Replacing a Prado 120 CD/Tuner with an aftermarket unit
Submitted: Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 15:19
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Member - Drew T (Melbourne)
Back in post 36573 I mentioned that my Prado 120 CD/tuner unit (Double DIN size)was playing up. I've since tried cleaning the lens with one of those cleaning disks but looks looks like the unit is kaput. Popular opinion seems to be that it aint worth getting these things repaired anyway. Toyota is quoting $670 + GST for a genuine replacement unit.
So I'm now looking at replacing the unit with an aftermarket one (single DIN size) plus one of those plastic blanks/pockets below it to fill in the other DIN slot. Single DIN means single CD & I would like some more music capacity but without the current trend of connecting up your Ipod etc (which I don't have anyway). I'm thinking of getting a Sony MEX-1GP head unit that has a single CD/MP3 player plus 1GB Flash Memory (approx 500 MP3 tracks) which you simply load up by connecting to your PC via a USB cable. I particularly like the idea of your music playing from memory rather than direct from a CD while travelling over corrugations etc; but you still have the additional flexibility of playing additional music via a CD.
So ......
1. Has anyone bought/used one of these particular units?
2. They cost $699 in Australia (eg: JB HiFi) but you can buy them off ebay (USA) for approx $350 (Aust) incl postage. Is there any issue with buying & importing these things .... eg: any issues with new items coming through customs? any differences between US & Aust models?
Reply By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 15:26
Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 15:26
Hi Drew ,
I will be interested to see the answers because I am in exactly the same boat as you - CD buggered from dust , want MP3 but don't want wires and recharging problems etc .
Good luck ,
Willie .
PS If you do get one from the USA could you post the success or failure of the venture . Thanks .
AnswerID:
188353
Reply By: cam_champion - Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 15:40
Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 15:40
Drew,
I bought a JVC MP3 compatable DVD player Single DIN for my Patrol from JB HiFi for about $300. I then save all my MP3's onto a recordable DVD using my PC and can fit about 1000 songs on a single disk. I also bought an in dash screen on Ebay for $180 and there is now entertainment for the kids (when vehicle stationary of course). Then $200 bought me a reversing camera from Jaycar and now that is connected to the screen also. You may not want to spend all that money, but the DVD player for MP3s for me was definately the way to go.
AnswerID:
188356
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 16:10
Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 16:10
Ive got the Sony MEX - R1, which is DVD player as
well..
FANTASTIC.. I've always been an alpine man in yrs gone past, but this was the best $360 I spent (JB in Frankston)...
DVDs hold lots more than 1 gb flash memory (4.7gig!)....
You can plug in a couple of DVD Screens too if you like, and being dual zone, you can play a DVD on the screens, and listen to music on the radio at the same time.
Well worth a look..
AnswerID:
188366
Follow Up By: Member - Drew T (Melbourne) - Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 16:14
Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 16:14
thanks Truckster. I saw the MEX-R1 but was thinking that I might end up with the same problem you have with CDs ie: DVD skipping when on bad corrugations. You wouldn't get that problem if playing direct from flash memory. I do see your point though that DVDs are much greater capacity than the 1GB flash memory
FollowupID:
445615
Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 20:17
Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 20:17
So far the R1 hasnt skipped a beat, and got 2 runs on this weekend, one in GQ and one in GU... ahhhhh luxuries :D
I'd rather use the flash memory in the camera ;) but then agian you would wanna find out what it the largest sized Flash card it can take, if it can take a 8gig, then go with it for sure. they are comin down in price very quick recently!
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Drew T (Melbourne) - Friday, Aug 11, 2006 at 09:11
Friday, Aug 11, 2006 at 09:11
the flash memory on the MEX-1GP is built into it (ie: not a removeable card). i've been told that the trend is are moving away from onboard memory, including cards; and that there is going to be more focus on connecting to your existing offline devices such as Ipods
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Aug 11, 2006 at 11:18
Friday, Aug 11, 2006 at 11:18
so how do you get songs onto the flash if its built in? Need a laptop to transfer it ?
FollowupID:
445752
Follow Up By: Member - Drew T (Melbourne) - Friday, Aug 11, 2006 at 11:22
Friday, Aug 11, 2006 at 11:22
yes as per my post above "... you simply load up by connecting to your PC via a USB cable". ie: you remove the head unit & connect directly to your PC with a USB cable. PC recognises it as another memory device & you simply use windows explorer to drag & drop to the head unit
FollowupID:
445753
Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 16:33
Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 16:33
Soory to hijack the post, but I am looking for one too.
With MP3 or Ipod connection on the front.
But, I don't want a removable front.
Reason I need to replace
mine is that removable front panel now has a bad connection from being shaken around with corrugations, and the front panel detaches itself, and the whole system shuts down.
I know, maybe lower tyre pressures might help, but the 10 ply tyres don't help either :o)
I will keep watching with interest.
Don't play much music, but like my Bill Cosby, Goons,
Stanley Holloway etc CDs when I am travelling. And it needs good AM and FM reception for Macker etc.
Not asking for much am I?
AnswerID:
188373
Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 20:19
Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 20:19
I think 90% of them come with removeable faces now :( The R1 has, but I think it also depends on how often you remove it. With the alpine I removed it eVery time at first, now out of the 3 cars I got, all removeable, CBF takin any off`
got a stack of goonshows off Limewire - search for OLD TIME RADIO..
got
sherlock holmes, and tons of stuff for the olds...
bill cosby?!!
FollowupID:
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Reply By: rolande- Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 22:33
Thursday, Aug 10, 2006 at 22:33
G'Day All,
Just a word of warning about buying from the U.S. When I was getting the Alpine unit fitted to the Patrol a little while back the installer told me a guy had come in recently with a U.S. purchased unit, (costing $2,000), and couldn't get it to power on.
Seems there was something different about the U.S. version that meant it would not work here. Not knowing the details I can't elborate any further sorry.
Anyhow, for the sake of a couple of hundred I would suggest piece of mind would be better if purchased locally. At least you can go back to them when there is a problem. (Do Strathfield still offer to remove the unit and fit the original for free when you sell the car?)
Regards
AnswerID:
188445