Why doesn't BMW or MB have touch screen nav?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 297
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From: Northridge, Ca
Why doesn't BMW or MB have touch screen nav?
Last weekend, I test drive both a 750LI and MB S550.
Both cars have the stupid "I-Drive" or "Command" joystick/mouse which you have to move.
Being that both cars are higher in price compared to the LS, why don't the German auto makers install touch screen Navigation systems?
Why so cheap?
Do they understand that using a stick/mouse is not easy. Touch screen is the way to go?
You they don't use touch screen because of cost?
What's your opinion?
Both cars have the stupid "I-Drive" or "Command" joystick/mouse which you have to move.
Being that both cars are higher in price compared to the LS, why don't the German auto makers install touch screen Navigation systems?
Why so cheap?
Do they understand that using a stick/mouse is not easy. Touch screen is the way to go?
You they don't use touch screen because of cost?
What's your opinion?
You'll get both sides debating on this. There are pros and cons to the touch-screen Nav, such as ease of use, but fingerprints and driving hazards while reaching for the screen.
It isn't about being cheap. It may actually be more expensive to create a Nav screen and a joystick/rotary device. It's a matter of philosophy...
It isn't about being cheap. It may actually be more expensive to create a Nav screen and a joystick/rotary device. It's a matter of philosophy...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
Likes: 2
From: CA
VW was developing a touchscreen system which also incorporated tactile feedback...but I don't know if this is in the same 'far off' realm as hydrogen vehicles, etc.
IMO, touchscreen is the way to go.
IMO, touchscreen is the way to go.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 917
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From: NY
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by tactile feedback, but they already have portable navs where the screen gives you a little "bump" to your fingers any time you press a button on the screen... so that you know you've pressed it. I tried it out at Best Buy and thought it was pretty cool.
Originally Posted by enigma888
VW was developing a touchscreen system which also incorporated tactile feedback...but I don't know if this is in the same 'far off' realm as hydrogen vehicles, etc.
IMO, touchscreen is the way to go.
IMO, touchscreen is the way to go.
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Originally Posted by RX_330
May be be a little hard to have to touch the screen at the height and depth it's at on both the BMW and MB compared the Lexus.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,388
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From: Michigan
Originally Posted by CK6Speed
That could very well be a possibility. For example. Acura uses both touch screen and joystick on their nav system. The TL is touch, but the RL is not. If you look at where the nav screen is on the RL it would be a little difficult to reach. I personally like when companies put the screen as high up and back as possible. For me it just makes it easier to see without turning my head too much away from the road. I kind of like that line of sight position.
I think MB/BMW's philosophy is that the driver shouldn't have to 'reach out' to touch the screen to do stuff. This kind of makes sense. Touch screens are fun geek technology, but many 'non-techies' still have trouble with it.
Granted, if a 'user' can't handle a touch screen they probably can't handle iDrive, MMI, or COMAND.
Voice commands over time may become the 'easiest'.
Granted, if a 'user' can't handle a touch screen they probably can't handle iDrive, MMI, or COMAND.
Voice commands over time may become the 'easiest'.
Originally Posted by RX_330
The EU now requires that nav screens be put within a certain degree from the drivers view for that very reason.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 9
From: Michigan
Originally Posted by CK6Speed
Do you happen to know what the degree is? Tha is good. I've always liked them that way. There are still diffrences between manufacturers so it would be interesting to see what the allowable off axis specs are.
Edit/Add: Eh, that site is so huge. This might take a while. I remember a while ago in some auto magazine like Motor Trend or something. They had a short article on the S-Classes new Night Vision and showing off the new stuff. It mentioned the EU and the regulations. I think it was in 2005 when they started to debut the S-Class.
Last edited by RX_330; Jul 18, 2006 at 05:21 PM.
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
I think MB/BMW's philosophy is that the driver shouldn't have to 'reach out' to touch the screen to do stuff. This kind of makes sense. Touch screens are fun geek technology, but many 'non-techies' still have trouble with it.
Granted, if a 'user' can't handle a touch screen they probably can't handle iDrive, MMI, or COMAND.
Voice commands over time may become the 'easiest'.
Granted, if a 'user' can't handle a touch screen they probably can't handle iDrive, MMI, or COMAND.
Voice commands over time may become the 'easiest'.
"Don't fix something that ain't broke" has a paired phrase: "Don't invent something that works like it's broken" (i-Drive)
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 476
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From: CA
ive been saying it but someone needs to combine the 2 technologies together. It would be practical to have a touchscreen to input letters and numbers, but a scroll wheel type thing for the menus. Having an ipod, i like the scroll option when scrolling through menus, songs, decreasing and increase stuff. So yah theres my 2 cents.
