iPod into 2005 Prius with no JBL

what options have you looked at already?

 

I know of 3 right off. DICE and VAIS both connect to your radio and allows control via the MFD and the steering wheel. They also charge the iPod, but there cost is between $159 and $299. There is also the option of connecting the iPod to an FM transmitter. That's cheaper than the other methods (about $80), but you run the risk of losing out to a stronger signal (you can change the frequency though). Plus the quality isn't as good. Some will also charge the iPod.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darkecho @ Aug 10 2006, 07:43 AM) [snapback]300799[/snapback]</div>

I have the DICE and I really don't notice that much of a lag. Normally I do start it up via the iPod's controls when I first plug it in. If I use the BT phone, or power off (and don't unplug it), the iPod stops. When I finish the call, or power back up, the iPod starts right off where I left. There is a couple second lag for title, but as I don't really have that many songs (so far), it's not a problem for me.

I only know of the DICE and VAIS. I knew about the VAIS for some time, but didn't get one as I didn't have an iPod yet and could use a cassette adapter (I have the JBL) for my old MP3 player (and later portable XM radio). There was a group buy on the DICE, which brought the cost down to $139.

 

I've only had the iPod for a week or so, so I don't know everything about what it all can do.

When it's operating, it comes up as CD2 (you cycle from AM/FM/CD/CD2 or CD/CD2 if you're using the CD button). Disk 5 (aka D5) changes from iPod to AUX input (I have my portable XM radio there). D1 changes songs within a playlist (you need to have playlists, or make a playlist of every song), D2 changes playlists. By this I mean if you want to move to the next song you press AUDIO, then D1. You can now use the buttons on the steering wheel. You still use the controls on the iPod if you wish.

When I am on a song I see Artist, Album and Song Title on the MFD, but there a delay of a couple of seconds before I see that (although the song starts up right away). It starts quicker if you leave it plugged in all the time. For example I have mine wired so it can stay in the lower glovebox. It's when you plug it in for the first time that there's a wait.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darkecho @ Aug 10 2006, 11:06 AM) [snapback]300944[/snapback]</div>

I thought about that after I posted it. I have the JBL, so I always have seen the disk selection. Assuming the DICE works for you (and I hope it would), when you change the mode from CD to CD2, you'd see Disks 1-6.
The 6th displays info about the DICE.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darkecho @ Aug 10 2006, 01:32 PM) [snapback]301059[/snapback]</div>

When using the DICE, I can change the Playlist and songs within a playlist using the MFD and the buttons on the steering wheel. I would expect the VAIS to do that too. I know the DICE has selector switches that determines how much control the DICE has over the iPod.

 

With the DICE you can switch between using iPod controls and MFD/Wheel controls at any time.

 

i'm in a similar situation and i'm wondering how your search ended up darkecho?

i have a 2005 prius with just the standard stereo (no jbl) and i'm interested in putting in something to work with my ipod. the vais sli looks very cool and though it is pretty expensive i'm tempted to go for it. i'd like to be sure that it works though. has anybody done that? any comments or suggestions appreciated.

 

I have installed the 'PIE' aux box. in my '05' (Line in version only.)

As far as AVC Lan messages go, it does work as advertised. But you should be forewarned that it appears to cause a lot of AVC-LAN bus errors. On the scope, it appears that it cannot handle bus errors, and it's really screaming at the bus. I haven't had much time to diagnose this completely though. For example, it sometimes causes a bunch of latency during screen updates.

If someone has time to look at this further. It somehow makes all of the other nodes invisible on the chain port so that the sniffer can only see traffic generated by the aux-box.

In diags mode, you can see the device is causing some interesting effects on the bus (the error log.) Other than this, it does work as advertised on an 05 with nothing than the base stereo unit. You might have issues if you try to chain other devices on the accessory port later on though (XM/etc.)

 

Just wondering if anyone can confirm that the DICE does work with the 2005 Prius (no jbl). I'd hate to buy it and realize that even with it connected, I don't get the Disc1-6 buttons, and the functionality is extremely limited.

Thanks

 

Yep, I can confirm that. I have 05 Standard stereo. The disc 1-6 are for changing track/album/artist/playlist etc. I have not use that much, I usually just pick a playlist I want and play from there.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darkecho @ Aug 10 2006, 12:32 PM) [snapback]301059[/snapback]</div>

I have the VAIS unit, and it does allow you to use the iPod controls - you can switch between controlling it from the head unit vs. controlling it from the iPod ("simple mode"). When in simple mode, you control the iPod as you normally would, and it just pumps sound into your stereo. The MFD shows "Aux in" as the track name.

When in normal mode, you use the head unit & steering wheel controls to control the iPod, through the use of playlists (the same as with the DICE model, I think).

I'm very happy with the VAIS unit, though it's more expensive than the DICE.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hi-Bred @ Dec 12 2006, 09:35 AM) [snapback]360954[/snapback]</div>

Cool - I'm getting it installed in my 2006 Prius and my wife's 2007 RX350 this week. Least I could do as even being fully loaded her new car doesn't have keyless entry or an Ipod jack, or all the nifty controls on the steering wheel like the Prius does

The Prius still rules !!

 

Do the VAIS or the DICE units allow for playing iPod music through anything other than playlists that are on the iPod?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gloftoe @ Dec 13 2006, 07:36 AM) [snapback]361467[/snapback]</div>

What exactly do you mean? Do you mean Podcasts or Videos? I don't have any Podcasts, but if I want to watch a video (while sitting and waiting) I can use the iPod controls to bring it up and the sound comes through the speakers.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Dec 13 2006, 10:12 AM) [snapback]361502[/snapback]</div>

I mean can I (via the MFD or steering wheel controls) can I browse my iPod's playlists, by artist, genre etc.