[Blacktemplar]

What's everyone's opinion of the seemingly ubiquitous replacement of physical buttons/switches in many cars by ever-larger touch screens?

What prompted this was a visit to my local Aldi dealer, and an idle look at the new model A6 and Q8 barges. Both have dual touch screens - one mounted on the dash for "infotainment" (god, I hate that word), and the other one which is angled on the lower dash/console and controls the heating.

It looks great in the showroom where it's kept polished & shiny, and the car is stationary - but I can't help but think that quite apart from being a ballache to keep clean, it's a dangerous distraction from the road, as you can't just reach for a familiarly-shaped knob () or button as you can with the F3X/F4X/G30. I guess there are still functions that can be accessed by steering wheel controls (limited) or by voice command (generally shite), but the Q8 in particular is severely lacking in physical stuff.

For my next car I would have seriously considered an A6 or G30 but the touchscreen technology puts me off the Aldi (no matter what else might put me off - like price/lack of power, lack of BHP per £ etc)

Given we're continually reminded that using our smartphones whilst even sitting in the car at the light may cause the Earth to implode, it seems a bit odd that technology like this is permitted by the Elf & Safety Wombles. I guess it's "for the yoof"/ iPhone generation....

Anyone driving something with (mostly) touchscreen interfaces - and if so, what are the pros/cons....?

[Zippee]

Simple answer. Its bollocks.

Slightly longer answer; ok if augmented by physical buttons or something like an iDrive controller.

But just a touch screen is cheaper so you know which way it will go.

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

What's everyone's opinion of the seemingly ubiquitous replacement of physical buttons/switches in many cars by ever-larger touch screens?

What prompted this was a visit to my local Aldi dealer, and an idle look at the new model A6 and Q8 barges. Both have dual touch screens - one mounted on the dash for "infotainment" (god, I hate that word), and the other one which is angled on the lower dash/console and controls the heating.

It looks great in the showroom where it's kept polished & shiny, and the car is stationary - but I can't help but think that quite apart from being a ballache to keep clean, it's a dangerous distraction from the road, as you can't just reach for a familiarly-shaped knob () or button as you can with the F3X/F4X/G30. I guess there are still functions that can be accessed by steering wheel controls (limited) or by voice command (generally shite), but the Q8 in particular is severely lacking in physical stuff.

For my next car I would have seriously considered an A6 or G30 but the touchscreen technology puts me off the Aldi (no matter what else might put me off - like price/lack of power, lack of BHP per £ etc)

Given we're continually reminded that using our smartphones whilst even sitting in the car at the light may cause the Earth to implode, it seems a bit odd that technology like this is permitted by the Elf & Safety Wombles. I guess it's "for the yoof"/ iPhone generation....

Anyone driving something with (mostly) touchscreen interfaces - and if so, what are the pros/cons....?

I guess it's more like touching a mobile phone screen that's in a holder whilst driving which is in fact illegal in the UK now and can see you with 6 points on your licence.. food for thought!

[pmgreenwood]

If you have the right driving position in relation to the steering wheel, then unless the touch screen is forward of /nearer to the wheel (and none are) and hence in the same arc. the screen must be a stretch (too far!!)

[teaston]

It is definitely taking things too far, but at least it’s better than the Tesla Model 3 with just a centre screen and doesn’t even have a speedo in front of you!!

[Zippee]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

If you have the right driving position in relation to the steering wheel, then unless the touch screen is forward of /nearer to the wheel (and none are) and hence in the same arc. the screen must be a stretch (too far!!)

Plus to execute any command, you have to actually look at the screen, potentially dig through a sub menu and find the action you require. Not to mention the dexterity of reach. Phones are manipulated by finger/thumb close to the held position, car touch screens require an unsupported arm and hand to precisely manipulate a part of the screen. Amount of time with eyes off the road to carry out the simplest of tasks?

[Ss66]

Personally think they are a dangerous distraction. Don't like them.

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by Ss66

Personally think they are a dangerous distraction. Don't like them.

They ought to be banned for this reason. Seriously dangerous.

[Zippee]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

They ought to be banned for this reason. Seriously dangerous.

I think if a fatality could be proven to be caused by the use of infotainment systems then the legal actions could cause manufacturers to rethink. Trouble is, that would be nigh on impossible at the moment. Fairly easy to prove that a phone was in use but the car systems would be difficult. HUD and steering wheel controls/usable interface to hand should be the only controls for 90% of the cars systems. They dont need to be used as a marketing tool to attract customers with the sheer amount of features it has.

Most car adverts today major on the fact that you can read Twatter, view Flidbook and live stream hardcore German porn on the move. Just drive the fucking car safely you cunts.

[Watsey]

In short, I hate them. Too distracting; too time-consuming; too dangerous.

The legislators are going to have an interesting challenge as more manufacturers appear to get caught in the momentum towards touchscreens. It's illegal to operate one's 'phone hands-on, but will it be illegal to operate it via a vehicle touch screen ?

IMO screens (including digital dash) should primarily display information. System interaction should come primarily from buttons or a rotary/push controller located in an ergonomic location.

We hired a C4 in France this years and using the touchscreen (the only option) to adjust vehicle functions was a real PITA.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

They ought to be banned for this reason. Seriously dangerous.

I'm surprised we have got this far and there isn't more regulatory discussion, setting out a safety influenced cross manufacturer protocol, for how we use touch screens in vehicles.

Nothing wrong with the technology, but on the move... seems like with mobile phones, the horse has bolted before shutting the stable door.

From a driver distraction and safety perspective, as soon as we move, touch screens should be automatically disabled, and no way to code otherwise.

[isleaiw1]

I had a Golf GTi with a touchscreen and it convinced me I don’t want another. My SQ5 has a wheel and menu like I-drive and it was one of the things I liked. No more Audi’s for me now they have touch screen (might get a last of the line SQ7 in a couple of years if it still has the same driver interface as now) - otherwise it will be back to BMW and a 640ix GT...

[JustChris]

Nearly had a few bumps in the Rangie, touch screen is definitely a distraction. It's teaching me to use the voice commands a lot more.

My ideal=

IDrive in motion.
Touchscreen and iDrive when stationary.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Hooded

I guess it's more like touching a mobile phone screen that's in a holder whilst driving which is in fact illegal in the UK now and can see you with 6 points on your licence.. food for thought!

Is that true? I thought a phone in a holder constituted a touchscreen interface not a hand held device and was therefore legal? God help the police trying to prove a case and distinguish the two if anyone decides to fight it....

[teaston]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Is that true? I thought a phone in a holder constituted a touchscreen interface not a hand held device and was therefore legal? God help the police trying to prove a case and distinguish the two if anyone decides to fight it....

It's definitely not true, says on government website you can use them with a dashboard or windscreen mount:

https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phon...riving-the-law

I use mine all the time whilst driving, I only use bimmerpost, social media etc. whilst stopped in traffic though.

[Ss66]

Should be designed so only useable when stationary.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Ss66

Should be designed so only useable when stationary.

Bit shit if you want to change temp or music whilst driving...

Biggest distraction to many drivers are kids and other passengers. Maybe they should be banned.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Nearly had a few bumps in the Rangie, touch screen is definitely a distraction. It's teaching me to use the voice commands a lot more.

My ideal=

IDrive in motion.
Touchscreen and iDrive when stationary.

I do think the latest iDrive is the best of all worlds.

[six]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Nearly had a few bumps in the Rangie, touch screen is definitely a distraction. It's teaching me to use the voice commands a lot more.

My ideal=

IDrive in motion.
Touchscreen and iDrive when stationary.

This would be a good compromise. I hate using touch when I have it in hire cars and that's just the interface, let alone the finger prints everywhere!

I've just been to see the new VW Touareg as part of my investigations into the replacement for my X5. The one I saw had the twin 'massive' screens and I have to say I found it way over the top and inelegant, for want of another way to describe it.

I drove back from Heathrow in the early hours last week and on the M4 in the unlit sections had to turn the brightness right down on the X5 screens, I really don't want anything bigger or brighter than what I have now!

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by six

This would be a good compromise. I hate using touch when I have it in hire cars and that's just the interface, let alone the finger prints everywhere!

I've just been to see the new VW Touareg as part of my investigations into the replacement for my X5. The one I saw had the twin 'massive' screens and I have to say I found it way over the top and inelegant, for want of another way to describe it.

I drove back from Heathrow in the early hours last week and on the M4 in the unlit sections had to turn the brightness right down on the X5 screens, I really don't want anything bigger or brighter than what I have now!

Agreed.

What did you thing of the VW. I thought it was going to be pretty special but inside was a big let down I thought?

Sorry OT.

[Ss66]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Bit shit if you want to change temp or music whilst driving...

Biggest distraction to many drivers are kids and other passengers. Maybe they should be banned.

Funny that kids and passengers are banned from the 440i. Only allowed in the other halfs car.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

They ought to be banned for this reason. Seriously dangerous.

Really? Ive done 23.5k miles in our Tesla. Did have a crash but that was an idiot in a Seat Ibiza (presume with physical buttons) failing to spot a 2 meter wide white SUV coming down the main road.

Everytime I get back into a car with physical buttons its like trying to use an old Nokia phone, its alright but don't so much faff.