It's mostly personal preference, though if you prefer fairly traditional looks instead of the multiple-window GIMP, Paint.NET (getpaint.net) might be easier to get into and also has a bunch of creative tools (though no auto-attach lasso).

Resizing is also quite easy with it. (If you do wish to use something pre-existing of a different format, best to apply all effects first, then resize to 480px height while keeping aspect ratio, then cut to 800px width)

Overall, with a few minutes to spare, you could probably combine a bunch of your ideas so far into something that doesn't look too out of place.

Also: This kinda makes me want one of those now. Too bad double DIN dashes don't exactly grow on trees ?
 
It's mostly personal preference, though if you prefer fairly traditional looks instead of the multiple-window GIMP, Paint.NET (getpaint.net) might be easier to get into and also has a bunch of creative tools (though no auto-attach lasso).

Resizing is also quite easy with it. (If you do wish to use something pre-existing of a different format, best to apply all effects first, then resize to 480px height while keeping aspect ratio, then cut to 800px width)

Overall, with a few minutes to spare, you could probably combine a bunch of your ideas so far into something that doesn't look too out of place.

Also: This kinda makes me want one of those now. Too bad double DIN dashes don't exactly grow on trees ?
Thank you for your reply,

I have now re-downloaded Gimp and it seems that I downloaded the wrong software before. I will have a play with it and see what I can come up with.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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Morning All,

Although I am absolutely over the moon with the outcome of my recent ventures with my RNS-E PU (193G) with the addition of the Arduino and latest firmware, I have been looking for an item which would eliminate the need of the Arduino. Whilst there is nothing at all wrong with the functionality of what I have done, I am still wanting to fit a RNS-E PU 193 B Revision to keep OEM true to its name. As most of you know the 193 B Revision has the hardware inside the head unit to pick up the V Signal and RFSL.

Those of you who have searched for a 193 B Revision unit will know that they don't come up for sale that often and demand a high price tag when they do, well I think there might be another option available to us, but cannot confirm until I get my hands on my very recent eBay purchase.

The possible solution I am going to test is a Seat Media System E from a 2013 Seat Exeo. The part number for the head unit is 3R0035192 and it has a MEDIA Button, yes it ends in 192 but looking at the display it certainly looks to be a RNS-E PU Mk2 in Seat clothing, strange that VAG decided to give it a 192 part number though. This might just play in our favour as most people (like me until recently) don't know how to tell difference between a Mk1 RNS-E and Mk2 RNS-E PU, the obvious give away is the Mk1 has a CD/TV button and the Mk2 has a MEDIA button.

As these buttons can be swapped we need to investigate a little closer at the displays to understand whether its a Mk1 or indeed a Mk2.

Here is what I purchased not 24 hours ago for the rather nice price of £260 plus £10 delivery (It could do with a new screen bezel with Audi Navigation Plus text but thats a simple fix):
s-l500.jpg

Im certain that its a RNS-E PU (Mk2) and have seen a picture of the Pinout sticker which indicates that it might just have the internal hardware to that of Audi's 193 B Revision. Time will tell if this gamble pays off but if it doesn't have the said hardware it will still function perfectly as does my 193 G Revision, back to how to determine if this is a Mk1 or a Mk2 just from looking at the displays.

This little guide is not the fullest of answers but it will assist if you're looking to purchase a RNS-E and want to ensure you know what you're buying should you not be able to get definitive details from the seller from the engineering pages etcetera.

An Audi 192 (Mk1) RNS-E display looks like this:
Media-list-Audi-DVD-Navigation-System-RNS-E2.jpg

1. Obvious give away is the CD/TV Button but we know that these can be changed
2. The orange goldfish bowl shape around the track names is a continuous shape
3. The buttons in each corner of the display (too replicate the actual buttons outside the large dial/knob) look like they're almost joined together with the thicker orange curve
4. The clock/time display (bottom centre) has no border

An Audi 193 (Mk2) RNS-E PU display looks like this:
additional-audi-a3-new-rns-e-navigation-3.jpg

1. Obvious give away is the MEDIA Button, not shown here but sure you understand
2. The orange goldfish bowl shape has disappeared apart from only showing the left hand side curve which fades top and bottom
3. The buttons in each corner (too replicate the actual buttons outside the large dial/knob) look more separate (and better) opposed to the Mk1
4. The clock/time display (bottom centre) has a border that attaches to a new line above it

So going back to my Seat Exeo 192 Media System:
s-l500.jpg

It does look like I have just purchased a 193 (Mk2) RNS-E PU for the price of an Audi 192 (Mk1).

If it all works out then I guess my current head unit (with Arduino) will be appearing in the market area which will include the full paid for version if the latest PCBBC firmware and will do all that you see in previous posts along with the SD Card with the Maps Data on it.

Should this Seat system not have the same internals as the expensive Audi 193B unit then this will be appearing in the market area, again I will add the latest PCBBC firmware and change the Splash Screen to an Audi one to eliminate the Seat one at start up.

Hope this information helps someone out, keep your eyes peeled as deals are out there!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Hi Tom,

Maybe this link can help you out re logos on start up.

These are used with the ColorFIS displays. There are pictures as well as animated gifs.

I will follow your topic as you get on with this?.
 

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Afternoon all,

I can now confirm that the Seat Media System E from a 2013 Seat Exeo does indeed work exactly as it should in an A2. I have just received it from UPS and went straight outside to correctly code it for my A2 with its extras (AMI and BT Modules). I first updated the firmware to the PCBBC fw280v2 and it’s now working perfectly.

Removed Seat logo displayed upon start up:
E2C89B78-332C-401B-A1F7-4F4FA8A74FB2.jpeg


I no longer need to use the Arduino UNO unit for V Signal.
Picked up speed pulses instantly:
EFD0A2F8-FB60-44B3-9B2C-3D051ACD041D.jpeg


What I have lost though it the OPS page when reverse is selected but changing the PDC Module from an 8Z0 item to an 8P0 item might possibly solve that.
Detects REV OFF:
0095226A-3EB6-4480-AC95-E31511AA072B.jpeg

Detects REV ON:
2FDBAB5A-1147-4427-B892-F1B65B249669.jpeg


I’m really happy this gamble paid off and the 3R0035192 HU really is a RNS-E PU with the internal components found in the RNS-E PU 193B Revision.

Guess I now have a fully functional RNS-E 193G Revision with Maps on SD Card etcetera as shown in this thread spare now. I’ll have a think for a day or 2 and might put it in the market area.

What I have also lost in this quick swap is the Piano Black surround and chrome buttons. I know the glossy Piano Black surround can be swapped over in minutes but I’m not that confident that swapping the chrome buttons over is an easy task. Might just leave them. Will no doubt swap the surrounds though. This is massively outweighed by the gains though. I really didn’t mind having the Arduino unit but I’m trying to keep it as OEM as possible. The only other way to remove it whilst keeping the functionality was to cough up mega bucks for a 193B Revision which I just cannot stretch to.

Suppose I’ll have the Dremel out again in a few days, home schooling 2 demanding boys permitting!

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Tom, the chrome and black buttons alike simply pull off leaving spindle-heads.

*** EDIT - it is now confirmed that this method applies only to the LARGE button. ***
*** Do NOT try this with the small on/off/volume button or you will damage your RNS-E ***

I swapped the big button from chrome to black on a 192 unit (to match the smaller button - for some reason it was a mixture when I got it). The only issue I had was that the spindle-head on my unit had a straight screwdriver slot, which appeared to have been filled with some compound - I just had to take a hacksaw blade to that filling to restore the slot, so that the lug on the underside of the button could rotate it properly.
 
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Tom, the chrome and black buttons alike simply pull off leaving spindle-heads. I swapped the big button from chrome to black on a 192 unit (to match the smaller button - for some reason it was a mixture when I got it). The only issue I had was that the spindle-head on my unit had a straight screwdriver slot, which appeared to have been filled with some compound - I just had to take a hacksaw blade to that filling to restore the slot, so that the lug on the underside of the button could rotate it properly.
Afternoon Ian.

Thank you very much for the first hand information. I’ve read elsewhere that the Gen 2 HU (RNS-E PU 193) buttons aren’t a simple pull off and swap but will have a go shortly. I’m sure Jeremy @sciroccorrado has changed them so will ask him also.

I’d hate to ruin 2 perfectly functioning RNS-E PUs in the process.

EDIT: @Proghound, Ian I have very quickly removed the larger button without issue. The power/volume button however will not come away from the HU. It seems that to remove the smaller button is a bit more involved unless I didn’t pull it hard enough. This could well be the reason why you had a mixture of buttons in your HU as it doesn’t seem to be that simple for a complete button swap.

Hopefully I’m wrong and someone jump in and tells me to just pulls it harder from personal experience.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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Evening all,

I have now found an online guide on how to swap the buttons. It’s a bit more involved but still fairly doable if you’re confident. The easiest way to do this is to simply remove the whole front/fascia and swap them between the 2 HUs. It will of course leave my current 193G HU with the incorrectly shaped fascia but I can rectify that in under an hour so no real issues.

I’ll have a go at the swap tomorrow and let you all know how I get on. I suppose that if I do go ahead and sell my brilliant 193G unit it might not have the chrome buttons and Piano Black screen surround. It’ll still be the same thing that you have seen in the earlier posts showing you what it can now do after the latest PCBBC firmware update.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Evening all,

You may well be able to guess what I’ve just been doing for an hour.

Yes you’ve guessed it, you should know me by now. After realising the Chrome dial/knob swap wasn’t as simple as I hoped I armed myself with some tools:

2BAE9661-F9F0-43E3-94D0-8013D6FC0678.jpeg


Also the kids toy repair kit just incase:

A16EA177-E8E5-452D-845E-F3709D14CFEF.jpeg


In short, Project OEM will be shortly having its new Seat Media System E (3R0-035-192) fitted with the complete fascia from its 193G cousin. An hours work I’m very happy with.

NOTE: If you ever wish to swap the 2 dials/knobs over on a RNS-E please do not just pull them off, the on/off/volume knob shouldn’t come off, if it does then you may have damaged your HU. There is a way of safely doing this without causing any damage. I’ll link a guide below so you can have a go one day, it’s an hours work.

If you look closely you’ll see the Seat HU with the Audi fascia fitted. So I now effectively have a 193B RNS-E PU with Piano Black surround and Chrome dials/knobs.

D5014768-647B-460C-83C9-7F3D9CF85389.jpeg


18A08D34-50B1-457C-92F4-F6CEA12EFFAF.jpeg


I was a little worried about the rust spots on top of this Seat HU buts it’s only on the surface and inside the machine is fine and I have no concerns what so ever.

I’m sure there are a few of you out there knew that I would be posting something like this a few hours after asking how to swap the knobs. I just couldn’t resist the challenge after finding out it was not a simple process, I was not going to be beat as I really wanted to do this swap of parts. I do like the chrome dials.

After realising a simple pull off and push back on was not going to happen I found this guide on another Audi forum. Quite a good guide to be honest and it is the best/only quick way to change the buttons around on an RNS-E. I found it very very useful and it gave me the confidence to give it a go. I only followed up to stage 12 or 13 for a complete fascia swap. Didn’t need to go any further.

I personally think that this guide will assist with fitting the wrong shaped Audi TTS RNS-E PU 193D (which does have the same internals as the 193B Revision, but a HW number check would need to be done to confirm) into our A2s. Obviously you would need a spare fascia from an A3/4/6 but after an hours work you’d have an RNS-E ready to fit (after you have the Dremel out on the spare fascia of course).

In summary, I guess it’s not just the 193B Revision that ‘does it all’ in our aluminium friends. A little bit of time along with some very basic tools and you can have the functionality of the sacred 193B for a lot cheaper.

I’m happy and I now need to trim the Seat fascia on my 193G HU and probably place it in the market place.

Here is my 2013 Seat Exeo Medial System E fitted into my commuter:

4B18752D-2180-4B6D-8268-29260CB6522E.jpeg


Kind regards,

Tom
 
I'm glad to stand corrected, with the on/off/volume knob not actually being easily removable ? I hold my hand up to assuming that it was easy from my experience with the big one, but we all know what assuming does :oops: I shall now go back and edit my post to make that clear and add a warning. Tom, I'm very glad you didn't damage your unit in the process! .

Just as well I decided to swap the big one to black rather than the little knob to chrome when I had the choice, or there could have been two knackered RNS-E's and two very annoyed people ? I think I had a lucky escape there.
 
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I'm glad to stand corrected, with the on/off/volume knob not actually being easily removable ? I hold my hand up to assuming that it was easy from my experience with the big one, but we all know what assuming does :oops: I shall now go back and edit my post to make that clear and add a warning. Tom, I'm very glad you didn't damage your unit in the process! .

Just as well I decided to swap the big one to black rather than the little knob to chrome when I had the choice, or there could have been two knackered RNS-E's and two very annoyed people ? I think I had a lucky escape there.
Morning Ian,

No problems what so ever sir. I’m just glad we, as a team managed to give sound advice to assist others contemplating the same task in the future.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Evening all,

After reading through the last few pages of this thread I realise that it went a little bit geeky about RNS-E this and RNS-E that. I apologies for this if it seemed a bit boring to some of you. I’m sure you’ll agree though that what my RNS-E can now do is just amazing for a 20 year old technology head unit. I hear you, enough on these RNS-E things!

Moving out of the interior and concentrating on the outside now, some of you will have seen on the Today I thread that I am after fitting a different set of wheels. I do like the Pepperpots as they look ok and more importantly they are very light weight. Great for a frugal commuter like myself.

Although I do like what the Pepperpots provide, I have always thought that they looked a bit too small, hardly surprising as they’re only 15”. Therefore I started to search for something a bit different but still trying to keep things in an OEM fashion, I found these A8 D2 wheels and posted a question on the Definitive Wheel Thread:
FCCC29BB-9219-4841-84B3-CAEC8B079824.png

I was quite excited to see if anyone had tried these on an A2 ( knowing that they are the incorrect PCD). I asked Ed @Edwrai to have a play with Photoshop to see what they would look like on the A2, here are the results of picture manipulation.
Original picture:
717D707D-9744-4061-885E-8B5C9084EDAF.jpg

Picture of the naked wheels:
00FC34ED-563F-463F-BEDD-31CBCEE51DE7.png

After Ed done his magic:
BAFFAD0D-A496-4AC9-A91B-460A3840FAA7.jpg

The wheels look a bit too blue due to a reflection of some kind but I was convinced that they would actually look amazing.

After re-reading the said Definitive Wheel Thread I noticed that @Menno had mentioned the same wheels only a few posts above mine, there I was thinking I was onto some different and new!
Here’s the pictures of his A2 recently with the wheels on:
F8FCCA6F-79CA-4C85-968B-1992C35A3B4C.jpeg
Stunning! Soon as I saw the image above I just had to purchase a set. To me I think they are the best looking (whilst being comfortable) wheels for an A2 (again personal thought of course and don’t want to upset anyone), they are light weight and very strong, look bigger than they actually are, should be comfortable with 50 profile tyres, they’re not soft/weak Sport wheels and am I allowed to say they look amazing again.

So quite a few months ago now I entered into a conversation with an eBay seller in Germany who had a set listed as Audi 16” Forged Alloys, I knew exactly what they were but I didn’t purchase them back then as wasn’t sure if I really needed another set of wheels, my heart did but my wallet didn’t.

I watched the wheel listing for quite some time, the listing ended and relisted a few times. The seller and I had many a chat over this time about these and the price was getting to where I wanted it. After saving a bit of money up I went to purchase them just after Christmas but they had disappeared, a bit gutted and told myself off for not buying them when I had the opportunity. I emailed the seller but got no response.

Last week the listing was back on eBay
but with a slightly different price. I entered into negotiations again and had a great response from the seller.

I secured these rare wheels (including delivery) for quite a bit less than I recently paid for the Seat Exeo RNS-E PU (here he goes again about RNS-Es). Very happy indeed and cannot wait for them to arrive.

Here they are, should start their journey to me shortly:
112C9757-34F7-4147-B29C-539BB3E2D23A.jpeg


8EEF83EB-726D-4DE9-93CE-CDB9E1C1D7CE.jpeg


0B22DF23-9CF8-4984-9804-F64AEE7F098D.jpeg


7F9146EA-03AD-40E5-8CF3-95317BC86EDB.jpeg

They catch the light beautifully, I’m very excited about fitting these.

One of the wheels has marks on it which will be inspected when they arrive. Maybe a quick repair or just get all 4 refurbished, we will see. You’ll notice the marks on the left of the centre cap of the LH wheel:
A5FDDEFF-E015-4A0E-9FD0-1378F4484F72.jpeg


These wheels are ET42 so will possibly sit quite deep into the wheels arch. Maybe the same as the Pepperpots. They are also 5x112 PCD so will need adapters to mount onto the 5x100 PCD hubs of the A2. I’ll be looking to go for 15mm or 20mm adapters to beef them up and give the look/stance I’m after.

Pictures of them fitted once the tyres on the Pepperpots are done, if I can wait that long.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Evening all,

After reading through the last few pages of this thread I realise that it went a little bit geeky about RNS-E this and RNS-E that. I apologies for this if it seemed a bit boring to some of you. I’m sure you’ll agree though that what my RNS-E can now do is just amazing for a 20 year old technology head unit. I hear you, enough on these RNS-E things!

Moving out of the interior and concentrating on the outside now, some of you will have seen on the Today I thread that I am after fitting a different set of wheels. I do like the Pepperpots as they look ok and more importantly they are very light weight. Great for a frugal commuter like myself.

Although I do like what the Pepperpots provide, I have always thought that they looked a bit too small, hardly surprising as they’re only 15”. Therefore I started to search for something a bit different but still trying to keep things in an OEM fashion, I found these A8 D2 wheels and posted a question on the Definitive Wheel Thread:
View attachment 75208
I was quite excited to see if anyone had tried these on an A2 ( knowing that they are the incorrect PCD). I asked Ed @Edwrai to have a play with Photoshop to see what they would look like on the A2, here are the results of picture manipulation.
Original picture:
View attachment 75209
Picture of the naked wheels:
View attachment 75210
After Ed done his magic:
View attachment 75211
The wheels look a bit too blue due to a reflection of some kind but I was convinced that they would actually look amazing.

After re-reading the said Definitive Wheel Thread I noticed that @Menno had mentioned the same wheels only a few posts above mine, there I was thinking I was onto some different and new!
Here’s the pictures of his A2 recently with the wheels on:
View attachment 75212Stunning! Soon as I saw the image above I just had to purchase a set. To me I think they look like the best ever wheels for an A2 (again personal thought of course and don’t want to upset anyone).

A few months ago now I entered into a conversation with an eBay seller in Germany who had a set listed as Audi 16” Forged Alloys, I knew exactly what they were but I didn’t purchase them back then as wasn’t sure if I really needed another set of wheels, my heart did but my wallet didn’t.

I watched the wheel listing for quite some time, listing ending and relisted a few weeks later. The seller and I had many a chat over time about these and the price was getting to where I wanted it. I went to purchase them a week or so later and they had disappeared, a bit gutted and told myself off for not buying them when I had the opportunity. I emailed the seller but got no response.

Last week the listing was back on eBay
but with a slightly different price. I entered into negotiations again and had a great response from the seller.

I secured these rare wheels (including delivery) for quite a bit less than I recently paid for the Seat Exeo RNS-E PU (here he goes again about RNS-Es). Very happy indeed and cannot wait for them to arrive.

Here they are, should start their journey to me tomorrow:
View attachment 75213

View attachment 75214
Love the aluminium shine they give off, I’m very excited about fitting these.

These wheels are ET45 so will possibly sit quite deep into the wheels arch. Maybe the same as the Pepperpots. They are also 5x112 PCD so will need adapters to mount onto the 5x100 PCD hubs of the A2. I’ll be looking to go for 15mm or 20mm adapters to beef them up and give the look/stance I’m after.

Pictures of them fitted once the tyres on the Pepperpots are done, if I can wait that long.

Kind regards,

Tom
Was watching the same set with a view to having winters on them to go on Tonka as they’re the same size as the forged A8 wheels already on it. An excellent choice sir and I’m glad they’ve gone to a good home. They will finish off Probably next OEM beautifully ?
 
These will work a lot better with the votex kit once it’s fitted Tom. A flat faced wheel like this will appear larger than it is, especially if your suspension was to be dropped down 20-30mm. Good choice
 
Was watching the same set with a view to having winters on them to go on Tonka as they’re the same size as the forged A8 wheels already on it. An excellent choice sir and I’m glad they’ve gone to a good home. They will finish off Probably next OEM beautifully ?
Morning Erling,

I thank you for not buying them whilst I was contemplating purchasing them myself.I cannot remember how long they’ve sat in my eBay watch list for, must be over 6 months now and I’m very lucky that they are still there.

Kind regards,

Tom
.
 
These will work a lot better with the votex kit once it’s fitted Tom. A flat faced wheel like this will appear larger than it is, especially if your suspension was to be dropped down 20-30mm. Good choice
Thank you Steve,

Very reassuring coming from the guy that has tried literally every possible combination of wheels over the last few years.

I agree that dropping the suspension a bit would really assist setting these wheels off. It just so happens that I was lucky enough to purchase a set of coilovers recently, now where did I get them from... Oh yes, Black Beauty.

Fitting the Votex kit, coilovers and these wheels will all happen around a similar time for a dramatic appearance change (hopefully not in a negative way).

Kind regards,

Tom
 
About the wheeladapters; do you know how much they weigh in? They will take away the weight advantage these rims have...... Then again, I can imagine the car makes a better appearance when in combination with Votex and wheel adapters ?.
 
Morning all,

I have just played with the GIMP software that I recently downloaded for RNS-E Splash Screen ideas.

Sorry @Menno but I have just stolen your wheels sir!

A2 new wheels.jpg


This looks fantastic. Cannot wait for these wheels to arrive.

Graham @audifan, would you be able to get a similar sized, side on image of you Azure Blue A2 with its glorious Votex. Id like to 'put' these wheel on your car.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
About the wheeladapters; do you know how much they weigh in? They will take away the weight advantage these rims have...... Then again, I can imagine the car makes a better appearance when in combination with Votex and wheel adapters ?.
Morning Menno,

I hope you don't mind that I just borrowed your wheels.

The spacers, if I redrilled the wheels or adapters (without drilling) will off course add a little weight which will go against the efficiency of these light weight wheels. Its something that I feel I need to do though so the wheels fill the arches as they might look a bit lost once the Votex kit is fitted.

So far I have not chosen adapters but will go for the lightest possible option that doesn't compromise on strength or quality.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
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