I test drove an ILX/Tech today and verified the nav system locks out critical functions while moving (setting/changing destination and some rerouting). These, and other functions, can only be performed by voice while the car is in motion. In my limited test drive it seemed to be somewhat accurate but most of the time I had to say a phrase, then pick from a list of similar sounding items. It seemed I had to do this for everything except the house number (city, state, street name, POI name, etc.). I crudely compared the time to do this by voice to entering it by hand in my 2007 TL nav system and the ILX voice commands seemed to take 4-5 times longer to accomplish thus making the system seem very awkward to use.

Based on current experience with our other car's navigation system (Lexus HS250h) that also disables critical functions while the car is in motion and requires voice commands (and it's voice command accuracy is downright horrendously poor) we absolutely hate the thought of having to rely on voice commands to work reliably. In fact, we have no intention of purchasing an in-car navigation system that requires voice commands while the car is in motion (unless it has a very very high accuracy).

So the question to anyone who has and ILX with navigation is - how accurate is the voice recognition? Does it get most everything correct, only half of it correct, very little correct? Does it seem very cumbersome to use or easy to use? If there was a modification or accessory to prevent the lockout of functions when the car was in motion would you install it?

 

I don't have an ILX nav but I do have a 1G TSX Nav and I've learned that if I speak to it in more flowing voice, ie not trying to say each number or word slowly and separately, that is understands me better. But usually I just use the screen and kill everyone around me.