So you're looking for a specific thread where someone specifically stated that they installed the Vais MML in a '04 - '06 LS. I have 4 LS's and it's in each > '01, '05, and two '06's. All of my posts (and the others as well) are about the Vais installed in either the '04 - '06 or the '01 - '03 (all are 3rd Gen LS). Having the MML in both series of LS430's, there is no distinction. All threads and posts that I provided concern the Vais in the 3rd Gen LS (this forum).

Edit: In other words, if posts are made to the LS430 (3rd Gen) forum, you have to make a (reasonable) assumption that the comments specifically pertain to the LS430, '01 - '03 and '04 - '06 > which for purposes of this topic, there is no difference.

 

Do you get tired of shilling for VAIS.

So you have no association with them, but you keep up on all of their upcoming offers and have their sales person, phone number, and email info memorized? Who does that?

Every time the subject of VAIS comes up, you're pushing them.

And they are ridiculously overpriced, I don't know why you think "wire harnesses" are expensive but it's probably less than $9 in cost for them. All sorts of cheap units are on the market that have similar harnesses, plastic and copper wire are dirt cheap.

It's great that you love VAIS so much, I have a an earlier VAIS model, it's a pretty basic piece of equipment and nothing to write home about. I happen to think it was over priced.

 

Ive done a bit of research, as id like to upgrade the stereo in my wifes 03 ls430. It has zero aux in or bluetooth options (including calling)

VAIS unit looks nice and pricey, but you can only either plug in or stream from BT, with no calling supported.

Yatour (spelling) unit is a bit manual to install it seems, def competitive but also doesnt offer BT calling

GROM unit supports everything android (BT streaming/calling, USB) costs less than VAIS and has pretty good rep for customer support. Reviews abound of bugs but those are a couple years old now and my understanding is they update firmware pretty aggressively.

For what I need it seems like GROM fits the bill pretty nicely, anyone disagree with that assessment?

 

My issue with the GROM was the Bluetooth function has some background noise, almost like a low noise like an old cassette deck would make. If you listen to mainly music, it's not a huge deal, but something like a podcast and it becomes a nuisance. So I mainly use the headphone jack instead.

It's not a widespread complaint, so it could be I simply got a bum unit which could happen to any manufacturer.

 

No problem with me. I am at a crossroads with upgrading the sound system and this helps my research.

 

Thanks for the feedback, thats definetly good to know. Ill be sure to install the aux in somewhere handy in case that scenario arises. My use case should primarily be music streaming/calling.

Are you certain its not a quality setting issue in your app used to stream? I noticed the hiss in my Volt until I upped the stream quality on Pandora/Spotify, now seems to be much clearer maybe a shade below CD.

 

I offered the OP, and anyone else searching for this functionality, useful information, apparently you can't.

Many CL members do all kinds of expensive mods on their LS's and no one criticizes them. I've done a few inexpensive mods, share my experience, and folks like you and others get all upset and have to get personal about the information I post because the mod is too expensive. All of the complaints, yours included, are centered on the price of the VAIS MML. You don't like the value proposition, I do. I also like to patronize "Made in USA" (the VAIS integration unit is built in Colorado) and I support a product sponsor of this forum - you prefer cheap.

Your earlier model VAIS is not the MML so you don't have any personal experience with the MML.

 

Thanks for the positive feedback and support.

 

You seem to know a lot about the company for not being associated with them


It may be "boxed up" in Colorado, but I guarantee you most of the components are offshore derived, including the harness materials.

If it's actually "Made in the USA" by them, why does that not appear anywhere on the unit or on the website? Seems to me that would be a selling point.

Maybe because it isn't?

 

VAIS is on the CL Vendor Directory. All of the info I provided is here on CL. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/vendor_directory.php

What's your problem??

 

I simply think it's WAY overpriced for what it is, other brands do something very similar interfacing the factory stereo and are nowhere near the same price.

We'll just have to agree to disagree, but I think it's silly to say the high price is because of the wire harness and where its allegedly made.


Their Satellite Tuner kit its $309. You then have to put the MML kit for $249 if you want to connect your smartphone? And according to the photos, there is not a headphone jack cable with this package, only a USB? I really like a headphone jack for legacy connections.

And none of these have Bluetooth, which is then a separate module?
Why can't a single unit do Satellite, Bluetooth, analog, and USB connection?

(Also, as a side note, their website truly is horrible and confusing to navigate.)

I'm honestly asking, please put together a package for my 2004 ML LS430 that allows Satellite radio, Bluetooth, and analog/usb playback. What do I need to order? because they way they are laying it out, it looks like I need to place several orders that could be $600-$800 to get what I want.

It's a small, niche company that probably won't be around very much longer as all new cars now fortunately have this functionality built in.

 

I don't see the concerns with installing the Yatour - I don't have any electronics or stereo knowledge (had to pay a guy to hook up my sub) but I installed mine. It is my understanding that all three units (Yatour, VAIS, GROM) require that you remove the trim face plates and pull the head unit out so that you can access the plug in the back in order to plug it in since all are hard-wired. You can learn to pull the headunit by watching the 3 minute youtube video, it is very simple. Once the headunit is pulled, you just insert the plugs and you are done - those steps are covered in my photos. Takes 15 minutes to pull the headunit and hook-up.

Also, the Yatour has a bluetooth (call and music) adapter for $99 - which brings the total to $170 - $180 on amazon.

 

Brad, this is not typical of the type of thoughtful, non-personal posts I've seen you write.

Here's an example: genuine wire harness for the LS430 '04 - '06 satellite radio that was a dealer-installed accessory. Today, just the harness is $107 list price. ( I get my dealer-sourced parts at a discount.) It's not some cheap generic pigtail wires available at Amazon, Alibaba, etc. You and others would never think of touching the install of OE satellite radio. I have, twice. Cost not a factor.

Read my post, I wrote wire harness and internals of the VAIS MML. The MML is assembled in Colorado. It contains proprietary software for the audio reproduction, which for a person like me who doesn't care for AM-radio sounding audio, it's very high quality.

Tell us what you pay for things or service to yours and I'm sure we could say it's silly.

Case of BUYER'S REMORSE:

You bought a GROM, others bought earlier production VAIS models that were not the MML which has different, unique functionality and high-quality audio output. Buyers remorse for you folks. I totally understand, and now with money being at the center of this issue for you all, you now just cannot justify getting what you should've bought the first time. So, all you can do is criticize the VAIS product-pricing, and attack those who express their love for the VAIS MML (A CLUB LEXUS SPONSOR). No positive solutions offered for the OP, just venting and spewing negative about a product you don't even own.

 

No VAIS product provides video to the screen of the LS430. Video to screen product is offered for other Lexus models, and subsequent (4th Gen) LS460's. How do I know? I did my research before I bought 4 of them. I talked with, and emailed Eugene at VAIS - yes, there is product support! (An earlier VAIS website had more pics of screen shots showing what the MML looks like on the LS screen.) Did you see the install and operating manual attached? It has some screen shots of the product in use.

 

ANOTHER CASE OF BUYER'S REMORSE LEADS TO NAME-CALLING:

You bought an earlier production VAIS model that is not the MML. With money the issue, you cannot justify getting what you should've bought the first time. So, all you can do is attack and name-call those who genuinely express their love for the VAIS MML (A CLUB LEXUS SPONSOR). No positive solutions offered for the OP, just venting and spewing negative on an owner about a product you don't even own.

How do I know so much about the MML? Well, let's see, I own 4 of them, bought separately over the last 4 years. Cost not an issue as it is for you and others. I did research and communicated with the manufacturer, other MML owners on CL and with my Lexus dealer (who originally recommended VAIS because that's the product Lexus dealers install) BEFORE I bought - so I wouldn't have buyer's remorse. Custom and unique DIY install all 4 times too. All 4 driver's of the 4 LS430's here love the MML too. No complaints.

It's no coincidence that there is a derth of posts from MML owners with buyer's remorse, only from those who don't even own the VAIS MML.

There are differences in cheap wire harnesses. Maybe this school's you: a wire harness interface that costs more than the complete MML: http://www.beatsonicusa.com/beat-sonic-sla-24aad.html

Call the company and learn where it's assembled, where the parts are sourced, etc. Do some independent fact-checking before you type on your keys behind the anonymity of a screen name spewing personally negative drivel, innuendo and smear.