More on USB/Safety Connect

[Dirk Lerxst]

Originally Posted by cpatch

This is correct...I bought the kit and had it dealer-installed and the original aux input in the center armrest console is replaced with a new combo USB/aux input as shown in this video:

YouTube - 2010 Prius iPod/USB Navigation Interface Demo

And no, you can't control the iPod directly unless you disconnect from the USB port and plug into the aux port. It's a major shortcoming of the kit, especially considering how unusable the nav interface is.

Thanks for posting that. It initially looked promising in the video, but quickly confirmed my thoughts on how slow and cumbersome this interface is going to be to use. I will admit that it's more elegant than others I've used, and it is faster, but it's still FAR too slow to be safe to be using when you could pick up the Ipod and scroll quickly or, on the Iphone/Touch, flick down to the artist in a second or select the letter of the artist from the alphabet on the right side of the screen. I don't get why the Toyota unit has to be so painfully and dangerously slow. Too bad - so close to right. I'm very, very glad to see the 3mm input is still there, but I really wish I could just turn off headunit control so I could use the USB to both charge and get sound out of my Ipod.

[schaefsn]

I have a very direct question that I cannot get a straight answer to:

If the USB option is installed by a dealer, you end up with a USB outlet AND a 3.5mm audio aux jack in the console, do both work?

I am seriously considering having the USB installed but would really like an answer to this question to help me make up my mind.

[stream]

Originally Posted by schaefsn

I have a very direct question that I cannot get a straight answer to:

If the USB option is installed by a dealer, you end up with a USB outlet AND a 3.5mm audio aux jack in the console, do both work?

I am seriously considering having the USB installed but would really like an answer to this question to help me make up my mind.

Just to play devil's advocate--if the USB adapter contains both a USB and an aux input, as shown in cpatch's video, why wouldn't they both work?

[schaefsn]

I agree. Despite this common sense answer I have seen posts that seem to suggest that the AUX is disabled when the USB option is installed. I want to make sure that is not the case.

[stream]

Originally Posted by schaefsn

I agree. Despite this common sense answer I have seen posts that seem to suggest that the AUX is disabled when the USB option is installed. I want to make sure that is not the case.

Interesting--I hadn't read that, although with the iPod connector, I've read how the SAT was disabled on some cars (but not on others).

[ERiley1]

Originally Posted by stream

Interesting--I hadn't read that, although with the iPod connector, I've read how the SAT was disabled on some cars (but not on others).

As I understand it, the SAT is disabled with the interface kit seen on the accessories site here: Toyota Prius Accessories which is different from what is being installed. As for whether the AUX still works, I don't know. Even though it does seem like the obvious answer that it should.

[stream]

Originally Posted by ERiley1

As I understand it, the SAT is disabled with the interface kit seen on the accessories site here: Toyota Prius Accessories which is different from what is being installed.

Yes--that's the iPod connector I was referring to.