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iPod in Prius w/stock stereo

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by tcjohnsson, Apr 26, 2005.

  1. tcjohnsson

    tcjohnsson New Member

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    I ordered a package #4 Prius so it doesn't come with the upgraded JBL system. Correct me if I'm wrong but my car should come with a generic (Toyota branded) CD/radio and does not have a cassette tape player or CD changer.

    I have an iPod that I HAVE TO listen to whenever I drive and no, I won't use my headphones when driving (as I've seen suggested on other threads). Not only does that look silly, it's dangerous.

    I've seen a few after-market products that interface with the 6-disc CD changer input and convert this to the "aux-in" which can be used with an iPod. I've also seen a few products that are made exclusively for the iPod and allow some function from the car stereo (forward, back, pause, etc).

    So my questions are:

    1) Will these after-market products work with the stock stereo (not the JBL system) and if so, how will it interface with the stock stereo?


    2) Does anyone have opinions they can share with these after-market products? Is there a preference towards any particular product?

    3) For those after-market, iPod-exclusive interface products, can I still use other MP3 players? (e.g. is there a standard aux-in available on these products or does the cable/interface ONLY support iPods?) I actually forwarded these questions via e-mail to two manufacturers but never received a response.

    4) How difficult is it to remove the dash, stereo, etc to install these products?

    I also was curious about the cigarette lighter adapter. Is this 12V outlet always on? Or does it only go on when you turn on the ignition (or start button). If it isn't "always on" is there a way to hot wire it so that it is? I'm concerned with this because my Honda Insight had a 12V cigarette lighter adapter that went off when you turn off the car and removed the keys. I'm sure other iPod fans out there will agree that this can be a bad thing because if you forget to pause the iPod or shut it off when you leave the car, you'll come back to a dead iPod. Sure, you can just turn the car on and charge it but when I go running or cycling, I just pull the iPod from the car and there is nothing more annoying than grabbing a dead iPod before a 5 mile jog.



    Thanks in advance; I would appreciate any advice!!
     
    #1 tcjohnsson, Apr 26, 2005
  2. Bossman

    Bossman Junior Member

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    Three
    I use a Belkin Tune Base FM for my Mini IPod. It fits in the center console and works great. This uses radio waves to send the music to the radio. It also keeps the IPod fully charged. Works great even with the armrest closed.
    It has a flexible steel neck, powers and charges simultaneously, transmits on multiple FM channels from 88.1 - 107.9.Highly recommended.
    Alan
     
    #2 Bossman, Apr 26, 2005
  3. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    Power outlet shuts off with the car. It can be turned on in ACC mode.

    There is an easy mod to bypass the relay powering the dash power outlet, but not the one in the console (you did find the 2nd outlet in the console didn't you?). Check the knowledge base, I believe there are instructions there. www.coastaltech.com has the parts for the mod and instructions.
     
    #3 DanMan32, Apr 26, 2005
  4. tcjohnsson

    tcjohnsson New Member

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    I forgot to mention that I don't want to use a wireless FM transmitter with my iPod. I had one and the sound quality was horrible. I'm not a huge audiophile but you have to draw the line somewhere.

    I didn't find the power outlet in the center console because I haven't received my car yet (and I didn't look very hard in the demo unit I drove). I was planning to pre-order any parts I would need to make my iPod 100% Prius compatible when it arrives at the docks. It should arrive in about 3 weeks... YAY!!!
     
    #4 tcjohnsson, Apr 27, 2005
  5. konakahuna

    konakahuna Junior Member

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    i have an ipod and after looking at the alternatives, i chose a dedicated ipod adapter instead of a generic auxiliary input because i wanted to keep the ability to use the steering wheel controls.

    to make a long story short, i bought the ipod2car interface made by peripheral (www.ipod2car.com). i helped my installer put it in and several sections of the dash had to come out. it's not hard once you've seen it done...but it is rather intimidating the first time. the interior will look like you gutted it during installation, and that's hard on the ole' ticker.

    anyway, it's installed and on the plus side, the audio quality is very very good. i can use my steering wheel controls and the ipod dock connector keeps it charged. the downside is that i don't see any track & artist information....which i really wanted.

    still, it's worlds better than an FM transmitter or cassette adapter. all told, the unit and the installation came to around $250
     
    #5 konakahuna, Apr 27, 2005
  6. tcjohnsson

    tcjohnsson New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(konakahuna\";p=\"84920)</div>
    I'm looking at the PAC AUX-BOX from Logjam electronics. Even if the iPod controls interface with the steering control, I doubt I would use them. I have come accustomed to using the jog wheel that I don't think I could use another alternative. It's definitely cool to have that ability though. I'll probably just go with the generic aux in, just in case I decide to change players. It's 99.9% likely that the next generation iPod will not be compatible with these after-market cables. I'd hate to have to rip that dash apart just to upgrade my player.

    Has anyone ever installed the AUX-BOX and will it work with the stock (not JBL upgraded) stereo?
     
    #6 tcjohnsson, Apr 27, 2005
  7. finman

    finman Senior Member

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    From what I'm reading and learning here and on PriusOnline, the stock single-play CD radio in the lower Prius packages has a "CD changer" port on the back that is available to plug the Aux-box or the ipod2car or the Aux-Pod cable into.

    That being said, it means, yes, the stock, non-jbl radio is ready to plug stuff into. I've a CD changer (factory Toyota in-dash, installed by the dealer) plugged into my stock non-jbl radio. I'm planning on removing it, getting one of the above adaptors, getting an iPod and installing it all myself. I've had the dash apart to install my subs (back of the radio for 12 ACC to trigger the amp) so I've seen the plugs and all. Looks to be pretty straight forward. So when I hit the mode button on the steering wheel and the CD changer comes up, it'll be the iPod instead.

    The jbl cassette/indash changer unit ALSO has this port to plug stuff into (XM radio or another changer or ipod adaptors, etc.). Hope this helps.

    It really shouldn't be this hard to integrate the best thing in music with the best thing in autos! Toyota REALLY missed the boat/dropped the ball on this omssion.

    PS According to several websites an additional cable is required for most 2004+ Toyotas (Prius included) in order to use the ipod2car or aux-pod things. Part # 08695-00370. Or part # AB-TOYT. Depends on which adaptor company you go with, and I'm STILL working on that one.
     
    #7 finman, Jun 9, 2005
  8. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    I believe the problem people have with the third party adapters is the ID they choose to identify their device. What needs to be known is the ID of the stock CD and the JBL CD changer. I suspect stock is CD1, and JBL is using CD2, and the Ipod adapters fixed at CD2.

    I have heard that Toyota has or is shortly coming out with an IPod adapter for the Scion. There's a good chance it will work with the Prius.
     
    #8 DanMan32, Jun 10, 2005
  9. mikepaul

    mikepaul Senior Member

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    I called the folks at http://www.wire-tunes.com/ yesterday, and asked about song display while driving. The guy said they'd have to get back to me.

    Does CD Text show while driving? I think he said that would be the same as what their device would show.

    Not even a small sign that their defective link to the information PDF would be fixed...
     
    #9 mikepaul, Jun 10, 2005
  10. finman

    finman Senior Member

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    Yes CD-text shows on my single play non-jbl CD, but not the dealer added changer that plugs into the back (and is mounted below the radio in 'pocket'). What gives there?

    I believe the jbl cassette/changer unit does the CD-text.

    Still, the lack of MP3 compatibility is obscene, but that point has neen discussed at length.
     
    #10 finman, Jun 10, 2005
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