ES - 6th Gen (2013-2018) Discussion topics related to 2013+ ES models

Navigation Voice Recognition Sucks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-16-13, 06:57 AM
  #1  
scutmud
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
scutmud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NJ
Posts: 45
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Navigation Voice Recognition Sucks

Could not get the voice recognition to work inputting an address. It would not recognize the street name, and continued to get it VERY very wrong. My previous car gave you three attempts, after the third attempt it asked you to spell the name which worked flawlessly.

For a quiet car, smooth road, background noise should not be the issue.

See my youtube video:

feature=youtu.be"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGOHY-9RJ9U&feature=youtu.be[/URL]

Like the car, but continued to be frustrated for the poor execution of the electronic interface.
Old 04-16-13, 07:17 AM
  #2  
LexBob2
Lexus Champion
 
LexBob2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 10,990
Received 137 Likes on 111 Posts
Default

As much as I liked my two previous Lexus, I was not impressed with the voice recognition. I eventually gave up using it.

Current car works as advertised with no problems.
Old 04-16-13, 07:19 AM
  #3  
jollick
Racer
 
jollick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: GA
Posts: 1,696
Received 174 Likes on 152 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by scutmud
Could not get the voice recognition to work inputting an address. It would not recognize the street name, and continued to get it VERY very wrong. My previous car gave you three attempts, after the third attempt it asked you to spell the name which worked flawlessly.

For a quiet car, smooth road, background noise should not be the issue.

See my youtube video:

feature=youtu.be"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGOHY-9RJ9U&feature=youtu.be[/URL]

Like the car, but continued to be frustrated for the poor execution of the electronic interface.
Have you tried West Pratt?
Old 04-16-13, 07:55 AM
  #4  
amphipri0n
Pole Position
 
amphipri0n's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Definitely share your frustration on this. It's bad enough that you are locked out of key NAV commands when in motion, but when the voice recognition is this poor it pretty much renders the GPS useless unless you pull over and stop.

In Tahoe last weekend, I was trying to get to West Lake Blvd. I had to somehow learn that it would only take "Lake" and present the options for west lake on the final screen to choose from, unintuitive to say the least. (thumbsdown)
Old 04-16-13, 09:27 AM
  #5  
ElliotB
Lead Lap
 
ElliotB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

I find the voice recognition to be quite accurate!

but typically, I use Destination Assist for my navigation needs.
Old 04-16-13, 09:54 AM
  #6  
LexBob2
Lexus Champion
 
LexBob2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 10,990
Received 137 Likes on 111 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ElliotB
I find the voice recognition to be quite accurate!

but typically, I use Destination Assist for my navigation needs.
Same here. I used DA and eDestination all the time vs. voice recognition.
Old 04-16-13, 10:04 AM
  #7  
Joeb427
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joeb427's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SC
Posts: 11,670
Received 15 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

That video is funny and sad at the same time.Lexus NAV in general blows.
Newer BMW voice recognition works well.
Old 04-16-13, 10:08 AM
  #8  
unowned
Pole Position
 
unowned's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Lexus noticed too, so they added a real person to help you enter in destinations
Old 04-16-13, 12:10 PM
  #9  
Midnight_RX
Driver School Candidate
 
Midnight_RX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: CA
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I just wish they would add Siri (or Google Now) functionality so that I could actually get more useful information. That would probably be an easier fix than improving their own voice recognition system.

When I filled out the post purchase survey, I made sure I was very clear that the biggest weakness/driving hazard was their whole voice/navigation system.
Old 04-16-13, 12:30 PM
  #10  
Mike728
Lead Lap
 
Mike728's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: IL
Posts: 4,714
Received 615 Likes on 463 Posts
Default

This looks like a good alternative. If it works as advertised, anyways.
Old 04-16-13, 01:18 PM
  #11  
kepper
Driver School Candidate
 
kepper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by scutmud
Could not get the voice recognition to work inputting an address. It would not recognize the street name, and continued to get it VERY very wrong. My previous car gave you three attempts, after the third attempt it asked you to spell the name which worked flawlessly.

For a quiet car, smooth road, background noise should not be the issue.

See my youtube video:

feature=youtu.be"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGOHY-9RJ9U&feature=youtu.be[/URL]

Like the car, but continued to be frustrated for the poor execution of the electronic interface.
I completely agree with your comment- I too like the car, but the ease of use of the electronics/GPS is the real weak point. The voice recognition for navigation is also pretty useless to me. It has worked ok on my phone for calling people but other than that it has not been useful. I am amazed in 2013 that there is a sophisticated computer in the car that users are unable to customize to make it easier to do tasks that they commonly do. The auto industry generally and Toyota has been a laggard in electronics usability in their products.
Old 04-16-13, 01:40 PM
  #12  
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
 
SW17LS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 55,620
Received 2,521 Likes on 1,819 Posts
Default

Voice recognition works great in my 4GS, didn't work at all on my 2010 ES.

Try saying "Pratt Street". Is Pratt St in Baltimore in the map as Pratt, or is it West Pratt?
Old 04-16-13, 05:13 PM
  #13  
ElliotB
Lead Lap
 
ElliotB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Frankly, I wonder why anyone with a new Lexus vehicle would use the navigation system to manually input a destination instgead of using DA! I have 'played' with the navigation system and VR, but whenever I need to go somewhere, I always use DA.
Old 04-16-13, 06:21 PM
  #14  
LexBob2
Lexus Champion
 
LexBob2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 10,990
Received 137 Likes on 111 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ElliotB
Frankly, I wonder why anyone with a new Lexus vehicle would use the navigation system to manually input a destination instgead of using DA! I have 'played' with the navigation system and VR, but whenever I need to go somewhere, I always use DA.
The only downside is the annual $265 subscription fee. The convenience was worth it to me but I can see how some drivers wouldn't want to pay for the service.
Old 04-16-13, 08:57 PM
  #15  
Arty101
Lexus Champion
 
Arty101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 1,897
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

Elliot, I'm just the opposite. I would like to be able to do it myself for two reasons: 1) when my subscription runs out, I probably won't renew so I'll need to learn how to use it; and, 2) I feel foolish calling some call center to ask for directions (into the Nav). I know, it's me. My wife tells me the same, to use it since we have it.


Quick Reply: Navigation Voice Recognition Sucks



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:29 AM.