I know this is going to sound like a total blashphemy in this forum and I am going to get flamed, but although I think the voice commands are cool, somehow I ended up not using them as I prefer reaching out and pushing a button or turning a knob instead.

Part of the reason why I became this "voice command renegade" is that the car only understood my commands about 60-70% of time and only when I really spoke up, which I found tiring. The second thing that discouraged me was the delay in execution of some commands.

Having said this, I acknowledge that some commands can save a lot of button pushing, such as going from min to max screen brightness, playing a specific song on a CD, or adjusting the heat to max, but I still do everything manually for the above reasons. IMHO, the most useful commands are "find the closest xyz" when traveling.

 

I agree with you and have not made much use of the voice commands for the very same reasons you've given.

While the concept is good in theory, the execution leaves much to be desired. The biggest problem, to me, is the slow response time to the commands. Honda needs to work with their system supplier to seriously improve the speed of the command processing.

And I've noticed some commands are mis interpreted regardless of how carefully and clearly you say them. The system easily confuses FM and A/C on commands.

 

The only time I find I am using the voice commands is when someone else is in the car and I want to show off the voice command capabilities. Unfortunately, the system only recognizes what I have to say about 2/3 the time!

But to be fair, I haven't exactly studied the command list. I am almost certain that I am saying things incorrectly. I know I should be saying AIR CONDITIONING instead of A-C.

 

The only voice commands I use are for hands free link and "find nearest ...." Other than that, it's a lot faster to just change the settings yourself than wait for a response.

 

I don't use the voice commads either except for the hands free link. It's easier to just push a button or turn a knob.

 

If I want to tune a specific XM channel, change from radio to CD (or vice versa), find the nearest something, or something like that, it's Voice all the way. Otherwise, the buttons are much quicker.

 

Depends on what I am doing and where I am. To turn on the radio or tune it, or to play a CD, I always use the voice commands. Same thing to find the nearest gas station, etc. Climate control varies. If it is night, and I am on a rural road with the dash lights at minimum, I use the voice controls so that I don't have to look for the buttons, especially if I want to put it into dual mode or operate the defrosters. If it is day, or if I have the brightness turned up more, I may use the buttons.

 

I only use it to access XM channels that aren't on my presets or change the zoom on the navi screen.

Now, if it were a bigger vehicle like my truck where you have to reach for the buttons, I would use it much more often. I find it just as easy to push the button I want as to push the nav button and talk.

 

I agree wholeheartedly. I use HFL only, and even that leaves a lot to be desired. (But the "find nearest..." function works pretty well)

 

Yeah I agree too.. I never use the voice commands unless I am showing it off to someone new.

I have used it for the nearest xyz though... other than that.. nothing..

Much easier to use the controls manually

Ryan

 

I use almost only voice commands maybe because it understands me really well and I don't have to shout. The only problem is someimes with the number 8 when I tell it radio stations. After a full year of using it, I won't go back to a car without this option.

 

Actually, most of ppl prolly do the same thing as you acugirl do, turning the knob or pressing the button instead of talking to TL. Or ppl just use those common commands to communicate with TL. Not only is the accuracy and conveniency the system could provide doubtful, but also its usefulness and efficiency isn't quite as good as the regular physical operation (press buttons & turn knobs).


Althought we're using version 1 voice command system from Acura, I think this system is still better than HFL in voice recognition, and this system puts us in front of lots of other competitors.

 

good thread

 

Yupeee, I am not weird ... (joking). Thanks for the feedback, everybody. I sometimes feel like I am not using the full potential of the car because I did not extend my XM subscription (I am one of those "unlucky" people with a too short commute), I do not use voice commands, and I do not have a cell phone, yet I do have the navi because I believe it is worth the price even without HFL.

Here is what I would LOVE to have in the car - real time Doppler radar info akin to what you can see on weather.com. It is not a big amount of data to trasmit and it would be great to have one XM channel devoted to pictorial real time weather data. Any midwesteners who got hailed on?

 

Excellent idea!

 

I never use the voice commands except the HFL. Also, I use them when to show off when someone wants a tour of my car!

 

I hardly ever use them either. Only to show them off to friends.

 

what he ^^^^^ said

 

XM does have this capability as well as many others. I think they are trying to expand their services past just radio. I haven't seen anything offered OEM yet, but I bet it won't be too long and you could do some sort of conversion. It is a pretty pricey subscription at this point in time.

http://www.xmradio.com/weather/overview.html

 

If I read their pdf correctly, they want $99.99 per month. I think I'll pass at that price point!

 

I was able to get the $60.00 a year deal....Otherwise I beleive its $9.99 a month not $99.99

 

My post was in regards to live weather satelite imagry. Did you read the pdf referenced, or were you just assuming?

 

You would probably want the basic aviation service which is around $30/mo, but it is still expensive.

 

the only real voice command i use is "Go Home"

 

I use the Voice Commands for a alot of things actually one thing i don't do is Climate Control.....i use it for the XM satellite radio because turning the knob 150 million times to get to the right station annoys me....i also use it for the CD Player....the Nav System (GO HOME...Find the nearest....etc) and i use it for my bluetooth theres not really much else u can use it for...i find it useful in some situations but i totaly understand what your saying.....i use the voice commands more when people are in my car just to show it off the :-)...but nonetheless its very useful....also....the voice command systems are fairly new im sure that over the next 5 years more cars will have this in them and over the next 7-10 years things will be perfected

 

I use voice commands almost all the time. Except when first starting when I usually have the climate control set, rear defrost (when needed) and the radio all before that damn stupid "OK" even comes up on the nav screen.

But once it's ready, I pretty much stick to both hands on the steering and use the buttons on the steering (voice commands included). Now, if only I could have RL style shifting paddles on the steering for the sportshift.

95% of the time the voice commands are dead on. They really did a nice job with this (no voice training needed either). Compared to voice commands on my Tablet PC (Commands, not dictation), the TL is far more accurate.

Of course I don't all the voice commands but I do know the ones I most often use (climate control, CD/DVD, Finding locations).

 

I use a combination. There have been times (like driving in a foggy mountain area) where the voice commands for radio, NAVI, etc. have been invaluable.

However, you left one thing out. What about when you're showing the car off? I love giving demos of the car. It blows people away.

 

I just discovered last night that you can say "Radio Select [mode]" (e.g., "Radio Select XM-1") in lieu of the "Mode" button on the steering wheel. I rather like that one and think I may use it a fair amount because I am always flipping around looking for something, and it allows you to voice-switch to the CD without starting the disc or track over.

 

Yeah. The WOW factor is just great. Sometimes I just have a friend along for he ride, like going golfing, and as we're going there I voice command something. It usually blows their mind. One of my golfin buddies has an older BMW 325 and he's looking for a new car now. After being in my TL he now has the TL at the top of his list. This is from a guy who would have never considered an Acura before. Nice!

 

There's a lot of features I just haven't gotten around to learning/using yet. Still enjoy just driving my 6 sp. MT. Will get to them eventually. Plan on having this car for quite a while


Actually, what I would love are two things I had on my old car - Twilight headlights (came on automatically at dusk) and a "Heads Up" display. Speedometer, outside temp, warning lights, etc. were displayed as 3-D image on bottom of windshield. Never had to look down at dash behind wheel. Really loved it and miss it.

 

What I find really blows people's minds is if I tell THEM to do the voice commands. I showed the car to a lot of people at tailgates this fall and they assumed that I had trained it for my voice (like a cell phone); they were skeptical when I said I hadn't, so I'd say, "OK, here, after you hear the beep, say Radio 97.5 FM." And of course it worked! I think I may have sold a couple of TLs for Acura judging by how much some of those folks liked the car.

 

I use it mostly at night so that I keep my eyes on the road looking out for those pesky deer!