How do you operate your iPod?

Welcome!

I have a 2005 so I don't have that AUX option. In my case I got a DICE iPod integration system. This allows me to put the iPod in the glove box and operate it via the display and the steering wheel buttons.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AzDrew @ Jun 27 2007, 05:31 PM) [snapback]469051[/snapback]</div>

Hi Andrew,

Below is a cut and paste of how I set up my Ipod using the aux input. I find it very satisfactory while avoiding the expense of a DICE unit. A few questions which you asked that I did not address in my original post on the subject: Yes, you can leave the cable hanging out of the console and it still closes fine without pinching or stressing the cables. I route it out (I leave the isolator box inside the console) through the passenger front corner of the lid. The cable stays out all the time. When I park at a store or such I just disconnect the Ipod (takes about two seconds!) and put it in the console out of sight. Or you could leave it connected and put the entire cable assembly and Ipod together in the console.

With regards to the cables, the Monster cable is coiled and usually your 1/8" stereo cable is straight. Just route the stereo cable inside the coiled cable and they "stay" together nicely. One end of the 1/8" cable connects to your Prius's aux input and the other connects to the bottom to the Monster jack (which is connected to your Ipod).

Forget the FM transmitter route. I too have had very poor results with that setup. Also, just using a 1/8" stereo cable without the Monster charging/line out input cable will work in a pinch but is also a pain primarily because you have to continually monitor the charge of your Ipod AND always adjust the volume output on the Ipod to get a satisfactory input level to the head unit.

CUT AND PASTE FROM ORIGINAL POST...

I also used the AUX cable for a while but I too got tired of constantly adjusting the volume control to properly drive the Prius head unit and more annoyingly having to constantly remember to charge my iPod.

I found using the line out (the fancy connector on the bottom of your iPod) is the way to go. Monster Cable sells a connector (I got mine at Circuit City) for about $25 to $30 that will both charge your iPod and utilize your line out connection. But the problem there is you will get a ground loop which will introduce some hum in the system. If you are not too discrete of a listener you may be able to live with it but I found a ground loop isolator (they are sold at Wal-mart in the car stereo section for about $12 bucks or so) does the job.

Just be aware when connecting the ground loop isolator (which uses RCA type connectors and that hooks up between your line out jack from the Monster Cable connector on your iPod and your Prius under the console AUX input jack) you will have to get a little creative with matching the "genders" of the RCA plugs to the 1/8" phono to RCA connectors (of which you will need two). Just go to the audio/visual rack (where all the VCR/DVD and TV hook up cables are) and you will find all the cables and connectors you will need.

BTW, the line output level produced by the iPod (which is not user adjustable; it is also not affected by the volume setting on the iPod) seems to be matched quite well with the Prius's head unit.

Rick
#4 2006

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AzDrew @ Jun 28 2007, 03:54 PM) [snapback]469611[/snapback]</div>

Yep, that's just how I started (after a short, unsuccessful run with the FM option). Used only the stereo cable for a year or so and just got tired of always worrying about the Ipod battery state (this is what I really consider the biggest advantage of having the Monster adapter; it's always charged!) and fiddling with the volume level. Get the Monster adapter and the ground isolator and you won't be sorry.

Rick
#4 2006

 

if you hook your ipod up through the dock connector to a charging device (like this one), then use the line out of the charger directly to the aux input, the sound is WAY improved!!

i bought a macally wireless remote for mine, so even though its a complicated set up in the center console, i only have to use the remote to do whatever i want with the ipod.

my set up goes like this:

splitter into power supply >
sendstation charger/dock/line out into one port
cell phone charger in the other

sendstation charger/dock/line out >
line out to aux input
docking cable

docking cable >
macally remote hub>
ipod

to turn off ipod so it doesn't lose charge while car is parked all i have to do is press pause. this way also, my ipod is hidden to deter thieves.

i highly recommend the macally remote, i tried the ijet one first and it SUCKED! buttons didn't really work, plus there were only 5 of them.

 

I used the iTrip FM transmitter for many years in my last car, and in my area, had one nice "empty" bit of FM band that always seemed to work well enough (ie, tolerable static/hiss/bleed.) But I wanted to take advantage of that AUX-in jack, in the Prius, so I got a cable for that. I already had the Belkin cigarette outlet power adapter for the ipod...

I may be a little different from some folks here---I essentially never take my ipod out of the car, except to put new music on (maybe monthly?) or remove unwanted music (less than monthly.) I have one of the teensy Shuffles I keep in my home, for say, going to the gym or riding the subway commute. I keep the ipod in the accessory tray, which I moved to the front-most position, inside the armrest compartment, hit play when I get in, very seldom wish to skip a track, and turn it off when I'm done.

I immediately noticed a lot of the feedback hum from powering the ipod by the AC outlet in the Prius armrest compartment. I read another post here about using a ground loop noise filter; bought one from Crutchfield (#127SNI135) which is already hard-wired with a female 1/8 jack, and a male 1/8 plug. (No RCA jacks to deal with!) I run a 1/8 male-male cable from the ipod headphone-out, to the female jack on the filter, then plug the male end of the filter into the AUX-in.

The improvement in sound quality was simply astonishing. (Of course, part of my astonishment is coming from 4 years of listening via the FM transmitter, to now overnight, virtually static/noise-free music.)
I keep the ipod volume set near the high end of the scale, and occassionally, for some songs, I do end up turning up or down the Prius volume at the steering wheel.

UPDATE: I just discovered my filter had a short in the connection at the female jack. Was enjoying everything just fine, hit some rough road, and in the jostling, the sound suddenly turned muted and "liquified"... Thought the ipod was finally dying after all these years... jiggled around the whole setup from pod to AUX, found the short/loose wire at the female jack. Crutchfield is sending a free replacement.

2nd UPDATE: Replacement ground loop filter arrived; works perfectly, no short this time. Kudos to Crutchfield for not charging me for the replacement, nor the replacement's shipping, nor requesting that I bother to send the faulty one back to them!