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iPod USB interface mod for 2010 prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by mbucklein, Jun 26, 2009.

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  1. mbucklein

    mbucklein Junior Member

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    I purchased an iPod USB interface adapter from juicedhybrid.com to install in my Prius on 06/20/09. It was $250 and change. I got it yesterday, and it looks fairly simple - as you can see from the picture.

    BUT BEWARE. IT DISABLES THE FUNCTIONALITY OF YOUR SATELLITE RADIO.

    After I opened the instructions, I read the following on page 4:
    NOTE: With the Interface Kit installed, Satellite Radio use is not possible.
    ​
    As you can see from the link where to purchase the item, there is no mention of this loss of functionality on the website anywhere.

    This is also in addition to the fact that page 5 shows the iPod compatability, and the iPhone is apparently not able to be used with this unit. Every apple model of iPod is there EXCEPT the iPhone.

    I think people should be aware of this, since the website to purchase the interface does not make these items clear. There aren't any reviews posted about the product on the website, but there isn't any link to post one that I could find. As a result, I could not write a review about the product on their website.

    Hopefully this helps people. I am in the process of contacting the company to return the product WITHOUT paying a 15% restocking fee, so I hope that goes without incident.

    Please don't reply to this to tell me how stupid I am for not knowing it would disable my satellite menu. I figured it out on my own, thanks. I simply post this so other stupid people like me don't make the same mistake.
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 mbucklein, Jun 26, 2009
    8 people like this.
  2. wave_slider

    wave_slider New Member

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    Thanks mbucklein. In Hawaii the satellite radio doesn't catch, so not a big deal for me. I would really like an interface that works with the nav screen so that I can see playlists, etc. I will probably wait a few months to get the official Toyota version.
     
    #2 wave_slider, Jun 27, 2009
  3. mbucklein

    mbucklein Junior Member

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    I bought this interface because it was supposed to work with the nav screen - but just not to the total exclusion of satellite usage. The instructions it came with did explain how to operate the iPod from the steering controls or audio screen once the interface is installed. I attached more pictures of the unit I received; as you can see, it is a genuine Toyota accessory. That, or the company producing the product has done a very good job at imitating genuine Toyota product stickers.

    I suspect this issue can be resolved with some kind of firmware update to the audio system in the Prius, but I have no idea how that would come about. There is room for one more tab in the audio screen, next to the AUX tab. Of course, this additional tab is a moot point if the iPod interface entirely replaces the satellite's connection somewhere in the guts of the audio system. I never actually installed the interface it to find out.

    All of that aside, what sucks the most is that you can't use the iPhone with this interface, regardless of whether or not you care about the satellite functionality. The idea of having an iPod dedicated to your car seems ridiculous, so it should really be compatible with the iPhone.
     

    Attached Files:

    #3 mbucklein, Jun 27, 2009
  4. wave_slider

    wave_slider New Member

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    Thanks. I'm going to see if I can get it installed before I pick mine up. Fortunately, I don't own an Iphone because I use Verizon wireless. I have an old nano that I keep in my vehicle, so not a big deal to me. Thanks for the post.
     
    #4 wave_slider, Jun 27, 2009
  5. nola_Prius

    nola_Prius New Member

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    I'm kinda discouraged and disappointed by how the iPod interface looks.
    Then again, I've been using Kenwood's top of the line touchscreen head unit. Once I get my new Prius, I'll probably upgrade the stereo eventually, just because I've become so attached to having a "pretty" interface to work with.
     
    #5 nola_Prius, Jun 28, 2009
  6. Rainingblood

    Rainingblood Junior Member

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    excuse me,
    ipod information (track, time ...)
    is displayed in the multi purpose prius monitor?
    or only in the radio display?

    thanks!
     
    #6 Rainingblood, Jun 28, 2009
  7. bbrown93647

    bbrown93647 New Member

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    Thanks for sharing your experience, even though it is not what you thought it would be. It is very hard to find accurate info on this accessory. I am confused and not sure I want to risk buying the wrong unit. I was quoted the same price ($245) for a Toyota unit my local Toyota dealer says will work but they have never installed one in any year of Prius.
    I checked the website you listed (juicedhybrid.com) and saw that at the bottom of the description it says "Does not work with Factory XM."
    Perhaps they have added this since you purchased your unit. Were you successful in returing the unit without the 15% penalty?
    BB
     
    #7 bbrown93647, Jun 28, 2009
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    What about using something like the Kenwood KOS-A300?

    It allows for iPod and USB plus bluetooth if you wanted to add that module later on. it comes with a separate display screen.

    I guess this would be more applicable to the GenII owners or those without the full NAV/JBL system.
     
    #8 F8L, Jun 28, 2009
  9. mbucklein

    mbucklein Junior Member

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    They sure did! I had a feeling they would update the site after my call, so I printed a hard copy of the website after I hung up the phone with them. It is dated 06/26/2009, and that line about factory XM is not included. Attached is the picture proof.

    I have not heard back from juicedhybrid.com yet about my return. I'll contact them again tomorrow perhaps. Now that they added the information about how it does not work with factory XM, I have to believe they will refund my entire purchase amount. If not, I will file a dispute with PayPal.
     

    Attached Files:

    #9 mbucklein, Jun 29, 2009
  10. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    #10 Danny, Jun 30, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  11. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Personally, I'm holding out for the September USB upgrade which we would expect WILL NOT disable XM radio. However, it sounds like it will require NAV (no issue for me).
     
    #11 HTMLSpinnr, Jul 1, 2009
  12. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Agreed--and, more importantly, it will have a USB connector, which the above item does not. :)
     
    #12 stream, Jul 1, 2009
  13. knight

    knight New Member

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    Has anybody actually tried the iPod USB interface with a 2010 Prius with an iPhone? Often when the iPhone isn't listed on a compatibility chart it just means not all the *phone* functionality is supported, but the actual iPod part works just fine.

    My current iPod charger works this way. I plug it in, the iPhone says "this accessory won't work" and then it works beautifully anyway.

    Either way, USB iPod + used iPod is a lot cheaper than the forthcoming NAV + iPod (which will go for $2k plus if you don't have the NAV already, which I don't). Of course, the lack of XM is kind of a bummer, but I don't use it anyway.

    How difficult is it to install something like this? The Prius is my first new car so I'm a noob at all of this. Thanks!
     
    #13 knight, Jul 5, 2009
  14. Edward Walsh

    Edward Walsh New Member

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    Danny:

    Why is JuicedHybrid NOT a friend of 'PriusChatters'? Don't get me wrong - not planning to buy anything from them anyway, but was curious as to why you made this statement.

    Thank for taking the time to reply.....

    Edward
    Marystown, Newfoundland
    Canada
     
    #14 Edward Walsh, Jul 6, 2009
  15. Edward Walsh

    Edward Walsh New Member

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    Rick:

    Hi! You say you will need Nav for this September upgrade. Is there anyway around this?

    Here in Canada the only model that has NAV is the 'Technology Package' which includes Nav, Advanced Features (Dynamic Cruise, etc.) and Solar Panel. You have to shell out around $43000 CDN (Tax Included). If I could have afforded this I would have loved to have this. I have the 2010 Toyota Prius and Premium Package with Solar Panels on order to be picked up September 01, 2009. Would have loved to have the NAV setup and hope that someway it could be added as a 'Mod' in the future.

    Thanks for taking the time to reply.

    Edward
    Marystown, Newfoundland
    Canada
     
    #15 Edward Walsh, Jul 6, 2009
  16. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    There is no USB / iPod adapter available from Toyota yet. Supposed to be released in September--as noted above.
     
    #16 stream, Jul 6, 2009
  17. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    I'm going by what Prius Team had announced on the Earth Day chat. I believe the modification is specific to the Denso based head unit that NAV provides. Non-NAV head units are Panasonic and likely have different inputs.
     
    #17 HTMLSpinnr, Jul 6, 2009
  18. machineguncharley

    machineguncharley New Member

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    I was someone who had NO idea that satellite would be disabled when I had the ipod connector installed. Sure enough, the satellite radio works, but no access to an ipod/iphone. I guess I'll have to have the satellite deactivated to get access to an ipod. When I first plugged in my iphone to the adapter, it asked if I wanted to go to "airport mode." It did, however, charge my iphone, but that was about it. I wish someone would come up with a solution that would allow you to use both the ipod and satellite.
     
    #18 machineguncharley, Jul 9, 2009
  19. slamproductions

    slamproductions New Member

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    i agree with machineguncharley, i wish there was a solution. One quick question, has the September USB upgrade been confirmed for sure? I asked my local dealer and they know nothing of this.
     
    #19 slamproductions, Jul 9, 2009
  20. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

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    It was confirmed by PriusTeam (Toyota marketing folks), but there's no firm date yet.
     
    #20 ggood, Jul 9, 2009
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