Mouse vs Touch Screen
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Mouse vs Touch Screen
The great thing about Lexus has been the simplicity and ergonomics of its controls, especially compared with the Germans. While BM was slammed for its iDrive, Audi for its MMI and MB for its Command system, Lexus won high and universal praise for its touch screen. As Steve Jobs said, what is easier than just touching a screen with your finger.
Today, the trend in technology is towards touch screens. Think iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy S3 etc. And then Lexus chooses this time to introduce a mouse (1980s technology!!) instead of its intuitive touch screens. Even worse, this is introduced across all models. Consumer Reports, USA Today and most other experts have commented negatively on this change.
Gives me a strong reason to keep my '07 LS460 rather than get the new one. It also means that ergonomics are no longer a reason to choose Lexus over the Germans.
What on earth is Lexus management thinking?????
Today, the trend in technology is towards touch screens. Think iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy S3 etc. And then Lexus chooses this time to introduce a mouse (1980s technology!!) instead of its intuitive touch screens. Even worse, this is introduced across all models. Consumer Reports, USA Today and most other experts have commented negatively on this change.
Gives me a strong reason to keep my '07 LS460 rather than get the new one. It also means that ergonomics are no longer a reason to choose Lexus over the Germans.
What on earth is Lexus management thinking?????
#2
The great thing about Lexus has been the simplicity and ergonomics of its controls, especially compared with the Germans. While BM was slammed for its iDrive, Audi for its MMI and MB for its Command system, Lexus won high and universal praise for its touch screen. As Steve Jobs said, what is easier than just touching a screen with your finger.
Today, the trend in technology is towards touch screens. Think iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy S3 etc. And then Lexus chooses this time to introduce a mouse (1980s technology!!) instead of its intuitive touch screens. Even worse, this is introduced across all models. Consumer Reports, USA Today and most other experts have commented negatively on this change.
Gives me a strong reason to keep my '07 LS460 rather than get the new one. It also means that ergonomics are no longer a reason to choose Lexus over the Germans.
What on earth is Lexus management thinking?????
Today, the trend in technology is towards touch screens. Think iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy S3 etc. And then Lexus chooses this time to introduce a mouse (1980s technology!!) instead of its intuitive touch screens. Even worse, this is introduced across all models. Consumer Reports, USA Today and most other experts have commented negatively on this change.
Gives me a strong reason to keep my '07 LS460 rather than get the new one. It also means that ergonomics are no longer a reason to choose Lexus over the Germans.
What on earth is Lexus management thinking?????
#3
In 2007 Lexus was ahead of the curve, and now 6 years later they're behind it.
Last December on vacation I had an MB rental with the mouse. It was OK to operate once I got used to it, but it was a poor replacement for my touch screen. It's like my radar cruise control, once you have it, you can't imagine buying a car without it.
Last December on vacation I had an MB rental with the mouse. It was OK to operate once I got used to it, but it was a poor replacement for my touch screen. It's like my radar cruise control, once you have it, you can't imagine buying a car without it.
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Olkan (05-11-24)
#4
Couldn't agree more. I love the simplicity of the touch screen in my 2009. I drove a 2013 ES with a mouse and was able to use it after a while, but it took longer to do what I wanted. I actually think it is a hazard and creates distracted driving. It just isn't as initiative as a touch screen. Shame on Lexus. My next car will have a touch screen. I hope.
#5
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Consumer Reports, in their well read Best and Worst New Cars edition, says about the GS in their Vehicle Profiles: "A mouselike controller works the navigation system and audio controls, but it is fussy and distracting to use" .
For the ES, they say " the controls are more complicated" (then before) and "Unlike the Camry, ES versions with navigation get an overly-sensitive mouse controller, like the GS".
In the summary Vehicle Ratings section, the only "lows" for the GS are "Controls and fussy mouse controller".
What a difference from prior years when Lexus stood apart from the Germans by having simple, intuitive and ergonomic controls. Lets hope the next generation of vehicles goes back to Lexus roots. My 07 LS is looking better and better compared with the latest model!
For the ES, they say " the controls are more complicated" (then before) and "Unlike the Camry, ES versions with navigation get an overly-sensitive mouse controller, like the GS".
In the summary Vehicle Ratings section, the only "lows" for the GS are "Controls and fussy mouse controller".
What a difference from prior years when Lexus stood apart from the Germans by having simple, intuitive and ergonomic controls. Lets hope the next generation of vehicles goes back to Lexus roots. My 07 LS is looking better and better compared with the latest model!
#6
well, there's also a safety consideration. Having a touchscreen means the screen has to be lower and within reach. Not ideal from a safety standpoint.
With a remote controller, it allows placement of the screen much higher and closer to eye level on the road where your eyes should be at all times while driving.
With a remote controller, it allows placement of the screen much higher and closer to eye level on the road where your eyes should be at all times while driving.
#7
Have you seen the setup in Acura's new RLX? It has ALL the bases covered. A display screen up top; a touch screen just below that; and a turnable, clickable wheel below that. And enough buttons and steering wheel gizmos to make a 1980's GM fan happy once again. At least Lexus would never do something like that to us, would they?
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#8
Lead Lap
I put a $9 bluetooth mouse in and it operates perfectly on my armrest as i mirror my Android phone into my 08 600hL nav screen using the VAIS iVIC for $450. Never reaching up to Nav screen and i use Samsung S voice to control the system. Now my car nav is a an Android tablet...that refreshed my car interior and it's a more fun experience driving now...I certainly have much more infotainment options with my setup than the new setups..the only thing visible is my mouse which stashes in the armrest when done and turns on and off automatically when my phone is in range...
Last edited by CJITTY; 04-03-13 at 10:34 PM.
#10
#11
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
well, there's also a safety consideration. Having a touchscreen means the screen has to be lower and within reach. Not ideal from a safety standpoint.
With a remote controller, it allows placement of the screen much higher and closer to eye level on the road where your eyes should be at all times while driving.
With a remote controller, it allows placement of the screen much higher and closer to eye level on the road where your eyes should be at all times while driving.
I prefer the touch screen even with the annoying finger prints.
#12
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I believe that Car & Driver has been instrumental over the years in establishing the credibility of BMW , and that Consumer Reports has been equally vital in establishing the Lexus reputation. I believe that Lexus customers are by and large the sort of people who do their research on Consumer Reports before making a big purchase.
So , and this is a SHOCKER which should keep the management of Lexus up at night, in the April 2013 Consumer Reports annual Auto issue, for the first time since 2007, THE LS 460 IS NO LONGER THE TOP RATED CAR IN THE USA!!!!
Since its introduction in 2007, it scored a remarkable 99 out of 100 points. Way ahead of its German competitors.
The "New and improved" 2013 model with the mouse scored only 92
The lows : "Fussy Controls".
Since 1989 has Lexus never been criticized for poor, driver unfriendly controls. That was one of the big differentiators between Lexus and the rest.
In fact, last years Consumer Reports specifically called out that with theLS 460 "the "controls are user friendly".
I think Lexus needs to "Refresh" their new line up asap and bring back the user friendly touch screen controls they were famous for. What on earth are they thinking????
So , and this is a SHOCKER which should keep the management of Lexus up at night, in the April 2013 Consumer Reports annual Auto issue, for the first time since 2007, THE LS 460 IS NO LONGER THE TOP RATED CAR IN THE USA!!!!
Since its introduction in 2007, it scored a remarkable 99 out of 100 points. Way ahead of its German competitors.
The "New and improved" 2013 model with the mouse scored only 92
The lows : "Fussy Controls".
Since 1989 has Lexus never been criticized for poor, driver unfriendly controls. That was one of the big differentiators between Lexus and the rest.
In fact, last years Consumer Reports specifically called out that with theLS 460 "the "controls are user friendly".
I think Lexus needs to "Refresh" their new line up asap and bring back the user friendly touch screen controls they were famous for. What on earth are they thinking????
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Olkan (05-11-24)
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Having gone from many years of the touch screen to having the remote touch in my new GS, I don't see the big deal. Yes there's a learning curve, but once you master it to me the touch screen is no quicker. We have a touch screen in the Jeep and I don't really mind either way.
The benefit of the mouse controller is it lets them use a larger screen, further away which is better for visibility and lets them create more stylish dashes. You couldn't have the big 12" screen with a touchscreen...and I for one like that big screen.
The benefit of the mouse controller is it lets them use a larger screen, further away which is better for visibility and lets them create more stylish dashes. You couldn't have the big 12" screen with a touchscreen...and I for one like that big screen.
#14
April 2013 Consumer Reports:
The "New and improved" 2013 model with the mouse scored only 92
The lows : "Fussy Controls".
I think Lexus needs to "Refresh" their new line up asap and bring back the user friendly touch screen controls they were famous for. What on earth are they thinking????
The "New and improved" 2013 model with the mouse scored only 92
The lows : "Fussy Controls".
I think Lexus needs to "Refresh" their new line up asap and bring back the user friendly touch screen controls they were famous for. What on earth are they thinking????
My feedback on the LS460's systems was also negatively impacted by the RTI's clumsiness. The distraction of operating the RTI makes quick changes to music, climate controls, and navigation almost a death-defying gamble if it is attempted while driving. Every system is poorer in appearance and operation due to this hideous interface. I defy anyone to "type" a destination address with the RTI at anything other than the "hunt and peck" speed of an 80 year-old. Well, Consumer Reports knows about it, every 2013 Lexus owner knows about it, and now JD Power and Lexus sure as hell know about it!
Last edited by williakz; 04-08-13 at 09:17 PM.
#15
Lexus Fanatic
I can type on the RTI as quickly as by touchscreen.
On another note, at the suggestion of someone else on the forum I tried inputting a destination by voice the other day, and was surprised to see it worked great! That feature was useless on my 2010 ES. So, now I don't have to type with it at all.
On another note, at the suggestion of someone else on the forum I tried inputting a destination by voice the other day, and was surprised to see it worked great! That feature was useless on my 2010 ES. So, now I don't have to type with it at all.