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Best & Cheapest aux-in for 2005?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by dharris, May 13, 2009.

  1. dharris

    dharris Junior Member

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    For 4+ years I've been broadcasting my iPod via a Monster FM transmitter. Lately it's been acting up or the FM dial in my area has done some shuffling. Whatever the cause, I now need to change frequencies a couple time during my commute. Since I plan to have this car for at least another five years, I think it's time to spend a little to add an aux-in port.

    So, what's the best low-end way to add an aux in audio port for my 2005 Prius?

    Controlling my iPod or iPhone from the display isn't required -- I listen to podcasts and have them queued up in a smart playlist to continually play.

    Charging would be nice, but I do have a separate adaptor for that already.

    I've searched this forum, but most posters seem to have a 2006 or later model which included the aux in jack. Any body with a 2004 or 2005 have advice on this?
     
    #1 dharris, May 13, 2009
  2. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

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    PAC AUX-BOX will do the job you're looking for. Lots of owners have gone that route.
     
    #2 Presto, May 14, 2009
  3. ambrothe

    ambrothe Junior Member

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    Any ideas for adding an aux-input (just for an audio cable from an iPod) without having to disconnect my satellite radio? Some ten years ago, I had a CD changer in a previous car that was connected though the antenna line - anything like that still available?
     
    #3 ambrothe, May 14, 2009
  4. aolm

    aolm Junior Member

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    The aux box is the cheapest route... it's tricky to plug it into the back of the headunit. You have to pull out the right vent assembly and glove box. You need the proper y adapter that converts the 10 disk player "out" to fit the aux box "in" plug. Check out my old posts "aolm". The antenna "in" will not work. I ultimately decided to bypass the entire in car system and run my "aux in" directly into a 4 channel amp. I left my old aux box hanging out of the back of my headunit...which i do not use any more. I listen to sat radio. The 06 year was the first year that toyota put in a real aux in.
     
    #4 aolm, May 18, 2009
  5. dkenglish7

    dkenglish7 Junior Member

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    I don't recall if a package 3 has a tape player, but for my 2005 package 9, the cheapest aux-in has turned out to be one of those silly old wired cassette adapters. Less than $20, no dash disassembly required, and for playing mp3 files I can't tell any difference from listening to the iPod directly.
     
    #5 dkenglish7, May 21, 2009
  6. Gotpancit

    Gotpancit New Member

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    Is there a direct link of what to buy? all the cardomain ones that have come up during a search are all dead links.

    i too have an '05 that I want aux-in. My understanding is you need 1)toyota Y cable and 2) PAC aux box

    and thats it right?
     
    #6 Gotpancit, May 21, 2009
  7. dharris

    dharris Junior Member

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    Sadly, I have no tape player. I agree that would be the cheapest/best option for those with a tape player.

    I think another option may be some inexpensive speakers that I can power through the cigarette lighter -- and bypass the car stereo altogether.
     
    #7 dharris, May 22, 2009
  8. Skwyre7

    Skwyre7 What's the catch?

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    I had one of the wired FM modulators that plugged in via the AM/FM antenna in. It worked, but the sound quality wasn't great. In fact, it was barely acceptable. If I had to do it again, I'd go the PAC aux box route.
     
    #8 Skwyre7, May 22, 2009
  9. Sparky9292

    Sparky9292 Junior Member

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    Yeah, but the cassette adapter is only one small step up in quality from the FM transmitters (which were always CRAP if you lived in a semi-large city).

    There is a LARGE leap in quality going from cassette adapter to direct AUX. There still is a hiss, and usually you can hear the cassette gears grinding a bit.

    I have a 6-disk CD changer, no satellite, and I'd love to have a direct AUX connection to my radio. oh well.:(
     
    #9 Sparky9292, Jun 11, 2009
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