Integrating radio with iPod or iPhone - USA Spec, VAIS, or something else? (1 Viewer)

[Hayes]

Vaistech MML installed and running in my 2005. Install was very easy (plug and play) after a very cautious removal of the center dash pieces. I've got the MML unit tucked up behind the carpet in front of the PS foot area iwth a little velcro for good measure. Totally invisible and out of the way, yet accessible if needed. USB cord is currently running up into the glove box.

FYI, I'm sourcing my music from a USB flash drive as opposed to my phone. It takes a little work to get the files and playslists setup, but I'm able to navigate and play 128 gb worth of FLAC files through the NAV screen factory controls. Overall controll is as good as it could be within the limitations of the factory NAV screen, which leaves much to be desired, but it works.

 

[stridertexas]

Vaistech MML installed and running in my 2005. Install was very easy (plug and play) after a very cautious removal of the center dash pieces. I've got the MML unit tucked up behind the carpet in front of the PS foot area iwth a little velcro for good measure. Totally invisible and out of the way, yet accessible if needed. USB cord is currently running up into the glove box.

FYI, I'm sourcing my music from a USB flash drive as opposed to my phone. It takes a little work to get the files and playslists setup, but I'm able to navigate and play 128 gb worth of FLAC files through the NAV screen factory controls. Overall controll is as good as it could be within the limitations of the factory NAV screen, which leaves much to be desired, but it works.

Hola sir, do you have any links on how to remove the Nav unit to install one of these devices? I recently just purchased this device and am looking forward to installing it.

When I removed the dash to my FJ62, it was a cake walk, but the dash in my 2007 looks very intimidating!

 

[Hayes]

Hola sir, do you have any links on how to remove the Nav unit to install one of these devices? I recently just purchased this device and am looking forward to installing it.

When I removed the dash to my FJ62, it was a cake walk, but the dash in my 2007 looks very intimidating!

No links handy, but the posts and pics are out there. A little search time should find them.
It's undoubtedly scary undertaking, but care and caution will get the faceplate off and back on without damaging a thing.

 

[Anthony.L]

Hola sir, do you have any links on how to remove the Nav unit to install one of these devices?

You can search around and find posts with pics. The only "tricky" part is removing the left and right vent covers. You will want to pick up a plastic auto body pry tool to pop those suckers off easily (held on by clips) without damaging anything (available at Harbor Freight). Once the vents are removed you will see the four bolts and it's pretty self explanatory from there. I suggest removing the shift knob, covering the threads with tape, and moving the shift lever into the rear most position utilizing the shift lock. Makes it easier to remove the center piece from the dash.

Use a magnetic head on your wrench when removing the center bolts, don't drop those into the dash!

 

[stridertexas]

You can search around and find posts with pics. The only "tricky" part is removing the left and right vent covers. You will want to pick up a plastic auto body pry tool to pop those suckers off easily (held on by clips) without damaging anything (available at Harbor Freight). Once the vents are removed you will see the four bolts and it's pretty self explanatory from there. I suggest removing the shift knob, covering the threads with tape, and moving the shift lever into the rear most position utilizing the shift lock. Makes it easier to remove the center piece from the dash.

Use a magnetic head on your wrench when removing the center bolts, don't drop those into the dash!

Thanks for the help guys. I've noticed searching the forums on my phone have produced different results, than searching from my laptop. My gen2 is installed, and I'm streaming BT. Other than some glitches in sound here and there it's worked well. I'll be calling their tech support to find out about those drops.

 

[coloaviator]

I just wanted to share my experience installing an aftermarket audio adapter into my 2006 100 w/nav. I went with the Audiovox Dice MBR1500-Toy because the price was right for Bluetooth Integration AND iPhone plug in (much cheaper street-retail than others.) 2 years ago I installed a similar unit in an '01 M5 so it was a known quantity and there were so many choices I just had to pull the trigger on one.

Install was easy, taking out the dash wasn't hard at all. I mounted the unit itself in the glove box and ran all of the input cables (usb extender and aux) to the ash tray. Routing cables took a little while but overall pretty easy. Maybe 10 minutes to get the side panels/vents and radio out and the unit installed and another 20 minutes routing cables.
I tried first using the dipswitches for SAT mode but had to switch to the CD Changer mode (both off/up) and it worked fine. To enable bluetooth and pair to a phone you need to hit the appropriate button with 5 seconds of switching to the Dice unit.

Regarding Bluetooth audio streaming, the sound is objectively great from my iPhone! Same quality I remember from the BMW. Online it looks like Android devices are the ones complaining about the sound quality but I've only used IOS devices and they sound great using A2DP BT streaming.

Super pleasant surprise, the factory bluetooth for phone calls still works and picks up seamlessly while streaming BT audio from the Dice Unit! I didn't know a phone can pair to multiple devices at the same time but it worked great. I used the microphone that comes with the DICE unit in the BMW and I think it's better than the one built in to the Hundy, but the convenience of using the built-in mic is worth the quality difference.

Last word is I'm happy with the unit but I think Dice/Audiovox has lagged behind others with some of the usability and interface features. It may just be their code is not as good or something deeper, I don't know. In the BMW occasionally it would disconnect and I'd have to fiddle with it to get it connected again but so far the unit in the LC has been working well.

Feel free to hit me on this board or PM if you want more info or need help getting your Dice working in a 06/07 LC.

 

[studawg]

Just purchased the VAIS SL3B. I'll let y'all know how it works.

 

[Anthony.L]

I installed a VAIS SL2i years ago, and going to upgrade it to the MML soon for better support for the iPhone 5.

 

[studawg]

Not familiar with the VAIS SL2i, but the SL3B just came out about a month ago. I just want to stream Pandora/Spotify,etc...and apparently this is the best thing out there right now as far a streaming audio quality. We'll see.

 

[houstonwireless]

plz share ur experience of repairing of digital equipments?

 

[houstonwireless]

Cricket Wireless
Houston Wireless Repairs - Houston's Cell Phone & Tablet Repair Specialist
Houston wireless repairs Relax. we can fix it while you wait…

Houston Wireless Repair services everything from broken iPhone, iPad, and
iPod devices to other smartphones like Blackberry and Android phone. We offer
every type of repair from cracked glass, broken LCD screen, water damage and any other component that may need a fix or replacement.

http://www.houstonwirelessrepairs.com
Contact : 832-887-7073
Cricket wireless
Houston Wireless Repairs
1112 Silber Rd # 40
Houston TX 77024
AND
Cricket Wireless
Houston Wireless Repairs
7670 Katy Freeway
# 40
Houston TX
77024

 

[deanfun]

Just installed my Audiovox Dice MBR1500-Toy in my 2007 LX today. I am running it in SAT mode, and it works as expected. I replaced the 12V outlet in the center console with a combo USB/aux plugin (http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00CNUFGN6/?tag=i0bc2-20). USB to my Iphone 4S works well, charges the phone, and leaves me with full control on the device. Steering wheel controls work, including skip track. AUX works as advertised. I wanted to keep bluetooth in the stock system, so I haven't tried using the Dice unit for music or phone (I did not plug in the mic at all). When receiving a call, music fades out and the OEM bluetooth setup takes over. When the call ends, the music picks up where it was. Overall I'm pretty pleased. it does exactly what I wanted it to.

A couple of notes:
-on occasion, some woman will chime in to let me know that I'm in default mode, usually when first starting to play music or changing music sources.
-when the vehicle is completely off, it appears that plugging in my phone will charge it. However, it seemed to cycle on and off. Not really an issue as I have a regular 12V USB plugin for that.

 

[studawg]

just installed the VAIS SL3b, located the box in the glove compartment. Super easy install, (30 minutes) and sounds great, works seamlessly.

 

[WTXCruiser]

Finally tore into my new-to-me 05 LC and found a USA-SPEC TOY PA-15 along with a Sirius Directed TOY-SCI and a SVC1 Backseat TV tuner. Backseat TV video was wired to the Rear DVD, but it's no longer available so it's just a Sirius tuner now. The issue I am having is the Rear DVD player audio is running back to the USA-SPEC PA-15 and there is lots of background feedback. If I unplug the connections and plug back in goes away, but feedback eventually comes back. Should I tear it all out and start new with something else or does anyone have any idea how to reduce the feedback?? Would like to keep the rear DVD hardwired to something going to the front.