Lexus Ipod Integration On Rx400h

[NYLONDave]

Just had the official Lexus ipod integration kit installed on my '07 400h. Paid 200 GBP for the device and the install (they came to me)

Basically the kit provides a neat dock in your glove box that the ipod clips into along with the ipod connector which is wired into the stereo. The ipod shows up as an external CD-changer. Pressing disc twice engages the external i-pod.

The down side is that Lexus has not been able to get the system to read any of the text info from the ipod (strange since I believe the VAIS kit does give you this functionality). You're basically limited to choosing tracks from your first 6 play lists. Each playlist shows up as a seperate CD (#1 to 6) and then you can navigate between tracks on each CD and these are listed as #1, #2, etc... . You do not have the option to search by artist, or song etc... You can play songs randomly across the play lists though this is driven by the lexus stereo and not the ipod shuffle so the time between songs is much longer then it would be.

A definite improvement over an fm transmitter in terms of sound quality but not the full integration I would have hoped for.

I haven't had a chance to put it through its paces since I'm still at work and had it installed during lunch. If I have any more relevant info. I'll post it here. Any questions let me know.

[Mr Pants!]

Where did you get this done, I am very interested in that?

Can I also ask how it is docked, is it just a cable you plug into? Or a proper dock?

[NYLONDave]

I booked it through my Lexus dealer. Lexus park lane.

You can call the installer Kevin on 07831123566. I think they cover the London area.

They install a black clip, for lack of a better term, in the back of your glovebox. It's like a spring loaded plastic clamp that holds the sides of your ipod. Then there's a cable that comes from your stereo and plugs into the bottom of the ipod. The installation looks pretty professional. Comes with a Lexus instruction manual so assume this is an official Lexus UK add on.

System hsa worked pretty well - I have set up 5 playlists w/ the majoity of my music so its a pretty good solution. The lack of text is the only downer

Hope that helps.

David

[tim2]

Just had one fitted at same time as first service by Lexus Swindon (Approx £430 for both).

Adds iPod as additional CD player and allows multiple playlists (>6) and will show playlist name and track name (by pressing Text button).

Takes some getting used to, but is well worth it compared with the hassle of using an FM transitter.

Tim

[NYLONDave]

Mine does not support text for some reason.

Do you have the Mark Levinson 11 speaker arrangement.

Let me know as a bit of text would help.

Thanks,

David

[tim2]

Mine does not support text for some reason.

Do you have the Mark Levinson 11 speaker arrangement.

Let me know as a bit of text would help.

Thanks,

David

Yes it does have the Levinson system. The booklet that came with the equipment should describe how to get text.

Tim

[NYLONDave]

Pretty clear from the booklet how to get text and have gone through the paces with no luck. Though the guy who installed said the system did not currently support text. will give them a call to see if I can get any more info.

D

Mine does not support text for some reason.

Do you have the Mark Levinson 11 speaker arrangement.

Let me know as a bit of text would help.

Thanks,

David

Yes it does have the Levinson system. The booklet that came with the equipment should describe how to get text.

Tim

[Cherry Hinton Blue]

Does the iPod integration system use the big flat iPod connector, or does it take the sound from the headphone output?

Just wondering, because if it used the headphone output (or if there was another way of getting an analogue signal in) then the iPod dock could double up to be a connector for a Bluetooth device using a receiver like the Sony Ericsson MBR-100. Lots of mobile phones are quite acceptable MP3 player alternatives now.