Remote Touch Navigation is terrible and backwards technology IMO
excerpts:
A lot of disappointment out there...
[...]For instance, in J.D. Power and Associates' 2012 U.S. Navigation Usage and Research Study, 47 percent of vehicle owners polled indicated that they used a smartphone app for navigation in the vehicle, while 46 percent said that they either “definitely would not” or “probably would not” purchase another factory-installed nav system, if smartphone navigation were integrated.
[...]systems that could drive you bonkers.
[...]BMW iDrive
...iDrive still requires a steep learning curve
Mercedes-Benz COMAND
... “COMAND is the worst interface of the modern crew, but one of the easiest to actually use,”
Lexus Remote Touch
... several of us see this system as one of the most frustrating of all,
[...]Audi MMI
...“half-brilliant, half-assed,” and much of our staff agrees.
[...]For instance, in J.D. Power and Associates' 2012 U.S. Navigation Usage and Research Study, 47 percent of vehicle owners polled indicated that they used a smartphone app for navigation in the vehicle, while 46 percent said that they either “definitely would not” or “probably would not” purchase another factory-installed nav system, if smartphone navigation were integrated.
[...]systems that could drive you bonkers.
[...]BMW iDrive
...iDrive still requires a steep learning curve
Mercedes-Benz COMAND
... “COMAND is the worst interface of the modern crew, but one of the easiest to actually use,”
Lexus Remote Touch
... several of us see this system as one of the most frustrating of all,
[...]Audi MMI
...“half-brilliant, half-assed,” and much of our staff agrees.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 27
From: Iowa
I find the remote touch in the 2010-2012 RX to be intuitive, easy to use and doesn't require me to lean forward out of my seat to push a touch screen. Whether it's long legs and short arms, my seat is all the way back. Having to lean forward to push buttons is contrary to my lazy way of resting my arm on the rest and having my hand on the remote touch.
Between the remote touch and the controls on the steering wheel, just about the only time I touch the dash is to start/stop the car and change the temperature. If that were on the climate menu of the navigation screen accessible with the remote touch, it would be very rare for me to touch the dashboard.
The graphics on the 2013 RX are a small step forward, as I find the graphics to be archaic and in need of a serious review by some forward thinking Lexus engineer.
While I have an iPhone and an iPad, I don't believe I would want one mounted in or on the dashboard, especially if I have to divert my attention to a screen and swipe and touch it to control the car. Granted any device can be a distraction, but I find the remote touch to be the lesser of the evils. It should also be noted I'm only familiar with the RX remote touch and other manufacture's touch screen and perhaps one of the myriad of other hand control methods would also be to my liking. Don't know, don't care. Combined with the two buttons and rocker switch at the base, I like the remote touch interface.
Between the remote touch and the controls on the steering wheel, just about the only time I touch the dash is to start/stop the car and change the temperature. If that were on the climate menu of the navigation screen accessible with the remote touch, it would be very rare for me to touch the dashboard.
The graphics on the 2013 RX are a small step forward, as I find the graphics to be archaic and in need of a serious review by some forward thinking Lexus engineer.
While I have an iPhone and an iPad, I don't believe I would want one mounted in or on the dashboard, especially if I have to divert my attention to a screen and swipe and touch it to control the car. Granted any device can be a distraction, but I find the remote touch to be the lesser of the evils. It should also be noted I'm only familiar with the RX remote touch and other manufacture's touch screen and perhaps one of the myriad of other hand control methods would also be to my liking. Don't know, don't care. Combined with the two buttons and rocker switch at the base, I like the remote touch interface.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: CA
Touchscreens force manufacturers to push dashboards forward, sacrificing space, the placement also prevented cowls from being positioned over them to prevent glare, not to mention they would always have smudges on them (making glare that much worse)
Definitely a good move by Lexus to mbrace how other manufacturers designed their infotainment system, I'm much happier w/remote touch than having a touchscreen when i Drive.
Definitely a good move by Lexus to mbrace how other manufacturers designed their infotainment system, I'm much happier w/remote touch than having a touchscreen when i Drive.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 750
Likes: 24
From: USA
so do all new 2013 and beyond Lexus models with Navigation use "Remote Touch" with no Touch Screen?
i just had a 2012 ES as a loaner yesterday and was pleasantly surprised that it had a Touch Screen Nav.
i just had a 2012 ES as a loaner yesterday and was pleasantly surprised that it had a Touch Screen Nav.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 750
Likes: 24
From: USA
i think this says it best -
"Control of those added functions is in some ways made easy by the second generation Remote Touch interface, where you use a joystick to “feel” your way across the screen. Ideal for simple functions, try typing an entire address into the navigation system and the leap between such a controller and a modern touch screen is as vast as the difference between chopsticks and the fork and knife."
http://www.autoguide.com/manufacture...ideo-2030.html
"Control of those added functions is in some ways made easy by the second generation Remote Touch interface, where you use a joystick to “feel” your way across the screen. Ideal for simple functions, try typing an entire address into the navigation system and the leap between such a controller and a modern touch screen is as vast as the difference between chopsticks and the fork and knife."
http://www.autoguide.com/manufacture...ideo-2030.html
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,206
Likes: 253
Main "problem" for RT is that it is set to be very sensitive, which might not be suitable if you never used it before... it can be adjusted but most people trying it for 5 minutes, or reviewers, have no clue about that.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Its not perfect but I have no issues with it or any of the German systems, it just takes time to get used to it.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,473
Likes: 247
From: Illinois
I had a Lexus with the touch screen nav which I liked. I now have an Audi with their MMI controller. After a brief learning period I like this one too. Just different approaches to the same end. The learning curve is the main thing. Haven't tried the RT in a Lexus yet but I can imaine that it takes some getting used to.
Remote Touch is much safer than a touch screen. It requires less coordination between your eyes and your finger, therefore more attention can be paid to the road ahead of you. There are quite a few psychology studies that show this to be true, but (similarly) people still text and drive so I don't know if this is something everyone can/will accept.
Moving away from touch screens is a good thing, and hopefully in the future car-phone integration will enable remote touch systems to more fully interact with the phone rather to further reduce distracted driving.
Moving away from touch screens is a good thing, and hopefully in the future car-phone integration will enable remote touch systems to more fully interact with the phone rather to further reduce distracted driving.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,206
Likes: 253
yeah, i dont think any of reviewers ever adjusted theirs.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Remote Touch is much safer than a touch screen. It requires less coordination between your eyes and your finger, therefore more attention can be paid to the road ahead of you. There are quite a few psychology studies that show this to be true, but (similarly) people still text and drive so I don't know if this is something everyone can/will accept.
Moving away from touch screens is a good thing, and hopefully in the future car-phone integration will enable remote touch systems to more fully interact with the phone rather to further reduce distracted driving.
Moving away from touch screens is a good thing, and hopefully in the future car-phone integration will enable remote touch systems to more fully interact with the phone rather to further reduce distracted driving.
I Agree, Out of all the cars I have owned and Driven my GF's MB C350 and her BMW 335i coupe. The newer I-drive in the BMW was a very close 2nd to touch screen but my Old Infiniti G35 Sport had both Touch and Buttons and I used the buttons way more often. Infiniti's system is the most user friendly and accessible of all systems, where I can touch for certain things but have buttons to scroll or zoom in/out, it was like playing the piano while driving down the road.. 
