2007: VAIS or DICE ?

Can't say about the VAIS, but the DICE seems to be a hit for me. I've had it for a few days now and no complaints. The most irritating thing I suppose would be that the buttons on the screen for randomise etc. are all useless. The only way to switch from random to organised by playlist etc... seems to be to switch it at the ipod, unplug the dice unit and plug it back in? I'm not 100% sure about the need to unplug and plug the dice back in though.

 

I considered both the VAIS and DICE kits before selecting the DICE kit. Here are the driving factors in my decision:
1. Price - DICE is considerably cheaper.
2. Playlist limit - None with DICE; 99 with VAIS.
3. Control from iPod - DICE gives control of iPod back to you after initialization so you can select songs from either the head unit or your iPod. I'm quite sure this is not the case with the VAIS kit. Maybe someone can verify this.
3. Compatibility with 3rd Generation iPod - VAIS has stopped supporting 3GEN; DICE still supports it with a couple of limitations that aren't a problem (see the DICE website).

Sound quality with the DICE kit is perfect. I'm sure it is with the VAIS kit as well since both kits send a line input directly into your head unit.

You may want to check out my posting earlier today: iPod in CD Storage Box with DICE kit. It fills in some details and shows how I did the DICE installation.

Bottomline: I'm very satisfied with the DICE kit.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sillyboy @ Mar 1 2007, 01:01 PM) [snapback]398692[/snapback]</div>

I also have a DICE Unit 2GEN for my 07 Prius. There are couple of minor problem. If you have an Video IPOD, when the DICE unit try to play a video file. It will crash the UI on the MFD. Their tech support is not the best in the business. Also, I have some Playlist in chinese that will crash the UI on the MFD also. I am trying to document my problem and send back to DICE for support.

 

I hate my DICE. It doesn't work well with Satellite radio (to switch back to SAT from the DICE I have to turn the car off!!!), the display doesn't always update correctly, and their support is miserable. 4 months now they've been promising me a solve, and they are completely unresponsive and doing nothing, as far as I can see.

There are few products that I have been so unhappy with. It doesn't work, they aren't taking any action to fix it, and as far as I'm concerned, they've stolen $135 of my hard earned money.

I know nothing about VAIS, but it can't be any worse....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DavidTO @ Mar 6 2007, 12:08 PM) [snapback]401076[/snapback]</div>

The switching back to that Sat issue, that's a first. Gimme some specs here please. What model Prius do you have, what DICE kit do you have, what Sat kit do you have.... and if the person who installed it had to do anything funky.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ Mar 6 2007, 08:49 PM) [snapback]401435[/snapback]</div>

Well, apparently they've fixed the problem in firmware, and I got lost in the cracks of the company being bought out or whatever.


I've got an 06 Prius. I'm not sure about the details on the DICE or the Sirius. The Sirius was installed by the dealer, and I just don't know about the DICE....it's the iPod integration kit.

The problem is that if I switch from DICE to SAT, then the SAT stations go in and out and in and out for a loooonnnng time. Like someone is throwing the switch. The only thing that solves it is to cut power to the DICE, which I do by shutting the car off.

Apparently the firmware has been updated, but all of my support fell through the cracks of their change of hands at the company, leaving me without knowing about the firmware, and everyone I spoke to had no idea what I was talking about. It's been really frustrating.

It sounds like their corporate problems are finally getting under control, and I was told that they will ship me a new unit, the problem is that they're still working on some text display issues and I have to decide if I'm going to wait for those to get fixed as well, or .... I don't know anymore.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DavidTO @ Mar 6 2007, 10:23 PM) [snapback]401482[/snapback]</div>

Is it just a iPod kit or is it a HD kit?

And I'll be honest, it sounds like a issue with your sat wiring or the unit reinitializing. The iPod kit can't really affect this. Did you buy the car with both kits in it already or did someone add the DICE kit later?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ Mar 6 2007, 10:41 PM) [snapback]401490[/snapback]</div>

Just the iPod kit. And it's the kit, definitely. And they say they've fixed it in firmware. And others have had the same problem. And the unfortunate thing is that I languished for so long while they went through their transition...the company I was dealing with is no longer in business--I don't know if any one else got stung by the whole Dension/DICE transition, but it was crappy for me. The guy I'm talking with at DICE now seems to actually have a handle on the situation, and is being helpful. I'm moving from hate to strong dislike, and may even find myself liking the thing once it's fixed.

All I have to decide now is whether to take a unit that has the SAT thing fixed, but that might still have some text display issues--which is all anyone on this board can get right now. They're still working through issues with this unit, which is unbelievable to me, after all this time. But I guess that they rely on beta testers, and have to work with their schedules.

 

As someone else said. I wish we could update the firmware ourselves by plugging into a USB port or something on our computers (Mac, Linux, Windows) instead of having to send it back to them and getting a new unit.

I just ordered one from them a few days ago. I've got my fingers crossed. ('07 Prius Touring package #3 - JBL & bluetooth - no NAV)