Ipod Connection Option

[Achilles]

I picked up my Auris last week and was surprised that there was no way of connecting my iPod to the standard radio/cd-player.

After a bit of perusing of this forum the options seemed to be:

- A Toyota iPod cable, that enables the iPod to be tucked away in the glove-box.

- A dubious Chinese all singing all dancing DVD player that at least looks like standard Toyota kit.

- Non standard looking (eg Pioneer) as above.

Mentioned a couple of times is the XCARLINK, which I decided to go for. As well as an iPod connecter cable it has the option of an Aux out and built in bluetooth. What I really wanted was to connect my iPod so that it is accessible to control the music/use sat-nav and have a bluetooth function, and not have it stowed away in the glovebox.

I have attached photographs below of how I went about doing this, to get a clean look without cables running from the cigarette lighter socket or elsewhere.

It was very easy to fit, with the most time taken up deciding on the best way to route the cables to achieve the cleanest look. As you will see in the photographs it involved cutting a hole inside the airvent, but the use of a grommet keeps the hole sealed. If you decide to do the same as I have shown below it will take you only about 10 - 15mins.

The result is:

Clean looking, with no unsightly wires.

I can access all of the functions directly from the iPod screen

I can use my ipod as a satnav at the same time

The iPod is charged as it is docked (ideal for using as satnav)

I have full bluetooth access to take calls (music is automatically stopped). I attached the bluetooth button down next to the handbrake, which can be seen in the pics. I was toying with keeping this stowed in the air vent too and just using the iPod, but this way I can answer calls if the phone is in my pocket.

The cost was about £100 for the xcarlink with bluetooth (a £40 extra) and about £60 for the Brodit mount (you could always use a cheaper alternative). Satnav was a free App (NavFree).

To fit I did the following:

- Remove CD player/airvent in the usual way.

- Fit xcarlink (one plug to go into the CD-changer port. (This is mega obvious when you see it)

- Cut hole in bottom of airvent (just big enough for the smaller end of iPod cable to be feed through).

- Feed smaller end of iPod cable through lower grill on air-vent

- Attach grommet to cable and pass through cut hole and plug into xcarlink

- Run bluetooth cable along panels under hand-brake and through into xcarlink.

- Reassemble CD player/airvent.

- Fix mount and you are good to go.