hello everybody,

i am just not all that thrilled with the ml stereo in my 02, which i have had for a couple of weeks now. i have approached a friend who works in a stereo shop, and he is not all that sanguine that the shop can do all that much for me.

i figure you guys here will be on top of this in a way that the shop is not.

i would like a better system, but i want something that will not disrupt the look of my dash all that much. is there anything out there that will fit right in without a lot of hacking and slashing?

i am not at all happy with the nav system either, and would cheerfully rededicate that space to the stereo if there were a good reason to do so. i am using a suction-cup garmin when i need it, and that's just fine by me.

so...is there anything that can be done given all of this?

i am wide open here, so anything that any of you have done that worked out well would be of great interest.

thanks for any help.

james

 

Even reviews which pan the SC usually concede that the ML stereo is top notch, best in the industry. What don't you like about it? Maybe knowing that would help in a recommendation for you.

 

Go back and read the reviews of the car. The post above is correct: the ML audio in the SC430 is among the best in the industry. Some reviews suggested is was the best. Accordingly, although you could probably spend a lot of time and money making it a little better, why bother? When the top is down, audio quality is in the wind anyway.
As for the NAV, it works fine for me, although the graphics are not up to current standards. But if you have the most recent data disc (new ones come out in Sept or Oct of every year) you have the same maps and data as everyone else (only two companies in the world supply such data to all NAV manufacturers). I get a little bit envious when I see newer NAV systems in action, but not so much that I would upgrade the car (or the system, if possible, which it's not) just for prettier maps that are no more accurate. (Newer systems have higher resolution screens and different drives.)
In summary, spend your money on a new NAV data disc, skip the tacky stick on aftermarket NAV with its little bitty screen) and save the rest for other things.

 

If you're running a '02 Nav system with the original data disk, there's a HUGE difference when you upgrade to the newest data disk (I agree with tfisher above; if you're going to upgrade, wait a couple of months and get the latest version that's about to come out). I have an 03' (with an '06 data disk). I recently saw an '02 (belongs to a board member here) that was running the original (version 1 or version 2) data....wow, what a difference between his and mine (same hardware, just different software/maps).

The 05/06+ (I always forget exactly when they updated it) navigation system is better, no question but, it's not mind-bogglingly better.

As for the stereo, are you looking to upgrade to get more features (integrated iPod support, Satellite Radio, mp3 support, etc) or are you talking about an upgrade to substantially improve the quality/volume of the stock system?

There are a few folks on here who have turned their trunks (or, in at least one case, their backseat) into all amps and subwoofers. I bet their systems sound GREAT and I'm sure they have enough power to overcome the wind noise! However, I know they all paid quite a bit to do that!!

I use the stock system as my input (stock ML amp, speakers, even head unit, using a Vais Tech input adapter) to run a CarPC. The audio runs through the factory system and the PC's video output goes to the Navigation system screen. I've got iPod support, Sirius Satellite radio, DVD's, music videos, 3900ish mp3's, even internet access and more...and the whole thing looks stock.

So, the route I went gives me A LOT more features/options than the stock system but, it's not any louder or "better" sound quality because that part IS still the stock system.

I still use the factory navigation system for Nav (I have a switch so I can toggle between viewing the CarPC on the screen and the navigation system) however, with a CarPC, you also have the option to add a GPS unit to the computer and run any aftermarket PC-based navigation software you want (iGuidance, Microsoft Streets and Trips, Destinator, Garmin MobilePC, etc.) While these aftermarket pieces of software have a better "look" than the factory, you do lose some things that only a factory system can have; the aftermarket systems ONLY know where you are based on the GPS signal so, if you drive into a tunnel or in an area where you lose sight of the sky for more than a few seconds, the system has no idea where you're at...it just stops guiding until it regains signal. The factory system, along with the GPS signal, also has an accelerometer/compass so, it knows in what general direction you're going and how fast you're going so, it can keep track of your approximate position until it regains a GPS signal. Also, as mentioned, these software solutions don't have any "better" or "newer" map data than what Lexus uses for their factory systems (as long as you're comparing current version to current version).

I've yet to find "the perfect solution" but then, if there was one, there would be no need for competition!

If your factory system sounds no-so-hot, there may be a problem with it. There were some issues with the early ML amps going bad...also, the speakers in the system have been known to fail/blow or just plain start coming apart with age. If this is the case, you can replace the speakers with original ML speakers from Lexus, go with aftermarket speakers (requires some modification/fabrication), or even repair the ones you've got. Several folks here have simply repaired their speakers with great success.

Was that a long-winded enough answer for ya!?!?

P.S. tfisher, I love your "reason for editing" in your post above!! Classic!

 

thanks for the responses guys.

there are a couple of things about the ml system i don't care for. when i am listening to what might be termed adult contemporary, it sounds fine. it does well with music with a lot of "space." when i listen to heavier music, it is one of the mussier systems i have heard. and i like heavier music, by and large.

also, the 02 does not do well with the aftermarket ipod inputs either. sure, i can get it in to the system, but i cannot use and of the controllers...i am still going to have to use the ipod itself.

i really would like some kind of hard drive that can be controlled from the dash and steering wheel.

alas...it looks like no one has gone this route.

it's a minor thing, i know, i will just stick with the system as it stands. i was hoping someone would say "of yeah...i did this..." but after my initial searches, i knew it was a long shot.

as for the nav system...i would like to get the upgrade disk, but they charge so damn much for them i will never bother. the garmin unit costs less than half what lexus charges for the disk, and i love it. i can also move it from car to car, so it will do.

 

i should also say that i just love this car. i wanted one since i saw the 02 redesign, and i managed to squirrel away enough finally to go buy one. it has been a perfect joy.

i've had it on the road for a couple of weeks now, and i do not want to see winter come. i'll garage it and all...but i will not really want to.

 

Unless I misunderstood Habious' post, wouldn't a CarPC give you what you desire? His CarPC is controlled by the touch-based stock NAV screen and supports iPods (so no need to actually use iPod's click wheel or actually touch the iPod at all as far as I understand). A CarPC also has a hard drive so I would imagine you could just load it up with music and not have to have an iPod or other forms of removable media (CDs, tapes) in your car at all.

 

I actually use the navigation screen for display but, I don't use the touch-screen to control the CarPC; I tried this and was unsuccessful. In fact, I haven't found anyone anywhere on the Internet that's been able to successfully tap into a factory "capacitive" touchscreen (it's been done, fairly easily, with "resistive" touchscreens but, this isn't the kind of technology that Lexus uses for their touchscreens).

The solution I've come up with is called a "Space Navigator". It's a multi-axis controller that some genius in Germany has written custom drivers for. The drivers let you map any **** push, pull, rotate, rock, roll, etc. to a keyboard keypress so, I push the **** forward and my mp3's come up, I rock it to the left and Satellite Radio comes, up, etc. I can twist the **** to scroll through the lists (mp3's, Sat radio channels, iPod play lists, etc) and press down to select.

This solution actually has an advantage over the touchscreen...I can do this without taking my eyes off the road. It's mounted on the center console, right over top of the coin-holder.

I have what I need to make the steering wheel controls work with the CarPC, just waiting for the software I use to catch up (long story, if anyone wants to hear it).

As for Hard Drive space, I have a 250GB laptop drive in my CarPC...not running out of space any time soon. Currently, I have about 3900 mp3's, 100 music videos, and 2 full-length movies store on the HD...and it's like 75% empty still.

The CarPC industry is still in it's infancy. There are no real plug-n-play solutions. Every vehicle is a custom installation.

If you're looking for a system that you just have someone install and never mess with it again, unfortunately, CarPC's aren't there yet. But, they're the option that gives you the most control, the most options, the most power over the system.

All that being said, I couldn't imagine getting rid of it. It's a Mod that gets used EVERY time I drive the car. Even my wife likes it and has no problem using it.

 

Habious: Thanks. It's really all the little things that make life so much fun.

 

Habious, very interesting. Thanks for the info. Would you mind answering a couple more questions? How do you access that hard drive if you wanted to add something into it (more music, etc.)? Do you have a USB cable coming out of your car? Where in the car is your CarPC installed? Does it get pretty loud with all the fans (I assume there have to be fans)? I remember you once mentioned you didn't use an iPod, but if you did, where would it go? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

I have one of these panel-mount USB jacks installed inside the bottom of the center console (right next to the Cigarette Lighter jack that's in there). Makes it easy to just upload stuff via a USB memory stick.




It connects, via a very short USB jumper, to a USB hub that have installed inside the center console, under the seat heater controls. I have my mini-keyboard, my mousepad and my Space Navigator controller also plugged into that hub. There's a second hub in the trunk, under the floor, for all the crap back there (sound card, Sirius interface, HDRadio interface, etc)

If I wanted to hook up and iPod, I'd just have to run the cable from inside the top of the center console (where the mini keyboard and mousepad are installed). So, just open the top of the console, plug in the iPod, and close the cover. After that, the iPod is controlled via the PC's interface.

The PC itself is installed in the trunk, on the far back-right corner (where that little cubby-hole is). I have a sheet of plexiglass cut to fit that corner. The PC box and the power supply are mounted to the top of it (the PC for easy access, the power supply, for cooling). The PC itself is only about 7"x7"...it's a tiny little box. Has a slot-loading DVD-R drive in front so, if I want to load a DVD, I just slip it in.

The power supply has a small fan and there's a small CPU fan inside the PC. You can barely hear the power supply fan if the trunk is open, you're standing right there, and the engine is off.

 

I have a 2002 Sc430.. The speakers rattle front and back.. so needless to say a little disappointed.. Bose in the Infiniti has a control that wont allow the speakers to get to the point where the speakers are damaged.. somewhat disappointed these rattle soo much. A minor fix right?

 

Habious Tell me where you found that car pc and if i am correct you run the whole thing thorugh the nac system screen? Thats amazing you can run vidoes on it aswell? There is nothing better i have a 03 sc430 indigo with ecru and because i am in Canada they did not offer nav... I dont even know if one day i could get the panel from the dash and just drop it in.... Is that impossible or not worth the head ache..very jelous!!! good for you! great idea

 

Habious, appreciate the info! Would you say that those of us wary of the complexity of building a CarPC ourselves could just stuff an old laptop in the trunk, install Centrafuse on it and run cables from it to the headunit (thru VaisTech), NAV screen and "Space Navigator"?

 

speaking of car pcs, i've recently heard rumors that apple is developing a dedicated car pc. not sure if it will be aftermarket or if it will be built into new cars. but it will be interesting to see what they come out with if it's true.