[Bandit]

A quick watch of just about any YT video review of just about any 2020 model will see the reviewer demonstrating the whatever inch  touchscreen that now controls this, that and the other and the resultant smooth shiny dash where there was once knobs and switches.

Now, I’m a driver with a lack of left arm and,  as such, find touchscreens far to time consuming and distracting, operating them on the go is just plain unsafe! At least with old fashioned knobs, switches and dials then you could quickly target the necessary knob and very quickly adjust or switch on/off whatever as required.

In addition to that, the better half is one of those people that suffers from fingers that just don’t seem to register with modern touch tech! Lol. So she sits there in the passenger seat swiping and finger stabbing with ever increasing savagery and annoyance!

So as you might have guessed, I’m firmly in the knobs and switches camp, preferably the chunkier and bigger the better.

What about everyone else?

Topic

[DBtruth]

I think the important controls like temperature or volume controls should have their own button for quick access but some of the lesser used buttons like radio station could be moved to the touch screen.

I don’t like a car with millions of buttons as it looks too messy but at the same time I’m not a fan of the Tesla interior with a massive tablet that controls everything. I just want something in between.

[mitch]

knobs and switches any day, i am like your wife touch screens dont like me.

thats why my phone is a blackberry with a keyboard.

[Ian]

Most definitely an issue, much more difficult to operate touch controls.

 

That being said most seem to have voice control so if that functions as planned it resolves the problem.

[ChrisK]

I love the touch screens menu’s because it allows for a lot more control of things you simply just would not get a few years ago with the likes of having the choice of the doors locking above a given speed or not, or if you prefer the satnav map to be orientated north or in direction of travel amongst others things.

Like you though I have no use of my left hand so her in doors has to take control of the screen while I’m driving but sometimes I think it would be quicker to find a lay-by and pull in to change something than try to explain to her what the compass icon looks like on the satnav map or whether its a real button by the side of the screen or an artificial one on the screen and its whereabouts on the screen when I need the orientation of the map changing just for half a minute. ?‍♂️

Thankfully I’ve got climate control that automatically controls the demister when the windows start to steam up but that’s control by real buttons anyway should something need changing so not too much trouble and over the 16 months we’ve had the car she knows how to control the climate control but don’t ask her to to stop the current Album from repeating itself as that is multi button presses and even has me foxed sometimes simply by lousy software in the infotainment system. ?

[Philjb]

These will get better over time, some at present are laggy and not easy to use on the move.
voice activation makes much more sense at present but again it needs to work well for it not to distract.

[Clipped wings]

Hi Chris,

Agree there are benefits in those menus while stationary but a distractive dogs dinner when on the move. At least mine has conventional climate controls. A former colleague has a new Q7 which he is regretting as says the old system was much better and he is a 777 pilot so well versed with technology.
like you my left hand is unsuited to touch screens as I have a delightful cocktail of dupuytrons and late onset mnd.(Kennedy’s)  Training the copilot is indeed a challenge!

[Winston]

I know nothing stands still and progress is progress, but I’d be lost without a knob…

??

When life hands you melons...,
Make melonade!

[Tharg]

Can’t stand touchscreens. Far too distracting, taking the eye and mind off of the real job – safely driving. Give me simple, easy-to-reach knobs and buttons (that are big enough to operate easily) for essential functions: lights, wipers, screen heaters etc. If the car MUST have all the minor electronic functions, mode switching, phone stuff, etc (i.e. things I don’t use) then by all means put it in a touch screen but make sure I can turn it completely off and stop it flashing, bleeping and nadgering at me.

[rox]

yep and those that have gone buttonless seem to be going back to buttons or knobs for certain important functions. as they’ve listened to there customers..

one reason i got my current car was because it had buttons. the previous one didn’t and the info sys used to crash alot and would only reboot after an engine restart.. jokes.

now the newest version has a slider for volume, imagine that just as you go over a speed bump max volume arhhhhh.. press the wrong place on the screen open another option.. All to change the temp or some easy task that not so easy in the real world on a screen with drop down menus and imo is as bad as using a phone when driving and now here’s the biggest problem my eye sight, i need glasses to read or even look at my phone but not for driving so i cannot see miles to go on sat nav for example or which option i need to press on the screen. so deffo buttons are easier when moving

 

[Author]

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