Lexus Navigation
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: new jersey
Lexus Navigation
I have ES 350 2016 with built in navigation. I have been using it for past three months. In my experience
Good:
Screen is bright, even in sunlight.
Voice guidance is loud and clear, and it prompts on time.
On Screen Map display is very good, and split screen feature is helpful.
Bad:
-- POI database is outdated. Couple of weeks ago, I searched for Subway on one of our trip, and it took us to a house. On other occasion, it took us to a Staples store, which was closed three years ago.
-- Route mapping is also not efficient in many cases compared with Google Maps or Waze. Many a time, it will take us via a longer route.
-- There is no way to mute the voice guidance volume. there is a volume button on the screen, but it doesn't do any thing. (on camry, it has vol +/- on screen button)
--Entering an address is a pain using joystick, and even if you use voice entry, half of the time, it can't fathom the street names. (may be it only understands Japanese English).
-- no easy way to view turn by turn navigation instruction ( or at least i dont know how to ).
What are your experiences?
(in a way, the whole Multimedia system and interface on Lexus is poor and clunky, IMHO. I have expected better. I will list out the issues on some other day. )
Good:
Screen is bright, even in sunlight.
Voice guidance is loud and clear, and it prompts on time.
On Screen Map display is very good, and split screen feature is helpful.
Bad:
-- POI database is outdated. Couple of weeks ago, I searched for Subway on one of our trip, and it took us to a house. On other occasion, it took us to a Staples store, which was closed three years ago.
-- Route mapping is also not efficient in many cases compared with Google Maps or Waze. Many a time, it will take us via a longer route.
-- There is no way to mute the voice guidance volume. there is a volume button on the screen, but it doesn't do any thing. (on camry, it has vol +/- on screen button)
--Entering an address is a pain using joystick, and even if you use voice entry, half of the time, it can't fathom the street names. (may be it only understands Japanese English).
-- no easy way to view turn by turn navigation instruction ( or at least i dont know how to ).
What are your experiences?
(in a way, the whole Multimedia system and interface on Lexus is poor and clunky, IMHO. I have expected better. I will list out the issues on some other day. )
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,279
Likes: 1,034
From: Illinois
You will get better and more up-to-date information when searching for points-of-interest/destinations by using the Enform app Destination Search, instead of using the data base that is in the navigation system on-board the car. Since that (free) Enform Destination Search option became available about a year ago, I've found it to be a significant improvement over the data base on-board the vehicle, and I've also found that using the Enform app with voice search for destinations is significantly more straight forward, easier to use, and more accurate than using voice search with the on-board data base.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 235
From: SoCal
You will get better and more up-to-date information when searching for points-of-interest/destinations by using the Enform app Destination Search, instead of using the data base that is in the navigation system on-board the car. Since that (free) Enform Destination Search option became available about a year ago, I've found it to be a significant improvement over the data base on-board the vehicle, and I've also found that using the Enform app with voice search for destinations is significantly more straight forward, easier to use, and more accurate than using voice search with the on-board data base.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 258
Likes: 42
From: Raleigh, NC
Yup, it pretty much is garbage, simply put. All in-car navigation systems are junk.
Nothing beats Google Maps for constant updates of new roads, POIs and up to date traffic information for commutes. The way to go is to use Apple CarPlay I guess? Hook up the phone to the car screen.
Nothing beats Google Maps for constant updates of new roads, POIs and up to date traffic information for commutes. The way to go is to use Apple CarPlay I guess? Hook up the phone to the car screen.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 566
Likes: 50
From: Ontario
I find entering addresses by voice works better than I thought it would. I speak slowly and clearly the way an elocution teacher or drama teacher would approve of.
As for bringing me to wrong place, only really once. I had the address of a conservation area correctly input, but it wanted to take me to a shopping mall.
As for bringing me to wrong place, only really once. I had the address of a conservation area correctly input, but it wanted to take me to a shopping mall.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 235
From: SoCal
Yup, it pretty much is garbage, simply put. All in-car navigation systems are junk.
Nothing beats Google Maps for constant updates of new roads, POIs and up to date traffic information for commutes. The way to go is to use Apple CarPlay I guess? Hook up the phone to the car screen.
Nothing beats Google Maps for constant updates of new roads, POIs and up to date traffic information for commutes. The way to go is to use Apple CarPlay I guess? Hook up the phone to the car screen.
Rookie
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
I recently was in rural Texas about an hour and a half from my Austin home. The navigation system gave a route that I thought might be interesting so I tried it to see where it would go. I think it added about 40 minutes to my trip. The route was scenic as it brought me down small farm roads with no traffic at all. Unfortunately, it would have been a lot quicker for me to just go on the route that I knew and that involved highways instead of roads that were barely paved.
Within Austin, I think it does an o.k. job, but nowhere as good as Waze.
Within Austin, I think it does an o.k. job, but nowhere as good as Waze.
Trending Topics
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 258
Likes: 42
From: Raleigh, NC
I agree with you that all in-car navigation systems are terrible except when they integrate Google Maps (Audi). The problem I have with Apple CarPlay is that it will force you to use Apple Maps, which sucks almost as much as in-car navigation systems. I've had multiple instances where Apple Maps took me to dead ends, streets that don't exist, and weird routes that took longer. I don't trust Apple Maps.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 5,304
Likes: 1,593
From: SE PA
Hmmm. I thought that Waze was just an app that notified you of traffic jams and delays due to accidents, fallen trees, etc. I didn't know one could use it as a navigation device.
I had installed it but not used it.
I had installed it but not used it.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 235
From: SoCal
Whoever integrates Waze into their head unit will officially win the best OEM Nav system, in my book.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,897
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
Art
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,297
Likes: 1,225
From: IL
OP, you can press and hold "Mode" on the left steering wheel spoke to mute the music when
trying to hear directions. Press the small speaker icon on the lower map to repeat verbal
instructions. Repress Mode to return to music. Note: short jabs of Mode will change to a
different Mode, just like it says. Press long enough to Mute/unmute.
Bluetooth transfers verbal, Lexus Enform App Suite transfers data. LEAS is free forever
just download the App and enroll, e-mail/password/VIN. Add a third computer to enter
Navigation 1) Built in Lexus database, 2) Lexus Destination Assist (free for a year then
subscribe) and 3) Lexus Enform App Suite allows "Destination Search".
trying to hear directions. Press the small speaker icon on the lower map to repeat verbal
instructions. Repress Mode to return to music. Note: short jabs of Mode will change to a
different Mode, just like it says. Press long enough to Mute/unmute.
Bluetooth transfers verbal, Lexus Enform App Suite transfers data. LEAS is free forever
just download the App and enroll, e-mail/password/VIN. Add a third computer to enter
Navigation 1) Built in Lexus database, 2) Lexus Destination Assist (free for a year then
subscribe) and 3) Lexus Enform App Suite allows "Destination Search".
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: new jersey
OP, you can press and hold "Mode" on the left steering wheel spoke to mute the music when
trying to hear directions. Press the small speaker icon on the lower map to repeat verbal
instructions. Repress Mode to return to music. Note: short jabs of Mode will change to a
different Mode, just like it says. Press long enough to Mute/unmute.
Bluetooth transfers verbal, Lexus Enform App Suite transfers data. LEAS is free forever
just download the App and enroll, e-mail/password/VIN. Add a third computer to enter
Navigation 1) Built in Lexus database, 2) Lexus Destination Assist (free for a year then
subscribe) and 3) Lexus Enform App Suite allows "Destination Search".
trying to hear directions. Press the small speaker icon on the lower map to repeat verbal
instructions. Repress Mode to return to music. Note: short jabs of Mode will change to a
different Mode, just like it says. Press long enough to Mute/unmute.
Bluetooth transfers verbal, Lexus Enform App Suite transfers data. LEAS is free forever
just download the App and enroll, e-mail/password/VIN. Add a third computer to enter
Navigation 1) Built in Lexus database, 2) Lexus Destination Assist (free for a year then
subscribe) and 3) Lexus Enform App Suite allows "Destination Search".
Driver
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: new york
used the in-car nav about 5 times after i bought the car and haven't touched it ever since. I don't even have it on most of the time. Google maps/waze is the way to go. Faster, reliable, up to date and most importantly, it routes around real time traffic.