2013 RX350 Navigation software + POI question
08-21-13, 10:10 AM
#16
Wow, I must have been napping. This thread took place in a day and half. Holy cow, what a great discussion !!!
Loved the "Rant" and Bert's reply. So many good points. A network of LTS (yet another abbreviation to learn) great idea. And I find out there is a LTS on this forum, way cool. The fact he/she's not a robot, is a bit of a let down
The navigation screen can be split in two. The left side being the map and the right side being a continuously updated listing of upcoming exits and it clearly lists rest areas in the miles to them and minutes to get there. I think it's called Freeway Mode. Being an older gentleman, knowing the locations of rest stops is key to an enjoyable trip. Not sure, but you may have turn on rest areas as a Point Of Interest to make them show up in Freeway Mode.
The navigation system updates so fast after missing a turn I rarely see it happen and I'm not always sure I've made a mistake or not. Yes, in backwoods areas it may not be the greatest, but usually there is a light blue line showing the way to get to the route. I usually travel with the voice off, choosing to instead push the Map(voice) button when I want to get verbal instructions. When off the route and pushing the button, she usually says something like, "figure out how to get back to the highlight route, fool" or something like that. Sometimes in Japanese.
Time to finish the nap, but keep up this discussion going till I get back....
Loved the "Rant" and Bert's reply. So many good points. A network of LTS (yet another abbreviation to learn) great idea. And I find out there is a LTS on this forum, way cool. The fact he/she's not a robot, is a bit of a let down
The navigation screen can be split in two. The left side being the map and the right side being a continuously updated listing of upcoming exits and it clearly lists rest areas in the miles to them and minutes to get there. I think it's called Freeway Mode. Being an older gentleman, knowing the locations of rest stops is key to an enjoyable trip. Not sure, but you may have turn on rest areas as a Point Of Interest to make them show up in Freeway Mode.
The navigation system updates so fast after missing a turn I rarely see it happen and I'm not always sure I've made a mistake or not. Yes, in backwoods areas it may not be the greatest, but usually there is a light blue line showing the way to get to the route. I usually travel with the voice off, choosing to instead push the Map(voice) button when I want to get verbal instructions. When off the route and pushing the button, she usually says something like, "figure out how to get back to the highlight route, fool" or something like that. Sometimes in Japanese.
Time to finish the nap, but keep up this discussion going till I get back....
08-21-13, 10:30 AM
#17
Moderator
I've been debating whether to wade into the waters of this debate about LTS's. After reading BertL's great comments, I feel more comfortable about that now. Plus I want to stress that I am in no way, shape or form representing my dealership or my own position. I am just a car guy at heart that uses these forums to help others when possible and learn things myself. Here goes:
I am a Lexus Technology Specialist at a Lexus dealership. I used to work in the parts dept. and have basically been helping with customer's BT and nav questions/concerns since I've been working here (6yrs). Way before this was an official position. I guess that's why I was tasked for it. Like it's been mention, this isn't my only job. But to be honest, it doesn't take up much of my time. We have pretty good resources to turn to when we have questions that we can't answer. I personally feel a customer would much rather hear "I'm not sure but I will find out the answer for you" than "No it won't work" (at least if the LTS isn't sure). I am not a software engineer or an actual genius. I'm just a human that can make mistakes like everyone else. I don't/can't know everything. I'm good at looking at a problem and figuring it out. But I will do everything in my power to resolve a customer's issues. And honestly 90% of issues involve us properly teaching customers how to use our systems. Even the limitations of it. Very few are actual problems. I am only speaking for my own experiences here. I can't speak for other LTS's or their dealerships. You (especially forum users) may know more about all the little nuances of your particular car than me. You have one car and one system to know and understand. I have many. All models and at least 5 different Nav systems. This isn't meant as an excuse, just reality. Combine that with everything else I'm tasked with during the course of a business day. Maybe I've been lucky here. Very little of my LTS responsibility has been hard core troubleshooting.
Just my 2 cents. I'm going to lunch now because I'm hungry and not a robot.
I am a Lexus Technology Specialist at a Lexus dealership. I used to work in the parts dept. and have basically been helping with customer's BT and nav questions/concerns since I've been working here (6yrs). Way before this was an official position. I guess that's why I was tasked for it. Like it's been mention, this isn't my only job. But to be honest, it doesn't take up much of my time. We have pretty good resources to turn to when we have questions that we can't answer. I personally feel a customer would much rather hear "I'm not sure but I will find out the answer for you" than "No it won't work" (at least if the LTS isn't sure). I am not a software engineer or an actual genius. I'm just a human that can make mistakes like everyone else. I don't/can't know everything. I'm good at looking at a problem and figuring it out. But I will do everything in my power to resolve a customer's issues. And honestly 90% of issues involve us properly teaching customers how to use our systems. Even the limitations of it. Very few are actual problems. I am only speaking for my own experiences here. I can't speak for other LTS's or their dealerships. You (especially forum users) may know more about all the little nuances of your particular car than me. You have one car and one system to know and understand. I have many. All models and at least 5 different Nav systems. This isn't meant as an excuse, just reality. Combine that with everything else I'm tasked with during the course of a business day. Maybe I've been lucky here. Very little of my LTS responsibility has been hard core troubleshooting.
Just my 2 cents. I'm going to lunch now because I'm hungry and not a robot.
08-21-13, 10:49 AM
#18
I have called the 'sales person' and he is a very nice and helpful person.....but......his response was
My recommendation at this point is to call Lexus Customer Service. The number is in your Owner's Manual. Let them know about your area not being in the maps you have and what version you have. Let them know what your salesperson told you. Let them know that this is not acceptable. This is not what you spent $$$ for when it comes to your Lexus Navigation system, your Lexus vehicle, and this is not what you expect from Lexus for customer service. Be calm. Be polite. But be firm.
08-21-13, 11:20 AM
#19
Yes, your software is two years old but how old is your vehicle? Less than one year old, correct?
My recommendation at this point is to call Lexus Customer Service. The number is in your Owner's Manual. Let them know about your area not being in the maps you have and what version you have. Let them know what your salesperson told you. Let them know that this is not acceptable. This is not what you spent $$$ for when it comes to your Lexus Navigation system, your Lexus vehicle, and this is not what you expect from Lexus for customer service. Be calm. Be polite. But be firm.
My recommendation at this point is to call Lexus Customer Service. The number is in your Owner's Manual. Let them know about your area not being in the maps you have and what version you have. Let them know what your salesperson told you. Let them know that this is not acceptable. This is not what you spent $$$ for when it comes to your Lexus Navigation system, your Lexus vehicle, and this is not what you expect from Lexus for customer service. Be calm. Be polite. But be firm.
On a side note: my LTS person was available for me and mostly my wife and was extremely thorough in making sure all vehicle features were explained.
08-21-13, 11:27 AM
#20
BTW, I was under the impression that Garmin uses NAVTEQ's map data. Do not have my Garmin device handy at this time to check, but Wikipedia seems to think this is the case:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navteq
Though, it seems the system does also use some Tele Atlas (TomTom) information as well for certain areas and conditions:
http://www.lexusnavigation.com/pdf_d...2012084403.pdf
Would be curious to see how a Garmin GPS with current map updates handles the area where NorthGa lives.
08-21-13, 11:30 AM
#21
Not sure what is that going to accomplish? As he stated, he lives in a rural mountain area and even the current 12.1 system hasn't detailed his area. Meaning there is no product available from the third party manufacturer for Lexus to give him. Hard to bash Lexus without some sort of comparison to other car manufacturers navigation systems specifc to OP's area. If so and navigation is that important, then it should have been one of the deciding factors in the car purchase.
On a side note: my LTS person was available for me and mostly my wife and was extremely thorough in making sure all vehicle features were explained.
On a side note: my LTS person was available for me and mostly my wife and was extremely thorough in making sure all vehicle features were explained.
08-21-13, 12:05 PM
#22
Thanks for wading into the conversation, offroad200. I know how it can be when you are pointed out as being an expert in a given field even when that is perhaps not the case or how you might get swamped with requests for help when you are really not in a position to do much more than what the requester was receiving for help anyway. Never convenient. Never pleasant. Best to keep a low profile and remain as anonymous as possible.
Am I correct in guessing the correct terms we should be using are Vehicle Technology Specialist (VTS) and Vehicle Delivery Specialist (VDS)? That is how Lexus refers to the position in their press releases though the title the individual has as the local Lexus dealerships is Lexus Technology Specialist. As they have no VDS titled individual I am wondering if they wrapped both of those positions into one and tacked on the Inventory Management label as well. Anyway...
http://pressroom.lexus.com/releases/...ps+march12.htm
I understand your predicament in not knowing all the workings of each Lexus vehicle. There are way too many combinations and permutations of Lexus equipment and cellphone/smartphone equipment, as an example, for any one person to wrap their arms around. One part of my rant dealt with this exact topic in an indirect manner. While it would be hard for any one person to organize this information, if you had 200+ individuals all working towards a common goal it would easily be possible to collect and maintain the necessary information. But, you need the guidance and tools to make this happen. The original press release seemed to indicate much of this was to be put into place, however, when I recently asked a question of my local Lexus dealership about their ability to work with customers via Apple's FaceTime they looked at me like I was from another planet and told me I must have been mistaken in what I had heard or seen.
What I seem to see is each dealership (or dealership group) working independently from all the others with nothing much centralized with the exception of your limited internal network for asking others of the same position questions. Work seems to be duplicated and rarely shared. Could this be because of the limited amount of time you have available for documentation since you are been assigned additional responsibilities outside this one job description? I would also be curious to see how much guidance is coming from Lexus corporate regarding theses positions let alone getting a chance to see the complete job descriptions for these positions.
Am I correct in guessing the correct terms we should be using are Vehicle Technology Specialist (VTS) and Vehicle Delivery Specialist (VDS)? That is how Lexus refers to the position in their press releases though the title the individual has as the local Lexus dealerships is Lexus Technology Specialist. As they have no VDS titled individual I am wondering if they wrapped both of those positions into one and tacked on the Inventory Management label as well. Anyway...
http://pressroom.lexus.com/releases/...ps+march12.htm
I understand your predicament in not knowing all the workings of each Lexus vehicle. There are way too many combinations and permutations of Lexus equipment and cellphone/smartphone equipment, as an example, for any one person to wrap their arms around. One part of my rant dealt with this exact topic in an indirect manner. While it would be hard for any one person to organize this information, if you had 200+ individuals all working towards a common goal it would easily be possible to collect and maintain the necessary information. But, you need the guidance and tools to make this happen. The original press release seemed to indicate much of this was to be put into place, however, when I recently asked a question of my local Lexus dealership about their ability to work with customers via Apple's FaceTime they looked at me like I was from another planet and told me I must have been mistaken in what I had heard or seen.
What I seem to see is each dealership (or dealership group) working independently from all the others with nothing much centralized with the exception of your limited internal network for asking others of the same position questions. Work seems to be duplicated and rarely shared. Could this be because of the limited amount of time you have available for documentation since you are been assigned additional responsibilities outside this one job description? I would also be curious to see how much guidance is coming from Lexus corporate regarding theses positions let alone getting a chance to see the complete job descriptions for these positions.
08-21-13, 01:00 PM
#23
The terms VTS and VDS have recently been changed to LTS and LDS. I'm really not sure about the Inventory Management part. I personally don't do anything like that.
LDS - Lexus Delivery Specialist. All of our salespeople go to training to become LDSs. So they can deliver the cars themselves. Other dealers have dedicated LDSs. Both ways can work. Our salespeople have developed great relationships over the years and would prefer to delivery their own cars. Each to his own I guess.
LTS - Lexus Technology Specialist. What I do (a guy btw). I'm pretty much the go to person for technology questions including follow up training.
I will give our salespeople a lot of credit for trying to handle things themselves. And come to me if they can't. Obviously some are better than others. And half of our sales staff have been here a very long time and can still teach me things. Especially on the older cars. One salesperson in particular is spectactular with product knowledge.
I believe this position was an afterthought (my words, not Lexus so please take it as such). We have come a long way from the beginning and continually improve. There is always room for more improvement however.
As I mentioned before, we do have great resources to get answers and that is improving everyday as well. We also have a way for all LTSs across the country to talk to each other. And ask questions of other LTSs that may have run across the same issue and have a solution. Which is good in my case, because there are much smarter LTSs out there!
We have good training as well. I have been to several classes.
Lexus corporate has been great IMO of setting the standards of what the want the LTS position to be. They have helped tremendously. The Lexus dealership however is not Lexus corporate. Just like any other car dealership in the country, it's two different businesses.
I hope I have helped and not muddy up the waters. Haha. Like most men, I'm better at fixing than explaining!
LDS - Lexus Delivery Specialist. All of our salespeople go to training to become LDSs. So they can deliver the cars themselves. Other dealers have dedicated LDSs. Both ways can work. Our salespeople have developed great relationships over the years and would prefer to delivery their own cars. Each to his own I guess.
LTS - Lexus Technology Specialist. What I do (a guy btw
). I'm pretty much the go to person for technology questions including follow up training. I will give our salespeople a lot of credit for trying to handle things themselves. And come to me if they can't. Obviously some are better than others. And half of our sales staff have been here a very long time and can still teach me things. Especially on the older cars. One salesperson in particular is spectactular with product knowledge.
I believe this position was an afterthought (my words, not Lexus so please take it as such). We have come a long way from the beginning and continually improve. There is always room for more improvement however.
As I mentioned before, we do have great resources to get answers and that is improving everyday as well. We also have a way for all LTSs across the country to talk to each other. And ask questions of other LTSs that may have run across the same issue and have a solution. Which is good in my case, because there are much smarter LTSs out there!
We have good training as well. I have been to several classes. Lexus corporate has been great IMO of setting the standards of what the want the LTS position to be. They have helped tremendously. The Lexus dealership however is not Lexus corporate. Just like any other car dealership in the country, it's two different businesses.
I hope I have helped and not muddy up the waters. Haha. Like most men, I'm better at fixing than explaining!
08-21-13, 01:03 PM
#24
And apologies to the OP, your thread does appear to have been hijacked.
08-21-13, 04:17 PM
#25
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BTW, I was under the impression that Garmin uses NAVTEQ's map data. Do not have my Garmin device handy at this time to check, but Wikipedia seems to think this is the case:
Navteq - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Though, it seems the system does also use some Tele Atlas (TomTom) information as well for certain areas and conditions:
http://www.lexusnavigation.com/pdf_d...2012084403.pdf
Would be curious to see how a Garmin GPS with current map updates handles the area where NorthGa lives.
Navteq - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Though, it seems the system does also use some Tele Atlas (TomTom) information as well for certain areas and conditions:
http://www.lexusnavigation.com/pdf_d...2012084403.pdf
Would be curious to see how a Garmin GPS with current map updates handles the area where NorthGa lives.
My Garmin does quite well in giving me turn by turn and 'recalculates' if one were to miss a turn
08-21-13, 04:39 PM
#26
Yes, your software is two years old but how old is your vehicle? Less than one year old, correct?
My recommendation at this point is to call Lexus Customer Service. The number is in your Owner's Manual. Let them know about your area not being in the maps you have and what version you have. Let them know what your salesperson told you. Let them know that this is not acceptable. This is not what you spent $$$ for when it comes to your Lexus Navigation system, your Lexus vehicle, and this is not what you expect from Lexus for customer service. Be calm. Be polite. But be firm.
My recommendation at this point is to call Lexus Customer Service. The number is in your Owner's Manual. Let them know about your area not being in the maps you have and what version you have. Let them know what your salesperson told you. Let them know that this is not acceptable. This is not what you spent $$$ for when it comes to your Lexus Navigation system, your Lexus vehicle, and this is not what you expect from Lexus for customer service. Be calm. Be polite. But be firm.
08-21-13, 05:12 PM
#27
08-21-13, 06:42 PM
#29
The terms VTS and VDS have recently been changed to LTS and LDS. I'm really not sure about the Inventory Management part. I personally don't do anything like that.
LDS - Lexus Delivery Specialist. All of our salespeople go to training to become LDSs. So they can deliver the cars themselves. Other dealers have dedicated LDSs. Both ways can work. Our salespeople have developed great relationships over the years and would prefer to delivery their own cars. Each to his own I guess.
LTS - Lexus Technology Specialist. What I do (a guy btw). I'm pretty much the go to person for technology questions including follow up training.
I will give our salespeople a lot of credit for trying to handle things themselves. And come to me if they can't. Obviously some are better than others. And half of our sales staff have been here a very long time and can still teach me things. Especially on the older cars. One salesperson in particular is spectactular with product knowledge.
I believe this position was an afterthought (my words, not Lexus so please take it as such). We have come a long way from the beginning and continually improve. There is always room for more improvement however.
As I mentioned before, we do have great resources to get answers and that is improving everyday as well. We also have a way for all LTSs across the country to talk to each other. And ask questions of other LTSs that may have run across the same issue and have a solution. Which is good in my case, because there are much smarter LTSs out there! We have good training as well. I have been to several classes.
Lexus corporate has been great IMO of setting the standards of what the want the LTS position to be. They have helped tremendously. The Lexus dealership however is not Lexus corporate. Just like any other car dealership in the country, it's two different businesses.
I hope I have helped and not muddy up the waters. Haha. Like most men, I'm better at fixing than explaining!
LDS - Lexus Delivery Specialist. All of our salespeople go to training to become LDSs. So they can deliver the cars themselves. Other dealers have dedicated LDSs. Both ways can work. Our salespeople have developed great relationships over the years and would prefer to delivery their own cars. Each to his own I guess.
LTS - Lexus Technology Specialist. What I do (a guy btw
). I'm pretty much the go to person for technology questions including follow up training. I will give our salespeople a lot of credit for trying to handle things themselves. And come to me if they can't. Obviously some are better than others. And half of our sales staff have been here a very long time and can still teach me things. Especially on the older cars. One salesperson in particular is spectactular with product knowledge.
I believe this position was an afterthought (my words, not Lexus so please take it as such). We have come a long way from the beginning and continually improve. There is always room for more improvement however.
As I mentioned before, we do have great resources to get answers and that is improving everyday as well. We also have a way for all LTSs across the country to talk to each other. And ask questions of other LTSs that may have run across the same issue and have a solution. Which is good in my case, because there are much smarter LTSs out there!
We have good training as well. I have been to several classes. Lexus corporate has been great IMO of setting the standards of what the want the LTS position to be. They have helped tremendously. The Lexus dealership however is not Lexus corporate. Just like any other car dealership in the country, it's two different businesses.
I hope I have helped and not muddy up the waters. Haha. Like most men, I'm better at fixing than explaining!
08-21-13, 07:37 PM
#30
I actually brought this up and the Dealership has opened a request to Lexus canada about my request for an update to at least 12.1. I hope Lexus approves the update as I think they should allow updates to 2013 maps if you bought a 2013 car etc. It would be another way Lexus can improve customer service and make sure all their cars maps are covered up to the model year.