Im interested in buying a 2IS does the aux port charge up your ipod and do you have to use the ipod itself to change songs or volume. Im confused.

 

I use the AUX occasionally for my iPod. I use a reg standard Monster cable. Sound quality is ok, nothing spectacular plus you have to crank up the volume on the iPod really high. I am thinking of switching to a cable that hooks up to the iPod dock w/o going through the headphone jack because I've heard the sound quality is better this way. My current Monster cable is hella long so it takes up a lot of space in my console. I also agree w/the others that the location of the port could be better.

 

Get a cable that uses the dock connector. The line level output is not only fixed, it also sounds better.

Lexus wants you looking at the road, not the nice screen. I'm sure that had the radio designers included such a feature, Lexus' lawyers would insist that it blank out while the vehicle is in motion.

There is a 12V plug right next to the aux port. Be aware that if you charge the iPod while listening to it, you may need a ground loop isolator to prevent ignition noise.

Without an iPod integration solution like Vaistech or Dice, there is no way change songs or view artist/title info except on the iPod itself. Regardless of your hookup, the volume control on the steering wheel is active.

 

So you can only control volume through the stereo you cant change songs on the ipod via the steering wheel or stereo.

 

Not without spending a few hundred dollars on buying and installing an iPod integration kit like the Vaistech SLI or Dice Electronics box.

 

As i said somewhere previously, the aux jack is primitive and not allowing you to control the ipod via the steering wheel would render it useless to me. Lexus should built all things connectors wireless.

 

Lexus makes cars, not iPod intergrations.

 

But it is the age of the Ipod. I rememebr reading that some cars now have ipod fully integrated.

 

It would also be nice if they had some flash memory reader that I could put songs on... CF or SD (preferrably SD). I'd probably even prefer that to using an ipod.

 

The 2008 "C" Sport from MB will have MP3 ripping capabilties in the stock deck.

 

Where did you get this cable? I've been looking for one like this for a long time (mini to IPOD connection).

Thanks!

 

so as the new G35... both HD to rip songs and SD slot

 

I honestly think the AUX is simply the easiest and best way to go. I have mine connected constantly through one of them male/male polk audio cables. I always use my iPod walking from class to class so it's always updated; plugging it in after class and jumping into my car is no big deal; don't have to burn CDs when I get home for the car. Very seamless, and I prefer it to iPod integration because like I said before, I do take the iPod out of the car constantly so there really is no point.

 

Mine is always conected, sound qulity is perfect to me

 

Never been pleased with the sound quality...