Hi, everyone. New member. Looking to purchase a 2017 within the next 30-60 days.
For those that have a 2017, how is the navigation? Does it work well, do you like it etc???
Thanks!

 

I had a 2013 ES, which had a generation 7 navigation system, and I now have a 2017 ES, which has a generation 9 navigation system.

While the generation 9 system is not perfect, it has significant improvements over the generation 7 (and generation 8) systems.

The generation 9 system in the 2017 does much better with voice commands. It is a much better "natural language" system, and it is capable of understanding a much wider range of commands. Further, it much more capable of understanding what I'm saying. Perhaps, some of the reason for that is because it does have a learning mode to help it with recognizing how you speak.

The improved voice command capabilities extend beyond the navigation system to the audio system and climate control system. So, for example, you can use voice commands to have it set the climate control system to an exact temperature or to a specific radio station.

Also, with the navigation system, you can set the map view to a 3D bird's eye view.

 

so the 2017 ES/Gen 9 NAV kept the Remote Touch Interface (RTI) Joystick and did not switch to the Touchpad as was introduced with the NX?

 

That's correct

 

I have the 2017 ES nav system and before that had the nav in a 2011 IS250. I also have a Garmin I use in rental cars. The 2017 nav is very good, far better that the 2011 and as good as the Garmin. The best feature is that now it has lane guidance, where it shows you what lanes to be in for the next turn, mostly on freeways. Personally I have come to like the joystick better than the touch, but it takes getting used to. This is why car reviewers hate it, they don't spend enough time with it. There are also many other small improvements. You may want to download the navigation manual from the Lexus web site to see all the details (not sure if you have to be an owner to do this or not). I also like the feature where you can get automatically detoured around traffic jams (it asks before rerouting and you can decline the detour). The realtime traffic info is free, unlike back in 2011 where there was a monthly fee for it.

 

it seems odd to me that Lexus would not want to migrate all of their new Gen NAVs to the same interface. i would think they would want to be consistent across all models. it's simpler and cheaper - less R&D manufacturing, marketing, support costs to unify the NAV systems for all new models.

 

Lexus models don't debut at the same time though. Many new Lexus are getting larger infotainment screens which means altering the dash which costs money. This year the 2018 LS, NX and RC debut the latest Gen10 found on the 2018 LC. The voice recognition is getting better, and Gen9 isn't that bad.

 

Hi there
How to check it with nav I have on my 2016 ES300h??
Thank you

 

The 2016 ES has a generation 8 navigation system.

http://www.lexusnavigation.com/what-to-order/

 

Service just change my radio cause some mulfunction
Do you think it is possible it has newer then gen8??
How can you check it?
Thank you

 

i still find it strange that the same Generation NAV system can have two different user input hardware mechanisms ie. Joystick vs. Touchpad. one word sums this up for me - fragmentation.

 

If you pull out the SD card, it should have a part number on it. Then, use the link that I previously posted to see if that SD card part number matches up with a Generation 8 or a Generation 9 system.

Alternatively, if you go into the menu for the navigation system settings and if there is a setting there to enable the 3D view mode, it is a Generation 9 system, but, if there is no option to enable the 3D view mode, it is a Generation 8 system.

I'll bet, though, that, if the radio was replaced, it was replaced with the same Generation 8 radio that came with 2016 ES vehicles.

 

I'm not sure they know either. Seems they're still trying to figure out what route to go by. I.e. Remote Touch started with 'enter' buttons on the side, shed them, now has them back. Remote Touch Interface (pad) was implemented on non 'legacy' models like the RC, NX, and LC. LS bucks the mouse in favor of the pad. The latest touchpad functions light years better than the current RC and NX setup but it still has frills.

 

If I knew where is that sd card that would be easier
Thank you

 

I realized that Gen9 in the '17 ES has a downside that was confirmed today by the Technology Specialist at my local Lexus dealership. In the radio/sat mode it is no longer possible to have a split screen of station presets and song title/data. You can either view the presets or the song info, but not both. Who knows why the designers made this move, which seems backward to me.