Full ipod integration?

You have several choices. There's the VAIS at Toyota/Lexus Audio,Video and Information Solutions (Lexus Auxiliary input,Lexus iPod integration,Lexus XM integration),
the DICE at DICE ELECTRONICS- iPod Car Integration - Hard-wired and there's something at Coastal Electronics at ULTIMATE IPOD (but you have to get their Ultimate Lockpick as well).

 

I have a 2005 so your mileage may vary.

I have the DICE, which I bought through the Prius Shop here at PriusChat. In fact I got the iPod because of the DICE (long story). Recently I upgraded to the DICE Silverline.

The DICE works fine for me. I plug in the iPod and turn on the audio. I've set the DICE for the SAT mode. This allows me to use the tuning knob on the radio to quickly go through songs, playlists, artists and the like. The song title, artist and album is displayed on the MFD. I can also fast forward and reverse using the MFD. The radio controls on the steering wheel also work. The DICE also charges the iPod.

Others have the VAIS and are happy with that. It costs more, but seems to be more stable with the 2006+ Prius. It also will charge the iPod, but I don't believe it has the ability to use the tuning knob on the radio for iPod control.

 

Actually the VAIS gives you fully integrated iPod control through the MFD and steering wheel controls.

 

When I installed my DICE, I used the installation guide for the VAIS 100i, which can be seen at http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...7-how-install-vais-aic-100i-ipod-adapter.html

Basically you remove the bottom glove box and the trim to the right of the MFD. There's a white block of wires that you unscrew (but don't disconnect) to get it out of the way. The VAIS (or DICE) plugs into the radio right behind the tuning knob.

 

What affect does all this Moding have on the Warranty?
Also if I have the charger plugged into an iPod on the aux you get feed back, does this also happen with the Dice or VAIS?

 

I had my iPod adapter (I believe VAIS) installed at the dealer. It works fine, in CD Changer emulation. The only problem is that I can only see 6 playlists - or "CDs". I did a little work-around by arranging the playlists according to genre, and listening in "random" mode. Be sure to correct line level output on the iPod, and engage soundcheck. I also got new speakers and an amp. The only problem is now I hear how terrible the quality is of the average iTunes song.

 

There should be no effect on the warranty. If you went to Toyota to have them install an XM or Sirius, they would plug it in to the same spot (both VAIS and DICE have an extra plug just in case you have a satellite radio).

I don't get feedback with the iPod with the DICE and I doubt it would with the VAIS. I do get feedback if I have something (with a charger) plugged into the AUX input on the DICE (maybe with the VAIS' AUX as well). A ground loop isolator fixes that.

 

The Vais is getting rave reviews. I guess they have great customer service as well. I'm leaning toward a Vais myself...

 

We have a 2008 basic model Prius. Does anyone have experience with either DICE or VAIS ipod integration products for the 2008 basic?

 

I have a 2008 Model 2 and love my Dice unit. It does everything I could ask for in a unit and is $100 less than the VAIS

 

I was kinda leaning towards the VAIS because I swear I read a thread here where most people were bashing the Dice and raving about the VAIS. Now this thread everyone loves their Dice unit.

Is there anywhere that has an unbiased look at both units comparing features and usability?

 

[moving this post]

 

Thank you everyone. We'll order the DICE Silverline and let you know what happens.

 

I'm trying to decide whether to go with DICE or VAIS myself and so far I've found a few main differences other than price:

1. The DICE unit changes the order of the songs in your playlist. It re-orders them based on album or artist name so when you go to play a certain playlist it plays them alphabetically based on album/artist, not the order you put them in on iTunes. I don't think the VAIS does this.

2. With VAIS you can change playlists from your steering wheel by holding down the MODE button (see aminorjourney's video). Can't do this with a DICE, have to use the MFD.

3. DICE has an extra mode called SAT mode that displays the category name. So instead of just knowing that "disc 2" is playlists, it actually says "Playlist". In SAT mode you can also use the tuning knob to scroll through names of songs/playlists/artists/etc for faster searching.

DICE and VAIS owners - please correct me if I'm wrong about any of this, I got this information from previous posts and talking to support reps at DICE and VAIS.

I think if you don't care about having your playlist song order changed the DICE is a better deal for the money and the SAT mode is a nice feature. But if the song re-ordering would irritate you or if you want to able to change playlists from the steering wheel then VAIS is a better option.

 

We just bought a 2008 Prius - Canadian Base Model (single CD, no navigation)
Like many others here, I'm trying to determine what the best option for iPod integration is, based on functionality, ease of installation and price.

The Vais and the DICE seem to be the heavy favourites for full integaraton, but there are a couple of others that I've stumbled across in my research that don't seem to be mentioned here at all. Just wondering if anyne has any experience with

Grom Audio - GROM iPod Adapter Direct Interface(GROM-I2-TOY)

or

Scosche - AXIPTA

Also, any thoughts on the best options for simply adding an AUX jack, so you control the music via the iPod rather than through the factory stereo and steering wheel controls? My only question with this, is how would I access the AUX input as my stereo only has AM, FM, Disc, and Scan buttons?

Thanks in advance.
Troy

 

There is a Toyota version of a an ipod connection which I saw on ebay that seems to work only with 2008 and 2009 Prius's. I buy one of these if can find if my single CD player has a "audio head unit to be satellite ready"....

You may want to check it out too.

Steve