Finally joined the iPod generation, Ice Link or Dice?

S

snowjay

New member
Picked up a black 60GB video the other night and I'm loving this thing so far. I've imported all the CDs from my 300disk home changer into it and will be selling that on ebay. Need to get a new receiver designed for an iPod but thats for a different forum.

Back to the 4R...

Originally I was going to get the PA11-TOY for hook up into my factory, single disk non-JBL head unit until I saw the Ice Link and Dice systems that support CD Text which my hu does!

Side note.. other than the 10 speakers I guess the standard and JBL hu's have all the same functionality since mine looks exactly like this minus the JBL logo:
jbl_1.jpg


It looks like both the Ice Link and Dice do the same things but the Dice is more of a "box" with dip switches and the Ice Link is all configured by the iPod interface. Is that correct?

From other threads cost for the Dice is about $100 cheaper but it doesn't look like anyone has installed it yet (web site says it ships in 5-7 days) but everyone that has the Ice Link seems to like it even with its minor problems.

I was also going to get the Belkin TuneDok until I saw the ProClip options, so now I'm trying to decide between those options.
 
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Gee, no recommendations between the two?

Anyway as it turns out the IceLink isnt available in the states any more. So down it comes down to the DICE or the USA Spec.

The only difference between them I can see is that the DICE will also allow me to display text on the HU. But for $20 more is it really even necessary since I'm likely going to have the iPod on a mount anyway?
 
Im betting that when the ipod is hooked up to the USA-SPEC it goes into the "do not disconnect" screen just like when you dock it to update it on the computer, meaning you wouldn't have any display on the ipod itself.... But having never used it I could be wrong.
 
According to other people that have used it and USASpec with the PA11 you will have total control thru the iPod if you put it in direct mode.

I also just found an interfaced made by Blitzsafe that allows control from only the iPod for $80. So now that gives me 3 choices...

DICE - $160 - Radio & iPod control/CD Text
USA Spec - $150 - Radio & iPod control
Blitzsafe - $80 - just iPod control
 
Well in the intrest of keeping this thread updated...

I had emailed DICE ([email protected]) when the toyota kits would start shipping. I received a return email from a person at densionusa.com that they would be shipping no later than next Monday.

So does DICE = Dension?
 
Apparently DICE and Denison are affiliated in some manner but the unit now being distributed as DICE is new and different than the one previously distributed as Denison.
 
Hey snowjay,
I posted a topic similar to this one but will bring the conversation over here since its a bit more active (and I hate be a double-poster).

Well the one thing that interested me about the USA Spec was that one the sites it says "manage the iPod via your radio's CD changer controls". Now I know that ours had cd changer "capability" but doesn't exactly have the controls that the in-dash 6disk has so whether we would get this I dont know.

The blitszafe toy/m-link is very cheap! Still the ice-link and usa spec offer control from the cd deck, while the blitzsafe does not. But thats a point of arguement on whether you need that control from the deck. I tend to believe that the ipod is navigated best by itself so why try to use the deck. Still some people want to stow the ipod away in the glovebox but I don't so the controls from the deck are not important to me. I also think that it would pretty complicated to do so and probably doesnt offer all the control that the ipod does itself (probably just next/prev track). Since I do not wish to learn how to control the ipod from another device (less options people, less options) I might go with the blitzsafe. Less capability = less chance of messing up/breaking.

Anyone that has any experience with any of these devices, please let us know your how your liking/disliking it.
 
Well I'm not sure exactly the level of control you can get from the radio controls, but I do belive you can select playlists and such. Even if it's only next/back on tracks thats good enough for me.

I plan on running the cable into the little compartment below the climate controls. There it gives me access to the iPod but it's a place to store it out of sight when I park somewhere.

Right now I've got to unplug it and hide it, only to come back and do the reverse. To me thats just a PITA. I'd prefer to be able to hide it and not worry too much about it.
 
ya that is a good point...control from the deck so you can hide the ipod. So your definitely waiting for the ice-link?
 
Well not the ice link as its not available in the US any more but the DICE iPod adapter. Same basic functionality and seemingly sold by the same people.
 
Area you planning/did you just figure out how to access the rear of the deck or it there an online guide that you can point me to?

Ive seen it asked alot on the forums but no one has a good guide on how to do it.

EDIT
-----
Ok I just found a guide for a limited nav system removal...omg...what happened to the day of slidding in two dim tools and slidding out the hu???!!!


http://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/


We will basically have to take apart the interior.
 
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Nope, you have to go thru that process. Most people around here say it takes maybe 10-15 minutes to do all of that.

good luck!
 
FYI: I just had the new DICE iPod Integration Kit installed on my rig. It is head and shoulders above the buggy IceLink I had in there before. The IceLink bugs are well documented (stutter start, slow track change, text display not updating, etc). None of these problems exist (so far) with the DICE product. Track changes are instantaneous and text updates for both song and artist are pretty much immediate. In general, unlike the IceLink, it doesn't feel like it's always about to malfunction (which after about a two months my IceLink died). This unit also has an AUX input for an additional device with separate gain, bass, mid and treble controlled through the DISC buttons. Pretty slick (although I do not have anything attached to it to test). In case you're considering a device I would recommend this one based on my early experience.
 
Recently installed the Blitzsafe ipod connection kit.

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitztoymlink1v2.html

Was not as hard as the tutorial, that I linked to a few messages back, said it would be. Took me about 40 minutes total. Two things the tutorial did not mention:

1) Be sure to disconnection your battery before any of this

2) Once you get the kit installed, before you reinstall all of your interior, connect the battery and test the unit. Nothing would be worse that installing all that panelling only to find that you hooked it up wrong.

I wasn't to worried about controls through the headdeck so this was the perfect/economical choice for me. I do like the fact that the kit only takes the line in source. The eq or volume on the ipod don't effect at all when plugged in. This is great because my previous vehicle just had aux input so I was always battling between the ipod/headunit volume, and the ipod/headunit eq. This kit totally eliminates that issue.

Highly recommend for anyone who isn't interested in controling the ipod through the headunit. If you are thought look at Snowjay's posts for the recommendations.
 
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What about the VIAS Soundlinq Sli?

www.vaistech.com I would be interested in knowing why people would pay $150 more than the Dice unit for the Soundlinq? Any better functions? I read in Sli post that this unit requires playlists of 99 songs or less for control through head unit support but will allow control over all songs on iPod in simple mode from the iPod itself.

Personally I would like to have 6000+ songs on my iPod and be able to track+- or ffd & rrwd from the controls on my steering wheel in my 06 4runner sport with in dash 6 disc CD changer. Can you do this with the Dice unit?

What model number did you buy in of the dice?

Also anyone have pictures of what/where they are installing a iPod cradel in their 4runner? I found these mounts interesting...

http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionp...ategoryid=12989&p_sitecategoryid=&p_year=2006

JC
 
I opted for the USA Spec

The PA-11 Toy works fine. I got it from crutchfield because of my great history of support with them in case anything went wrong which nothing did. Crutchfield sent a install master sheet for the 03-06 4runner that was pretty identicle to the one posted here (thanks for link whoknows)...

http://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/

Simple install, but took a long time only because I also re-routed additional 12v power socket to large compartment in center console. Ipod operation is flawless and wuick with track and volume functions compatible with steering controls. I use the PA11Toy in direct mode, so songs are selected on the ipod itself which I mounted using the bracketron mount + the proclip adjustable ipod holder.

I also did a power tap to the maplight assembly forr direct wire of my Garmin Nuvi360 and Valentine V-1 see sperate thread here...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=189003#post189003

I can post pics of the whole thing if anyone is interested.

-JC
 
Please post pics. Would love to see. Ya I posted that link for the disassembly after looking FOREVER. Someone should get Crutchfield to publish their library of installtion guides :-)
 
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