Cheapest Way to add Aux-In to 09 Base Prius?

Hi everyone,

I’ve done a bit of searching around the forums for an answer to this, and I think I have the right product. I have a 2009 base model US Prius that has AM/FM radio and a 1 disc CD player, no rear-view camera, no nav, and no center console aux-in (it was a used rental).

I’d like to add an aux-in to the factory head unit, for as little cost as possible, for use with an iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. I already have a USB cigarette charger and an FM adapter (both from a prior car), but the quality with FM is of course lacking. In the past I had used an adapter from LogJam for a Honda that provided an aux-in to the multi-CD changer hookup.

They have 2 such products for the 2009 Prius: an aux-in for $89 and an iPod dock connector for $99. The iPod interface seems to have lots of bugs with iPhones, so I think I’ll go for the slightly cheaper aux-in.

Before I buy it, are there any similar products out there for cheaper? For a bit more at $134, I could also add a Kenwood KDC-X395 in the stealth pocket instead. I don’t listen to the radio or CDs, just strictly my iPhone, so it’s probably overkill to upgrade the head unit when I won’t use it for much.

My other concern is that it appears most packages for the 2009 Prius have the aux-in in the middle console. Mine does not. While I’m not afraid to take the entire dash apart to get at the back of the head unit to install the aux-in adapter, I’d rather not do that and then find out there’s a 3.5†aux-in waiting for something to plug in already back there. LogJam’s return policy is no refund on shipping, I pay for shipping back, and a 15% restocking fee, so that’s an expensive return! That being said, I also don’t want to take it apart twice if I don’t have to, so hopefully someone here will know the answer.

Thanks!

 

My base model has the 12V charger but no audio jack. That’s why I was wondering if it’s just a lack of wiring but the same head unit (with the aux-in waiting) or a totally different setup. Everything I’ve read on these forums suggest the latter.

Thanks though!