there.

In a nutshell, apart from Alpine (thanks costeau), Renault offers an "official" stalk&display interface which supports only Sony HU's (Renault part number: 77 11 419 088). The interfaces' manufacturer is actually Connects2, their part no. CTDRNS004 (or CTDRNS003 - I suppose they are basically the same thing).

Now, I bought this interface (77 11 419 088) from a Renault dealer (not a bargain either ~110 EUR, but at least Sony's HU's are much more affordable than Alpine's), and now I'm waiting for a Sony MEX-BT5700U HU I got on ebay to arrive.

As soon as it arrives, I'll hopefully hook all of it together up and share my experience...

 

[costeau]

Re: upgrading tuner/update list radio - keeping stalk&display info

Finally, I came across this post: http://www.performancetorque.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3036

Very useful - I wish I found it in the beginning, all pretty much explained there.

I agree that thread is useful, after having read it, and Luke on that forum seems to know his stuff.
I honestly didn't know about the Sony CDX-GT30 RNT, which seems to be a direct replacement for the Update List.

However, aside from mentioning the CDX-GT30, he fails to point out that the head unit model must have some form of vehicle display output.

In a nutshell, apart from Alpine (thanks costeau), Renault offers an "official" stalk&display interface which supports only Sony HU's (Renault part number: 77 11 419 088). The interfaces' manufacturer is actually Connects2, their part no. CTDRNS004 (or CTDRNS003 - I suppose they are basically the same thing).

The CTDRNS003 is meant for use in cars that originally came with the Tuner List head unit, or so the Connects2 web site says.
I suspect that CTDRNS004 is more or less the same, difference being it's meant for cars originally equipped with the Update List,
although the Connects2 web site had no information on this model, so please don't take my word for it.

Now, I bought this interface (77 11 419 088) from a Renault dealer (not a bargain either ~110 EUR, but at least Sony's HU's are much more affordable than Alpine's), and now I'm waiting for a Sony MEX-BT5700U HU I got on ebay to arrive.

I had a nosy about, and the 77 11 419 088 seems to be made for cars that originally were equipped with the Update List unit.
For a 2006 Scenic, this'll be the appropriate device, provided your MEX-BT5700U has some form of vehicle display output.
My gut feeling says that if it does, it'll be using the Bus Control connector, that also runs CD changers
(much in the same manner as the Pioneer adaptors use the IP-Bus), if it's meant for them Unilink CD changers.

 

[pooksee]

Re: upgrading tuner/update list radio - keeping stalk&display info

I had a nosy about, and the 77 11 419 088 seems to be made for cars that originally were equipped with the Update List unit.
For a 2006 Scenic, this'll be the appropriate device, provided your MEX-BT5700U has some form of vehicle display output.
My gut feeling says that if it does, it'll be using the Bus Control connector, that also runs CD changers
(much in the same manner as the Pioneer adaptors use the IP-Bus), if it's meant for them Unilink CD changers.

Spot on, that's why I was looking for a Sony HU with cd-changer control, which the MEX-BT5700U has.

However, Luke actually mentions that the HU needs to have both a CD changer port and a "remote control interface" as well -
("For both TunerList and UpdateList adapters the Sony headunit must have a CD Changer port and a remote control interface.").

Frankly, I didn't fully understand how the "remote control interface" feature is called in Sony hu's specs, so I went on the safe side and got a upper range HU (5700U), presuming it will more likely have such interface, because otherwise I would settle for a simpler (and more affordable... cd-changer enabled Sony hu.

Here's a pic of the interface:

 

[costeau]

Re: upgrading tuner/update list radio - keeping stalk&display info

Frankly, I didn't fully understand how the "remote control interface" feature is called in Sony hu's specs, so I went on the safe side and got a upper range HU (5700U), presuming it will more likely have such interface, because otherwise I would settle for a simpler (and more affordable... cd-changer enabled Sony hu.

One way of double-checking it is to download the install manual for the model you're looking at from Sony's web site, and have a look.
Any head unit that supports Sony's own remote stalk, should accept a steering remote adapter through the same mini-jack interface.

This pre-investigative strategy works with more or less all aftermarket head units, as the manufacturers usually post full manuals as PDFs on their support site.

In fact, most aftermarket HU makes use a mini-jack like this for the remote interface,
but the commands, and possibly pinouts too, vary from brand to brand,
hence, the need for brand-specific interfaces, even when not utilising the vehicle dash display.

From looking at the picture, model number DRNS003CANM indicates that it should work with your Scenic, due to the fact that the display and remote stalk run on the CAN bus.

The wiring harness looks neat and tidy too.

 

[pooksee]

Re: upgrading tuner/update list radio - keeping stalk&display info

One way of double-checking it is to download the install manual for the model you're looking at from Sony's web site, and have a look.
Any head unit that supports Sony's own remote stalk, should accept a steering remote adapter through the same mini-jack interface.

Ok, thanks, good to know. Then, if I'm not mistaken, as this feature is present in almost all range of sony hu's, the feature to look more closely is the changer control.

From looking at the picture, model number DRNS003CANM indicates that it should work with your Scenic, due to the fact that the display and remote stalk run on the CAN bus.

Yes, from all info I could get it should work, but I guess I'll know for sure once I hook all up... I'll get back with results as soon as the hu arrives...

The wiring harness looks neat and tidy too.

For the price tag it sure should

 

[costeau]

Re: upgrading tuner/update list radio - keeping stalk&display info

For the price tag it sure should

I agree. One thing I particularly liked was that it had the ISO female connectors on one end, and the male Sony main HU connector on the other end.
It'll save you a great deal of wire spaghetti, as you don't need to use the harness that came with the radio. Just use the adapter instead.

Many harnesses out there have the ISO female on one end, and ISO male on the other.
Unfortunately, that's the case with the harness for my Alpine system's display/stalk adapter, so I had to plug that into the ISOs of the harness that came with my HU,
and then hook the unholy monster of a result between the car and the HU.

I'll not be surprised if I've used enough electric insulation tape to reach from Aberdeen to Land's End, just to organize that wiring. :d

 

[pooksee]

Re: upgrading tuner/update list radio - keeping stalk&display info

Ok, the Sony MEX-BT5700U hu I got on ebay has arrived.

I connected the whole thing, and it works! Great! :d

(Costeau, I remembered you when I was connecting the harness with the HU - tidy indead, and even with that I fitted the hu back in with some difficulties, I cant't even imagine how it would be having to connect the regular ISO harness, then connects2 adapter...)

Anyway, the Scenic's stalk & display are operational with the new hu. I'm quite satisfied.

However, there is one thing - the display is fully operational only in tuner mode. I.e, during cd play it just shows - CD T00 (or something similar), so there is no track name info, time elapsed etc. Same goes for mp3 playback, or let alone bluetooth mode... In those modes the display just shows "Unknown".

Having said that, I saw on youtube that's Alpine's hu & interface works better with that respect. It seems to show more information on the display...

All in all, I find full stalk & somewhat limited display functionality fine (for now).
It cost me 250 EUR in total (Sony MEX-BT5700U HU + Renault stalk&display interface), and having in mind that quite propably going for Alpine would have costed me more, I'm set now..

 

[costeau]

Hm…
A friend of mine paid about 130 Euro for a single-DIN Alpine CD tuner with iPod interface, although it didn't have bluetooth.
I suggested at least getting a remote stalk adapter for it, when I fitted it in his wife's Megane.
The combined display and remote stalk adaptor would probably bump the grand total up to about 180 Euro.

 

[pooksee]

costeau I kinda have to admit that the semi functional display is not quite the thing I imagined to be...:loser:

Also, you mught have a point there (regarding the final costs), so I started looking at how could I rig an alpine setup but keeping the price low...
(of course, this implies selling the current Sony setup, but that's another story..:d)

After some digging on the alpine's support web site to find something, I'm thinking about finding on ebay a used 9884r or 9886r hu and hook it up with a kce-300 bt + apf-d102re interface.

The only thing I'm unsure about is whether I can connect both kce-300 bt + apf-d102re interfaces with the abovmentioned hu's at the same time?

What do you think?

 

[costeau]

After some digging on the alpine's support web site to find something, I'm thinking about finding on ebay a used 9884r or 9886r hu and hook it up with a kce-300 bt + apf-d102re interface.

The only thing I'm unsure about is whether I can connect both kce-300 bt + apf-d102re interfaces with the abovmentioned hu's at the same time?

What do you think?

The APF-D102RE is right for your car, and both these HUs, CDA-9884R and CDA-9886R support it.
The KCE-300 BT is the Bluetooth module recommended for these HUs.

Just bear in mind that if you want to use an iPod with the head unit, you need an Alpine Full-Speed dock connector cable
(unless it's included with the HU), as the USB ports on these models don't support the iPod file system.

 

[pooksee]

Thank you costeau, I appreciate your advice.

So if my understanding is correct, there's no problem to connect a say CDA-9884R (or CDA-9886R) with both kce-300 bt + apf-d102re interfaces at the same time?
That's the question, I know all of them are intercompatible.

 

[costeau]

Thank you costeau, I appreciate your advice.

So if my understanding is correct, there's no problem to connect a say CDA-9884R (or CDA-9886R) with both kce-300 bt + apf-d102re interfaces at the same time?
That's the question, I know all of them are intercompatible.

There shouldn't be any issues there, as the Vehicle Display Interface uses a different connector than the Full-speed connector that the Bluetooth module uses,
and both head units have both these connectors, in addition to the steering wheel remote interface jack,
which also is used by the APF-D102RE (so you don't need a separate unit for that as well).

 

[Tolak]

Re: upgrading tuner/update list radio - keeping stalk&display info

<SNIP>However, there is one thing - the display is fully operational only in tuner mode. I.e, during cd play it just shows - CD T00 (or something similar), so there is no track name info, time elapsed etc. Same goes for mp3 playback, or let alone bluetooth mode... In those modes the display just shows "Unknown".
<SNIP>

Now that is really disappointing.
One of the real benefits of MP3 over ordinary CDs is the CD text or track info that is included in the file, and I would like to get that MP3 data onto the display. Seems like I'm stuck with using the display on the Head unit.

And, as mentioned elsewhere, one might be tempted to buy a "better" model, in the hope more features will provide better functionality.