Aftermarket Digital Cluster - Guinea Pig

Fitted mine yesterday. No issues installing, everything seems good but (and this is a big but for me) there doesn't seem any ability to control phone calls via the cluster. You can scroll to the phone section, press OK and it will call the last dialled number but there's no ability to scroll previous dialled or received numbers like there was on MFD.

This is a major flaw for me as I spend 20+ hours a week behind the wheel and make a lot of calls. Now it seems I have to press the phone button on Discover media and use the crappy interface on there which is clunky, has no option to navigate via MFSW controls and loses my android auto screen so I can't see Waze.

To be honest this is such a big gripe for me I may well change back to original cluster.
 
That's the plan. I've not had a good look at the display yet but hopefully it will be straight forward enough.
it's not that bad without a matte film....the sun is of course worse. I've had the matte film for about a month and no bubbles form, the second thing is that it protects against scratches. but it's a matter of what you like more. otherwise, if you remove the 4 screws on the cluster, you only have the display and you can cut the film however you want
 
For the record for any future readers - in my guinea pig setup, I use Apple Car play for nav and phone both from my aftermarket Sony head unit.
 
Fitted mine yesterday. No issues installing, everything seems good but (and this is a big but for me) there doesn't seem any ability to control phone calls via the cluster. You can scroll to the phone section, press OK and it will call the last dialled number but there's no ability to scroll previous dialled or received numbers like there was on MFD.

This is a major flaw for me as I spend 20+ hours a week behind the wheel and make a lot of calls. Now it seems I have to press the phone button on Discover media and use the crappy interface on there which is clunky, has no option to navigate via MFSW controls and loses my android auto screen so I can't see Waze.

To be honest this is such a big gripe for me I may well change back to original cluster.
Have you got anywhere with the BT connection on the unit? Or is that purely to lift off the Nav unit the basics you just described?
 
Haven't tried connecting to the BT on the cluster however even if that works for navigating the phone menu I guess I won't have mic/audio other than that of the cluster itself? Perhaps it supports multiple BT connections and would connect to HU? I'll give it a try shortly.
 
Fitted mine yesterday. No issues installing, everything seems good but (and this is a big but for me) there doesn't seem any ability to control phone calls via the cluster. You can scroll to the phone section, press OK and it will call the last dialled number but there's no ability to scroll previous dialled or received numbers like there was on MFD.

This is a major flaw for me as I spend 20+ hours a week behind the wheel and make a lot of calls. Now it seems I have to press the phone button on Discover media and use the crappy interface on there which is clunky, has no option to navigate via MFSW controls and loses my android auto screen so I can't see Waze.

To be honest this is such a big gripe for me I may well change back to original cluster.
That sounds like first really major drawback :/ It's nice that there is BT in cluster, however I would expect - especially when you have fully loaded vehicle with navi, mfsw, etc - that digital cluster would be just "nice addition". Connecting to cluster BT instead of head unit for many may not be an option, beacuse vw oem system "just works" :(
From the other hand, if "menu navigation" problem, sounds like should be easy to fix. If the phone data are available... hope manufacturer will find a fix for that.
 
If you are using android auto, can't you use your phones voice commands to make calls?
 
  • Like
Reactions: CJW
Yeah I can but that's only for numbers saved. I get a lot of calls on the road and I might need to call them back after discussing them with the office. These are sometimes not in my contacts list so it was easy to scroll through MFD via MFSW and look at recent calls without too much distraction.

As a workaround I discovered I can use Android Auto phone screen to initiate calls rather than the one built into headunit. It's a better interface but I'd rather glance at MFD and control with my fingers than reach across to the headunit and do several button presses of which I need to look at the screen to confirm I pressing correct area. I also have to change back to Waze screen after initialising the call. None of which I had to do previously.

My use is probably different from most. My Caravelle is a mobile office so calls are very important. I'll give it some testing for a couple of weeks but if I can't get on with it I'll revert back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CJW
Guys, I know that you have firmware update files to this unit. Is this somewhere available to download (latest software)? Could you share the files?
 
Guys, I know that you have firmware update files to this unit. Is this somewhere available to download (latest software)? Could you share the files?
Its an update over the air (OTA) Go to settings, down to wifi, and follow the instructions on screen to hotspot your phone. If iPhone, you have to change the name of the iPhone to 1234; if Android, it's easier to rename 1234 (so it announces the SSID as so). Then Password is set to 12345678. Then scroll to Conn. It will connect, and you will know because it will have been assigned an IP address. XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX - Next, once connected, click below that to update.

It will run through a sequence of restarts and end up showing version numbers. Press OK. Then exit and lock the vehicle. come back after 15 mins, redo your settings, bingo bango!
 
You could also check the version out before that in the menu and take a pic to see if any versions have changed. I think Oct 24th is the latest; you might not want to reset all the settings if you already have this. I'm told we could expect the next one before Christmas.
 
Is there any additional data that you are able to see with the digital dash installed? Wondering if you can see things like DPF soot level on there without need for an OBD scanner plugged in?
 
  • Love
Reactions: CJW
Its an update over the air (OTA) Go to settings, down to wifi, and follow the instructions on screen to hotspot your phone. If iPhone, you have to change the name of the iPhone to 1234; if Android, it's easier to rename 1234 (so it announces the SSID as so). Then Password is set to 12345678. Then scroll to Conn. It will connect, and you will know because it will have been assigned an IP address. XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX - Next, once connected, click below that to update.

It will run through a sequence of restarts and end up showing version numbers. Press OK. Then exit and lock the vehicle. come back after 15 mins, redo your settings, bingo bango!
ah... ok :/ I was thinking about possible firmware mods... So without intercepting ota update it won't be possible. Thanks for the info
 
ah... ok :/ I was thinking about possible firmware mods... So without intercepting ota update it won't be possible. Thanks for the info
Even if you could snatch it over the air, it’s likely to be machine code and not readable by humans.
 
I forget to set the speed limit warning before a changed mine so every time i go over 20 mph it bings.........anyone know if i can sort this or will i need to refit the oem clock ?
 
I forget to set the speed limit warning before a changed mine so every time i go over 20 mph it bings.........anyone know if i can sort this or will i need to refit the oem clock ?
10mm socket, starter battery +'I've terminal disconnect 10 seconds. Reconnect, clear.
 
Does anyone have the link for the T6 installation video?
 
Back
Top