ipod interface help me decide

Can someone give me some feedback on both the usa spec and isimple gateway ipod interface? which is better? thanks

 

I've had the USA Spec in my truck for almost 3 years now and love it. One of the single best upgrades I've made for the simple reason I use it every time I get in the truck. I've got it wired to the Ipod stays hidden and you never have to touch it. Install was quick and easy also. I don't know anything about the other product, sorry.

 

thanks for the quick response. Does the usa spec charge the ipod too also can you still skip songs using the steering wheel button with the usa spec?

 

Yes...it charges it while its plugged in. Yes, you can use the steering wheel controls to forward, reverse, & volume.

With the USA Spec, you can also setup 6 playlists that you setup through itunes first and foremost naming them TOYOTAxxxx. CD1 is the mode you use and from there you can pick the playlists. You can also use direct mode (pick playlists off the ipod itself) and there's an AUX mode (not sure what that does).

I love mine.
The only thing I've noticed...it doesn't like cold weather and isn't as quick to come on.

 

I can't say for sure, I don't have steering wheel controls but I control my Ipod 100% from the head unit. I would imagine the steering wheel controls wouldn't be affected since it tricks your head unit into thinking there's a 6 disc changer attached. Basically the playlists on your Ipod become the discs and you can toggle shuffle and random, FFW, REW, etc all through the head unit. I hope that all made sense, haha.

 

Haha, had mine for 3 years and never set that up... guess I should read that instruction manual, there's features I didn't even know about. Mine's in direct mode and haven't used AUX yet but I think I can plug something into it using RCA jacks. I haven't messed with it though, it just stays hidden behind the dash.

 

Yeah it did thanks. Looks like I'll be getting the usa spec since no feedback on the isimple gateway.

 

seems simple thanks

 

I haven't even heard of the Isimple. I searched for it and there seems to be limited feedback on it. I know a lot of people here have the USA Spec, if you search that you'll find lots and lots of threads and great reviews.

 

Yeah there's a lot of review on the Usa spec and I've made up my mind I'm getting it. Pugga, where did you mount the usa spec box? and where did you run the ipod connection?

 

I also have the USA PAY-15 Toy. I also use it every day. I have my Sirius and Ipod hooked up to it. When you pull out the stereo to hook up the wires it will fit in the gap on the left of the stereo. I bought mine off of ebay for about 120.

 

Just for info purposes... I routed my cables down underneath the tranny tunnel (beside auto shifter). The box is mounted on the inside of the tunnel. The ipod cable goes up into my center console (hole in bottom). My ipod stays in my center console out of sight.

 

You might also consider the Grom. In addition to using your ipod, you can load everything on a USB and control it from the stereo and leave it in the truck since a USB is cheap to replace.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=354301&highlight=ipod

 

Will this work with iOS 4 so that I can play music by selecting it through the iPhone itself. I hate going through the radio song by song.

 

Does it have resume playback like the CD player when turning off the truck and starting where the song left off at when turning the truck on?

 

I guess I'll find out when I buy it.

 

+1 I got the GROM. It works GREAT! Sounds like it works exactly like the USA Spec. The sound is great and you use the steering wheel controls.

 

Can someone please confirm the model number for me before I place an order. Is it

$65 PA20-Toy iPod to Factory Radio Wired Music Interface with AUX (RCA) Port for 98-13 Toyota/Lexus NAV with WMA/MP3 Logo

PA20-Toy or PA15-Toy?

 

So I searched and found more brands. There's Grom audio, isimple, usa spec, and now dice electrontics. I want something that I can search artist, albums, and songs straight through the factory radio.

 

I have the PA15-TOY