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Aftermarket Ipod Interface


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I'm thinking about installing a hard-wired Ipod hookup for my RX400. Has anyone had one installed yet? I'm wondering how they actually go about doing this. Do they have to disable the CD changer? Any tips on where to go? Brands to go for? I'd really appreciate it.

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I'm thinking about installing a hard-wired Ipod hookup for my RX400. Has anyone had one installed yet? I'm wondering how they actually go about doing this. Do they have to disable the CD changer? Any tips on where to go? Brands to go for? I'd really appreciate it.

Most ipod adapters don't disable your existing CD changer, they show up as an additional CD changer. I have an iPod adapter in my BMW, and was also thinking of having one added to my RX. Haven't gotten around to it though. This looks promising: http://www.vaistech.com/sli.html

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I'm thinking about installing a hard-wired Ipod hookup for my RX400. Has anyone had one installed yet? I'm wondering how they actually go about doing this. Do they have to disable the CD changer? Any tips on where to go? Brands to go for? I'd really appreciate it.

Most ipod adapters don't disable your existing CD changer, they show up as an additional CD changer. I have an iPod adapter in my BMW, and was also thinking of having one added to my RX. Haven't gotten around to it though. This looks promising: http://www.vaistech.com/sli.html

The Vaistech unit is very good. Has a few minor glitches with phone use, but all in all works well.

installation is not too difficult if you are at all handy. It's been explained along with xm radio installation in past posts.

it also gives you a spare aux. input for other sound sources.

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I'm thinking about installing a hard-wired Ipod hookup for my RX400. Has anyone had one installed yet? I'm wondering how they actually go about doing this. Do they have to disable the CD changer? Any tips on where to go? Brands to go for? I'd really appreciate it.

When I bought my 400h, the salesman said that I would run the risk of voiding my warranty if I installed an aftermarket Ipod hook-up. He actually told me that my warranty could be voided, even if I had the dealership install it. Any truth to this?

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I'm thinking about installing a hard-wired Ipod hookup for my RX400. Has anyone had one installed yet? I'm wondering how they actually go about doing this. Do they have to disable the CD changer? Any tips on where to go? Brands to go for? I'd really appreciate it.

When I bought my 400h, the salesman said that I would run the risk of voiding my warranty if I installed an aftermarket Ipod hook-up. He actually told me that my warranty could be voided, even if I had the dealership install it. Any truth to this?

I guess I wouldn't worry about that. I have the Vaistech adapter -- had it installed by a car audio specialist who was very clear about what responsibility they and the car's manufacturer retained. It's a very satisfactory adaptor and allows the ipod to be run through the ML sound system with digital readouts. (It is necessary to use playlists, though.)

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  • 2 weeks later...

What are the glitches with phone use?

When you are listening to the Ipod, and you make a call via bluetooth, the text information gets lost and you just see "NO TITLE" for the song/album/info. You can fix it by power off/on or switching source and then back, and the info will return to the screen. Annoying but not a huge deal.

I've had the Vaistech SLI installed for about 3 months now. I concur that it is worthwhile if you want to listen to the iPod in the car - many leaps and bounds better than a Monster FM transmitter. However, there are a few glitches such as the one mentioned and the fact that you have to use playlists in order to see the data on the ML panel. There is a "safe mode" which allows you to control via the iPod, but I find it unnecessary to use it very much. The instruction book leaves somethings to be desired, but overall, it's accurate and represents what happens. The other complaint I have is the slow response time - not really a problem - just something you have to get used to. When you press a button on the head unit, it takes a few seconds for the command to take effect on the iPod.

I'd like someone to explain shuffle play on the iPod to me. I just want to randomize a playlist on the fly, but can't seem to make it happen on the iPod or through the SLI :-). Call me silly.

I did notice that when I was in my dealer the last time, they were advertising an "Aftermarket iPod Interface" for about $550 installed. I did not look closely to see what manufacturer it was.

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I'd like someone to explain shuffle play on the iPod to me. I just want to randomize a playlist on the fly, but can't seem to make it happen on the iPod or through the SLI :-). Call me silly.

c'yah, I wish someone would explain it to me too...

All I can get it to do is randomize songs within a playlist. Regarless of whether I have it set to Random Song or Random Disk(playlist) it will only randomize songs... and even then the display behavior is inconsistant between random play and sequentail play

During seqentail play you see the playlist number and the song number. And then the next song will display counting up from the order they are stored on the iPod...

[ 1 - 1 ]

[ 1 - 2 ]

[ 1 - 3 ]... and so on.

During random play you see exactly the same thing on display but the songs are just in a differet (random?) order. On second thougt, maybe this is consistant from a programmers point of view. :chairshot:

If you swich out of random play while a song is playing then the display will show you the correct song number based on the order stored on the iPod. When you switch back to random the display resets back to

[ 1 - 1 ]

This would not be AS annoying if you could still use the text to show you what song is actually playing, but all mine will tell me is the name of the playlist...maybe I'm not holding my mouth right ;)

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  • 2 months later...

Get the ICE unit made by DenisonUSA. I was a beta tester for them and the unti works great. Songs are displayed on the radio LCD, fast forward/rewind work from the cd controls as do next track and previous track. No one ever said anything to me about it voiding the warranty either.

I'd like someone to explain shuffle play on the iPod to me. I just want to randomize a playlist on the fly, but can't seem to make it happen on the iPod or through the SLI :-). Call me silly.

c'yah, I wish someone would explain it to me too...

All I can get it to do is randomize songs within a playlist. Regarless of whether I have it set to Random Song or Random Disk(playlist) it will only randomize songs... and even then the display behavior is inconsistant between random play and sequentail play

During seqentail play you see the playlist number and the song number. And then the next song will display counting up from the order they are stored on the iPod...

[ 1 - 1 ]

[ 1 - 2 ]

[ 1 - 3 ]... and so on.

During random play you see exactly the same thing on display but the songs are just in a differet (random?) order. On second thougt, maybe this is consistant from a programmers point of view.:chairshot:

If you swich out of random play while a song is playing then the display will show you the correct song number based on the order stored on the iPod. When you switch back to random the display resets back to

[ 1 - 1 ]

This would not be AS annoying if you could still use the text to show you what song is actually playing, but all mine will tell me is the name of the playlist...maybe I'm not holding my mouth right ;)

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What are the glitches with phone use?

The phone glitches have been solved in a software update, for the vaistech SLI. Also the Aux input can be disabled Now so you don't have to cycle through CD1, CD1(Aux) anymore.

Sorry I can't answer I-Pod questions, but the unit works great!!

When you are listening to the Ipod, and you make a call via bluetooth, the text information gets lost and you just see "NO TITLE" for the song/album/info. You can fix it by power off/on or switching source and then back, and the info will return to the screen. Annoying but not a huge deal.

I've had the Vaistech SLI installed for about 3 months now. I concur that it is worthwhile if you want to listen to the iPod in the car - many leaps and bounds better than a Monster FM transmitter. However, there are a few glitches such as the one mentioned and the fact that you have to use playlists in order to see the data on the ML panel. There is a "safe mode" which allows you to control via the iPod, but I find it unnecessary to use it very much. The instruction book leaves somethings to be desired, but overall, it's accurate and represents what happens. The other complaint I have is the slow response time - not really a problem - just something you have to get used to. When you press a button on the head unit, it takes a few seconds for the command to take effect on the iPod.

I'd like someone to explain shuffle play on the iPod to me. I just want to randomize a playlist on the fly, but can't seem to make it happen on the iPod or through the SLI :-). Call me silly.

I did notice that when I was in my dealer the last time, they were advertising an "Aftermarket iPod Interface" for about $550 installed. I did not look closely to see what manufacturer it was.

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Could someone post pix of the install or the completed version? I'm curious about where you plug the Ipod in.

There were previous threads with pictures, but, the pictures are now gone.

In essence you remove the radio, and the lower panel on the passenger side (left foot well) plug cable into radio, then into unit which goes in left footwell and i-pod cable goes in glove box, or wherever you want it.

This is not a difficult install, hardest part is removing top 2 of the 4 screws holding the radio in without loosing them, as most of us have done!!

sorry no pictures exist any more that I can find!!

You'll really love the unit!!!!!

Good luck!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Has anyone had an issue with the 12volt battery going out after installing the Vaistech? Mine died today, the day after installing the IPOD unit. Maybe just a co-incidence?

Vaistech installed for several months now with no battery related problems. It should only get power when the vehicle ignition is ON (ACC).

This sound like a warrentee issue that you will want to get resolved before it expires.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Has anyone had an issue with the 12volt battery going out after installing the Vaistech? Mine died today, the day after installing the IPOD unit. Maybe just a co-incidence?

Interesting ... I just had the Vaistech XM unit installed (by the dealer), and the one battery issue I noted is that I'm "in the red" a lot more than I ever was before, on the vehicle battery display...which makes me wonder whether the Vaistech/XM is drawing power from the main battery.

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Could someone post pix of the install or the completed version? I'm curious about where you plug the Ipod in.

You can find the Rx radio installation guide from http://www.carstereoremoval.com/htm/stereo...RX33004_05P.htm.

Two months ago I installed my VaisTech module based on that guide. It has 11 photos to show you how to do it step by step. It took me about two hours to finish the whole project.

I put my iPod and the VaisTech module in the glove box (VaisTech recommand to put their module in an easy access location for future firmware upgrade). So far it works very well and I don't have promlem with it.

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Could someone post pix of the install or the completed version? I'm curious about where you plug the Ipod in.

You can find the Rx radio installation guide from http://www.carstereoremoval.com/htm/stereo...RX33004_05P.htm.

Two months ago I installed my VaisTech module based on that guide. It has 11 photos to show you how to do it step by step. It took me about two hours to finish the whole project.

I put my iPod and the VaisTech module in the glove box (VaisTech recommand to put their module in an easy access location for future firmware upgrade). So far it works very well and I don't have promlem with it.

I also installed the VAIS device myself. The instructions that come with the unit are kind of elaobrate and I had to repete it a fiew times before I go the expected results. But it did finally perform and I've had no problems with either the unit operation or battery drain.

Contact VAIS support and ask them if there is any way that an inproper setup could result in a power drain situation. It is possible that since the unit turns on and charges the iPod that could be a source of the drain, but it is only supposed to do that when the key is ON. If the setup was not done properly, perhaps this got mess up and its constantly running/charging the iPod. Although, I can't imagine that kind of drain would bring down a big 12v battery in anything like a few days.

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  • 4 months later...

Had to resurrect the thread to share my happiness with the VaisTech. I love it, it's totally integrated and I can enjoy my Levenson system and my ipod at the same time. I have not had any problems with the display on my LCD screen (even after a phone call on the bluetooth). Just make sure that it is installed as CD1, because in any other mode, the playlist name and song name won't show up on the LCD display. And, it also has the extra of pushing the buttons on the "I agree" screen (which is pretty cool). And, if anyone is looking for an installer in the Chicagoland area, I've got a great one.

So, just thought I'd share.

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Had to resurrect the thread to share my happiness with the VaisTech. I love it, it's totally integrated and I can enjoy my Levenson system and my ipod at the same time. I have not had any problems with the display on my LCD screen (even after a phone call on the bluetooth). Just make sure that it is installed as CD1, because in any other mode, the playlist name and song name won't show up on the LCD display. And, it also has the extra of pushing the buttons on the "I agree" screen (which is pretty cool). And, if anyone is looking for an installer in the Chicagoland area, I've got a great one.

So, just thought I'd share.

I totally agree, my Vais works perfectly, I even sent it back for a free update to solve the Phone LCD glitch and enable,disable AUX function addition.

I would not hesitate to install again, Buy extra screws for the radio if you do your own install!!

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Could someone post pix of the install or the completed version? I'm curious about where you plug the Ipod in.

Try these links.... (worked for me, athough I elected to leave the unit AND the ipod in the glove box so that I could get to the unit easily for software updaes etc)

http://euro.lexusownersclub.com/forums/ind...ost&id=3890

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/printthrea...27901&pp=40

http://playlistmag.com/reviews/2006/06/sondlinqsli/index.php

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hey,

I'm very interested in the GSh (haven't made it to the dealer yet to see one in person). Can someone confirm that the GS (hybrid) does NOT have any AUX or iPod interface? (Didn't want to start a new thread for just this yes or no question). If it doesn't, seems pretty insane for a $60K car in 2007...

Thanks!

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Does the track info appear on the 7 inch LCD screen, assuming that you have the GPS-NAV system, in addition to, or in place of on the single line LCD display that shows radio station, etc? FYI - in case it matters I have a 2006 RX400h.

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