Rav Model 2007 - Usb Connection

July 1, 2011

Hi,

I own RAV 2007 and I would like to be able to connect usb device and listen to it through the car Speakers.

Could anyone tell if this is feasible and what I should by for that ?

Thank you,

July 1, 2011

Hi,
I own RAV 2007 and I would like to be able to connect usb device and listen to it through the car speakers.
Could anyone tell if this is feasible and what I should by for that ?
Thank you,

Hi,

I have not come across a USB interface for the RAV ( not looked very hard though ). I suspect that you may have to settle for a DICE interface which allows control of an iPod or the connection from the headphones jack of another audio device. I have used one of these before changing the headunit in mine and found it reliable but not exactly feature rich. We have a guy on the forum, SHCM, who has done an unbelievable amount of research on the operation and interfacing of the RAV ICE system. With any luck he will look in and give you a definitive answer. I suspect that the answer is "RAV no speak USB", but SHCM is the man who would really know. PM him if he doesn't turn up within a day or two. Unfortunately he has to earn a living as well as acting as one of our major sources of expertise so doesn't turn up as often as he used to. Hope this helps. Let us know if you do find anything that looks likely.

July 2, 2011

I can't be sure what you mean by USB device and can take it at least two ways:

i.e. A media player with a usb control connection and audio out, or just a mass storage device (flash drive or disk caddy) with audio files stored on it.

All will usually emulate a CD changer and will connect to the CD changer socket on the rear of the head unit (radio).

Something like a grom unit will take the USB stick approach (with ipod and aux input thrown in):

UK distributor:

http://www.carputer-shop.co.uk/usb-car-kits-c-7/usb-aux-ipod-mp3-adapter-toyota-lexus-p-47

homepage:

http://www.gromaudio.com/

I've played with one and to be honest, found it a bit flaky. Audio sounded slightly distorted and audio files have to be arranged in directories on the USB stick. If there are a lot of files on the device, it seems to take a long time before the first one plays. I expect it is "cataloguing" the disk/stick and is not quite powerful enough to do it in a decently quick time. Still they are continually updating its software. Whether that is a good thing (continuous support) or bad (customer is effectively a tester) is debatable.

Connects2 do something similar, but people have not always been impressed with their offerings:

http://www.connects2.co.uk/

Toyota do a ipod adapter for pre 2009 models (part no. something like PZ473-00261-A0). They do a USB/ipod adapter too, but I don't believe it is compatible with pre 2009 models.

If you have a satnav in your 2007 model, it's support for Toyota's own adapters can be a little disappointing. The will work, but functions such as text support can be limited.

Some of the vaistech stuff in the US, on paper, looks well thought out, but may not be fully compatible and sometimes looks expensive:

http://www.vaistech.com/dev/home.php

Always check with the maker first that your car is compatible. Most will work up to a point, but there can be small incompatibilities with the adapter communication protocol to the head unit.

Abraxas did a useful summary of some of the options available a couple of years back:

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101725