VVT-i

I got this unit from http://www.vaistech.com/ for over 3 months as a tested unit and phototpye. I'm really impress and happy with the unit.

It is a truly plug and play XM radio without the annoying FM modulator. The unit is powered from the existing telephone connector( pre-wired by Lexus) and the sound goes directly to the ML amplifier.

The unit is a modified XM commander XM radio with the AudioGateway ECU installed inside by this company.

Now, I can change the channel from the steering wheel, up/down button on the stereo or just touch the numbers ont he Nav screen.

If you press the " Disc" button for the first time you will have your 6 disc " CD" screen( factory), press it one more time you will see the " CD Changer" with 10 Discs( this is your XM screen). For example if you channel 120, just touch 1,2 and then 10( 10=0 the way it's designed). And you will see on the screen as Disc 1, track 2 and 0' this mean you are listening channel 120.

I've found it is easy to control from the steering or from the up/down buttom from the radio if you just want to go from channel 10,11,12,13 to 14. But when I want to jump from channel 12 to 150, then I have to use the touch screnn on the Nav display by touch on 1,5 and 10 to go to channel 150.

I still have to use the display that comes with the XM commander just to see the name of the band and the name of the song(they are planning to eliminate this part in the future models,so everything will be on the Nav screen.).

As far as installation in the trunk. It is a no brainer. I had to removed the trunk covers to access to the telephone connector on the right hand side of the trunk( near the right rear strut tower). Then, just used the Y-Adapter to connect them together so you get the B+, Accessory and Ground to power up the unit.

Then I had to get to the connector at the ML amp and used the Y-adapter for the audio out(no FM modulator, no more FM 88.1 or 88.3... ).

The sound is crystal clear straight from ML amplified without any distrubing over the air crap from FM 88.1 or 88.3.

The unit also give you the ability to add aditional audio source to your existing factory system on top of XM. So if you want to connect MP3 player you will need to plug in audio output of your MP3 player to XM's RCA connector adn touch some buttom on the Nav screen to switch between XM and MP3.

This unit is $450.00 and right now they got it to work on the 01-03 GS3/430 with Nav and ML system and on the 01-03 RX300 with Nav.

Some of you in Denver area may be able to get a better deal because they're interesting this unit on LS,SC,LX, GX,ES adn IS . They want to see how the car respone to the XM radio and make some adjustment in the software.Please PM me if you are interesting to be a tester and I will talk to them and ask for the discount(applicable for the Denver area only, as a tester).

It will not harm any of your electronic system, because this unit communicate with Lexus computers and the Nav computer. The Lexus computers system will recognized the extra function as the " CD Changer" when you run the diagnosic mode on the Navigation.

You can log on to http://www.vaistech.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1 to find out more info. I'm a moderator overthere.. with 2 members...

VVT-i

This is the XM Commander with AudioGateway softway. Please note the Y-connectors that attach to the unit.

VVT-i

The Telephone connector( pre-wired from Lexus, but un used). This connector will do all the B+, ACC, and ground. You don't have to cut or find out which wire is for power, acces or ground.

VVT-i

The Y-adapter.

VVT-i

This is how the unit connected to the ML.

asci01

That's great !

VVT-i

Thanks asci01. Traffic jammed will never be the same.. . So many stations and choices.

Fisher503

where did you mount the antenna putting it on the roof of the car is not something I really want to do?

VVT-i

I mounted the antenna on the left side of the trunk just by the spoiler. If you look from the driver side of the car you can't see the antenna.

Fisher503

is there anyway to mount it inside the trunk?

Stealther

That is pretty cool. Does this interface with the Pioneer stereo in the 2nd gen GS, or just the newer nav systems?

VVT-i

They are working on the non-nav and the 2nd gen GS right now.

The antenna can't be mount inside the trunk. It won't pickup the signal.

ny888

Will this work with the 04 GS430 ?

Will I also be able to plug in an iPod as well ?

VVT-i

I'm sure it should work the 04 GS430, because all the softwares and hardwares are the same as the 01 GS430.

This unit got an extra RCA input for MP3, iPod or any additional sound device that has the RCA out.

spaniola

will it work with a 2004 lexus rx 330