LX 600 infotainment question (1 Viewer)

[Skiime]

Okay, so I'm kicking tires for hopefully getting an LX 600 F Sport in the next couple months, and came across a possible "first world" issue. I noticed that there's no touch pad or control on the right armrest area to control the infotainment screen. I've got an LC 200 right now, so it doesn't need anything like that, but my wife's car has all the newer stuff like Car Play and menus, and hers has a touch pad, which makes it much easier to navigate through all that. I was wondering if anyone has any issues with having to use the touch screen to go through the menus and audio settings? I realize this is such a minor thing, but I've got shoulder issues, so I'm just wondering what the annoyance level is. I'm hoping the screen is close enough to the driver where it isn't an issue, but I'd like to hear your input. And yes, I realize that there are steering wheel controls, but I assume they're pretty minimal.
Also, I'm guessing this is a no, but with Car Play, if you're using something like Waze, but also want to use the car radio, do you have to exit out of Car Play to change the station, or can you see both at one time. I'm planning on doing a test drive this weekend, but again, would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[Oakleyguy]

The touch interface is easy, and it's quick to change between carplay and the other infotainment options with the new updated software.

There's a few dealer videos on youtube that show the system in action.

 

[mrlittlejeans]

This is what it looks like using Android Auto running Waze and Tidal.

 

[Docyota]

The LX main screen touch interface is so good I don't think about it. It's very intuitive, and is a huge upgrade from the LX570's (and that era's) center console mousepad thingy.

 

[Joe T]

One good thing in this department about the LX is that it has all manual buttons for the important stuff. Skip forward or back, volume, on/off, seat temp, steering wheel warmer, hvac temp, etc.

Thats a good question about AM/FM while carplay is running. I know on my Fords you can toggle between them by hitting a button on the steering wheel, which I sometimes annoyingly do on accident.

I will play with it later and report back. If it wasn’t for NPR and AM conservative talk radio I would eliminate it via forscan programming in my Fords (I already eliminated Sirius). I can be in those 8 hours a day though, rarely do that in the Lx.

 

[Skiime]

Thanks for the info guys. It does seem like the touch screen is close enough where it's not a big deal to have to reach every time you need to make an adjustment. Like I said, on my wife's car, it's so far away, it would be unusable without the touch pad.
And I'm guessing that's just the way Car Play is designed, having to switch back and fourth to change the radio...and yes, I realize I'm probably one of maybe 10 people in the world who still listen to FM sometimes. Although Tidal is awesome. The sound quality is so much better than Pandora or XM radio.

 

[mrlittlejeans]

You can use the Mode button on the steering wheel to switch between audio sources while in Car Play. You can then use the arrow buttons to switch between radio presets so you don't need to exit Car Play to switch stations.

 

[Skiime]

You can use the Mode button on the steering wheel to switch between audio sources while in Car Play. You can then use the arrow buttons to switch between radio presets so you don't need to exit Car Play to switch stations.

That's actually good to know...It's probably my biggest pet peeve in my wife's car. Yes, you can change stations on the steering wheel, but you have to go back into the main menu screen to switch sources. Since I only use Waze for navigation, unless I'm using one of the apps on my phone for audio, I have to back out of Car Play and then scroll through the menu to audio, which is more of a pain than it sounds, because it always puts you on the "Mercedes Me" app, and then you have to find the correct audio source. I know, first world problems, but as much as I love to drive her car, Germans sure aren't good at making a good infotainment UI, haha.
I honestly probably wouldn't even use Car Play if it weren't for Waze. I wish the manufacturers would just add it as a system app.