USB and Safety Connect Are Almost Here!

I think that a dealer that is trying to be fair would be willing to charge you the invoice price for those add ons rather than making an additional profit. Of course, we, and probably dealers, don't yet know what the invoice cost is.

 

Good suggestion, I will ask, I think that's a good compromise.

 

Was that Toyota Sunnyvale? I ordered the USB connector from them Tuesday, and canceled the order Wednesday after I saw the vid & review from cpatch.

 

Yup, that was it - Thank you. As I said, in spite of the clumsiness, I like the end result. Just don't ask if it is worth the money!

 

Thanks Tideland, I was hoping someone had actually tried it and could provide some information or how the flash drive information would be accessed. i.e. would it just list everything on the drive alphabetically, would it list folders and let me play everything in a folder, etc.

I have downloaded the .pdf nav manual but can't find anything about this system on Toyota Owners Online | Official Toyota Owners Website.

 

Glad I could be of assistance!

Just curious--what's their hourly labor rate?

 

cpatch posted the USB interface owner's manual in post 78 of this thread.

I suspect it works the same way an MP3 CD does. I organize my MP3 CDs using the file structure:
root --> artist --> album --> track

and I have Nero set to alphabetize within each level.

When I play an MP3 CD, and use the folder select function (analogous to the function shown on page 3 of the owner's manual cpatch posted), it lists all folders (albums) in the order they are on the CD, and not alphabetically for the whole list. For example, I have a CD with the following music:
John Coltrane
--Crescent
--Giant Steps
--One Down, One Up
Miles Davis
--Birth of the Cool
--Kind of Cool

When I use the folder select function, it lists the folders as follows:
Crescent
Giant Steps
One Down, One Up
Birth of the Cool
Kind of Cool

While in this example with a handful of albums it's manageable to find the one you want, imagine a 32 GB flash drive, with hundreds of albums by tens of artists. Trying to find a particular album would be annoying at best, so I don't think the USB functionality is very useful.

And while the iPod functionality is slightly better (since you can first find an artist, then select an album), the steps and speed for navigating the music (cpatch posted 2 vids a few posts above the owner's manual post) are painful.

Also--according to the owner's manual, the folder select function is available only when the vehicle is not moving, so it's locked out when the car's moving, like a lot of other nav & audio functions.

For ~$400 parts & labor, it's not worth it for me.

 

Thanks Stream that's good information. I'll recheck Cpatch's post 78. Since I'm most likely going to get this option rather I want it or not I thought I would start moving some mp3s onto flash drives. I think I'll use several smaller drives and have different types of music on each one, might be easier to find than having everything I own on one large one.

 

ok everybody I think I found the solution to all your problems (not my problem yet because I dont yet own the Prius):
Raise your hand if you want:

• To be able to watch videos on the NAV screen from your I POD
• Something that supports I phone 3g and second gen i touch.
• seamless integration built specifically for Toyota/Lexus.
• Even though it is an aftermarket product (that definetely beats Toyota's own, it uses steering wheel and on-nav screen controls.

Well, too bad! it doesnt exist! Thanks for reading.







Nah, Im just kidding. Here it goes:
Video,Audio Information Solutions for Toyota and Lexus (iPod integration,XM and Sirius SAT radio integration,MP3 integration,Auxiliary input)

Knock yourselves out.

 

The compatibility info doesn't say it works with gen 6 nav or with 2010 Prius. I suppose it's possible, but someone will have to confirm.

 

No one should be watching videos on their NAV screens. Or on any screen while driving. Watch the freaking road!!!!!

 

The passengers can watch the videos directly on the ipod screen.
We don't need any more distracted drivers out there.

 

If you read the small print at the bottom, it states Lexus only!

 

There is a compatibility chart showing both Lexus and Toyota cars, but not any 2010s or 6th gen nav models.

 

But the compatibility chart says that it works with the I phone 3G (I think you might need an additional thing or adapter from them, not entirely sure, point is its possible). That means, for those who are wondering, that it will work with 3GS and I pod touch 2nd gen. Reason being they the latter mentioned above have the same number of pins in the Apple proprietary connector. The old Gens have different number of pins.

Now about whether it will work with the 6th gen nav, I think there is a huge chance it does. I say this because I saw somebody post somewhere, might've been in this thread (not entirely sure), that their local dealer pretty much refused to install the new Toyota ipod interface because they said that was an inferior product. They tried to sell him instead on an even older version of the product I showed you guys. The difference is the old one doesnt do video. The one I posted is a much newer version and does video. But here is my thinking. If a dealer is offering this product as an add on (and an older version at that) then it means it must work with the Prius, since they offered it on this mysterious fellow's prius.
Bottom line though, we prob still need further insurance. So if there is anyone out there who has tried this product on the Prius, please let us know!

 

I emailed them a few days ago to find out compatibility info for this unit. I'll post when I get a response from them.