Connecting iPhone 4 or iPod to Prius base model

I've got maybe a dumb question that some more research would figure out (but I suspect you'd like to know the same thing as I!), and that is - is there any kit out there to digitally connect an iPod to the OEM head unit (30-pin connector) on cars not equipped with this hardware from the factory (and without Nav)? I know the analogue AUX-IN exists, but obviously a digital connection would be superior.

Cheers,

-Iain

 

The AUX Port is inside the armrest, on mine it has a USB Port and an Audio In plug-in (Looks like the jack where you plug in the headphones on your iPod). If you have the USB Port, you can plug your iPod in using the white charge/sync cable that came with it, if you don't have the USB Port you'll need to purchase the cable (it has the earphone type plug on both ends). Be sure to get a Stereo Cable, it will have a tip and two additional rings, if it just has the tip and the shaft, it won't work. Plug one end into the jack on your iPod and the other into the jack in the armrest. You have to control it from the iPod...

Shop around, you should be able to find one for no more than a couple bucks... I'm pretty sure Target and WalMart carry them as well...

 

i am also looking for the answer and i tried yahoo forums but no response yet , if you find please inform me also

 

Kerwin,

I'm a bit confused on which Model Prius you have, your info under your user name says Prius IV w/AT, The AT Package here in the US is only available on the Prius V.

Regardless, the IV and V have BlueTooth, so you can connect an iPhone via Blooth and stream audio as well as send/receive phone calls. Use the Phone/Info button to set it up. You also have the USB Port I described in my previous post, an iPod can be connected to this port.

Not sure if there is another question you're looking to have answered...

 

A better solution than the standard Toyota bluetooth (which the base model doesn't even have anyway) is something like the Parrot MKi9200 - which I have. It can take iPod with an iPod connector in the glovebox, and send it to the car stereo (note that this requires an extra cable, for Toyota Prius a PC000005AA); it can also be controlled by the steering wheel controls using a Parrot box called Unika.

I myself have the MKi9200 but am waiting for the dealer to install the cable; as of now, the 9200 sends the iPod sound directly to the speakers, but since its amp is not very good, I get 2 speakers of slightly distorted sound, instead of 6 speakers of glorious 320kbps progressive rock... I'll probably not be installing the Unika, since I don't mind the Parrot control on my steering wheel.

 

Janie,

In your question you state that you had a fully loaded Prius 2004. That is what we have. We have considered getting a 2010 but have started shopping. You say the 2010 is very different. In what ways is it different and are those differences an improvement? (One things that bugs me about the 2004 is that there is no visor over the GPS so it is very difficult to view during the day.)