It looks like we won C-NETs most frustrating car interface award.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10846_7-6812103-3.html

Funny it was the dash and controls that first convinced me my 96 RL was no longer the car for me.

 

Whats wrong with the controls and dash on a 96 RL?

 

You know, I've seen other car mag reviews where they complained about the number of buttons on the RL dash, but I don't get it. The buttons are there to make it easy to do things.

These same people b!tch about iDrive and similar systems that DON'T have buttons and instead make you tunnel through layers of menus to do simple things like setting your A/C.

People - you can't have it both ways!

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I'm used to the interface and it seems to work fine for me.

VR FTW!

 

I will say they could reduce the complexity of the climate control using two individual temperature knobs for the front rather than toggle switches.

 

Why don't they just use the voice recognition interface?

 

They must have very low IQ. Compared to the iDrive, the RL system is trivially easy to use plus the voice recognition actually works.

 

I'll tell you what's absolutely hilarious - follow the link above; then scroll down to the paragraph on the RL titled "Most frustrating interface - 2007 Acura RL"; then click on the picture of the RL interior. That takes you to another review at the following link:

http://reviews.cnet.com/sedan/2007-a...1.html?tag=img

that then says:
Maybe we should write to CNET and ask them to make up their minds?

 

Nothing was wrong with my 96, but the 06 looked so very pretty I could no longer continue shopping for the very responsible 04 I was seeking to replace my 150K 96.

 

I agree with Mike, more buttons=less menus.

RL interfaces, while complicated, are very logical and are relatively easy to use. I do think they could have merged HFL & VR on the same control. It is always awkward for me to operate the VR buttons on the wheel.

 

I think the interface is great. IMO it's ok to be complicated and the most technologically advanced. I wouldn't have it any other way. After all, this is why I bought the car!

 

Look at all of the buttons sitting below an Infiniti M nav system and tell me how the RL's is more confusing.

 

So how would they like Acura to enable all of the features of the car without buttons? Are they supposed to be working on some type of telepathic vehicle interface or should they make vehicles with less features?

 

WTF are those guys smoking at CNET? They admitted that they got used to BMW's iDrive.

 

We can all blame Steve Jobs for forcing his irrational fear of buttons into the collective idea of what constitutes a good design. Have you ever tried using an iPod while driving? Sure it looks sleek and all but it's a major case of form over function.

Physical buttons are much more ideal in an environment where your eyes are mainly preoccupied.

 

Voice recognition is even more ideal! Maybe Acura (or whoever does Acura's voice recognition) should continue to develop that technology.

 

iDrive is horrendous.

 

c-net has no credibility, at least cross-reference your original review. LOL!

 

C-Net has never written anything that was worth wasting my time to read. They are a hack job in my book.

 

In the shortsightedness of button bedazzlement, the writer overlooks the redundancy the RL offers. All of those buttons are also supported by voice commands and some even beyond that with steering wheel controls. You have OPTIONS.

But what would a good journalist be if not to research the product before making such a condemnation? Last I checked, that is called an ignoramus.

And beyond the sloppy job of this 'writer', the publisher (Cnet) contradicts themselves on the RL interface (as reminded by the post by ram_g).

With this kind of credible research, I'll be turning to Paris Hilton for advice on automobiles and technology.

"Paris, what do you think of the RL's interface operation? "

"It's HOT"

And the Pulitzer Prize goes to Ms. Hilton.... *applause*

 

I'm very surprised that a company that prides itself on electronic gadgetry would criticize the RL. Our car is the king of electronic gadgets in the the under $50K range.

We own the Rodney Dangerfield of cars- but I for one don't care. Best car I've ever owned.

 

The Japanese love toggle switches. In fact, when they started selling stereos in the US they used toggle switches for volume and Americans hated it so they switched to dials, which they viewed as inefficient and silly.

 

CNET just won the award for the most frustrating article for 2008. What a contradictory mess this article is.

 

Ignore the fake wood kit, but you'll notice how simple and straightforward this Civic's controls are. Honda should have stayed with the concept.

 

maybe you need to stop shopping for a used 05 or 06 and go for the car of your dream....take the money you were going spend and treat yourself to that new Civic...Civics have phenomenol resale value..."you can make it in a Civic"

I am sorry, but I am personally drawn to the complexity of the RL. While I don't have every operation down to 100% I am quite comfortable behind the wheel. it is what I want to drive. Without a doubt, the RL has a learning curve to be proficient in operation of the advanced technology items. Yet I ask the brethen of this forum, who amongs us feels inundated with the controls and features of the RL?

 

Umn, are you kidding. You can't possibly be mentioning a Civic's controls in any sort of comparison to the RL. I would hope that 25k more would buy me some additionaly functionality.

Having owned a Civic, the interface was simple because it only did 3 things. AC, Stereo and defroster! Honda did stay with the concept - in a Civic - you should go buy one as it sounds like it'll meet your needs. The civic even has a bigger cabin the MB C Class! LOL.

 

Took the words out of my mouth.

In order to deal with the kind of functionality the RL offers, it's necessary to "up" the complexity of the controls.

And as for the toggles for climate control, my guess is that came about because dials are associated with low-end cars and pickup trucks. Toggles allow for more precise control (one tap = one degree) and therefore are better suited to precise climate control systems that allow for multi-zone cooling and heating.

I personally like them.

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What complexity? Every button does only one thing. It's not like you have to hold down the 'fn' key while pressing the volume control to access the CD menu! No joke - my DVD recorder is harder to use than the Acura interface!

The RDX has up and down buttons instead of the temperature toggles and all it serves to do is take up more real estate in the dash area.....the toggles are so much better looking. I remember the C&D road test of the RDX, they had much the same complaint - "10 buttons on the steering wheel". I never noticed (or counted) until they brought it up.

 

By "complexity" I just meant the sheer number of buttons. I agree it isn't a complex task to operate them. C-Net thinks it's complex.

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If CNET took time to "RTFM" they would see how wrong they are.

There are only two unneeded buttons you have to push in the RL.....

1. The "OK" disclaimer when you start the car.

2. Having to push a button to get the MFD to display something.

 

Just replace it all with a big fat touchscreen that "infers" what you're going to do.

That is the only thing which will make everyone happy.

 

I do have to admit, the MID button is annoying. At least it goes back to the same function it was on last time. It would be worse if defaulted to something each time.

 

Anyone who finds the rl complex to sue has some serious intelligence issues.

I for one prefer buttons being there than having to go through 68 menus and as stated, voice control is there for anyone who has problems...and i'd like to think speaking isn't complex to many but maybe it is.