Help - Which Ipod Adapter For An 09?

[Pete-r]

Hi guys,

I've bought a 2009 IS250 (my third IS) and hopefully will be picking it up next weekend.

The car has the Levinson system and navigation, but no USB port.

Usb is what I really want but I have an Iphone so either way I'll be happy, is there a box of tricks that will let me play and control music using the nav screen/wheel and display the ID3 tag info and let me search music via artist or album etc not just playlists?

I've seen lexus offer an iPod connection, and I've seen loads of stuff around from grom, dice, dension etc but I'm struggling to find for certain which box will do what I want and be compatible with my car?

Thanks in advance.

Pete.

[agent_dess]

Ive mentioned this on my post before if you search around the forum but here is the link to the kit that you need:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XCARLINK-Car-iPod-iPhone-Adaptor-for-LEXUS-IS250-IS300-IS350-ES330-LX470-/251056895223?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item3a742834f7

it will plug into the back of the CD changer port but you will lost the ability to play CD's then.

[Pete-r]

Hi thanks for this.

Does it let you control the iPod using the nav screen and steering wheel?

I rarely use CD at the moment I tend to use a usb stick, if the adaptor is unplugged will the CD player work again or will the unit need to be removed from the car each time you need to use it?

Cheers.

[normski2]

I rarely use CD at the moment I tend to use a usb stick

If you use a USB stick then surely you have the USB port in the armrest? That would be where you plug your Iphone in then.

[Pete-r]

I mean I use usb in my current bmw.

I don't think it has usb, only an aux input. I can plug my phone into that, but ideally I'd like to use the cars controls.

[Spider Mike]

I too am interested in ipod integration on my 07 is 250, but would like to keep the use of the cd player.

Vaistech do one but don't know if its any good??

[normski2]

Ok, what you need is the device Ahmed and Bluenose used. Can't remember the exact detail so I'm hoping one of them reads this post. I think their choice allowed pretty much full integration of the Iphone.

If I don't see any follow ups I'll try and dig a bit deeper.

[Pete-r]

Thanks Normski!

[normski2]

Here ya go.....I went searching. Have a good read through this post..hopefully it will tell you what you need to know.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/70947-diy-bluetooth-music-streaming-using-a2dp/

[Pete-r]

Looks interesting, but how is it controlled? If it's connecting via aux does that mean you have to use the phone to control playback?

[Spider Mike]

Don't think this allows the ipod to be controlled via touchscreen or steering wheel tho :(

[normski2]

Sorry chaps.. I don't know any more. Hopefully..you will get more advice.

Boy I'm glad I got the facelift version with the USB connector in the armrest!!

[Pete-r]

Could possibly be easier just looking on eBay for a 2010 head unit and selling the 2009 unit on!

[Pete-r]

What about this?

http://www.vaistech.com/site/mml.php

[bluenose1940]

If you don't want to go down the Lexus integrated ipod route, then the link given by Pete-r above is probably your best bet. However, from memory I seem to recall that this unit is not available to purchase here in the UK and has to be imported from the USA and I'm sure that VAT and import duty made it an uneconomical route to go.

Have a look at this link, it was what I did with my car - http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic70947-diy-bluetooth-music-streaming-using-a2dp/

Hope the link works as I had to type it in as, for some reason I can't seem to copy and paste on this forum anymore.

As a matter of interest does anyone else reading this have a problem with copying and pasting within the forum?

[Pete-r]

I've been looking and as bluenose says, can't find a uk seller.

I think I'll look into the lexus iPod option. Not cheap but I got the car for a great deal and I'm thinking I could even get a cheap early gen iPod and leave it in the glove box.

Anyone know how the lexus adaptor works in practice?

[bluenose1940]

Ha Ha having looked at my post at #15 I think that I was close to falling asleep when I did it, most of the content was correct but I got a bit mixed up with the contributors! Sorry.

[agent_dess]

the link to the product i posted should do what you want which is to control your iphone/ipod with the steering control.... It takes over the CD interface which is why you cannot play back CD once you plug in the device. But it should provide full steering control of the player.

[Exdee]

The OEM Ipod kit isn't great in the sense that if you have a decent collection you will probably find yourself disconnecting the ipod, navigating between albums and then connecting it back again. I don't think it's possible to navigate between albums? Or maybe I don't know how to do it...

There is also the limit of 99 songs per album/playlist which can be really annoying.

Vaistech units that integrate the display from your phone into the car are good alternatives but quite expensive at the moment.

[Pete-r]

I assumed from the brochure that you would be able to navigate the iPod easily using the radio/steering controls.

Back to the mml then...?

[Pete-r]

Also if you use the iPod or USB kit does that mean the Levinson system will play movies from them?

[Exdee]

You can't play Video using your Ipod/USB.