I've been cleaning up the Second Gen in the past few weeks and I'm starting to have some doubts about the Pioneer DEH-1350MPG unit I installed in there. It's not that it's a bad unit, just that it stands out too much from the rest of the dashboard as it's a permanently illuminated unit, with green illumination and it doesn't sit as flush with the panel as I would like.

I used to have a Mitsubishi factory double DIN unit, but foolishly sold it with the car when it was wrecked. Really wish I had kept it now as I quite like the simplistic but functional look of them. I'm thinking perhaps a standard unit may be the go, but only with a few requirements:


Has to have a backlit display, or able to be modded (eg. LEDs) to have backlights. I don't mind if the backlight is on constantly, just as long as I can see the display.

Screws into a Second Gen DIN mounts with little or no modification, and fits into the Magna dash without hacking up the fascia (I expect most MMAL supplied units would fit without issue).

I know I'll have to wire up a custom harness to adapt it to the second gen loom and I will need to get a double din fascia from a Verada. These won't be a problem. So at the moment I'm thinking either...

KF Verada Double DIN:
http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/6628/unknownt.jpg

KL/KW Premium Audio Double DIN Unit:
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/4484/veradaaudio02.jpg

...but I won't be confined to just those two if there's a better option I'm not yet aware of. I may even consider a decent Single DIN unit if there's any notable ones worth checking out.

So which head unit offers the best "bang for buck" in Mitsubishi factory systems? Cost is a consideration, and I expect the Premium units to still fetch a premium in cost on the used market. I'm not so sure about the KF Verada unit, but I suspect they'll be a lot cheaper while still sounding alright. If I recall my old KF unit wasn't too bad once the bass and treble were adjusted accordingly.

If anyone knows what a fair price would be for one as well, that would be handy to know.

Cheers
- Mic

I've got a Pioneer DEH-1350MPG in my TJ. Brightness of the display is adjustable. It fits perfectly in the 3rd gen dash.

The units you show are third gen units, they may not fit easily into a second gen.

My original TJ unit lasted 10 years, my TL unit lasted 9 years. I doubt if you will be able to find a second hand double DIN unit with much life left in it, and checking the price for a genuine Mitsu one from a dealer will give you a shock.

Consider an after market unit instead, plenty of double DIN ones available with features not found on a more than 10 year old original Magna radio, like MP3, USB with ipod connectivity, bluetooth, 5 band graphic equalisers, choice of different colour back lighting, etc.

I agree with Max....mp3, usb, ipod and bluetooth are practically a standard feature in most new cars. If you can upgrade to a unit with these features you will never look back.

I upgraded the radio in my TL to another Pioneer, and seeing the CD drives tend to be the things that stuff up first on older radios, I thought I'd try a radio without a CD drive (got a Pioneer MVH-155UI). Uses a USB port instead. An 8Gb USB stick can hold a lot of music, plus the same USB port can charge (and play mp3 from) my ipod and android phone.

Hi Mic

I've got one of these laying around.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8249/8512361467_8255352ba3.jpg

It was a 6 disc Fujitsu-Ten unit (with AUX input) used in some Mitsubishi and Nissan models for a while. (I guess before they all went Bluetooth). It's not a bad unit if you're wanting to stick with the factory look.

The only other option would be like Max mentioned and go after market. There are plenty of units out there these days (single and double din) that have USB playback and Bluetooth included.

I have the Bluetooth version (Pioneer MVH-355BT) of Max's mechless stereo.
Unfortunately, I don't recommend this unit as it has issues. :(

Another one which is way better (although not mechless) is the Pioneer MEH-4450BT. Never had any problems with that unit since it was installed in the car.

AWD Jr.

The hard part is reclaiming that factory look with any aftermarket head unit, especially the factory look of a Second Gen considering cars and in-car entertainment moved on by two decades since then.

Not to say the DEH-1950MPG isn't a solid unit, I do quite like it. When I find myself in the cabin of the TR though, anything short of the OEM Philips unit (which is now 21 years old) looks out of place if I really focus on it. Ignoring the glossy plastics and coloured illumination, the Pioneer unit has to sit either in front of or behind the dash fascia to clear it. The Mitsubishi units are custom designed for the car and so sit flush with it, and this is the same for both Second and Third Gen models. I could make the Pioneer do the same but it would require removal of the outer plastic ring to do so, and that would leave a 1.5-2.0mm gap around the unit, negating any benefits in doing so.

If I have to opt for a new head unit though, I'll stick with the DEH-1350MPG. It's only been out of the box for about 2 weeks, fitted to the car for about the same amount of time, so it's not as if it's a worn out or tired unit. Essentially it's brand new.

Perhaps the only thing I wish to do is add a 30GB hard drive (courtesy of an iPod drive + logic board) to the system somewhere for in-car music storage, but I would be doing some custom electronics to make that work anyway, utilising a USB power feed under the centre console, so for it to have USB, Bluetooth and so on isn't 100% a necessity. The aim is to have the car look basically standard as it can be once it's all closed up. This makes the idea of a factory unit more appealing, as I have little issue in opening up a Mitsubishi unit to mess around internally, adding some wires and perhaps swapping in a newer slot-load drive mechanism (I have an excess of slot loaders I can't otherwise do anything with). I wouldn't feel so fantastic about modifying a brand new aftermarket Pioneer however.

Anyway, I'll think about it. If I find a Mitsubishi standard unit cheap enough, I'll give it a shot. If it'll prove to be costly, I'll reassess my idea and likely keep the unit I have installed already.

I have the Bluetooth version (Pioneer MVH-355BT) of Max's mechless stereo.
Unfortunately, I don't recommend this unit as it has issues. :(


I was looking at this one but rejected it on price and the fact I leave my phone at home when I drive. Talking while I'm driving is too distracting for me. lol
Care to detail its issues a bit more?

I was looking at this one but rejected it on price and the fact I leave my phone at home when I drive. Talking while I'm driving is too distracting for me. lol
Care to detail its issues a bit more?

I found 2 issues with it. The first one is with the Bluetooth. At least every 5 or so times it won't connect to my smart phone. Which usually means I have to connect it manually (can be a pain) I asked Pioneer tech support about it and they reckon they've never had any issues.

Second issue is the main one. The way the stereo plays files.
As the only way to play files is via USB or Bluetooth streaming, I mainly play files via a flash drive and apparently (according to Pioneer tech support) these units play content based on date code (oldest file first). Every other unit I've ever played files on via USB has played them in alphabetical order. So basically, when you play an album, it plays whatever the oldest file is then the next one. It's a huge pain if you're wanting to listen to files in order.

Apologies for the long post, but it's weird how this mechless unit plays files very differently to the MEH-4450BT that we have in another car.

Mic, if you're after a 2nd Gen stereo to go into your car, occasionally they come up on ebay and Gumtree. I'll let you know if I see any for sale as I'm always on those sites looking for stuff.

AWD Jr.

Reading the Pioneer booklet that came with my mechless unit, it's obvious it doesn't sort alphabetically by song title.
Instead, it is recommended you number the songs when you put them on USB, like "001PlayMeFirst.mp3, 002PlayMeSecond.mp3", etc
This is a major pain if you have a long list, but doing it for album folders is much easier.
Doesn't worry me that much, finding an album and a song within an album is dead easy once I got the hang of the menu system.

Can't comment on the bluetooth, but it must be annoying if connection is unreliable.

Good point about Pioneer doing thigs differently on every new model. Makes for a steep learning curve, whenever you upgrade.
If I get annoyed with the way Pioneer wants me to do things, at least I can go "Meh. It was cheap." lol

I have a Verada HU lying about exactly like the one you have shown from the KJ except it has no CD player (6 stack stacker under the chair) and it has equalizer buttons and antenna button where the CD player opening is.

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp136/mcstannard_bucket/DSCF2098.jpg

Mike

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8249/8512361467_8255352ba3.jpg



Ive got one of those in my KL from my Colt Ralliart, looks factory

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/1088/mmcsa03.jpg

This is what I'm using. From a pajero.

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/1088/mmcsa03.jpg

This is what I'm using. From a pajero.

OOOh.. Now that's the business... That looks awesome. Bet they're not cheap though. :(
I should look out for one of those when/if I ever upgrade to a newer model AWD Magna/Verada.

Cruiser, I reckon the factory HU that mcs_xi has would look good in your 2nd Gen. Would blend in well.

When Mohit had his '02 KJ Verada, he upgraded the stock double din factory unit with one from an '04 KW Verada for a while before selling it and puting a 7" double din screen.
20 watts per channel x 4 for the KJ vs 50 watts per channel for the KW. Still retained the factory Mitsubishi look but obviously a better quality, more powerful unit.
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41074&highlight=

Why not go for a 7" Double DIN head unit like this? http://www.jvc.com.au/car-av/head-units/kw-av70bt

Forget JVC's list price as you can pick these up for less than half this price online.
I know the JVC it isn't exactly a stock factory look. But it is soooo much better & classier looking and integrates with the car very nicely. I have an earlier version of this HU in my car. Seriously, with one of these in your ride, you won't be the least bit interested in going back to the old style double DIN HUs. Besides, Mitsubishi is going this way with most of it's new cars (along with most other major car manufacturers)

http://www.jvc.com.au/car-av/head-units/kw-av70bt

Looks great! Street price needs to be a lot less than the $999 it is listed for.

EDIT: No sat nav though. At that price . . .

http://www.jvc.com.au/car-av/head-units/kw-av70bt

Looks great! Street price needs to be a lot less than the $999 it is listed for.

EDIT: No sat nav though. At that price . . .

You can buy the KW-AV70BT typically for $400 or less online. Got one of these going in my Mum's Legnum, they also have a detachable face which for me is a necesity security wise.

Take into account this model is the top of the line of this particular JVC series - satnav while handy isn't everything especially considering how good the unit is. One gets what one pays for.

I've had nothing but dramas with the cheaper obscure ebay type brands in the past and don't care for replacing faulty head units every year. My JVC HU for example has been going strong now in my car for over 6 years so far.
I use my android for satnav as it's better than my Garmin Nuvi.
JVC also do lower spec'd models for those that don't want anything as flash.

*Edit* checking on other Mitsubishi forums reveals alot of dissatisfied MMCS owners who either have to buy override kits to improve their functionality or they just upgrade them with a better head unit. Apparently pre 2013 models don't even have USB or bluetooth music streaming.
From what I've read, the DVD based GPS is pretty ordinary at best.

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/1088/mmcsa03.jpg

this is what i'm using. From a pajero.

do want!

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/1088/mmcsa03.jpg

This is what I'm using. From a pajero.

That looks amazing but how much does it cost and what are its functions comparable to aftermarket heh.
Seriously though, so cool.

I got mine for free, so I can't comment on price.

Standard feature list. But what ADM posted before - a lot of dissatisfied owners. Eg: you can't reprogram the destination while in motion. Troublesome bluetooth connectivity and music streaming.

You can buy a headunit with more functionality for half the price these sell for new. But all in all, the head unit does what you need it to do in the end of the day.

However the series 2 MMCS has been released and is avaliable in the new outlanders, and looks pretty cool. Don't know if it's an improvement though.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l28/paj4wd/DSC_0109.jpg

Cruiser, I reckon the factory HU that mcs_xi has would look good in your 2nd Gen. Would blend in well.

I do tend to agree. That's the same unit my old KF EI Verada had in it, the one I foolishly sold. It was fairly powerful for a stock deck and wouldn't have been too difficult to upgrade the internal amplifier with a little work.

It depends on the kind of audio IC the Mitsubishi deck runs as well, but there's a good chance I could add an Aux IN line to the rear of the unit that then feeds through to the centre console for a complete stealth upgrade.

I suppose the hard part is now finding one. I'm assuming most of the decks at the wreckers would have been taken out already, but I'll eventually have to make the trip there anyway for the Double DIN fascia so I suppose I could take a look.