I am beginning to hate the Navigation in my 4RX (merged threads)
#16
I highly recommend a training session with a Lexus Technology Specialist to help you get the most out of your car's navigation. Is it perfect? No. I get it's hard to beat Google maps. But it's nice having an integrated system. First I suggest you download Lexus Enform App Suite. It's free to download and use forever. It helps greatly with POI. You do not have to manually type POIs in. If it's a national chain just use the voice commands "Find McDonald's", "Find Starbucks", Find Italian restaurants", "Find Walmart" etc. For local POIs (local businesses), the App Suite is helpful. Using your voice command "Launch Destination Search", it should take you to the app's screen and ask you what you would like to find. Just tell it what you are looking for. There are even suggestions on the screen to help guide you. Always remember to wait for the beep when using voice commands. Maybe get in the car and play with it and get comfortable with it before you hit the road. There is also a voice training function that helps the car understand your voice.
#19
I found a way around it to get the perfect navigation and infotainment system.
1- a cell phone holder to attach to vent
2- an android phone ( i have Samsung note 5)
3-Android Auto app on the phone
4- the phone will automatically launch Android auto when Bluetooth connects
5- from here it's all hands free. Google voice commands does everything, including initiating any action.
5- you can start Navigation hands free, broadcast sound over car speakers when playing music through Spotify, Google music, pod cast our what ever what you like to listen to.
6- you can also listen to incoming SMS, hangout, Viber, whatsapp, without looking at any screen and reply hands-free. The information is only readout andnot displayed for safety.
I love this setup.
You get complete hands-free with voice commands system that understands everything you say and Op to minute traffic conditions.
It's also always up-to-date. No need to pay the dealer to update maps.
1- a cell phone holder to attach to vent
2- an android phone ( i have Samsung note 5)
3-Android Auto app on the phone
4- the phone will automatically launch Android auto when Bluetooth connects
5- from here it's all hands free. Google voice commands does everything, including initiating any action.
5- you can start Navigation hands free, broadcast sound over car speakers when playing music through Spotify, Google music, pod cast our what ever what you like to listen to.
6- you can also listen to incoming SMS, hangout, Viber, whatsapp, without looking at any screen and reply hands-free. The information is only readout andnot displayed for safety.
I love this setup.
You get complete hands-free with voice commands system that understands everything you say and Op to minute traffic conditions.
It's also always up-to-date. No need to pay the dealer to update maps.
Last edited by toyotaman7; 01-17-17 at 11:17 AM.
#20
Always have been a long term fan of Toyota and Lexus products. (5 Solara's, a Corolla, and a GS350, not to mention the countless Toyota products I helped friends and family get). My parents switched to Kia and I was all set for the RX350 or XC90 but the infotainment on the RX and the very high rate of quality issues on the XC90 tipped me into the Q7. So frustrating that Toyota and Lexus refuse to adopt CarPlay or Android Auto. It is proven tech and works flawlessly... I cannot think of a single auto manufacturer that is not committed to AA or Carplay. Hope to be back in the family one day but whoa the Audi infotainment coupled with the Carplay is a different world over the Lexus product and works to perfection. Love the RX inside and out - but infotainment is such a huge part of the purchase decision now.
#21
Audis moto is "vorsprung durch technik" or advancement through technology.
Toyota's is stick with what you know and have done for years. if it ain't broke, don't mess with it.
That means as long as people but their cars, they will not adapt new technology.
To be fair, new technology is much more prone to issues, like the engine in our cars (vibration and hesitation). Which is why Toyota hesitates to use anything new, unless they really have no choice.
Toyota's is stick with what you know and have done for years. if it ain't broke, don't mess with it.
That means as long as people but their cars, they will not adapt new technology.
To be fair, new technology is much more prone to issues, like the engine in our cars (vibration and hesitation). Which is why Toyota hesitates to use anything new, unless they really have no choice.
#22
What too many steps. You hit the voice button. Say find POI, then say what you are looking for. How is that too many steps?
#23
The manual process has too many steps. For the life of me I cannot get the voice recognition to understand me. It is not very accurate for me. If it were accurate that would solve the manual entry problem. Another issue is if I speak the POI and there are multiple locations. The system will list how far each is away from my location, but not the address or street number. So if you are looking for let's say a specific Chevron station and it is on "Foothill Street". The nav will list 5 and how far they are from you not the street name. As a result you must then go thru each one to determine which one you want.
#24
The problem with OEM navigation systems from my brief experience with them are 1) updates are slow and expensive and 2) using anything but a qwerty keyboard that you physically interface with and NOT using a touchpad, mouse, dial is infuriating.
I think our navigation system is no better/worse than anything out there, with the exception of tesla- since they give you a keyboard.
I've used it a few times to test it vs. google maps and it gave me the same directions. It is nice to have on the highway as it will tell you how far away the next few exits are and what's available. It's also nice to have a real-time map as you drive and the integration into the car and having the screen at eye level is a plus as well.
Yes google maps on my phone is superior, but there are still lots of touches before it gives you directions. First you have to pick up the phone, unlock it, get to the home screen, click on google maps, click on the text box, type in the address, click the button to start navigation. Voice is just too annoying to use for me. And yes, Toyota is idiotic for not using carplay/android auto.
I think our navigation system is no better/worse than anything out there, with the exception of tesla- since they give you a keyboard.
I've used it a few times to test it vs. google maps and it gave me the same directions. It is nice to have on the highway as it will tell you how far away the next few exits are and what's available. It's also nice to have a real-time map as you drive and the integration into the car and having the screen at eye level is a plus as well.
Yes google maps on my phone is superior, but there are still lots of touches before it gives you directions. First you have to pick up the phone, unlock it, get to the home screen, click on google maps, click on the text box, type in the address, click the button to start navigation. Voice is just too annoying to use for me. And yes, Toyota is idiotic for not using carplay/android auto.
#25
Yes google maps on my phone is superior, but there are still lots of touches before it gives you directions. First you have to pick up the phone, unlock it, get to the home screen, click on google maps, click on the text box, type in the address, click the button to start navigation. Voice is just too annoying to use for me. And yes, Toyota is idiotic for not using carplay/android auto.
You can do much the same thing without AA on the car by using the AA app on your phone but it's soooo much better integrated into your vehicle. Not even close and Google has announced wireless connectivity that will eliminate the need to plug your phone in USB. This is with an Android phone so Car Play may be different.
#27
Interesting that no one has mentioned the tremendous inconvenience of the "Lockout" while driving. If voice commands were as smooth as with the phones then it wouldn't be such a pain, IMO. Not competitive with what most other brands allow while driving. Once I started shopping RX competition I realized how outdated the RX has become.
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Hyatt (11-06-19)
#29
Agree 100%. Love everything else about our two Lexus's. Just on vacation in Florida and rented a Buick Lacrosse through Avis with the option of navigation. They gave us a Garmin to stick on the dash. First you could use it while driving. Thanks Garmin for having faith in me or assuming my passenger/wife can enter data while I am driving. Finding locations in categories was much more accurate. Once a destination was set, it was so much easier to follow the directions both visually and verbally. It was so much more intuitive with up coming turns, roads etc...
#30
RX-350 Nav System
The Japanese are usually always so ahead of the curve with technology, however with my 2016 4th Generation RX they have failed. I never thought I would say that the infotainment and navigation system on an American made Cadillac is better and more advanced. Well the Cadillac navigation and infotainment is superior. We had to drive the Cadillac rental(after an accident). Shame on Lexus/Toyota for saddling this car with such a poor navigation product. The navigation is so not user friendly that it has become useless to me. So much so that I use Google Maps or WAZE for directions and navigation due to their ease of use. As a long time customer(13 years) I must say that I am disappointed. No Flames please.
1. The navigational destination map does not show alternative directions when there are any issues ahead on the road.
a. There is no way to easily select an alternate route while driving.
Solution: A dual route indication on the map with the ability of selection would make the choice much easier.
2. Navigational messages/notices do not stay activate for a longer time.
a. There is no way to have them stay up longer.
b. Cannot go back to review messages.
Solution: Have messages/notices stay up longer. This could be accomplished by allowing the operator set the time duration in the setup menu.
3. Remote Touch **** (mouse) is too sensitive and moves too quickly.
a. There are no settings to slow it down. It is hard to control when you are driving. In truth all settings and informational choices should be available in the parked position of the vehicle.
b. Better control settings need to be designed for the operator. Spending so much time making a selection while driving is dangerous.
Solution: Have the arrow buttons on the steering wheel active when notifications come up. A touch screen for the larger navigational screen would be helpful.