2010 iPod integration kits (help!)

PriusChat accessories sell two iPod integration kits: PT233-47100 ($199) and PT545-00082 ($209). There is very little information

1) What is the difference between the two kits?
2) How easy are they to install?
3) Is there an installation pdf available?
4) Who has installed these? How did the installation go & and how did it turn out?

I can help a bit. I had the PT545-00082 kit dealer-installed and removed/replaced with an aftermarket unit. The PT545 unit interfaces an iPod to the Nav unit as a satellite radio channel. The attachment cable goes in the lower glove box. The problem with this unit is that one gets both satellite radio AND the iPod playback simultaneously, and my dealership couldn't get it sorted out. They found the aftermarket unit I have (made by USA-SPEC in City of Industry, CA) whose cable runs into the center arm rest and emulates a DVD on the Nav display.

I don't know what the PT233 unit works - I think I've heard that it also has the connection in the center arm rest. I also am curious why Toyota is offering two iPod interface kits.

I've seen the install instructions for the PT545 either here somewhere or on the Toyota (repair) Info website. I've installed something similar in my 2003 Town & Country. It's relatively straightforward but requires taking the central dash apart & removing the Nav unit.

This is good info, thanks. Only, can you tell me how the iPod access works through the DVD? Can you see playlists & song titles? Does it allow manipulation from the steering wheel controls?

Am I correct that what you have now is the PA-15-TOY (USA-SPEC) and that it works through the in-dash CD changer? It sounds like the dealer installed it for you. And, are you well pleased with it?

Here's how the iPod (or in this case, an iPhone 3GS) looks in MY DVD display (installer took picture):

https://www.adcmobile.com/plogger/?level=picture&id=993

The steering wheel controls do work. The instructions that come with the unit are not great, a bit generic.

RE the installation, it was installed by a local guy who doesn't work for Toyota. I'd recommend this - he was very knowledgeable. You'd have to go to the USA-SPEC website & find someone in your area

This is very interesting, as it helps explain why my original Toyota-sourced iPod adaptor (PT 545, installed by the dealer) was useless when connected to my Nav system. It's a shame the dealership couldn't get any information from Toyota like you have!

Does the PT233 unit emulate a DVD for the iPod controls?

I'm having problems with Service at a dealership regarding this. I have a IV with Solar and NAV. They tried to put the PT545-00082 in with no results (said it disabled the Sat and did not work the IPod). I told them that there was the updated kit (PT233-47100) that works with the NAV but does not disable anything. They claim that an engineer in Cali said it will still disable the Sat radio? Is there different revisions of the PT233-47100? Thanks...

PT233-47100 does not disable sat radio.

I will confirm - I just had the updated (center console) USB/iPod kit installed today. My car was a July-build so it just missed the factory install.

I was very pleased with the dealer installation process (Fremont Toyota, Fremont CA). Total time was about 90 minutes and that included time to modify my backup camera for one beep. New adaptor replaces the "Aux" only adator that came with the car, and you would never know it was an "add-on".

Random comments:

I first plugged in a USB flash drive with .mp3s. I had previously ripped my CDs to .mp3 using the folder for the album title, and files as the tracks with 01, 02, etc. as the first part of the file name. The new USB tab recognized everything right away and correctly populated the 3 sections; File / Folder / Artist. I had put the same files on CDs and played them via the CD player; sound quality was about the same. I ripped them at 128 bit rate.

Steering wheel controls work as expected - up / down changes to the next / previous file (track). Mode moves between USB/AM/FM, etc.

No issues with Sat. radio - it still works just as before.

When I previously talked with the Toyota support team (via the link on their corporate website) I was told that any .mp3 player would work through the USB slot, including the Zune. I knew from other posts that was not the case, and I can verify that my Zune (30 gig older model) did not work via USB; it does play via the AUX, but with no control via the car audio unit.

Any questions - ask and I'll be happy to reply.

Bruce

Thank you for checking. Everybody is been a wealth of knowledge at PC. Can not wait to plug in my IPOD tomorrow! (Finally after 3 days of arguing!)

A couple additional observations:

Good: When I stopped the car, then restarted, the USB picked up the song right where it left off (as opposed to starting from the beginning).

Not so good: I have just under 100 albums on one of the USB drives. Every 2 or 3 requests to scroll down took an extended amount of time to refresh (while it gathered the info). Additionally several of the album titles (seen as folder names) were truncated. I don't mean the 20 character limit, but showing maybe 6 or 8 characters only. When I re-scrolled, some of the previously truncated names were intact, and new ones showed up as truncated. Also while the list scrolls in alphabetical order (as expected). I have two "B" titles preceding all the "A" titles, and some additional "A" titles at the end of the list. Just some weirdness to get used to

My Package II came with an I-Pod harness in the glove compartment. Not the most elegant of interfaces. While you can use the car audio controls to operate the I-Pod, it is clumsy and slow. I have a 160 Gig I-Pod that is almost full (although I rip in lossless format, so maybe only 6000 songs or so). I'll connect it there if I just run the unit on shuffle or I'm using a play list. Otherwise, it is far quicker and less frustrating simply to plug it into the aux jack and use the I-Pod controls directly. In retrospect, I wouldn't bother purchasing the available interface.

Very upset at Central New York dealers. 2 different dealers said that the PT233-47100 will not work. 2nd one said that it will Stop the embedded Sat Radio.

Yet, I told the 1st one to prove it with documentation and he gave me a printout of the PT545-00082 sheet that states it conflicts with the Premium audio unit with embedded XM.

Can somebody get me a tech sheet on the dealer Accessory Sales Guide site that references the PT233-47100?

I'm beyond frustrated. Dealer will not install.

EDIT:

Is my dealer not understanding that this is a USB interface kit vice IPOD interface kit?

Does anybody have a picture of the NAV referencing the IPOD music?

I feel your frustration - there seems to be a lack of information about the new kit. I have spent over an hour, twice this week, on the phone with the Toyota customer care group trying to get a list of known compatible iPod devices for the new kit. Easily half the time was spent trying to help them understand they offer two options now! The agents don't seem to know anything about the new kit.

Here's a link to a youtube video where a member from PriusChat does a great job demoing the unit - play it for your dealer and they will (hopefully) get a clue

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFAeOquGg5I]YouTube - 2010 Prius iPod/USB Navigation Interface Demo[/ame]

Good luck,
Bruce

i just found out today the the pt545-00082 doesnt' work with the JBL non-nav head unit.


it's because the satelite radio is embedded and can't be turned off.


my dealer is seeking another solution, aftermarket, to make things....right.

this is off the toyota parts department computer today....

Apparently that is the case. The PT233-47100 is a new USB interface kit that also has iPod control functionality (and does not disable SAT radio). You use your regular iPod sync (USB ) cable to plug into the USB port.

well, i got back from hackensack toyota today where i was the "Guinea pig"; all with my approval. the ipod interface is the usa spec #pa20-toy.

http://usaspec.com/product.php?ProductID=34&forceShowProduct=1

the instructions didn't list the 2010 but, we were assured it would work with my jbl, non-nav, embedded sat unit. since this is a new car, and we are in "uncharted waters", it took toyota a few hours to get it installed and working. the physical installation was easy while the setup took a lot longer. the techs had to call usa spec several times because the instructions are a little lacking when it comes to the finer technical info on setup. the missing info for the 2010 model were the dip switch settings. the three dip switches had to all be set to "on" not the off-on-on. all the cables hooked up properly.

my gen 3 ipod video classic, plugs in, turns on and charges. when the car is turned off it seems the ipod is off. at this point i'm still wondering if its still drawing on the ipod battery or not. I'll know tomorrow.

sound is very acceptable from the jbl system.
it does playlists.
it works with the steering wheel controls.
press the disc/aux button to use it.
it shows the artist and song name when you scroll through the text button.
all "disc" numbers below are changed by using the #3 (up) and #4 (down) head unit disc buttons.
the seek and track buttons are used for up and dwn song selection.


now for the downside

1. it only sees 6 playlist. disc #1 through #6. no artist or album.

2. the playlist name doesn't show up on the head unit, only the playlist number, song number, and minute counter. you can use the text button for artist and songs.

3. playlist naming -each playlist as the instructions say, can start with TOYOTA1- TOYOTA6. mine was also working with the designations 1-favs...2-60's music etc. i switched to TOYOTA1- TOYOTA6 , only, and that works. i didn't try both at the same time.

4. disc 7 - shows all songs as numbers. all input is done through the head unit or steering wheel.

5. disc 8 - shows all songs as numbers. all input changes are done on the ipod alone except volume ...i guess. another fine point i need to check.

6. disc 9 - aux input bypasses steering and head unit controls just like the regular aux. maybe for passenger use?

7. it's a little slow when scrolling anything. if you scroll too fast it will catch up but, then sometimes go back down like it's a little confused. i have to play with this a little more.

special thanks to toyota of hackensack for getting this installed as best as anybody can at this time with the given choices out there. even though there is limited control with this unit, it does work which is fine for my "playlist only" use.

Ultimately the utility of the interface may be dependent on how you use your IPod. If you use playlists or shuffle a lot, the interface may be acceptable. You won't be using the controls much because you won't be making many changes once you turn it on. If you are like me and tend to change music on the fly and have a large library on your IPod, the interface is next to worthless. A cable to the Aux port and direct control of the Ipod works much, much better.

except your eyes are diverted much more making your chances of an accident greater.

Not really. The interface is so incredibly slow that I find my eyes are diverted far longer trying to use it as opposed to just using the Ipod which is much faster. The location difference between looking at the screen and looking at my Ipod in my hand is negligible. I think using the Ipod is actually safer because it is much much faster that slogging through the interface.