Why the non-standard stereo? Desirable items.
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Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 156
Likes: 4
From: International
Why the non-standard stereo? Desirable items.
What's the deal behind the non-standard form-factor radio in the RX? I haven't investigated but the way the radio integrates into the dash would make it impossible or at least not practical to replace. Now had they put in some leading edge features into the system, then I wouldn't mind. But if the stereo either dies after the warranty and I want a better aftermarket deck or if I just wanted to upgrade it now, it's pretty much impossible.
Similar to the thread about future upgrades to the RX, I would have liked to see:
1) Third-generation MP3 playback capability
2) line-in jack for an external device (e.g. portable MP3 player)
3) Ability to play CD-RW's (haven't tried but it should be able to play CD-Rs)
4) Subwoofer output
5) LCD display to display song titles and artists on MP3 tracks
It's not as if this is radical technology. In my old car I have an approx 1 year old aftermarket JVC unit that does all of the above, including having a removeable faceplate and a motorized tilt in the faceplate to reduce glare off of the LCD panel. All for $399 CDN (equals maybe $280 US) from the Canadian version of Best Buy.
Surely Lexus could have put something like that in it from the beginning instead of providing a decidedly 2nd-rate (technology-wise) stereo AND making it impossible to upgrade(!)
Similar to the thread about future upgrades to the RX, I would have liked to see:
1) Third-generation MP3 playback capability
2) line-in jack for an external device (e.g. portable MP3 player)
3) Ability to play CD-RW's (haven't tried but it should be able to play CD-Rs)
4) Subwoofer output
5) LCD display to display song titles and artists on MP3 tracks
It's not as if this is radical technology. In my old car I have an approx 1 year old aftermarket JVC unit that does all of the above, including having a removeable faceplate and a motorized tilt in the faceplate to reduce glare off of the LCD panel. All for $399 CDN (equals maybe $280 US) from the Canadian version of Best Buy.
Surely Lexus could have put something like that in it from the beginning instead of providing a decidedly 2nd-rate (technology-wise) stereo AND making it impossible to upgrade(!)
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: USA
I'm thinking the RX stereo is integrated in such a way as to help deter theft. Still there does look like there's a way to swap out the headunit. If the speaker or amp-to-speakers wires are accessible, you could splice into them from an aftermarket headunit. One drawback is that you'd lose the nifty steering wheel controls to the stereo though.
More importantly, attached is a picture of a bezel from the Japanese site (of course, they get all the neat options) that seems to allow DIN sized components to more nicely fit in the interior. Hopefully someone will make such a bezel available in the US. Note that the silver JVC mp3 headunit would fit in great in this interior.
More importantly, attached is a picture of a bezel from the Japanese site (of course, they get all the neat options) that seems to allow DIN sized components to more nicely fit in the interior. Hopefully someone will make such a bezel available in the US. Note that the silver JVC mp3 headunit would fit in great in this interior.
Last edited by xsfo; Apr 18, 2003 at 11:27 AM.
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