Ipod Interface - $322 option - worth it?

[alon99]

Hi Everyone,

I was just pricing out a 3 door Yaris Hatchback on the Toyota Canada website, and I noticed there was a $322.00 option called "Ipod Interface" - can anyone shed more light on this option for me? There didn't seem to be any additional info on the Toyota website.

Thanks,

Alon

[echo_hrs]

I'm sure it just adds an auxilliary jack to the car, similar to the Scion one...



It wasn't available when I got my 2006 RS, otherwise I would of got it...You could also just get an FM modulator for the iPod for 50 bucks, if the factory option is too steep...However, the factory interface should be USB, and thus will charge the iPod through the car's audio system, so no extra charger would be required in your car...

Cheers

[toysarefun]

The option costs about the same as the Ipod does

http://www.apple.com/ipod/

[Why?]

Sadly, most options to hook up an I-pod cost about that much.

[123456789]

I would also like to know more about the Yaris iPod Interface as I am planning to order a 5-door RS and am currently wondering if I should switch my Alpine deck/iPod interface over to the Yaris or just stick with the standard deck.

Did any of you guys order the iPod interface with your Yaris ? Would you have any pictures of the set-up ? Would you recommend it ?

320$ seems a bit steep when you can buy a better deck with a 3rd party iPod interface (Alpine in my case) for a little more than that!


Thanks,

--
paco

[bri]

I'm gettin my Yaris with the Ipod interface anytime from Monday novenber 28th to Wednesday November 30th. I'll let people know exactly what this entails. From what ive been told by the Toyota service Dept. is that it is a connections which charges the ipod and allows it to be controlled throught the stereo. But, they don't sound completly sure.

[theruckus]

Yes I belive that the interface does allow the ipod to be controlled by the stereo and be charged through the connection.

[bri]

I picked up my new Yaris yesterday!!! wooo hooo!!!! Ok, ok... the i pod interface is a cable which is installed along with the box inside the dash. All the driver sees is a little cable which plugs into the botton of you ipod. This cable is inside the glove box, so you ipod remains in there, the cable is very short so you don't use the ipod at all... i stll need to read about navigation of the ipod, but apparently you need to create playlists specific for the car radio... i.e. Toyota - pop, toyota - jazz etc... up to 6. The CD1 CD2 CD3 CD4 CD5 buttons select the appropriate folders. once pushed the folder name will appear. CD6 will select the entire ipod playlist alphebetically.

[123456789]

Originally Posted by bri

I picked up my new Yaris yesterday!!! wooo hooo!!!! Ok, ok... the i pod interface is a cable which is installed along with the box inside the dash. All the driver sees is a little cable which plugs into the botton of you ipod. This cable is inside the glove box, so you ipod remains in there, the cable is very short so you don't use the ipod at all... i stll need to read about navigation of the ipod, but apparently you need to create playlists specific for the car radio... i.e. Toyota - pop, toyota - jazz etc... up to 6. The CD1 CD2 CD3 CD4 CD5 buttons select the appropriate folders. once pushed the folder name will appear. CD6 will select the entire ipod playlist alphebetically.

This sounds like the official MINI iPod Adaptor; you need to create playlists for it. Am I the only one who likes to browse his audio library by Genre ?
Does it display the Artist/Song Title on the head unit's display ?

Thanks for the info... BUT WE WANT PICTURES!!

And also, how does it sound ?


Cheers,

--
paco

[bri]

It will display the playlist, which you can name... as long as you name toyota - rock or toyota - Brians mix etc... As for the song titles, unfortunately not.

I will take a picture of the unit, however it is only a tiny plug that plugs into the bottom connection that is inside the lower passengerside glove box. the wire for the plug is only about 4 inches, so the ipod sits inside the glove box.

The sound quality is beautiful, much better than the regular 2.5 mm jack input cable i had for my last vehicle, although, i don't know how much of that was the cassette addapter which was feeding the input to the stereo. I tried an FM adaptor and found i got static depending on where i was and where the ipod was sitting. The ipod interface eleiviates this problem.

Mind you, for 322.00 i really couldn't tell you how "worth it" it is.

[Why?]

It sounds like buying a new deck with its own i-pod interface would be better.

[123456789]

Originally Posted by bri

It will display the playlist, which you can name... as long as you name toyota - rock or toyota - Brians mix etc... As for the song titles, unfortunately not.

I will take a picture of the unit, however it is only a tiny plug that plugs into the bottom connection that is inside the lower passengerside glove box. the wire for the plug is only about 4 inches, so the ipod sits inside the glove box.

The sound quality is beautiful, much better than the regular 2.5 mm jack input cable i had for my last vehicle, although, i don't know how much of that was the cassette addapter which was feeding the input to the stereo. I tried an FM adaptor and found i got static depending on where i was and where the ipod was sitting. The ipod interface eleiviates this problem.

Mind you, for 322.00 i really couldn't tell you how "worth it" it is.

Once the iPod has been plugged in to the Yaris iPod interface, do you have a choice of controlling the iPod via either the head unit or the iPod itself ?


--
paco

[GT-SRacer]

Originally Posted by bri

I picked up my new Yaris yesterday!!! wooo hooo!!!! Ok, ok... the i pod interface is a cable which is installed along with the box inside the dash. All the driver sees is a little cable which plugs into the botton of you ipod. This cable is inside the glove box, so you ipod remains in there, the cable is very short so you don't use the ipod at all... i stll need to read about navigation of the ipod, but apparently you need to create playlists specific for the car radio... i.e. Toyota - pop, toyota - jazz etc... up to 6. The CD1 CD2 CD3 CD4 CD5 buttons select the appropriate folders. once pushed the folder name will appear. CD6 will select the entire ipod playlist alphebetically.

Does it have a jack like in the picture on this forum, or is the cord just drilled through the side of one of the glove compartments?

[bri]

Hiya Pacostudio and GT-Sracer

you don't have the choice for controlling it through the i pod once connected it must be conected through the radio. Also, IPod interface is not compatible with the 6disd chager deck. only the single.

The above image is not what the interface looks like at all. it is simply a cord in the passenger side glove box that plugs into the bottom of you IPod, the cord is very short and so the IPod must remain in the glove box.

Sound qualitly is really great though.

[echo_hrs]

I think I'll order the Scion one like in the pictures, and run the wires to one of the blank spots under the parking brake...hopefully it will plug into the aux input in the rear of the 6-disc in my RS, since the Scions have a 6 disc player as well...