Vais Tech Vs. Dice Electronics Ipod Integration Kit

[waymay1305]

I currently have an 08 ES 350 w/nav & satelite radio and would like to get an ipod integration kit. Most Dallas area dealerships are wanting $650 or more for a complete installation. Way too much. Which of these aftermarket kits should I go with? Pros and cons are appreciated. Does anyone know of a Dallas area installer? Thanks.

[boB_2006_GS300]

I currently have an 08 ES 350 w/nav & satelite radio and would like to get an ipod integration kit. Most Dallas area dealerships are wanting $650 or more for a complete installation. Way too much. Which of these aftermarket kits should I go with? Pros and cons are appreciated. Does anyone know of a Dallas area installer? Thanks.

I had the Vais at first. My 2006 doesn't play MP3, so the iPod adapter only supports Playlists on my car. Yours will probably have the Artist>Album>Track browsing support because it uses the MP3 ability in your stereo. I think it uses the disc number buttons on the screen to choose Playlist, Artist, Album, Track.... .....and you have to remember what each button number does.

The Dice unit also does this, but you can set the "dip switches" when you install it so your stereo thinks it's a CD changer or SAT radio. The "CD changer" mode works similar to the VAIS unit (on cars that have MP3 support). The "SAT" mode uses the 6 station buttons on the screen, AND it says what each button is for. This makes more sense to me, but in this mode you do not see track number or track time on the screen (it does say the song and album name). I learned to live with this so I get labeled buttons.

Both units sound great and are easy to install by pulling out the head unit and pulling out one plug from the back. You place a new "Y" cable between those connectors. Then plug the adapter into the cable and the iPod to the adapter. Both brands use different connectors on your stereo. Also if you have SAT radio, call Dice to see if you can use that emulation for your iPod too, or you might have to use the CD Emulation.

On either unit, some functions may not work when your car is in gear. This is a function of the safety features on the car, not the adapter. (you can search this board for bypassing these safety features, but be careful as they are year and model specific). Both companies will answer your questions by phone. One other thing, the newer iPods changed their charging voltage about a year or two ago. Be sure to tell whoever you order from, your exact iPod model.

Good luck.

[dperque]

Thanks for the breakdown - I'm about to order the dice kit for my 2005 LX470 (4th Gen Nav) and want to be able to browse by artist/album/etc. I also have SAT/XM active.

The Dice rep told me I could do this and I was like "Are you sure? I don't have 5th Gen Nav or MP3 support" He said, "once you hook it up, you may find that you have MP3 support even though you don't have a button"

Sounds fishy to me.

Can you confirm whether I'll be able to browse by artist? I'm not a big 'playlist' guy.

Even if I can't, I guess I don't have many options. So I guess I'd better just order it and deal with any shortcomings.

Also, have you connected it to an iPhone 3GS? this is primarily what I'll be using and want to make sure it charges.

Thanks!

I currently have an 08 ES 350 w/nav & satelite radio and would like to get an ipod integration kit. Most Dallas area dealerships are wanting $650 or more for a complete installation. Way too much. Which of these aftermarket kits should I go with? Pros and cons are appreciated. Does anyone know of a Dallas area installer? Thanks.

I had the Vais at first. My 2006 doesn't play MP3, so the iPod adapter only supports Playlists on my car. Yours will probably have the Artist>Album>Track browsing support because it uses the MP3 ability in your stereo. I think it uses the disc number buttons on the screen to choose Playlist, Artist, Album, Track.... .....and you have to remember what each button number does.

The Dice unit also does this, but you can set the "dip switches" when you install it so your stereo thinks it's a CD changer or SAT radio. The "CD changer" mode works similar to the VAIS unit (on cars that have MP3 support). The "SAT" mode uses the 6 station buttons on the screen, AND it says what each button is for. This makes more sense to me, but in this mode you do not see track number or track time on the screen (it does say the song and album name). I learned to live with this so I get labeled buttons.

Good luck.

[boB_2006_GS300]

my factory doesn't have mp3 support either. it does support SAT radio and that is the EMULATION the Dice unit uses on my system. my stereo uses the navigation screen and I see where there would have been 6 buttons for stations, it is now 6 buttons for Artist, Playlists, Albums, Tracks, etc. i *think* if your stereo supports SAT radio and you do not have the nav screen, it should still work. Go to Dice's web site and download the manual and it lists the car years and models, and what emulations can be used with your stereo.