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11.6 inch screen worth it?

Discussion in 'Prime Audio, Electronics, and Infotainment' started by aznkorboi, Jan 25, 2017.

  1. aznkorboi

    aznkorboi Junior Member

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    Hey everyone!

    Getting a Prius Prime most likely for the wife and was wondering if the 11.6 inch screen is really worth it?

    Aside from the large screen that's fun to play with is it worth getting?

    I don't like how everything is touch screen!

    I like the ability to have actual physical buttons for the climate control with the smaller screen.

    Thank you!
     
  2. James Wells

    James Wells Junior Member

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    I have a Premium. Got it because I wanted the features like the interior upgrade. As for the 11" screen - not worth it. Poor user interface by today's standards (iPhone/Android/etc) and very poor navigation vs Google Maps. I would have gone for the 8" screen if that were available.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  3. Magafia

    Magafia Junior Member

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    I've seen many posts about folks annoyed with all the distracting light. I got a Plus trim because I could not find a Premium after months of searching in Florida. I don't feel I'm missing out at all and am super happy with my purchase. You can't go wrong either way.

    Pixel XL ?
     
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  4. aznkorboi

    aznkorboi Junior Member

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    Darn. LOL. That's what I thought. I wouldn't even use the huge maps because google maps is far superior.

    Now i'm looking to try and build the prius and it seems that they won't even let you choose to have that option because we want the Advanced version with the HUD, Park assist, etc. Hmmm...
     
  5. kevin54

    kevin54 Member

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    I have the 11.6" on the Premium and I wouldn't go back to a smaller screen. Although if I had gotten the smaller screen I'm sure I'd be happy. But not after having the larger. I also find the interface great but perhaps I'm easier to please.
     
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  6. SleazyE

    SleazyE New Member

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    The large screen is great! You won't want to go back after having it. For anybody saying the light is distracting they must not know about changing it to night mode which makes the background dark.
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the screen isn't an option. it's not on the plus, but is on the premium and advanced. after test driving an advanced, i wouldn't buy the upper levels for the screen, but maybe there are other options i might be interested in.
    agree on the knobs and buttons. flipping through screens while driving and trying to punch icons is extremely distracting.
    idk if the plus has any more buttons though.
     
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  8. ruby

    ruby Member

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    Personally, I think it is worth it, but why not ask your wife what she would like? There are lots of demo videos on YouTube if you can't see one in person in advance. A car is a big purchase, so no sense being annoyed with it one way or the other if you think she might have a preference.
     
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  9. CaliforniaPrius

    CaliforniaPrius Active Member

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    The cross traffic/pedestrian alert is vital. I just had a scenario where it rained very hard. I was tired and drenched in water, eager to go home. Started the car and started to back it up. Thank God I have the warning. You know what Costco parking lot looks like in weekend.

    Have to get the advanced. The big screen is a bonus.
     
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  10. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    There is a novel idea.
     
  11. PrimeOwner_CA

    PrimeOwner_CA Junior Member

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    The 11" screen is awful and if you've used any smartphone since the original iPhone you will be badly disappointed. Toyota would have been better off having no screen and instead putting an iPad mount in its place.

    That said we went with the premium for the leather seats and better sound system. The screen also looks nice if you aren't actually using it ;).


    iPhone ?
     
  12. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    If you spend time renting out Tesla cars and at the beginning is distracting...and over time it just grow with you......it is revolution in car interior that many car company's this days use.......just give it a time you will start loving this especially once aftermarket development in software crack the code....there will be infinite possibility to have this huge screen to play with......
    I personally love it.....
    Just remember that safety should be first .....play with it once you are parked
     
  13. Will_Prius16

    Will_Prius16 Member

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    If I had to do it over again, I would likely settle for the Plus Model over the Premium Model only because I miss the physical buttons on the smaller screen. The larger screen is pointless when it doesn't offer much functionality and is actually very cumbersome when trying to change HVAC settings. I'm coming from a 2016 Prius so I really miss those physical buttons
     
  14. CaliforniaPrius

    CaliforniaPrius Active Member

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    Why do you have to change the temperature settings that frequently? For my family, one temperature fits all.
     
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  15. Will_Prius16

    Will_Prius16 Member

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    Just turning it off is a chore. Have to go through slow gui. Inefficient imo.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  16. bowang

    bowang Member

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    11" screen is not well thought out but ok. What worse is the capacitive touch button for temperature and volumn. It's not as easy to use as rotation knob that comes with 7" screen.
    First generation Volt has similar capacitive button. Replaced with physical button in second generation Volt.
    I hope toyota will redesign the capacitive button for 2018.
     
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  17. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    Not surprisingly, plenty of YouTube videos you could show her illustrating its features, of course.

    My Prime is probably a month away, but for whatever it's worth (admittedly, perhaps not much!), most of the comments made so far exactly reflect my impressions: I wouldn't buy Advanced primarily for the big screen, but being able to see more on the nav screen, and more choices of channels/playlists/songs to listen to and so forth, I bet I'll very quickly get to where I wonder how I got by without it.

    Early on, I saw Consumer Reports YouTube on the Prime, which was generally positive, but described the big screen as a "cheap knockoff" of Tesla's, saying that the GUI Toyota came up with didn't make a lot of visual/tactile sense. I haven't seen any other reviews to that effect though, and in fact at least two other reviews said it seemed generally well-thought-out.

    From what I've seen of it since in many other YouTube videos, it seems fine, although I do agree with CR that the buttons on its screens are probably smaller and closer together than they ideally should be. It seems to me, however, that that's so that you can pop up and keep up, for example environmental or audio controls, and still see the map at the top of the screen.

    One thing I'm less sure about, visually speaking (I'd just have to see it in person) are the two large chrome pieces sweeping off from he two sides of the big screen.

    Again, I don't have mine yet, but from watching oooodles of YouTube videos, it seems like a desirable feature, although again, I too wouldn't get an Advanced solely for that feature.
     
    #17 mr88cet, Jan 26, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2017
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  18. aznkorboi

    aznkorboi Junior Member

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    So I compared online on the toyota website the Premium vs advanced. It shows that you could technically get an Advanced with the regular 4 inch screen or you can get the 11.6 inch screen or 11.6 with the JBL sound system.

    However, based on all the inventory I've been searching zero of them have a 4.6 inch option.

    The wife is pretty much on par with how I think and she agrees that having physical buttons would be nice.

    We are for sure going with the Advanced but it seems like the only way to get an advanced is to get the giant screen without custom ordering it of course.

    And then there is the weird question: How much extra is an 11.6 inch screen? For some reason I can never find out the extra cost of having it! I've looked on all different car building sites to see if they have a price for the upgrade but it seems like there is no upgrade and it's standard. But it also says the 4.6 inch is standard. It's so confusing. Maybe they made a mistake. haha
     
  19. RJ Primw

    RJ Primw Member

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    I'm about 7 weeks into ownership, and I keep finding shortcuts for things that others seem to complain about. One examples: volume control: there are volume control buttons on the steering wheel, couldn't be easier. Also, once you have some presets, you can toggle through audio choices from the steering wheel. It took me a couple of trips to get the knack of that, but now that I have it, I find the audio pretty easy to deal with.

    Temperature controls: If you set the thing on auto, it does all the thinking for you. Occasionally need to toggle up or down the temp, (I do miss the temp button on the steering wheel of my gen 2), but I have found that, as I got used to it, the temp control is in a very convenient place, just off the steering wheel. And, in terms of climate, I am pretty impressed with the way the car warms up without blowing a ton of air at you. That, too, took a little getting used to. I kept thinking, how can the heat be on here, and then I would realize how comfortable the car was temperature wise, even on days when the outside temp was in the 20s.

    While the navigation is not as detailed as google maps or my old garmin, I have found it pretty accurate in locating traffic and offering alternate routes. At first I found the navigation a pain to navigate (pun intended), I realized there is a destination button right on the screen at start up which shortens the process. I also realized that the location of the car on the nav screen is placed a little to the left, which at first I thought was odd, but then I realized it is right in my line of vision if I shoot a quick look.

    The screen is not an i-pad, that's true, but who needs that much technology when you are driving anyway. This car has a longer learning curve then other vehicles, but I am finding the more I drive it, the more I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the design.

    I do agree that the voice command system could use some work, but also finding a few shortcuts there, but they work inconsistently.
     
  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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