Just had the Toyota iPod interface installed at the dealership and it's TOTALLY USELESS!
When you plug your iPod(I have a 1st gen Touch) into cable, it plays as CD "Changer2". Sounds great mind you but there's no display of artist, song or album. Also no way to control which song you're playing other than what's next in line from where it has decided to start. It displays "6 CD"s on the AUDIO screen and these represent some grouping on the iPod that I can't figure out. AND forget trying to use any of the controls in the iPod Touch itself. Everything you press triggers a white screen saying "Accessory Connected".
For a company known for innovation and ingenuity, the amount of effort put into the ergonomics of the Navi system is pathetic. When it's in Sirius mode, only part of the Artist and song name is displayed. Why they can't have a scrolling display on that big 7" screen like a $50 Sirius unit is baffling.
I'm far better off plugging iPod into AUX jack. I'm hoping for a future firmware update addressing these shortcomings but I won't be holding my breath.
Just thought I'd warn anyone considering the interface. After all my ranting though, I'm very pleased with the vehicle overall.
I ended up throwing in the Vaistech ipod unit. Integrates very well into the system, it shows the artist, title and playlists. Mine also displays the 6 cds, CD1 is to sort the music by playlist, CD2 is by Artist, CD3 by Album, CD4 by Genre, CD5 Audiobook, and CD6 Podcast. No real issues at all.
I work for a Lexus dealership that installs both factory Lexus and Vaistech units (Ipod, XM, and Sirius) into customer cars. By far the Vaistech wins handsdown. The factory units have certain limitations.
Not to mention the Vaistech unit works with the new ipods (3G phone), something to due with the charging wires being flip flopped and not charging on older Ipod interface kits.
I ended up throwing in the Vaistech ipod unit. Integrates very well into the system, it shows the artist, title and playlists. Mine also displays the 6 cds, CD1 is to sort the music by playlist, CD2 is by Artist, CD3 by Album, CD4 by Genre, CD5 Audiobook, and CD6 Podcast. No real issues at all.
I work for a Lexus dealership that installs both factory Lexus and Vaistech units (Ipod, XM, and Sirius) into customer cars. By far the Vaistech wins handsdown. The factory units have certain limitations.
Not to mention the Vaistech unit works with the new ipods (3G phone), something to due with the charging wires being flip flopped and not charging on older Ipod interface kits.
ToyotaBiz
I just emailed, to my dealer, a link to the Vaistech website and hopefully he can get these units.
I ended up throwing in the Vaistech ipod unit. Integrates very well into the system, it shows the artist, title and playlists. Mine also displays the 6 cds, CD1 is to sort the music by playlist, CD2 is by Artist, CD3 by Album, CD4 by Genre, CD5 Audiobook, and CD6 Podcast. No real issues at all.
I work for a Lexus dealership that installs both factory Lexus and Vaistech units (Ipod, XM, and Sirius) into customer cars. By far the Vaistech wins handsdown. The factory units have certain limitations.
Not to mention the Vaistech unit works with the new ipods (3G phone), something to due with the charging wires being flip flopped and not charging on older Ipod interface kits.
ToyotaBiz
Hi,
Can you provide some additional color on the Vaistech integration in the Sequoia (with NAV). Do the steering wheel buttons still work? If so, what do they control? Does the Vaistech unit work even if one has XM SAT radio installed (I believe the Toyota unit if an and/or, not both). Do you have any screen shots you can post.
Yup, the steering buttons still work. The buttons toggle up and down between songs in your playlist. Buttons on the touchscreen allow you to toggle between playlists. All my music are in playlists, works with no problems, not sure if there is a issue with songs not placed in a playlist.
The Vaistech Ipod works with the Vaistech XM. I know on Lexus vehicles the Vaistech Ipod also work with factory OEM XM units. However, (on Lexus vehicles) if you have the factory Lexus Ipod kit, then you can not install XM. The factory Ipod does not allow any other emulations to work (ie XM, Sirius.....). I assume the same is true for our trucks (Toyota nav units), if you use the factory Ipod you eliminate any other devices being connected. But no issues with the Vaistech unit and connecting other components.
I don't have any pics of the screen, but there are few shots on Vaistech's website.
iPod interface and Factory Nav-WARNING
Linear Mode
