Questions about new DICE Silver iPod controller.

I was going to order one for my 2008 and spoke to the Dice sales guy. He said they are not selling any for that year for about 3 weeks due to issues with the programming. The 2008 aparently has changed some of programming and they are now trying to get it to work correctly.

 

This is no longer the case. 08 models are not supported, with the Silver kit ONLY. The standard kit is not 08 Prius ready.

 

1) Are you able to browse in multiple levels such as Artist>Album>Song? In other words, can I browse to the artist "The Beatles," then browse to the album "Revolver," then browse to a specific song and play it?

Yup!

2) Does it automatically just "Play" when I stop browsing, or can it wait until I specifically "play" a song or album? Do I understand correctly that if I just peruse the iPod via this system while a song is playing, I could unintentionally start playing a different song?

If you stop on a selection for 2 seconds, it will begin to play.

3) Is this system's navigation response considerably faster than other systems that work on the 2005 Prius? The other systems are notoriously slow, and given that the Dice system will allow navigation of literally thousands of songs, it would have to be a LOT more responsive.

It's as fast as you can press a button. If you use it in SAT mode you can use the Tune wheel and then it's REALLY fast.

4) Can this unit be set to allow control via the iPod, and if so, will it still display text information on the screen? (How many "modes" does this system offer.

Nope! With the Silver's, you can only have one or the other. Control from the car or from the iPod.

5) When controlling via the Prius nav screen, does the iPod screen still display the song information.

No, it will say accessory attached. This is Apple's doing.

 

Hey Vagabond,

Does the new Silver work with the 07 Prius ?

 

2004 to 2008, no problem.

 

So if you navigate a bit too slowly, it will start playing whatever is on the screen? When this happens, do you need to start navigation over again, or can you continue navigating from the current spot forward?

Current spot.

Also, can you step back up to the previous navigation levels -- i.e. if you are playing a certain song by a band, can you navigate "back" to this band's list of albums, then select a different album and navigate "forward" again?

Yup!

Do I understand correctly that the only way to "select" an artist or album by waiting on that artist or album for two seconds? In other words, you don't have a "select" button like you do on the iPod, correct?

No, you have to wait it out. There's no point in requiring a select key since there's nothing on the steering wheel to map it to.

I have a 2005 that does not have SAT. Does this make it slower than newer Prius models?

Your 05 does in fact support SAT mode. So no.

How do you toggle this mode? Are there just these two modes?

You have to do it from the DICE kit. There's no on-the-fly switch.

How do I find out about places that install this type of unit in my area, or where I might be able to actually see one in action.

Any install shop can do this, this is a one-wire install and is pretty much the easiest radio mod a person can do. There's no place to see them in action, since it's brand-spanking new! When I get around to it we'll make a few videos.

 

Where can I get one?

 

You press the AM button. It will active a SAT kit if you have one plugged in. In this case, the SAT kit would actually be the DICE piece.

 

Here at the Priuschat shop! They'll be available there just as soon as we begin shipping!

 

If you use it in "button" mode, can you hold the button down to rapidly scroll, or do you have to keep pressing/releasing the button?

By button mode you mean CD/Mp3 mode and you'll have to rapidly press it. Toyota's code does not allow for a 'repeat' command.

How can I confirm this -- I don't see any buttons for "SAT" in our Prius.

I'm confirming it for you All Prius models from 04 on up support Satellite, despite the button not being there or Toyota's claims. I have Sirius in my 05 for example.

That said, if I'm mistaken and it's actually an 04, does THIS make it any slower?

Nope.

I'm confused because the VAIS units are notoriously slow when navigating large groups. Is the DICE Silver specifically different in this regard?

I'll say this about VAIS. They are great at the car side programming, but we're vastly superior on the integration and iPod side. I guess you'll need to be more specific, since I don't experience any slowdown issues.

 

No Genre. You're the first person to ever ask for it!

Yes it does. As well as All Artists & All Songs.

 

No, since there are not free spots that exist in both CD and SAT mode that exist in the Toyota lineup for both single-line display and screened radios.

If you're thinking it would be like First you would select the artist, then have to wait 2 seconds to browse the albums, this isn't the case. If you select an artist and want to browse deeper, just move on to albums, songs etc and it will load them up without a need to wait.