I am going to go with a Vaistech set up. If I look at the comparison chart provided by the manufacturer
http://www.vaistech.com/dev/product_comparison.php

the main advantage to me is that I can go with either USB flash drive or Ipod integration.( I will likely go USB)
There are several on this forum that have preferred the SL2i-UP set up . A big advantage of the VML is that it uses digital from the source as opposed to analog.
Please let me know why the VML did not work for you?
There are numerous folks on the LS430 site that love their VML set up.
I have 2006 SC430.
Thanks for your opinion

A good holiday to you all

 

Not sure, but I don't think the 2005-2009 SC's Nav system is the 6th generation, is it? That might be the big snag. I believe 2005-2009 SC430 has Gen 4 Nav unless you have upgraded your system. I believe the 2010 SC is Gen 6.

Gen 6 nav cars look to be these:

CAMRY 2010-2011
VENZA 2009-2011
2010-2011 4Runner
2010-2011 Prius (SOME HAVE USB)
2010-2011 Sequoia
2010-2011 Tundra
2011 Highlander
2011 CT 200h
2010-2011 ES 350
2010-2011 GS 350
2010-2011 GS 450h
2010-2011 GS 460
2010-2011 GX 460
2010-2011 HS 250h
2010-2011 IS 250/350
2010-2011 IS-C & IS-F
2007-2011 LS 460
2008-2009 LS 600h
2010-2011 LS 600h L
2008-2011 LX 570
2010-2011 RX 350
2010-2011 RX 450h
2010 SC430

 

I'm interested in the VML also. I have a 2005 SC430, and I like the USB option, as well as the ability to have a hard drive (which I will probably never install). Looks like my car needs the VML-L1 model. I'm curious if anyone is using this and how it performs.

 

Per Ben at Vaistech, the 2006 is Gen3. Says the functionality for either the VML or SL2i-U2 is the same as far as screen readout. The VML does have digital input which, if you have quality information, will sound better than the analog SL model.
Thanks

 

Some things to consider. Not trying to argue to say that Vais Tech doesn't know there stuff...BUT:

I don't know Ben, however I would triple check the facts and their story about the nav generations and text/track information showing on the SC...I spoke to two different Vaistech folks before I bought my SL2i-UP for my 2005 (2005-2009 same nav systems) and was told that the screen would display tracks, etc. You may want to contact Sewell Lexus, that's where I got mine and they installed as well not too long ago. Per the dealer and installer although the Vais unit has the capability of displaying the text and our cars have "some" limited text readout, the two do not connect. I bought it anyway because the SL2i-UP was an improvement over my 2002's SLU unit which I liked...plus the whole Nav Screen Bypass feature was well worth the money. Readout though???

Only to find out that when it was installed there is no readout. Lexus dealer that installed said that he installed same unit on a RX and it did in fact have screen readout....so be careful taking what Vais says as the gospel.

I have not seen a 2005-2009 SC to have any screen readout unless this new VML system has a way of doing it that none of us here on CL know about. If it does then you have just stumbled onto one of the great new mods that we all should get!!! If not, I hate to say I told you so...but buyer beware.

Do some searches on CL...many of us have these units and to-date no one has text readout. VML could be different, but I'd make triple sure or you could be disappointed like I was. FYI

Additionally, I'm pretty sure Gen 2-3 for our cars stopped at 2004. Remember 2005 started a new generation with bluetooth. Her are Generation 2-3 Lexus vehicles:
2001-2005 GS300
2001-2005 GS430
2001-2003 LS430
2002-2003 ES300
2001-2003 RX300
2004 RX330 ONLY
2001-2003 LX470
2002-2005 IS300
2002-2004 SC430
2003-2004 GX470

I'm showing Generation 4 Nav to be the following:
2004 - 2006: ES300 / ES330
2006: GS300 / GS430
2005 - 2006: GX470
2004 - 2006: LS430
2004 - 2007: LX470
2005 - 2006: RX330
2006: RX400h
2005 - 2006: SC430

Generation 5 Nav:
2007 - 2009: ES350
2007 - 2009: GS350 / GS430 / GS450h / GS460
2007 - 2009: GX470 2006 - 2009: IS250 / IS350
2007 - 2009: RX350 2007 - 2008: RX400h

Generation 6 Nav:
2011 CT 200h
2010-2011 ES 350
2010-2011 GS 350
2010-2011 GS 450h
2010-2011 GS 460
2010-2011 GX 460
2010-2011 HS 250h
2010-2011 IS 250/350
2010-2011 IS-C & IS-F
2007-2011 LS 460
2008-2009 LS 600h
2010-2011 LS 600h L
2008-2011 LX 570
2010-2011 RX 350
2010-2011 RX 450h
2010 SC430

SC430 Nav systems stopped at 4, essentially with the 2005-2009 models. 2010 model has the Gen6. So, Ben at Vaistech told you wrong. 2006 is a Gen 4. FYI

Finally, unless the VML sends a special signal to the 2005-2009 Nav systems in the SC430 that the SL2i-UP doesn't, then I would argue that it will not in fact show track/text information. The 2010 does...different nav and system altogether.

 

Hi SCdroptop
I need to clarify, Ben did not claim that the VML is an advantage over the SL2i-uP in terms of the readout . I dont think there is. For me , the advantage is digital input and being able to use USB as a possible option. Thanks for the Gen 4 Nav info. Is there any advantage that you have observed using the 8GB Ipod over what an 8GB USB drive would yield ?

 

At least in my 2006, there is a screen readout, its just not very useful.
The ML will display the input source (it considers the VAIS unit CD1) and will also display the track number and playlist number.

 

yep i have gen 5 in my IS and thats the minimum you need for the VML to work any better than something else

 

There is another thread with VML reference, see below. Although it does mainly refer to the ML+ it also refers to the VML and digital significance for sound quality. Do a search within this thread for the term "VML".
Also, within this thread is referenced the topic of installing a USB hub to allow both USB and iPOD instead of choosing just one hook up when you are doing the installation, this MAY only refer to the VML+ and I will need to do some homework to see if it applies to the VML.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...sl2i-user.html

do a search inside of the above thread for HUB to reference that info.

Again, it does confirm that if you dont have the latest generation of unit, you will not get subject readout for the music.

 

even with the hub only one can be plugged in basically it would just make it easier for you to plug things in if your unit wasnt mounted somewhere accesible so the hub would go in the arm rest for example. the VML+ which is what I have can have a built in hard drive and then you can have the ipod plugged in on top which allows for you tube, ipod video, pandora, and the ipod output shown on the screen. It alows you to use the steering wheel remotes and touch screen on the screen. VML+ is only for gen 5, if the VML is available for the Gen 4, in my opinion save your money and just use the SLU or the SL2 because your just throwing away the cash.

 

For $50 the extra cost of the VML is worth it to those who use higher quality recordings on their iPOD or USB stick. VML unit allows digital input . If you have a Gen 4 version, as I do, there appears to be no difference between the SL2i-UP version and VML regarding readout.
I will give the VML version a try and use a switched hub, this should easily allow me the option of easy choice between either source, iPOD or Flash Drive. Another user on a different thread indicates this. I can dig it out if someone is interested in reading it.