I'm thinking about getting an 09 Lancer Ralliart. I am interested in both options packages and have a question about the navigation package:

From what I can find online, only 6GB or so of space is reserved for music with the rest seemingly available for the navi. Can anyone confirm this? Is there any way to re-allocate the space or add external storage? I am currently using a 40GB iPod which is about halfway full so 6GB doesn't really cut it... I don't want to have to use the iPod via the AUX input either as that's taking a big step backward from my current setup.

I do have to wonder.... why doesn't Mitsubishi offer a built-in (or at least optional) iPod adapter? My girlfriend's Honda Fit (a substantially less expensive car) has one that provides full control of the iPod, and shows track information on the stock display...

 

you could always go without the Mitsu navi system, and go aftermarket. The bezel is $45 from the dealer i think.

Either way, while the iPod is popular, it is proprietary. Why should they box themselves in to one brand that might change everything up at a moments notice, when the 3.5mm headphone jack is forever?

 

i understand ur concern but i do believe that 6GB is availeble which sucks in a way but are u really goin to listen to all 18,000-20,000 songs that u might have? i have my 80GB ipod and i only used 8GB and i dont listen to all of them. if u are then hey good sh*t. as for the fit its nice that they put the full integration in it but it also isnt AWD and turbo charged

EDIT: honda pack their cars with features but u do pay extra when comparing with the competition.

 

Its more than 6GB. More like 20-30, I have 80+ CDs in it.

I don't like it cause there is a pause between songs.

Get the Apple audio/video charge cable and a lighter adapter to USB. This way you can listen to ipod/iphone and play videos on the NAV ( with hack of course ). (-_-)V

 

How is the sound quality of music after it's loaded on the HD?

 

Good point about the iPod being proprietary. More specifically I guess what I'd expect from new cars is a USB adapter (which is actually what's in the Fit, I just generalized it because I have an iPod).

But yeah, maybe I'll go the aftermarket route with the navi bezel... although then I may need to reconsider the Recaro package. I don't want to pay for the audio system if I'm just going to replace it... though I guess maybe I could at least make use of the speakers and sub?

 

The Recaro package is a lot more than just the audio. You get the seats and HIDs as well. You'll have to decide if you want those 2 things. You also get the 650 watt RF audio, which is upgraded speakers and a 10" sub in the trunk. You could use the speaker part with an aftermarket head unit. It should still sound pretty good.

 

That's ridiculous -- offering an iPod connector as an option doesn't box anyone in. However, not offering an iPod connector pisses off about 3/4 of the population, because people who have iPods don't enjoy crappy Nav interfaces for playing their music. I know I certainly don't enjoy having to listen to substandard audio from my iPod via either FM radio or cables that clutter up the dash.

By the way, the variable-volume output from the iPod headphone jack is decidedly inferior to the line-output signal from the iPod connector. Trust me, you can hear the difference, because it's not subtle. Of course, FM is much, much worse than even the headphone jack.

 

I find it indistinguishable from CDs -- probably copies them as 192k or 256k mp3 format.

Does anyone know whether it can transfer mp3 files directly from CD-R or DVD-R discs?

 

You may be able to do that with a hack that coming out very soon.

 

Is that the MMCS unlock? I've found a few threads here and there about it but most of them (last I saw) weren't recently updated and didn't let you do much other than use a larger HDD to increase your audio partition.

Is there any new progress in this area that you're aware of?

 

I have to agree with you there. I do think the car would hugely benefit from a USB connection (provided it'd work the same way as a dedicated iPod-only connection like I have now with my Alpine deck). A USB connector would even let people who bought a Zune (the only person I even know of that has one is Tycho from Penny Arcade) to use the MMCS to control it.

 

This is the latest we heard from Otaku. You should be able to hack+customize any version and have video in motion.

Anything you do with USB you can do with the A/V inputs ( MMCS only has so many options).

 

I cant argue that FM quality is a serious downgrade, but that said, why can't their headphone jack achieve line-out quality and levels? Plenty of other manufacturers are capable of doing this. The iPod has pretty substandard audio processing to begin with, compared to competition such as Creative. Just listen with some decent quality headphones and the difference will be obvious.

Certainly a USB interface would have been better for Mitsu to offer, but for guaranteed broad acceptance, the standard line-in jack is plenty adequate.You need to remember this is about more than just MP3 integration. Other uses would be in-car PCs, aftermarket navi systems, or back seat DVDs for the kids. iPod connectors offer no solution there.

And I keep forgetting..the USA has the Recaro PACKAGE, while Canada comes standard with the Recaro and HIDs, making stereo options easier to choose.

 

Okay so to take this thread in another direction...

I'm pretty set on being able to control my digital music library (all of it) from the head unit in my car, so I am thinking I'll go the aftermarket route.

Anyone here have experience getting the built-in bluetooth buttons and mic, and the steering wheel audio controls, to control an aftermarket head unit? I know Pioneer makes a steering wheel interface and I'm leaning toward a Pioneer deck but just wanted to see if anyone actually has had an experience one way or the other with this.