Best iPod solution?

This doesn't allow for control and information via the MFD.

The Vais Tech AIC-100i does: http://www.vaistech.com/aic100i.html

(and search this forum for 100i for info on group buys and user reports)

 

I was told that the 06 prius already has a jack for the IPOD.

 

I think this jack is just a generic mini plug, so you could plug in almost anything directly to the head unit. This is a good enough feature to make me wonder if I could swap out my '05 unit for this one, but it does not offer the functionality that the aftermarket kits do. This would include steering wheel controls, charging the iPod, and display of track/album info. Also you can't hide away the iPod in the compartment under the receiver with this method.

 

I installed my VAIS AIC-100i Friday. As far as I'm concerned, it is the best! No question about it.

David

 

I kind of started this whole AIC-100i/Prius thing and have to say I'm very happy with mine.
I have a 50 min commute to/from work with my new job and have been downloading more and more podcasts to listen to.

While I agree it isn't perfect, it is a lot better then the iPod2Car or FM transmitter.

Bob

 

I'm digging my AIC-100i. It's renewed my interest in my iPod.

 

Forgive me for going OT, but Jaybee, what in the world is your cat doing in your avatar?

 

It looks like a cat cartwheel.
I have the AIC-100i and I also think it is the best solution currently out there if you want to control things through the Prius MFD. Still could use some improvements though, like the CD-Text display is sometimes a little slow, especially for the Track Titles. Also, playlists beyond 12 don't have buttons on the display to jump directly to them, you have to do a lot of button pushing to get to list 99. I also wish that the playlists would loop to the end if you hit the Back Track button while on Track 1. Lots of button pushing there too if you want to get to Track 99 in a playlist.

 

If you enable "Disc Repeat", this will occur. I tend to keep "Disc Repeat" on permanently, and then change from playlist to playlist manually.

BTW, I agree with the other posters -- there are things I wish they'd add to the AIC-100i (buttons for >12 playlists, FF and rewind capability for individual tracks); but all in all it works very, very well. I don't know how many of these features are prohibited/made difficult by the MFD software itself, though.

 

I think it would be a very good idea to let Eugene know about the improvements, so the new version of the VAIS AIC could be improved.

 

Thanks, bookrats!
Love this website and all the informative people.

 

FYI!

Just found this one for hooking up the IPOD.

I haven't bought it yet, it's just FYI:

http://www.driveandplay.com/

 

That's not a bad solution for a lot of people. I far prefer being able to be able to control my iPod from the Prius steering wheel controls, and view titles and such on the Prius' MFD screen; but for an older car without these kind of controls/viewscreens, this is a nice way to handle it.

 

Hi iPod lovers,
I was involved in the first group buy, have installed my VAIS and it works exactly as described- not without it's imperfections (limit 99 songs per playlist and, while it can handle 99 playlists, only the first 12 are one-touch- so make them your best!) but it works as described.
That being said, I'm selling mine. I'm going to get a non-ipod specific adapter that can handle audio AND video.
Anyone interested, please contact me at [email protected]. The unit is under 2 months old.

DISREGARD- it's been sold!

 

Is there a solution out there that will let my iPod (video) output video to the screen in the car?

-jeff-
NEWBIE

 

Check this out from VAIS Tech. Scroll down to the "A/V Integrated Solutions" and see if one of these will work for you. The A/V units also include dedicated back-up/baby camera inputs.

Several people have sucessfully installed the AIC-100 & AIC-100i (audio only), but I don't know about the AVIC units. AVICs are in the $600 range.....