Hado

The first photo I recognised too - see: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301962 This seller must not have a camera!

Rapper these are only monitors and have no playback functions,;however, I want DivX playback as well. I didn't ask about headrest player/monitors. The FlyAudio head unit has the ability to play multimedia files from a drive - from the website: "Connects to your USB Drive using the included usb cable to browse pictures, play songs and movies. Supports AVI, MPG and MP3." There is no mention specifically of DivX etc. but most Chinese players have this function - even my cheap portable GPS can play DivX/Avi files. I'm not sure if a 'USB Drive' is just a small flash memory drive or a larger portable laptop hard drive. This will be one of the first things I check. Which reminds me I will follow-up about the meeting tomorrow.

Considering HID version as well "Now Available - HID Versions of 170 Striker & 240 Blitz These are the high output (competition) versions of the 170 Striker and 240 Blitz. Turn night into day!! 170 Striker HID $750/pair (inc freight within Australia) 240 Blitz HID $825/pair (inc freight within Australia) These light s are available in 12 or 24 volt versions. NEW 240 XGT HID Version These are a fully integrated HID light with full Lightforce warranty. They are a superb Australian made product and are available in 12 or 24 volt versions for $790 each including Australia wide postage. HID UPGRADE KIT An upgrade kit is now available to suit the following Lightforce driving lights: 140 Lance 170 Striker 240 Blitz This kit comes with: Globe Globe holder Wiring loom Ignitor Ballast Fitting Instructions Price: $210 (per light) delivered"

His quoted courier prices are a bit high too. I'm shipping my nudge bar from Brisbane to Melbourne for $40 and could have done it for $20 without insurance.

Thanks for the replies and pics I went down to the local auto parts shop at lunchtime today and they had Lightforce and Roo Lites I was able to have a close look at. After Holmesie's experiences with both and what I saw I am leaning towards the Roo Lites. I don't think I need the Roo Lite 220XP's - they are a huge light. The Roo Lite 180XPs seemed big enough and I could compare the look and price of them to the Lightforce Striker 170s. The Roo Lite 180XPs cost $290 - with a waterproof full wiring harness included. They also had blue filters for an extra $25. Whereas the Lightforce 170s look much the same and cost $330 but a LF harness costs an extra $70. If the lights are much the same $400 vs. $290 is an easy decision. I'm sure I could get them both cheaper online. My nudge bar doesn't arrive for a week so I still have time to think about it for a while. Any other views are welcome.

If I had this problem I would be calling consumer affairs and writing Toyota Australia and the dealer a letter of demand to repair the problem under warrantee. You now have clear evidence, the part is "not fit for the purpose" it was designed for and therefore this is covered by the Trade Practices Act. I won a case against Microsoft because of my Xbox 360 scratching game disks - it doesn't matter how big they are -consumer law in Australia is very clear - most people just don't know how to stand up for themselves. Microsoft refunded my purchase price in full and replaced ALL my scratched game disks. However, in public they still deny this is a problem and only offer customers replacement disks for $20 for scratched disks that are their titles.

I just got the price, more details and a better pic of these headrest monitors. From the manufactuter in China: "One pair price is USD$339/pair included shipping cost. We can do black leather (Ash coloured) monitor for you, it's Retain Factory Design,Identical Color and Pole Distance." This is about A$388 a pair delivered - might be able to do better with a group buy. They have an US ebay store so we can use paypal etc. Features: 7" TFT LCD MONITOR WITH PILLOW Optimal View Angle 3.5mm Headphone Jack Game Controller Port Resolution: 480XRGBX234 System: PAL/NTSC Display Mode: 16:9 Brightness: 350cd/㎡ Contrast: 350:1 Built-in IR Transmitter 2 AV Inputs OSD Menu Built-in Touch Button Remote Control S/N ≥ 90dB Isolation ≥ 65dB Power Supply: DC 12V Operation Temperature: -20°C ~+ 70°C Storage Temperature: -30°C ~ +80°C

Suprised Graphite is around a third of all cars - I see a lot more of this colour, but I thought it was just because I have one. Maybe with a sample of only 54 (at the time of this reply) it is not enough to get a true indication of popularity.

All I have just bought a nudge bar (not installed yet) and I'm now thinking about what type of driving lights to install (now stuck on the modification merry-go-round). :) I'm not sure what size looks best or fits on the Toyota nudge bar or which brand to buy. Brands I'm considering include: Hella, Lightforce and Roo Lites. What brand and size of driving lights do you have? Would you recommend them and how do they perform? Also, if you have a picture of them installed this would be appeciated. Thanks in advance. Hado

I have just noticed that two ebay sellers have just listed OEM style nudge bars. I haven't seen this OEM style before on eBay. They have 'buy now' prices around $350 delivered Australia-wide. See Item numbers: 120471109817 and 290353986102 or just search for 'Kluger Nudge Bar'. The only difference I can see is there is no Toyota logo stamped on the black plastic sections - otherwise they look identical. This is much cheaper than the OEM version from Toyota that costs around $800 if not negotiated with a sale. If anyone buys one let us know what the quality is like etc.?

I have been doing some research on the availability of headrest monitors and found these: Still finding out prices, but these are designed as a direct replacement for the factory headrest.

All I found some pictures of the Chinese made Highlander on local forums: China Car Forums There doesn't seem to be any major differences from the USA models. Minor differences I can see are: Cigarette lighter and ash tray Rear foglight on drivers (left) side Chinese character name on rear Optional lovely shagpile carpet mats As interest in the model develops I am sure this will lead to many more accessories coming out of China like this: Rear Light Guard Kind Regards Hado

SamF If you have got some photos of the Kluger in outback Australia 4WD action - we'd love to see them. Kind regards Hado

I was at the Gold Coast Yesterday and saw the dust first hand. I wouldn't like it all over my car, which was safe back down in Melbourne. It was nasty grit and I'd be very careful washing it off my new paintwork.

The Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza is the best rated tyre on tirerack in the 255/55 range: Tirerack.com Dueler Alenza rating I think this is called the Dueler D683 H/L in Australia. But it is not supplied in the 255/55 R19 size in Australia :(

All Found and interesting link from ConsumerReports.org in the USA complaining about the lack of choice with the OEM tyre size: Toyota Highlander: Hard to choose a good replacement tire It includes a good video report on the 2008 Highlander as well. It says the Toyo Open Country H/T placed just 15th out of 20 models in consumer reviews. OPEN COUNTRY H/T Maybe going to 255/55 is the better option. Kind regards Hado

The first generation model lasted for 6 or so years - so wouldn't we expect a similar time period before any major changes? We might see a Hybrid version as the first major engine change in Australia.

All As promised I spoke to George from EasyPark yesterday. He is still to decide which day he is able to meet - he has other reasons to be in Melbourne he also has to arrange. Also the units have not arrived in Australia yet - but are due very soon. He has been in discussion with FlyAudio about some of the initial questions I raised with him. I am going to email him to better explain the 'hazard switch' issue with pictures. I will also pass on all of our questions. Kind regards Hado

jaenschw No meeting planned just yet - I told him that I was going to be away at a conference next week and he said he would probably do it after then. I will give him a call tomorrow. Kind regards Hado

CSmiley I looked into this and unfortunately the highest spec model the 'Highlander Limited' in NZ is the same spec as the KX-S. See the NZ Highlander Brochure PDF Much better brochure though - explains a lot of the tech features. Kind regards Hado

wilsact How can they realistically charge $300 for a switch - that is ridiculously expensive. Yes please post the part number - this would be a great help. Thanks I will add in the auto dimmer question as well. My current GPS software changes from day to night screen based on the time it gets from the satellites, but I realise this unit will also be using other functions not just GPS. Kind regards Hado

jaenschw Agree if we are not bringing in the unit from China then we don't need to do a test car. Good suggestion on the group buy to try and bring the price down. ;) We can always go back to the cheaper option if this looks too expensive. Although if this solves the hazard switch issue and the install is reasonable we might be close to the same overall cost. Kesawi He actually mentioned RDS and digital radio upgrades and I will add this to my list of questions. Hado

All A further update. I just spoke to the owner of EasyPark - George - his supply of units are ariving in Australia next week. He has looked at the USA version, but has yet to have a look at the Australian version. Therefore, he doesn't know about the hazard switch issue. He confirmed it does operate WinCE 5.0 - which means we can used most GPS software - but he will also supply Australian maps and software. He said the system is much better than the double din polaris (Caska) unit and the software was very impressive with lots of upgrade options. I have arranged to meet with him in the next fortnight when he plans to be in Melbourne to look at the Australian version. I will let you know when this is going to happen and the results. Hopefully I will be able to take pictures and test the unit's functions etc. If you have any questions you think I should ask let me know? Kind regards Hado

Ham This is the unit from FlyAudio - I have been researching this one as well: FlyAudio highlander GPS It was only released in August. I was waiting on an email from the Australian distributor - but this saves us the wait - great find. I am not sure if it includes the hazard switch because the ebay info is a copy of the above website and it is for the highlander where they have the switch. We still need to check this out. I like this unit - the extra silver suits the KX-S nicely - and it has similar if not the same functions of the Caska unit. I saw on some other car forums that FlyAudio is considered reliable. They are a common replacement in Mazdas. While more expensive than the first unit I was considering - this is a better unit and buying it from and Australian supplier and from ebay with Paypal is safer. I emailed EasyPark about the install costs of their earlier double din replacement and they said it was $200. Kind regards Hado

Ham The seller claims the system has the following functions which includes rear view camera inputs: 7 inch TFT With touch screen interface Motorized panel with 5 angel positions TV TUNER BUILT-IN, NTSC/PAL/SECAM DVD/VCD/HDCD/SVCD/CD/MP3/MP4/DIVX compatible AM/FM RADIO SD/MMC CARD SLOT, U disc supported Support external hard disc player Rear-view parking camera input Subwoofer output 1-way radio/video input 2-way audio/video output Power out 25walts*4 Caska makes a model that can use an Intelligent Parking Assist System - but it is much more expensive - and I'm not sure if we can get it in Australia. :( Caska CA3637 I am still trying to find the US part number for the 'hazard light switch assembly' I need, before I put an order in. If anyone is a regular poster on the Toyotanation forum maybe they could ask for me? I don't really want my first post to be a request. Kind regards Hado