Rate your aftermarket iPod Integration kit

Yeah, thinking about the GROM for my '05 Prius with NAV & BT (No Aux Input) & Iphone 4

Wonder if the technology and options have improved since this GROM unit came out, are there competitors to this?

 

That's good info, Ken...Thanks

Yeah, I kinda have liked the GROM unit but wondering if total integration is really just a pipe dream for me...Perhaps just getting one of these Aux Input adapter so that I can simply plug it in and play

Going to ask my local Prius shop if they have had any experiences modding them to better effect

 

Yeah, you're right...Too many distractions when driving as it is and the remote control buttons on the steering wheel do make for safer driving

Well, I just shot an email off to my mechanic to see what they thought of the GROM

 

I opted to not buy the Vais solution because I was able to find a knock off brand, Soundgate TOYPD2, for a fraction of the price. It was super DIY although a few curses were needed. Overall I'm very pleased with the unit. Prior to that I used a FM transmitter and had a very hard time getting a clean channel in NYC.

 

And what has your experience been like with the Soundgate?...Is there steering wheel controls enabled with this setup?

It's an interesting option from what I've researched but does it work with an iphone 4?

 

Yes the steering wheel controls work. I don't have an I-phone but can't about that but the company sys it will work.

 

I have the GROM unit in my 04 with JBL radio and 6 disc changer. Just a note, if you have a bumper on your iPhone4 you must either modify the GROM cable or remove the bumper. The GROM cable is fatter than the Apple charger cord and does not fit with the bumper in place.

 

'05 base
I have a silverline dice installed for the past 2 years or so and have been very happy with it. I also installed the sirius SC1 with it. I use the mdx mode for the Dice and use my phone (coverflow) to select playlist or albums or songs. you can still advance it from the steering wheel controls. In this mode the song is not displayed - but you know what song it is since you put it there. Also in this mode you get the album cover art on your phone, so put it where you can see it if you like. I flip open the lower compartment below the radio and rest my Iphone there for my display- works perfectly for me.

The Biggest limitations are the head unit itself. Back then they did not envision this ipod/iphone revolution. It does not have that many buttons etc. If you have a large music selection then you may rely on the a-z of the phone for navigation. (IMO) For me this has allowed me the best possible solution. And it has been trouble free for me the whole time.

I am just revisiting because they now have 'the media bridge' that now incorporated bluetooth and can be used as a hands free devise as well as stream music via BT as well as a host of other options- memory sticks etc. I am thinking of going that route.

Steve

 

Wow. Long thread. I'm a newbie to this chat and Prius in general. Just got my first-- a 2010 salvaged title. I've connected my iPhone v 4.1 through the USB port but it works poorly; a msg appears on the iPod that it's not configured for this 'accessory'. If I try to listen to Internet radio it jumps back into iPod mode, and the sound is jumpy. Plus I can't program iPod on iPhone while phone is plugged into USB port. All of which makes me think I need some aftermarket product. Any advice? Thanks!

 

Do these work? I use my ipod plugged into the cassete and it sounds fine. I think its easier to control the ipod itself than with most head-units anyways.

 

I finally purchased my first iOS device so I'm finding this thread very valuable to make my dicision on if I want one for my 2005 Package 6 Prius (w/NAV).

From what I've read so far, there clearly seems to be two leaders.

1) SoundLinQ by VIAStech
2) Grom

Also, from what I've researched on the web, it appears that the SoundGate is the SoundLinQ.

So, for more than what I paid for my iOS device, I can purchase a hookup that will allow me to simi-Control the iOS device using the car's factory stereo controls. It sure does seem these things are a bit overpriced for just a convenience. So, the bottom line is that it would cost me a lot of $$$ for something that I would still have to manually attach a cable to. In that case, I'll just stick with the tape adapter audio connection for now.

In this price range, I'd much rather see these use Bluetooth A2DP/AVRCP wireless technology instead of having to be physically tethered. So, has anyone tried using the Sprint Anycom FIPO Bluetooth Adapter with either of these units in place of the actual iOS device?

 

About a week ago I installed the VAISTECH ML+ iPhone iPod interface. I absolutely LOVE this unit! Interface is the best I have seen or HEARD! Wow! The digital audio is flawless and the videos are quite nice for a Prius nav screen. You can see it firsthand if you search YouTube or google VAISTECH ML PLUS or ML+. The drawback... The only one is price; at $500 it isn't cheap, but if you love music in your car this is a great choice.

There is also a great deal of solid feedback on ClubLexus forum. This unit is completely compatible, just as it is in the Lexus demo on YouTube. Also, the reviews are critical and thorough. Thanks.

VAISTECH ML PLUS
By VAISTECH of CO
2006 Prius Pkg 7

 

Hi I am thinking of getting a Grom for my 2005 Prius. How does the Grom compare with the Dice? Seems like the Grom is cheaper but the Dice allows better Text display via the MFD, does that sound right?

The Grom-Aux-Toy can be bought for $64.99 through indashpc, but it is $69.99 @ gromaudio.com. Does anyone know anything about indashpc? Any reason not to buy there? I was planning on buying the Aux model, and then buy the ipod cable separately for $25, I think my next phone will be an Android phone, so I want both cables.

 

Sorry, I know this topic has been beaten to death on this forum but I really need new advice. I have a 2004 Prius with JBL cassette, CD, and NAV and bluetooth. I've been trying to find a unit that works for ipod integration. So far the DICE MediaBridge is a fail-only worked when it wanted too, switched from USB to Bluetooth randomly and made my built in bluetooth not function. I then went with a NEO unit which was even worse because the sound cutout every ten seconds or so and displayed no text whatsoever on the MFD. My next attempt (and the last from my current audio car place) is Peripheral, which at least will supposedly give me iPod control, charge it and let me skip tracks through the steering wheel. At this point I don't think anything will work through the MFD. If the peripheral also has problems, any suggestions? I've looked at the Vais Tech units and like the VML+ but am a bit hesitant because both the DICE and NEO units were supposed to work and didn't. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I recently purchased the GROM iPod adapter and I'm pretty happy with it. Got it for about $90 after shipping (with a coupon code) and it works as advertised. I can control both my iPhone 4 and my classic 30GB iPod from the steering wheel. The artist/song title display works, but is a bit iffy. It takes a few seconds to load the info, and having the GROM on the "advanced mode" (disc 2) that displays that information can get a bit weird with lag between songs, etc. Nonetheless, I'd give it a 4/5 considering the price and relative ease of installation.

 

I have had a Dice Silverline for approximately three years(?), anyways i am now on my fourth IPOD Classic. Am I alone in killing Ipods in the Prius?

The first three were covered by warranty through Apple, but not sure about this last one...doh.

 

A lot of people don't have cassette players.

My iPod integration story was a saga. I started with the DICE MediaBridge (w/BT) in early December because I really wanted bluetooth as well. It rarely turned on with the car, and when it did, it took forever to find a specific song, the text "scrolling" ended up being a really annoying strobe effect and no one could ever hear me. The installation was pretty easy - same plug in the back as everything else...once I realized I was holding it upside down.

Because it was being recognized by my prius maybe 50% of the time (max), I opened a ticket with DICE. Eventually they "forwarded this to the engineers" and I didn't hear from them for 3 weeks. Luckily, I had the extended return date due to Christmas and returned it. Then they tell me they have a Toyota firmware upgrade - I have no clue if this actually fixed the problem or not because mine was already gone.

THEN, I got the VAIS ML+ which seemed awesome and perfect, but expensive. It seemed a little trickier to install (and winter installs without a garage are no fun) so I took it to a shop. They tried to install it, but the plugs didn't match up? Or they did, but MFD wouldn't turn on? The shop was on the phone with VAIStech for a couple of hours, texting photos of my MFD. Apparently, my MFD was discontinued in 2007 and my car is a 2009. So, this product wouldn't work with it. They were much nicer and much more helpful than the DICE people.

Finally, I ended up replacing the head unit with a Pioneer one I'm really liking. I wish it still looked factory, but it's probably the cheapest way to get good iPod integration. And it doesn't look bad at all.