honasbone

Looks like iSimple offers a solution - but only supports 05/06 LS 430. USA Spec's website is sort of down at the moment. Not sure what years their products cover. But they seem to be limited to only ipod and bluetooth integration. No USB.

Any other thoughts out there?

greg s

Vaistech specializes in toyota/lexus and word on the street is that they are by far the best.

honasbone

EDITED:

Looks like my mediabridge is not yet for sale The folks at neo car audio have a cable to convert the wire harness for the guy to match up with a 2001 LS 430 with NAV. Just ordered. Hope that fixes my issue. If not then...

$130 + shipping takes it. Works for 2003 - 2006 models.

learn more about it here. Seems like a cleaner piece of kit than the Grom which is why I went for it.

. Will work with 2003+ LS 430s among other models.

Tom57

I ran a Clarion USB port attached to the inside wall of the arm rest glove box. Bluetooth is easy, but I like to charge the phone through the USB connection especially while it's in use which also eliminates the need for a separate car charger. The digital sound is really pretty good.

honasbone

Interesting. Do you have a Clarion head unit? Or does it install into a factory stereo?

Tom57

The Clarion cable is a USB extension that plugs into USB port on the VaisTech MML unit. Drill hole directly adjacent to 12-volt outlet in armrest glove compartment. Voila! There is your USB connection for the VaisTech. See >

http://www.qualitymobilevideo.com/cc...FQeHaQod55QAvg

BradTank

My 2004 LS had satellite radio when I purchased it. I'm not sure if it's aftermarket or came from the factory. If I went with a Vaistech system, will I also have to buy their Sirius adapter for my satellite radio to work? Or can I use the tuner that's already there?

I've definitely had bad luck with aftermarket iPod/iPhone adapters that go into the factory head units, that's what has kept me from getting one of these for my LS. They always seem incredibly buggy. Every brand I've tried has all sorts of issues.

I'd be happy with just a single headphone jack and control everything from my device. It's hard to screw that up.

greg s

You can get that with either grom or vaistech.

Tom57

Brad, The VaisTech MML unit does not alter existing radio features, like satellite radio. (I have satellite in the '06.) When connected to your factory LS radio system, the VaisTech emulates another audio option. When the CD button is pressed, it toggles between "CD" or "MD" - the screen will show one or the other.

aypues

The Vaistech SL3B is the way to go. No wires, bluetooth streaming. On the LS430 it uses The Japanese market MD Changer option built into the oem stereo.

honasbone

From what I can tell it looks like the SL3B does not allow playback through wired connections, such as the one required on my iPod classic. True? If so, there is a work around. I've seen folks that have purchased bluetooth adapters that plug into the iPod classis. Fairly clean But what about charging? And what about aptx support? Does the vaistech support aptx (high end audio codec for lossless bluetooth playback)?

Tom57

If your music storage device does not support bluetooth, SL3b will not work. SL3b will work with any bluetooth device. No charging of device with wireless bluetooth. The Vaistech MML supports iPod classic, and charges the iOS device as well. The MML has slightly better sound quality than SL3b. Contact Eugene at VaisTech directly for other technical questions > info@vaistech.com .

greg s

I have the vaistech sl3b installed now and can vouch that it has noticeably better sound quality than the grom bluetooth.

forthewin

Great to hear greg s
I've ordered the Vaistech SL3B

forthewin

I'm happy to report the Vaistech SL3B Bluetooth sounds great on my base system...