When I have now and next selected as my info mode and switch to info off using the down key, the player reboots to the track info screen.

I have a new version of the "don't switch to info track in the car" kernel hack that should fix this. It remembers the last non-off info mode across reboots (both in the car and at home).

I'd be interested to know if it works, on a mk1 in particular (since I only have a mk2).

mk2 kernel image
mk1 kernel image
kernel patch

Borislav