So Acura smartly put me in a 2009 tech package TSX as a loaner car for my 2005 NAVI TSX.

First let me say that the driving/steering experience was much better in a "real" drive vs. the 2 test drives I took previously. And this was the first time I was able to try out the tech package.

While I really love the features and capabilities, I am pretty stunned to report that usability-wise, the 2009 TSX requires a lot more clicks, turns, and overall attention than my 2005 TSX system does. In fact, it appears to be dangerously interactive...to the point that I was spending too much time looking at the screen as I twisted the dial instead of driving!

I was also a bit put off by the dial/press device. I want it to be all integrated, but you can't use the outer right to scroll... all that surface area simply to press in? Weird.

Also, isn't the control knob a bit far away from the driver to regular usage? Makes me think that the iDrive knob might be better than Acura's new UI???

For those who have the tech package, please provide your experiences and thoughts on the topic.

Thanks,
Jon

 

Ah, you got lucky. I was hoping to get a new '09 as a loaner when I had my '04 in last week for service, but they gave me an '08 instead. I was little disappointed, as I had wanted to try out the new model. I haven't driven one at all yet, just sat in it in the showroom.

 

Interesting ... the Consumer REports review of the 1GEN TSX included a note that the touch-screen navigation system was "the easiest to use." "The controls are logically placed and lighted at night, and the navigation system is very intuitive." There goes that baby with the bathwater...?

 

Seems to support the theory that the handling improves as the tires wear in.

 

If you turn the voice prompts "ON" everytime you turn the knob it tells you what menu/sub menu you are on. As well, everything can be controled by voice commands. I spent some time getting to know the system while waiting for a Ferry and it's pretty trick. Although I do agree that until you get familiar with how everything works, it's a pain and very distracting.

The other nice thing about the tech is that when a song comes on through XM it keeps the artist and song name displayed the entire time. My wifes car, which is a premium model TSX only displays it when the song initially starts. The reason I like this feature is that I can write the song name down then download it when I get home.

I can't say that the extra three speakers make a huge difference in the car. But the extra wattage does. The base in the Tech seems stronger then in the Premium.

The GPS works very well and the back up camera makes it easy to park without having to worry about how close you are to the car behind you. No more having to use store front windows to gauge how close I am.

All that said, if I could only have the tech package or the Aero package I would go with the Aero package. It's my opinion that it finishes the look of the car and makes it look a lot better. I have both the tech and Aero package on my car and I love it.

BTW I always drive with the VSA turned off and all lights on.

 

The thing that people are either going to love or hate w/ this car is that it will take you sometime to get acclimated, but once you do I think most people will be about 90% handsfree.


Don't forget you can also store a 10sec song example, along w/ its title,artist,album. I can't remember exactly, but I believe you can store up to 30 songs/titles!!


Ohhhh, maaaan... Do I LOVE the back up camera and titling side mirror.

 

On the base TSX if you press TITLE, with each press the artist, title, and album stays displayed in that order.

The tech package stereo actually has less watts per channel than the base. I think it's 360 x 7 for the base (51 per channel) vs. 415 x 10 (41.5 per channel) for the ELS. The extra total watts provided with the upgraded stereo have to be divided among those 3 extra speakers, so you end up with less watts per channel. The tech does have dual subwoofers vs. a single one for the base, so that would explain why the bass sounds more powerful.

 

Does pressing the title button work with XM stereo. My wife is not here so I can't test it for myself. I know you can display title etc when you are using the usb or cd player.

 

How about the reflections created by the "protective screen" in front of the navi screen? There were several situations where it was unreadable due to glare. It makes me wonder why they even have that screen!

Any thoughts on that little design flaw?

 

Very, very few times have I had enough glare to disturb me. Most of the time I have the Navi on voice, so even if I can't see it, I can still hear where I need to go.

 

Does anyone think it's possible to remove the protective screen? Does it actually serve a purpose?

 

I thought of going to my local stereo shop to have them fabricate a "visor" that would clip onto the dash.

 

I was thinking the same thing. Seems like an unnecessary protector. Also, the distance from the nav screen seems to work against the size. If it's the same size as the prior gen's nav screen (I think it is), then the distance from the driver actually makes it smaller in terms of relative size.

What a strange design decision (IMHO). I really liked the 1st gen navi/control scenario. I just put a little cloth in my cubby to clean off the screen once in a while. Yeah, I can see how that fingerprint thing sticks in the craw of designers and marketers, but in terms of driving safety and usability, I think it is a net-win.

If the voice-activation is really superior to the 1st gen's, then maybe I'd have to give it a bit more of a chance than I otherwise would. The 1st gen's voice control was good for the "find nearest" functionality, but usually, the buttons worked best for most everything else.

Now, it seems like a lot more twisting and turning to get things done. Is this true, or is this a function of not being adjusted to a new UI metaphor?

Jon

 

The new TL has a "hi-rez" navigation system. Has anyone seen it yet and know how it compares to the humdrum navi GUI in the TSX? I wonder if the 09 Navi system is upgradable and will get a nicer GUI in future versions?

 

The enhanced voice commands are not that great. And voice commands are, at least to me, inferior than direct commands.

The logic seems to be that you can make a control change quickly, without your hands leaving the wheel.

But you must completely stop what you are doing -- listening to the radio, talking on cell phone, etc, -- to initiate a voice command.

It is more distracting than simply pushing a button or two to get the change you wanted.