Worth It? Options... JBL Factory System... Mp3... GPS...?

[UnderDog2]

(Note, I already have searched and read many posts which concerned mp3's on this forum, just so you know, seems the "Blitzsafe" might be the best and only way - http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_catalog/ ... talog.html - I wanted to make sure though)

Question, I probably will be buying a 2004 SLE Solara in the next couple of weeks, I probably will be going will the full option package...

My main reservation is wondering about the JBL stereo system, the mp3 and/or player direct compatibility, and the GPS.

I mean with all of the money I would be spending on these I would like to make sure for instance that the JBL system is worth it (in terms of audio wise, visually, control, etc.) and if I would be able to play mp3's through the system directly and not through any tape cassette or FM modulator technique.

So... For all of those owners of 2004 SLE's

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1) Is the factory JBL system worth the money?

How is the speaker-audio quality? How are the controls, etc., thoughts?

2) What is the current information-verdict on the best way(s) to play mp3's in the '04 DIRECTLY (such as through a auxialary-audio output and/or the Blitzsafe option)?

If I am not able to use the factory system for control and playing of mp3's then I would be using a external mp3 player like the E-Digital Odyssey...

3) Is the GPS-Navigation system worth it?

Has anyone had any problems with certain areas of the U.S., roads, etc.?

4) Your thoughts on any and all options and what you think of them, there worth, etc....

Thanks in advance.

[glenb]

Can't comment on the MP3 but I think the stock dash without the navigation option is so clean looking I didn't want anything to spoil the look.

Also, I spend all day looking at a computer. I did not want one in the car.

If I need navigation I use a laptop with a gps and mapping software.

[slingshot]

I like the JBL system but I find that I have to set the volume numbers kind of high to get the volume I want. The only thing I would like in the radio would be the capability to display song names which it doesn't do. The names on CD songs though show up nicely. Remember, the NAV radio only has a single CD player. I was told a trunk changer that integrates cleanly with the radio was coming out but haven't heard it is out yet.

I have no idea how to play MP3's. That Blitzsafe site sounds good but nothing is out yet for the 04's.

I totally love the NAV system and fully tested it out in a test drive before buying the car. I suggest you do the same and it is easy to figure out. It has a large display at the right height and can tilt to four positions to offset sunlight hitting it. THe voice is nice and takes over the left speaker which is great because you can never miss announcements even when playing music loud.

I got all the other major options and am very happy I did because I've found them very useful in the winter (traction, stability control). The auto climate system works great too by the way. I thought all the options including the NAV were very good prices compared to other cars. The NAV was about seven hundred dollars cheaper than any other car's system.

[jmack]

I was really unhappy with the JBL system until I figured out how to balance the front and rear speakers. Sound is ok, but I am still a little disappointed. The 3 in 1 stereo functions ok, I like the 6 disc feature, but the volume is low and there is a big difference between tape, cd and radio volume levels. I know that this may come from the volume levels I record the tapes and burn cds, but it is very disconcerting to change from a reasonable level on a cd to blasting on the readio. Also, there is no compensation for increase in volume with speed or ambient noise, so you have to turn it up more and more. Easy enough to do with the steering wheel button. The sound is still a little muddy to me. I think that it has more to do with the placement of the speakers that anyting else. They are way off in corners by the glass and at the front, bottom of the door. Finally, if you are interested in integrating xm radio, be prepared to spend $750 to add it on. My dealer wasn't even aware it was available until I inquired about it. The told me to go to Circuit City!

[glenb]

Did you find Circuit City can install the XM? My dealer didn't know about it either. I talked to an audio store and they told me the dealer had to install it. ???????????????????

$750

Read the promo with care. I was under the impression it was already installed.

[UnderDog2]

Thanks a lot for your guys replies, I am still concerned about finding a decent way to play all of my mp3's, but as I said before, if worse comes to worse I guess I will just have to use the "indirect" method using a external player.

From your guys posts I think I will go ahead and get the full raft of options available, I am very frugal, but I think I can splurge on this big purchase for myself as long a justify it by saying that this car will hopefully last me at least somewhere around 10 years!

[jmack]

I went to a bunch of places to find someone that could install something similar to the "factory" xm. No one could do it, not even JBL or Harmon Karden stereo dealers. See fotodad's article on his Sirius install. That is what everyone will wamt to do. I have still not put xm in my car due to the cost. Dealer will now install the integrated unit for $750. You dealer's parts guy is propbably the only one that knows about this. I was very disappointed in my dealer's knowledge about his product.

[michael-s]

Underdog, not sure what you mean by being able to play mp3s - I just burn 'em and stick em in the slot. If I wanted to use my portable mp3 player I'd plug it into the cassette adapter, but why bother?

I agree with JMack that the speakers could sound MUCH better. The music has a hollow sound, like JBL engineers only take into account bass and treble. There's a midrange adjustment, but its effects are minimal. Then again, I would never consider putting an aftermarket system in that beautiful dash.

[slingshot]

Underdog, not sure what you mean by being able to play mp3s - I just burn 'em and stick em in the slot.

You can only burn MP3's to play in the car player if your burner program while burning converts them to wav files that only allow up to 80 minutes on a CD. If the MP3 files were left as MP3 files on the burned CD, that CD would be unplayable if stuck in the CD slot in the car. That ideal MP3 file CD would be many hours (ten times longer) of playable music and it is high time car makers allow us to natively play them in a car's CD player. Using a cassette adapter or wireless to FM adapter does not reproduce the full frequency and dynamic ranges and ends up with less than CD quality sound.

[UnderDog2]

Slingshot said: You can only burn MP3's to play in the car player if your burner program while burning converts them to wav files that only allow up to 80 minutes on a CD. If the MP3 files were left as MP3 files on the burned CD, that CD would be unplayable if stuck in the CD slot in the car.

Exactly, thanks Slingshot, I am still looking for a good solution to the mp3 problem.

Right now in my current drivable but old and junky vehicle, I have to rely on a external mp3 player from which I can listen to about 180 tracks at once on (on burned cds) through my tape deck.

What I would like for once is not to have to play through a tape deck, not to have to hook my player into the cigarrette lighter, and not to have to lug my player with me wherever I go (not to mention worry about it flying around the car during driving, etc.).

I would just like to be able to listen to my mp3's through the factory system, and to be able to see each track, etc., on the factory display, and I definitely DON'T want to have to buy a aftermarket system for a car with a "perfectly good" (in a way) factory installed system.

Well, it looks like I might have to put off my purchase for a couple of months, hopefully I will find out something by then, or some new and innovative solution will become available.

[slingshot]

Well there are some cars that have an option to natively play MP3's. The Accord for example charges $500 for another MP3 playing stereo component.