A few serious complaints about the poor navigation/entune interface

Like many of you, I drive a considerable amount - and practically run my business from my car. That means I am a heavy user of both the navigation and bluetooth phone.

I have a 2012 Toyota Prius plugin - with the standard entune navigation unit. I find this seriously lacking in a few crucial areas, which have lead to very frustrating moments.

For comparison's sake, I also have a BMW 335i - with the iDrive navigation. It is such a world away in terms of user interface and ease of use that it does not even merit comparison.

Here are my quarrels:

1.) Bluetooth call while trying to get directions

This is the absolute worst - here's an example. I'll be using the navigation to head to a client's house that I have never been before, and at the same time I need make various phone calls.

So what happens? I need important directions on where to turn, but when I try to make a call, the screen immediately leaves the navigation directions and until the call is connected, I cannot return. In the mean time, I've missed my turns. Not only that, but if i leave the voice navigation on - I can not hear my call.

Did Toyota EVER test this? Even a VW GTI that I owned had an elegant solution, and would allow you to see the map at all times and even have the directions in the dash board. Of course, my BMW has the split screen.

2.) Bluetooth randomly disconnects, and map freezes

This has happened many times. My iPhone will disconnect from the car's bluetooth system, and not work. It's technically still connected and paired, but it won't work through the car until I turn bluetooth off and on and re-pair. Not only that, at times my map will just freeze, and I have to actually turn the car off and then on again to get it working.

3.) Adjusting navigation volume

This is annoying - when adjusting the volume, the screen's sensitivity is really off. It will think I am clicking somewhere on the map for directions, and it's a huge pain.


Am I alone here, or is this Toyota system badly designed? I really hope the highest end entune system or even those on Lexuses are not this badly designed.

What gives?

 

Sage, for business, there is no other choice If I have to drive around and make calls. Handsfree makes it much safer, but obviously if the system is constantly malfunctioning it does not help.