No Standard IPOD Interface ?

Correct--not standard.

For Prius II there is an iPod adapter available as an accessory.

For Prius III - V, there will be a USB / iPod adapter standard with the nav package beginning in September, and available as an upgrade for those model cars purchased prior to September.

 

And no auto-headlights, either. Mad yet?

USB Kits are, or will be, available for a couple hundred bucks, but I'm not sure how much control the interface allows. It may depend on whether you have Navigation or not.

 

But is an adapter available for the non-nav JBL system in the III, IV, and V?

 

Just use your iPod and the aux jack. The iPod is so successful because of its intuitive and easy navigation with the scroll wheel and menu system, you give that up with any car interface. The aftermarket or factory ones are never as easy to use.

 

But Prius II does have an auxiliary jack for iPOD or similar device, right? or is ti just the III and beyond?

 

If you're not getting the nav screen don't waste your time or your money. The only benefit with iPod integration is you can navigate (albeit in a crippled fashion) on the screen through your steering wheel. That's going to suck if you only have one small line to look at on the JBL radio. No point without nav screen, even if you do have it it will still be a lot easier to just use the scroll wheel anyway.

They all have aux jack which is the cheapest and best way to do it. Bluetooth audio sucks compared to the wire.

 

OK, great, because all I want is an aux jack. At least the one I have in my car right now delivers excellent sound quality and I also perefer select my song choices directly in the IPod wheel...

 

I screwed up and ordered the IPOD accessory before learning it only works with the Prius II (the non-CD version.) I called the Toyota help center who confirmed this and suggested they modify the web site so any accessories that are limited to a specific configuration are identified on the web site.

The reason for my special order is when I turn off the Prius, my iTouch continues to play whatever it is on. Often with podcasts, I want to pickup where the broadcaster or music left off. Now I have a race to manually shut off the iTouch before turning off the Prius. ... Ok, so it is one extra step, it was worth $250 to me. <grins>

I'll see if the parts department has a restocking fee or can keep it in Huntsville for someone who might get a Prius II. <grumble>

Actually, if you have a Prius II or are getting one (without a CD reader,) contact me and I have got such a good deal for you. <grins>

Bob Wilson

 

My understand is the answer is no.

 

doesn't $300 seem a little steep for what you get? to me it does.

 

Don't worry, they use MONSTER CABLES.

Most of the aftermarket iPod adapters for factory stereos are about $100 and then you have to install it which is not easy and will set you back another hundred if you pay someone. Anything from an automaker carries a premium, so really $300 installed isn't too bad.

For what benefits you get over a $5 auxiliary cable, then yeah, it's a bit steep. Nice luxury to have though.

 

Hello Everyone, I just signed up for the first time after browsing for a while. The big thing for me right now to decide if I want to wait to order a 2010 package 4 is the Ipod interface. I keep getting conflicting information on what exactly is happening.

From earlier in the thread, It seems in September they will be making an adjustment to the car to add this feature. But I went to the dealer the other day for a test drive (none in stock even tho they said they had one on the phone). The dealer said they are not sure if this change will even go threw this model year and might be held off till 2011.

A side note, the Toyota onstar type system mentioned in the brochure, will that be installed in the car but just not functional yet, or something you will have to pay to be installed later if that's even possible.

Thanks in advance for any information I could gleam.

 

According to Prius Team:
USB / iPod adapter will be available in September on cars with nav, and be upgradeable on same cars bought before then.

Safety connect won't be available until later in the year (September?) and won't be able to be retrofit to earlier cars.

 

I have a Prius V with the nav package. I just had the Toyota iPod interface installed by my dealer. I like it a lot - the iPod connector is in the glove compartment, and the nav touch screen and steering wheel audio controls provide full control of the iPod. The UI could use some design work, it's basically the Satellite radio user interface reused for the iPod. But you can do everything - browse playlists, albums, artists, songs, etc. Jump tracks forward/back. Current song is displayed. No need to ever touch the iPod.

There are two negatives:

1) Price - I had to pay $430 for the part plus installation labor. I felt that was a lot, but I like the result so it was worth it for me. Seems like the sort of thing that would cost $20 if it was an integral feature of the car rather than an installed accessory.
2) You can't do this if you use sat radio - it's one or the other apparently. I prefer my iPod and wasn't planning on subscripting to XM.

 

Another option that may be available is using Bluetooth Audio Streaming. The iPhone and iPod Touch (2nd Gen or later) supports A2DP with the OS 3.0 update released today if you have one of those models.

I have my 3G iPhone paired with the Navigation system in my 2010 Prius IV NV and it works great. The audio quality is fantastic and is much better than the FM transmitter options available on the market. The only caveat is that you can have the option to play or stop your playlist via the touch screen or steering wheel controls. You cannot select a track by album or name or advance your selection outside of the touch screen on the iPod/iPhone. It works great though to queue up a playlist before you start your drive.

If you have another iPod model, the AUX input is available standard and does work well. Again though you don't have the convenience of controlling the iPod remotely. If thats a must, waiting for the Toyota kit in September is likely the best option. While aftermarket options are available, it has been my experience that they don't integrate as well as the ones available from factory. Many for example use an external display (mounted on the dash) to display track information and then have a control device that also has to be mounted somewhere. Having the iPod hidden away in the glove box, see the track information on the display and navigate via touch screen or steering wheel controls is worth the wait IMO. I am though disappointed it was not available at launch, but better late then never.

 

Are you sure it's a Toyota part (if so do you have the part number?), and not an aftermarket part? According to Prius Team, there is no iPod adapter available for 2010 Prius w/ nav until September.

 

The dealer said it was a Toyota part, he said they use it on the Camry too. On the work order it says the part # is PT545-00082. You can search PriusChat and find several references to it or Google for many more.

 

I will check on that part tomorrow. I really want one myself and was planning to wait until September. But if I can get one now, all the better.

I understand that the Bluetooth connection doesn't sound quite the same as a direct connection via cable. I really don't see how the sound quality could come close to a direct link.