USA SPEC PA20-TOY - iPod in-vehicle interface adapter Review

Sunday, September 19, 2010 by Vera Smith | Posted in General, honda, ipod

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I can't say that this product didn't work as advertised--it does in fact allow you to control your iPod through your car's stereo and steering wheel controls. However, that control is so limited and cumbersome that I wound up simply using the iPod to change songs, etc.--something that I could already do with a $10 cord for my auxiliary jack.

The adapter limits your control to six playlists (or the entire song list, which you can navigate one song at a time). Unfortunately, the stereo displays each playlist as a "disc," ignoring the name. If you accidentally navigate away from it, it can be difficult to find your way back. I made the mistake of purchasing this adapter without having a navigation or satellite radio screen in my car, so I'm limited to the tiny screen on the stereo, which makes the nav limitations worse.

The unit does charge the iPod, which is nice, but also not worth the price when there are much cheaper options available (such as this $25 Belkin device: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Auto-iPod-Connector-Black/dp/B0009PD2WY/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1A2ZCTGQDS89A&colid=3IEQQD7SB932H).

Not recommended.

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Product Description:
The new PA20TOY Lexus / Toyota / Scion iPod interface adapter provides direct connection for an iPod and an optional audio source such as satellite radio, DVD, or video game system. Both the iPod and the additional audio source can be selected from the factory radio?s front panel. The interface adapter connects the iPod to your factory Toyota or Scion radio as if it were a CD changer, allowing direct selection of iPod playlists through the radio?s preset (or disc) buttons and is compatible with all iPod models featuring the dock connector, including the iPod nano and 5G iPod video. The PA20TOY displays song title and artist info on all radios with "Text? button, Works with all navigation radios, and in dash 6 Disc CD Changer models. PA20TOY allows connection through the XM or CD Changer port. Works on all newer navigation radios through the satellite radio port and works flawlessly on all the GEN 5 navigation radios. GEN 5 Navigation radios can be identified by the ability to playback MP3 CD.

Recommended for vehicles with factory equipped Gen 5 navigation radios THAT HAVE MP3 CD CAPIBILITY, the PA20TOY provides full on-screen Menu control with Song Title, Artist and Song selection from the Menu screen (except SC430). The PA20TOY provides complete control with most iPods including iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPod Classic.

The PA20 series iPod interfaces have three operating modes available-Playlist, Direct, or Hybrid.In Playlist mode the controls on the radio will operate the iPod only, and the iPod's click wheel is locked out for safety while driving. In the Direct mode, the iPod's controls are used to navigate through the iPod's menus to select songs, artists, playlists, etc. The the factory radio controls will provide volume/tone control only. The Hybrid mode operates like Playlist mode but the iPod's clickwheel is unlocked and can also be used. All modes still charge the iPod while connected, for up to one hour to prevent over-charging.