Since I have a stuck CD in my JBL system's CD changer in my 2004 Prius ( Canadian Package B ), I was googling around for iPhone and aux input connection options. I just came across this site: Toyota Prius 2004-2009 - AUX, iPhone, iPod and MP3 adapter Has anyone installed one of these? I haven't seen it posted here, and I did do a search. Normally, I'd consider going with a more common kit, but I noticed on their site that they're local in the Greater Toronto Area (hence their name), and they apparently do installs as well. They're in Vaughn so it's a bit far for me, but then again it's better than getting a $200 unit mail order from the US only to have me screw up the install or something. All I need is the aux, but the iPod functionality with steering wheel control would be really nice too. The FM transmitters I've tried suck, and the cassette option is only a bit better. (I have managed to install an MFD myself, but I can't exactly say it went smoothly. It took me a long time to remove, and then install once it was fixed, and plus when I first installed it simply didn't work. It must have been a loose connection or something because I re-removed it and re-installed it and then it worked, but I was sweating a bit there.)
Should this be something to be concerned about? I get a warning message when I connect my iPhone. Is this normal? The warning message will appear when you connect the iPod Touch/iPhone to the car kit, it can be dismissed, and it won't appear until you reconnect your device again. The message will read "This accesorry is not optimized to be used with this device". This message is normal and won't have any negative effect on your iPod or iPhone. The message is present because the car kit is not made by Apple, and message cannot be removed due to Copyright laws.
The reason that message occurs is because the device has not been properly interfaced to the latest Apple specifications. It has nothing to do with copyright restrictions and everything to do with the fact that the manufacturer of the device is not meeting Apple's latest specifications. With that said you will (likely) not hurt you apple device by using such a product but the constant message upon connection is annoying.
To get that compliance, they need to get a licence with Apple, right? Which devices don't have that message, and could it appear with later OS updates? I had a 3rd party video cable that worked fine with my iPhone 3G but which then caused that message to be displayed when I updated the iPhone. Alternatively I could replace the JBL radio/CD changer with an MP3 compatible version, if it works in my 2004. (I have the JBL with the tape deck but it has no MP3 or WMA support.) On eBay there are some sellers who claim it should work with any 2004-2009 JBL Prius without reprogramming but I'm hesitant to believe that claim.
I installed a GTA Car Kit in our 2008 Prius. Sounds great and pretty easy install. Only quibble I have is that there is always power going to the iPod when plugged in -- even when the Prius is shut off. Not sure it the additional dark current is material or not, but it seems unnecessary. Ideally, I'd like to leave an old iPod plugged in the car all the time and forget about it, but I'm inclined to unplug now since I don't want the iPod charging while the car is off.
