Physical dials making a comeback?

[MAGS1]

I need to research this more, but it looks like VW has heard enough from their customers that they’re bringing back some physical buttons/knobs

Sponsored

 

[_zOmbIE_]

I don't mind screens over physical gauges, in fact I prefer them (the speedo in my viper is so small it's illegible) but I definitely prefer actual tactile switches over any touchscreen interface in a vehicle.

 

[MAGS1]

I agree, I don’t mind digital gauge clusters. But I do like physical dials for temperature control, radio, etc.

 

[_zOmbIE_]

For what it's worth, I kind of don't mind touchscreen "infotainment" systems (android auto and such), providing there's physical controls on the steering wheel for next/prev track and volume controls

 

[1 old racer]

I'm old school. I like gauges and dials.

 

[Cobra Jet]

The singular problem with “screens” is when nearly everything that used to be “touch” via a knob or button is now buried in layers of “menus” in some of these vehicles - and it SUCKS.

It’s a total distraction for any driver while driving having to use a display to scroll through menus to get to something that used to be simple as reaching without looking for changing the volume, changing a station, turning on/off HVAC system, turning on/off heated seats, etc…

VW has it right - the car is NOT a damn phone, so stop making it a distraction when needing to do something simple that shouldn’t be a mandatory need to take eyes off the road to make XYZ adjustment.

The other problem is, there’s way too much integration anymore with vehcile systems…. it shouldn’t be so complex and no one needs layers and layers of options in a freaking CAR… or TRUCK… or SUV. I’d be willing to bet anyone on this site that the average S550 owner hardly uses most of the buried menu options in the dash cluster OR the SYNC display/system…. A lot of it is just waste and some people don’t care, they want to experience the car and its performance aspects, not all the silly apps menus deep in the gauge cluster or center stack.

 

[robvas]

Hate them. Especially for stuff like HVAC. $1500 screen goes out and then what.

 

[Balr14]

If there's anything I want to use on my display, I have to park and read the owners manual.

 

[jputnam]

This is exactly why I wanted the base model with the analog dash and less controls. I do, however, wish I had the bigger screen and Android Auto. This might be the one thing I do change on my vehicle.

That, and cooled seating. I sat in a friends F150 using Forscan to disable the auto start/stop (the most idiotic thing ever put in a vehicle, period) and he had them on. I was shocked by how well they worked. I never liked the heated seats in my Tahoe or Suburban, but the cooling is amazing!

 

[-RAC-]

I'm really hoping the auto on and off goes the way of the automatic seat belts from the late 1980s. Remember those. One of the most annoying invention ever, until the auto stop start came along. Bring back the buttons and dials too.

 

[sk47]

Hello; Somewhat on topic are the questions of why manufacturers continue the trend to touchscreens when so many appear not to care for them. Or am I mistaken about this. Is it that the current crop of buyers tend to like the touch screen stuff.
I sort of understand, but not completely, the shinny new technology flood. Bragging rights for having more programmable features.
My neighbor had ridden with me in my older basic work truck. He eventually shows up with a new RAM pickup loaded to the gills with all the tech possible. He stopped by yesterday asking if I knew how to open the tail gate. He had a hard cover installed on the bed when he had the bed coated with something such as line-X. Turns out the tailgate locks and unlocks with the key fob as well as a non-mechanical latch.
The owner's manual was not in the truck so could not look anything up. My suggestion was to disconnect the battery for 30 minutes and see if the system rebooted. He declined and will spend a day at a dealer as it is still under warranty. Just as well since i do not know if there is a special procedure to follow on a new RAM.

Anyway, among the many frustrations of shopping for a new car, all the unnecessary tech is high on the list. Even a base level vehicle has too much of the stuff.

 

[Snakebyte]

Good perspective @sk47. Here is a good example of how electrical/electronics can increase safety concerns. This pic from a week ago near our neighborhood is of a car that incurred its current position from doing donuts in an intersection gone bad. [Not my car though it is similar]

Of course the root cause was not the inconvenient proximity to water.
Thankfully the car was only partially submerged and had a soft top, but with submerged electronics (such as door locks and door windows) how much more difficult would rescue have been with a completely submerged car. [In FL news of cars submerged in holding ponds does frequent the news].
Some may say, well, break a window. Have you seen people attempting to break windows of non-submerged cars? Often it takes a second, third, or more attempts for successful breakage. How well do you think a person can get a good swing to break a window on a fully submerged car? I love technology...but to a point.

 

[TXGTPig]

So I'm 100% a physical button, knob, switch, control, guy. Then again, I'm almost 50...lol. I loathe the all touch-screen controls in most vehicles these days. It's a complete PITA to actually find something and almost impossible to do while driving. With physical controls, you can rely on muscle memory, but not with a touch screen. Don't get me started on the damn temperature control functions in newer vehicles. Talk about horrendous!! I have yet to find a manufacturer who can do this right. It's either cold, lukewarm, or hot, nothing in between. Back with a manually controlled blend door, you could get the temperature perfect. These stupid "smart/sensing" temperature control units are a joke.

 

[jputnam]

So I'm 100% a physical button, knob, switch, control, guy. Then again, I'm almost 50...lol. I loathe the all touch-screen controls in most vehicles these days. It's a complete PITA to actually find something and almost impossible to do while driving. With physical controls, you can rely on muscle memory, but not with a touch screen. Don't get me started on the damn temperature control functions in newer vehicles. Talk about horrendous!! I have yet to find a manufacturer who can do this right. It's either cold, lukewarm, or hot, nothing in between. Back with a manually controlled blend door, you could get the temperature perfect. These stupid "smart/sensing" temperature control units are a joke.

That's why I am glad I stuck with the base model.

Sponsored