Any negative points?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 28
... I have to say that the biggest negative for me is the mouse-trackpad style control in CarPlay mode. After 10 minutes I got used to the Acura absolute trackpad control and actually like it compared to trying to hover an outreached arm to a touch panel. But I find the CarPlay controls extremely finicky and frustrating. I have a hard time picking the control I want, I think often because it requires much longer gestures than I would prefer....I hope Apple and OEMs can work on supporting the Acura style trackpad natively. This will improve the system substantially.
I totally agree. After 2 months I still prefer CarPlay/Apple Maps to the Acura nav system, but the different touchpad implementation can be a distraction, especially when it does not seem to work equally well for all functions. For me, controlling “Maps” is easier than trying to answer a “hands free” phone-call via CarPlay using the touch pad. I’ve never thought of using Siri to answer the phone (not something I need to do when using the iPhone by itself), so I guess I’d better try it.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 385
Likes: 124
I haven’t had a chance to try it, but the thumb wheel on the left side of the steering wheel is supposed to answer an incoming call, right to answer and left to hang up. Does that not work when using carplay?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 259
Likes: 29
From: Minnesota
I thought you could use the controls on the left of the steering wheel - the “speak” button to answer and the “go back” button to hang up.
Also with CarPlay, answer defaults to pressing the pad and once you are on the phone I believe it defaults to end call - again pressing the pad. No need to search or move the cursor.
i don’t believe you can use Siri to answer but I’ve never tried it.
Also with CarPlay, answer defaults to pressing the pad and once you are on the phone I believe it defaults to end call - again pressing the pad. No need to search or move the cursor.
i don’t believe you can use Siri to answer but I’ve never tried it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 1,026
From: New Yorkie, Hudson Valley
Acura needs to put out better information about how Carplay works with their touchpad, and if and when Android Auto is installed, how that works too. They shouldn’t just leave everyone to figure things out for themselves.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 993
Likes: 257
From: Michigan
I think it's more Apple's/Google's responsibility to insure their software works on a given platform the same as the software that's native to that platform. It's not Acura's fault that the 3rd party developers can't/won't make the interface work as it should. It's also the developer's responsibility to document how the software works and having been in that industry for more years than I care to admit I know for a fact the last thing any developer wants to do is any form of documentation.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 1,026
From: New Yorkie, Hudson Valley
I think it's more Apple's/Google's responsibility to insure their software works on a given platform the same as the software that's native to that platform. It's not Acura's fault that the 3rd party developers can't/won't make the interface work as it should. It's also the developer's responsibility to document how the software works and having been in that industry for more years than I care to admit I know for a fact the last thing any developer wants to do is any form of documentation.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 509
Likes: 125
I think it's more Apple's/Google's responsibility to insure their software works on a given platform the same as the software that's native to that platform. It's not Acura's fault that the 3rd party developers can't/won't make the interface work as it should. It's also the developer's responsibility to document how the software works and having been in that industry for more years than I care to admit I know for a fact the last thing any developer wants to do is any form of documentation.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 993
Likes: 257
From: Michigan
You forgot to mention that Apple will also do absolutely nothing to 'play nice' with any other systems. Just one of a number of reasons why I don't own, and will never own, any Apple product. Makes no difference to me that CarPlay doesn't work 'cause I'll never have a need for it. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 1,026
From: New Yorkie, Hudson Valley
You forgot to mention that Apple will also do absolutely nothing to 'play nice' with any other systems. Just one of a number of reasons why I don't own, and will never own, any Apple product. Makes no difference to me that CarPlay doesn't work 'cause I'll never have a need for it.
I get ya. But the rest of the family went Apple, and I was the last with a cellphone, and it works well with the iPad, which was far better than I expected. So I am currently Apple, except on my main computer.
Having said that, I give no passes to anyone, and don’t much care who should be responsible for doing what from a software point of view. If I’m dropping big coin on a car, I want the car company to tell me how things work ON THE CAR. I am fairly techie, as are many here. Me, them, and my salesman Rey should not be out there on our own trying to figure this sh!t out. Some person up in Acura has everything down, or should be assigned to figure it out. (What? Are there no techies at Acura who are Apple heads?). Apple is a big company, Acura is a big company. Apple has techies, Acura has techies. Make a working group and put something out.
Get it figured out, move the info to the front line people who meet and deal with the customers, and let Acura’s customers feel that Acura is supporting them in this huge new automotive world we find ourselves in.
(Sorry for the rant, and geez I’m glad I am no longer a manager at the front line.)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 993
Likes: 257
From: Michigan
It's not just cars where this is an issue (my last 4 cars all had the same shortcomings). Any bit of technology in the marketplace today pretty much falls under the same cloud - TVs, phones, computers, etc. - they are all sorely lacking in documentation and user instructions. When was the last time you installed an app on your phone/tablet that came with any instructions at all beyond something at a very basic level?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 1,026
From: New Yorkie, Hudson Valley
I agree with you. Unfortunately the prevailing attitude among developers and their management is that "a well designed system doesn't need documentation" because it will be intuitive and self-explanatory. By providing documentation and/or instructions they will be admitting that the system is neither.
It's not just cars where this is an issue (my last 4 cars all had the same shortcomings). Any bit of technology in the marketplace today pretty much falls under the same cloud - TVs, phones, computers, etc. - they are all sorely lacking in documentation and user instructions. When was the last time you installed an app on your phone/tablet that came with any instructions at all beyond something at a very basic level?
It's not just cars where this is an issue (my last 4 cars all had the same shortcomings). Any bit of technology in the marketplace today pretty much falls under the same cloud - TVs, phones, computers, etc. - they are all sorely lacking in documentation and user instructions. When was the last time you installed an app on your phone/tablet that came with any instructions at all beyond something at a very basic level?
Apps? Never!!
But we few (we happy few, we band of brothers) who pride ourselves on RTFM, need some FMs dammit!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 111
From: Ontario
Having had the RDX now for a few weeks, my list of short comings is "short" lol. I have a Canadian A-Spec, white on red.
-Not being able to name favorites in the Nav. No biggie for places that have proper names, like a hospital or school, but civic address of friends or certain businesses that dont have names.
-All the metal and bright plastic looks great, but with the roof and/or windows open, you sometimes get some nasty reflections.
-The locks are some of the loudest Ive ever heard. When it lock/unlocks itself, the sound is very very audible, especially the gas door.
Positives..
-I still mostly use the Acura nav running mostly in the small screen for reference. Finding an address by category is easy and the guidance works perfect for my needs. I personally dont scroll around or zoom the map way out either. Very happy with the touch pad, sound system, etc, etc. Its very user friendly and Ive honestly never even needed the manual. But, I do own a current model TLX that has similar gestures and options.
-Seats and interior are great. Lots of room and the seats are very comfortable.
-Its pretty quick and handles great for an SUV.
-Fuel economy is now around 25mpg according to the readout, mostly city and some rural and highway.
-Not being able to name favorites in the Nav. No biggie for places that have proper names, like a hospital or school, but civic address of friends or certain businesses that dont have names.
-All the metal and bright plastic looks great, but with the roof and/or windows open, you sometimes get some nasty reflections.
-The locks are some of the loudest Ive ever heard. When it lock/unlocks itself, the sound is very very audible, especially the gas door.
Positives..
-I still mostly use the Acura nav running mostly in the small screen for reference. Finding an address by category is easy and the guidance works perfect for my needs. I personally dont scroll around or zoom the map way out either. Very happy with the touch pad, sound system, etc, etc. Its very user friendly and Ive honestly never even needed the manual. But, I do own a current model TLX that has similar gestures and options.
-Seats and interior are great. Lots of room and the seats are very comfortable.
-Its pretty quick and handles great for an SUV.
-Fuel economy is now around 25mpg according to the readout, mostly city and some rural and highway.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 9
Having had the RDX now for a few weeks, my list of short comings is "short" lol. I have a Canadian A-Spec, white on red.
-Not being able to name favorites in the Nav. No biggie for places that have proper names, like a hospital or school, but civic address of friends or certain businesses that dont have names.
-All the metal and bright plastic looks great, but with the roof and/or windows open, you sometimes get some nasty reflections.
-The locks are some of the loudest Ive ever heard. When it lock/unlocks itself, the sound is very very audible, especially the gas door.
Positives..
-I still mostly use the Acura nav running mostly in the small screen for reference. Finding an address by category is easy and the guidance works perfect for my needs. I personally dont scroll around or zoom the map way out either. Very happy with the touch pad, sound system, etc, etc. Its very user friendly and Ive honestly never even needed the manual. But, I do own a current model TLX that has similar gestures and options.
-Seats and interior are great. Lots of room and the seats are very comfortable.
-Its pretty quick and handles great for an SUV.
-Fuel economy is now around 25mpg according to the readout, mostly city and some rural and highway.
-Not being able to name favorites in the Nav. No biggie for places that have proper names, like a hospital or school, but civic address of friends or certain businesses that dont have names.
-All the metal and bright plastic looks great, but with the roof and/or windows open, you sometimes get some nasty reflections.
-The locks are some of the loudest Ive ever heard. When it lock/unlocks itself, the sound is very very audible, especially the gas door.
Positives..
-I still mostly use the Acura nav running mostly in the small screen for reference. Finding an address by category is easy and the guidance works perfect for my needs. I personally dont scroll around or zoom the map way out either. Very happy with the touch pad, sound system, etc, etc. Its very user friendly and Ive honestly never even needed the manual. But, I do own a current model TLX that has similar gestures and options.
-Seats and interior are great. Lots of room and the seats are very comfortable.
-Its pretty quick and handles great for an SUV.
-Fuel economy is now around 25mpg according to the readout, mostly city and some rural and highway.
Thanks for the feedback. Do you have a V6 tlx? how does it compare to the tlx in terms of ride quality and power and handling?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 111
From: Ontario
I have a 2018 V6 A-Spec TLX.
Umm, the TLX feels like it rides stiffer, but its not a huge difference. Lower to the ground, lower pro tires. I drive on some of the worst roads here in Ontario and Ive never blown a tire or felt either rides too rough for my daily commute.
The RDX feels quicker off the line, more tq and lower in the rev range. But the TLX will reel it in very quickly and prob has a much better time accelerating and passing once up to speed. V6 obvisloy sounds better and is smoother, but the 10speed in the RDX shifts better, so its a fair trade off lol.
Handling is where the RDX surprises me. It rotates very quickly and does not have any discernible body roll. The Goodyears howl pretty easily, so those are prob the weakest link.
Umm, the TLX feels like it rides stiffer, but its not a huge difference. Lower to the ground, lower pro tires. I drive on some of the worst roads here in Ontario and Ive never blown a tire or felt either rides too rough for my daily commute.
The RDX feels quicker off the line, more tq and lower in the rev range. But the TLX will reel it in very quickly and prob has a much better time accelerating and passing once up to speed. V6 obvisloy sounds better and is smoother, but the 10speed in the RDX shifts better, so its a fair trade off lol.
Handling is where the RDX surprises me. It rotates very quickly and does not have any discernible body roll. The Goodyears howl pretty easily, so those are prob the weakest link.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 104
Likes: 20
25mpg is really good for mostly city driving, I was reading some posts of people getting 19mpg. Does your Canadian model read out in MPG or do you have to convert it?
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 6
From: Chicagoland
I will also write it up in a separate post with screenshots.
The spoiler summary: CarPlay controls are not like a laptop trackpad. It operates on a grid system where you can move up/down left/right but not really diagonally. The CarPlay interface is divided into two screen sections: the left sidebar and the main area. You can control only one column at a time, swiping to get between each "column". If you're in the sidebar, swipe right to get to the main screen. Then you can control up/down and left/right on the grid to get to the controls you want--with a caveat that I will explain in the long post and video.
Once you figure out these tricks, controlling CarPlay is much easier but still not ideal.
One thing I have not figured out is how to rearrange icons. On the touchscreen interface it's just like any iPhone or Android phone: tap and hold until the icons wiggle and move them around. This does not appear to work in the RDX interface in iOS 11.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 385
Likes: 124
You can add, remove, and rearrange carplay apps on your phone, settings/general/carplay, then select your Acura.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post