Fitting A Dension Ipod Ice Link Plus Adaptor To Avensis 2005

May 22, 2006

Since fitting a reversing sensor I have now also fitted the Dension Ice Link Plus Ipod Adaptor to my 2005 Avensis T3x. The adapter cost £150 (From Ipod Car Kit Direct) but I think it’s worth it considering how often I will use it. I did considered the Ice Link FM Modulator kit for £70 but it’s worth the extra £80 to be able to control the Ipod via the stereo and better sound quality?. I did tried the Itrip FM transmitter but the reception was terrible.

Ipod Car Kit Direct

Installation

I chose the Ipod cable connector instead of the Cradle so that I can install the Ipod in the compartment next to the handbrake. This means it’s out of sight and I can still access it. You can choose the cradle kit and have it mounted on the dash board but you may have to remove the Ipod every time you park to prevent thief. I leave my connected all the time since it’s out of sight.

The installation process itself is very simple. Just connect the 2 x 6 pin adapter (2005 model) into the back of the stereo and it’s done (It should work then !). The hard (ish) part is removing the fittings to get to the back of the stereo and also running the cable to the compartment to connect to the Ipod (see Toyota install manual on how to remove stereo). I had to drill a hole to get the cable inside the compartment and also put some foam in to raise the Ipod higher in the compartment.

Operation

I can now access the 1st five play list of my Ipod via the stereo and also change tracks/volume from the steering column buttons. The sound quality I would say is CD quality with no hissing etc. It’s also possible to control the Ipods other options using button 6 (see Dension website). The Ipod will switch on when I select CD changer (press CD button twice) and will switch itself off. It’s also possible to listen to the normal CD stereo (press CD button once).

Issues/Notes

1. Text display is not possible but I knew that b4 I purchased.

2. Changing play list is done using button 3 & 4 (+/-) method and not by pressing buttons 1-6. This is because button 1 is used to select random play, 2 is for Repeat, 5 for rewind and 6 for forward. There is an approx. 2 second delay before the play list changes.

3. When using the random play, the track number display on the stereo does not correspond to the song sequence in the Ipod. The track number on the stereo will only increase by one for each random song played.

4. The Stereo can only display 2 digit track numbers. I have +200 songs on one play list so not yet sure it if I can access >99 songs or the stereo is not displaying >99 songs correctly. Can not easily rapid forward to >99 tracks to check.

5. Accessing the Ipods other menu via the stereo is quite slow (about a 1 sec delay for the ipod to update your selection).

Overall, I am very pleased with it. Make sure you get the correct CD socket for your car though.