Installed Vaistech SL3b on 05 LC

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So can anyone confirm that you're supposed to still be able to use the CD changer with the SL3B device installed? When I installed mine initially I had removed my disk changer but now have it installed and use it occasionally. When I put the changer back in I removed the SL3B from the radio but am ready to put it back in. Just looking to confirm it should work before I spent the time to rip apart the dash again. I've got a whole mess of podcasts queed up and ready for Cruise Moab next week and since I'm going alone I'd like to listen to some of them.

Thanks.
 
On my 06 LX, the OEM 6 disc changer, Vais SL3B, and Grom VLine happily co-exist.
 
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On my 06 LX, the OEM 6 disc changer, Vais SL3B, and Grom VLine happily co-exist.

I had not heard of the Grom VLine until I saw your post. That system looks pretty cool. Spendy though. Do you think it's worth it when the vias unit already connects music, etc? Not to hijack this thread. PM if you like too. Thanks!
 
I had not heard of the Grom VLine until I saw your post. That system looks pretty cool. Spendy though. Do you think it's worth it when the vias unit already connects music, etc? Not to hijack this thread. PM if you like too. Thanks!


Lots of info in these threads on the Grom VLine:
GROM VLine - Google apps/Android&iPhone integration
anyone getting the grom vline? - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

The Grom VLine is more temperamental than the SL3B, but also adds Android apps (Spotify, Waze, etc) directly on the factory display. At its release the VLine was nearly unusable. a year and a half later, it's usable, but it still has a few quirks.
 
i Used the USA-Spec Unit. toy45 i believe from a local dealer for about $130. i chose that because it's smaller and fit right next to the drivers side vent behind the trim. the whole thing took 15 minutes. one of the best upgrades i've done.

Can you post the part number please? The 100's have very little compartment space to begin with, not looking forward to losing my Glovebox.
 
Can you post the part number please? The 100's have very little compartment space to begin with, not looking forward to losing my Glovebox.

Yes, you need a BT45-TOY and if you have an LX you need the CAS-LEX adapter. Lmk if you need any further assistance.
 
Just installed the Vaistech SL3b on my 05 LC with the 12-pin harness and I get no power from the USB port to charge my iPhone. Anyone know if the 12-pin harness doesn't support power to charge?
 
VAIS Technology having a "March Madness" promotion - $30 off orders of $150 or more with coupon code "MARCHMADNESS". Free shipping over $99. I'd been putting this off but pulled the trigger when I saw the promo today.

$200 all-in on the SL3b-L or SL3b-T.

 
Also wanted to post where I installed mine as my glove box space is too precious to give up for this thing (I wont be using the usb port on it and wont need any regular access to it) and I'm super lazy and didnt want to go tearing anything else apart to hide it. So i velcroed it to a metal dash support just to the left side of air vent on the left side of the display unit. Fit like a champ with cable facing towards the front of the vehicle and routed up and over to the head unit.

Just stole this idea for mine, too. Great spot. I also don’t plan to use the USB power port, but you could probably drill a hole in the AC vent case and run a cable out there.

I’m too futsy for that without a great grommet that the lightning cable can get through. (I used beige Velcro to match my interior, even though you'll never see it.)

Bluetooth sounded great. I had wanted a USB connection for slightly better audio, but this was fine and is probably more technology-proof. A local stereo installer said the discontinued USB version from Vais either doesn’t work with some of the latest phones, or soon won’t, and that was why it was discontinued.

I spent some time on the phone with Vais guys, who were all very helpful. The manual is confusing and the programming (for multi disc mode) didn’t follow the process the manual outlined.

I also had some kind of jumper between the harness male and female that seemed to be connected to an antenna. I’ve got an antenna on the rear, a dealer-installed satellite radio and Lexus Link. I had to disconnect the jumper because the Vais didn’t work with it connected, but I can’t tell what I’ve lost.

The jumper:

1934282


I also have had something weird going on with the display that preceded this install. The CD “Title” can get “stuck” - it stays the same even though the disk (or now playlist) has changed. The song title is right, though.

Anyway, like the Vais and appreciate the advice here.
 
just ordered mine! 30 bucks off and free shipping = 200 bucks shipped which is an awesome deal.
 
I picked one of these up for my 2005 LC and have been having some issues with it. I first tried it in CD emulation mode. When paired with an iPhone, the little CD track switching popover on the nav seems to get confused while using Spotify or Overcast, and so the audio will play fine but that graphic flicks on and off constantly looking like it is changing tracks.

I tried MD mode out of curiosity and it seems to do the same thing, so I changed back to CD mode.

Now I’m also seeing it pause tracks after 10-15seconds. I have to restart them 2-3x before it plays through.

Still troubleshooting but I’m thinking I might need to try something else if I can’t get it to be more reliable. VAIS mentioned that the CD track popover may be able to be disabled in the Nav settings but I couldn’t find the option.
 
I talked with them several times when installing mine, and they were very helpful and committed to get it working right. So if you haven’t tried, I’d call them. They’ve probably run across every issue like yours that there is.
 
I picked one of these up for my 2005 LC and have been having some issues with it. I first tried it in CD emulation mode. When paired with an iPhone, the little CD track switching popover on the nav seems to get confused while using Spotify or Overcast, and so the audio will play fine but that graphic flicks on and off constantly looking like it is changing tracks.

I tried MD mode out of curiosity and it seems to do the same thing, so I changed back to CD mode.

Now I’m also seeing it pause tracks after 10-15seconds. I have to restart them 2-3x before it plays through.

Still troubleshooting but I’m thinking I might need to try something else if I can’t get it to be more reliable. VAIS mentioned that the CD track popover may be able to be disabled in the Nav settings but I couldn’t find the option.

I had very similar issues with mine initially...turned out that the harness was plugged in to the head unit just far enough to make a connection but just loose enough cause malfunction. Dumby moment for me but it's been 100% perfect on my '04 since.
 
I talked with them several times when installing mine, and they were very helpful and committed to get it working right. So if you haven’t tried, I’d call them. They’ve probably run across every issue like yours that there is.
Yep, I am planning to. They’ve been helpful through email and I’m out of town right now but will hit them up when I have some more time to play with it.
 
I had very similar issues with mine initially...turned out that the harness was plugged in to the head unit just far enough to make a connection but just loose enough cause malfunction. Dumby moment for me but it's been 100% perfect on my '04 since.
I was afraid maybe I’d have to pull the head unit out again to reseat connections, thanks for the heads up though!
 
This is my second SL3b for a Landcruiser. The first was on my 2003. Now on my 2005. Both times I’ve tucked the unit under the cup holders in the center tunnel behind the shifter. TONS of space. Then just run the wire up behind the ash tray and connect. Super easy. I ran my USB up there too
 

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