Hi all. I've done quite a bit of searching on this company's products and found out a few things but had some specific questions for anyone that actually has this unit installed on an RX350. Thanks in advance!

1. Have you noticed any issues with lockups? I was looking through some other threads and saw some mention of lockups. This would be a deal killer for my wife since she will be driving it most of the time and that would be too frustrating for her.

2. If we want to be able to use the factory and steering wheel controls for both SAT and iPod I understand that we would run into a challenge with this. Have they created a product that allows both?

3. Have they actually fixed the charging issue for the new iPods? i.e. a new charging/control cable that will charge the iPhone 3g and newer iPods. Evidently the charging pins and voltage were adjusted on the latest iPods and not everyone has adjusted their cables to correct for this.

4. Has anyone used the very latest item that allows for auxillary inputs for video, etc? I'm NOT looking to do this while driving but it would be nice to be able to watch stuff on the NAV screen while waiting for my wife to finish shopping at the mall Anyone have experience with this unit yet?

5. Are there recommended, tried and true alternatives that integrate as well or better? For example, has anyone used the Lexus iPod connect with any luck?

6. I'm not a very handy car guy so I would probably have the dealer install this for me. Has anyone else done this? If so - what were your experiences?

Ok, that should be it for now. Again, thanks in advance for you help!

Jay

 

I have an SLi unit (the older bigger one in a 2009 RX350).

1. Never locked up - had to get it reflashed to work with my new nano, but they did it for free and that is the only issue I have had with it not working.
2. The issue is the car not interface - you need the newer radios with the SAT button to have both, otherwise I think there are issues as you are using the CD as the interface
3. Not sure, but there are a few companies that make a little adapter to fix the issue also - no easy solution if you switch between older and newer products.
4. I used the coastaletech.com unit for video and it worked fine and pretty much the same, you can just switch between the map and Video input on the fly with the steering wheel controls - Vaistech unit uses the same input and functionality (it already exists in the radio, they just unlock it and use it)
5. I have heard of other people not loving the Lexus iPod interface as it has less functionality.
6. Not too hard to install, but you have to get to the back of the nav screen - you pop the trim around the shifter and just above it and then you can get to the 4 bolts (a little tricky to get to 2 of them) and then you pull out the nav screen, unplug one of the plugs and plug in the Y cable, then plug in the interface box and run the ipod cable to the glovebox - there is a DIY if you search with good pics.

Good Luck - you might want to look at this one http://www.usaspec.com/ipod.html it is a lot cheaper if you just want ipod, I probably would have done it if I didn't already have the SLI from my GX

Rob

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply!! Much appreciated. Did you have to send the unit back to Vaistech to reflash? If so, how long did it take and did you have to uninstall and then reinstall?

I will check out the usaspec as well- thanks for the tip!!

Jay

 

adding on: vais does make a unit that is compatible with sat so you can have both sat and ipod (assuming your car has the sat option). depending on the model/year, the vais unit will appear as either a cd changer as mentioned or mp3 player. either way, it does not eliminate original functionality. you retain cd capability as well as sat.

the Lexus adapter (at least the original one) was NOT compatible with sat radio. it was one or the other. i haven't shopped the lexus kit lately but that was the original release and the main reason we went with vais.

there is a way to flash your own vais kit which is why it is important to install it where you can get to it fairly easily. you do have to buy a connector cable etc. and access to a laptop so you can get close enough to hook it up.

 

I did have to send mine back - turnaround was quick, but the new unit has an option to program yourself via USB for an extra 50 bucks or so for the additional cable. Removal was pretty easy - I mounted it at the bottom of the console once I got the cables plugged into the back of the NAV. On the passenger side (and driver side actually) there is a panel at the front of the console down by your feet, I mounted it right behind that with some 2 way tape, so you can just pop out the 2 plastic clip things and pull that little panel to access it in case you need to remove it. You could even run the USB cable up to the glove box or just out under the dash if you bought it for programming.

Good luck with whatever you choose, my unit has been bullet proof for 2+ years in 3 different Lexus/Toyota products and has worked mint in the them all. The Vaistech unit also has the advantage of pressing the I agree button on your NAV screen if you have the older NAV.

Rob