1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

DICE iPod - share your experiences

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by willowthedog, Dec 17, 2007.

  1. willowthedog

    willowthedog New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2007
    9
    1
    0
    Location:
    LA, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I just got given a DICE iPod integration kit for my 2007 Prius (Pkg. 5) and I wanted to know people's general opinion of it before I attempted the install.

    Most importantly, does it work with 3rd Generation iPods (i.e. dock connector, touch wheel, 4 buttons in a row above the wheel)? The manual only lists 4th gen and later as compatible, but I didn't think there were any significant differences between 3rd and 4th gen.

    So does the DICE unit work as advertised? Can you browse through all of your artists, albums, and songs? Is the response time reasonable? Any chance of someone posting pictures of the DICE in action?

    I've read some threads of people having problems with the unit locking up or problems with the text not displaying properly. Is this unique to the 2008s only?

    Any feedback is greatly appreciated!!
     
    #1 willowthedog, Dec 17, 2007
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,191
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have issues with the DICE locking up and crashing my MFD...but I have an '04 with NAV. Apparently it's not as much a problem with the '06+ b/c they can handle a heavier data flow.
    It's nice to have it integrated and be able to adjust volume with the steering wheel controls.

    I found that it was much easier to change songs/artists/playlists via the iPod itself rather than through the steering wheel controls.

    At some point I'll probably uninstall my DICE and sell it and trade it out for an FM modulator adapter. I think the sound quality will be sufficient for me and I won't have to deal with the frustrating crashes in the middle of a trip.
     
    #2 efusco, Dec 17, 2007
  3. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2005
    3,862
    18
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    DICE experience

    I have a 2005 with NAV and a 30 gig video iPod. I've had the DICE since May '06 (even before I had the iPod) and it's done what I expected it to do. Once in July '06 there was a problem where I had just a hiss when in the AUX mode (no iPod at the time), but that cured itself after changing from AM/FM/CD a few times.

    The plug in the back of the radio came out last month, but that was because the cabin filter was changed and the cord was accidentally pulled.

    As for the controls it depends on whether I'm in a hurry to get to a particular playlist or song. If I'm not in a hurry I use the buttons on the steering wheel and if I am in a hurry I use the wheel.
     
    #3 aaf709, Dec 17, 2007
  4. willowthedog

    willowthedog New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2007
    9
    1
    0
    Location:
    LA, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Thanks for input so far. I was planning on stashing the connected iPod in the glove box and doing everything through the car stereo/MFD. It sounds like both of you are saying that navigating the iPod through the DICE is inferior to doing it directly on the iPod. That's disappointing.

    Hey efusco, what version of iPod do you have? Oh, and I just noticed that you said the DICE crashes your MFD. What happens? And how do you recover?
     
    #4 willowthedog, Dec 17, 2007
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,191
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm not sure...I think it's v5.5, but maybe 5.0. I don't think the iPod version is a significant factor.
     
    #5 efusco, Dec 17, 2007
  6. Vagabond

    Vagabond Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    1,198
    1
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Actually, it is. The 3rd generation doesn't support alot of the commands the 4th generation does like fast forward, reverse, and pause. It will work, but don't expect full functionality and it may not stop correctly when you turn off the car.
     
    #6 Vagabond, Dec 17, 2007
  7. willowthedog

    willowthedog New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2007
    9
    1
    0
    Location:
    LA, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Vagabond - thanks for the info. I'm gonna install the thing and test it out. I'll post my results.
     
    #7 willowthedog, Dec 17, 2007
  8. kuka

    kuka Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2007
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Bruno, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I just ordered a DICE - what am I in for?

    This is my first post in Prius chat.

    I have a 2005 Prius and a new 160GB iPod. I just ordered a DICE unit to connect my iPod to my Prius. Are there any instructions (with photos) on how to get to the back of my radio to connect the device? I'm not a car guy, just a musician who likes his tunes. I have a friend who is a car guy that will help me install the DICE.

    Any help would be appreciated.
     
    #8 kuka, Dec 17, 2007
  9. willowthedog

    willowthedog New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2007
    9
    1
    0
    Location:
    LA, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Check out this thread:

    http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11607

    The first post has a PDF attachment with photos on how to install an iPod integration unit behind your dash. The instructions are for a different brand than DICE, but the procedure should be the same.

    This is the document I plan to work from when I do my DICE install in thenext couple of days. I let you know how it goes.
     
    #9 willowthedog, Dec 17, 2007
  10. kuka

    kuka Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2007
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Bruno, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks for the update. I'll try it out.
     
    #10 kuka, Dec 17, 2007
  11. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,191
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Let me add that I also have an XM running through the splitter provided with the DICE...that may be a contributor to my problems.
     
    #11 efusco, Dec 17, 2007
  12. emtownsend

    emtownsend New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2005
    111
    0
    0
    Location:
    Post Falls, ID
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Where did you get your DICE unit? I ordered mine through Priuschat but it shows that I am part of a group order and it will not ship until more folks buy in... I have a 2007, Pkg 6, no SAT (yet) that I am going to connect this too (I hope).
     
    #12 emtownsend, Dec 19, 2007
  13. Chris Nikirk

    Chris Nikirk New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    5
    0
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Got mine within a week and it works great so far.
     
    #13 Chris Nikirk, Dec 24, 2007
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)