My Wife's vehicle is an LS 430 Ultra. I drive it about 30% of the time. My personal vehicle is a Subaru Outback. Although Subaru is a long time in bringing a proprietary Navigational System for the Outback enthusiasts.... I recently purchased the newest Garmin 2620..... anyway:
I am ADDING my Complaint to the Multitude of Disappointed Lexus Owners who paid for a very expensive Lexus AND Navigational System with its Crippling Motion Sickness Attitude: Not being able to utilize the functionality while the vehicle is moving over 5 MPH. THIS So Limits the Navigational System, for after all, one drives their vehicle (motion).
Most Stop Light Sequences will NOT give you enough time to INPUT your route, or seek a POI. Ever try to find a parking spot, or pull over in the Streets of San Francisco.... damn difficult, and the time it would take to enter the information in the Navigational System while parked would enable some BUM on the corner to take the opportunity to come over and pee on your Lexus wheels, or how about pulling over, inputing the info and then getting carjacked.
When my Lexus of Serramonte Dealer demonstrated the overwhelming features of the LS430, I don't recall Bob metioning the motion sensor disabling the programing when the vehicle is in motion above 3 to 5 MPH. I wonder how many out there DISCOVERED the Navigational Short Coming AFTER they purchased and took possession of their Lexus????
THE MOMENT OF DISCOVERY: I FIRST became aware of the inability to program the LS430's Navigational System traveling down Senic 280 from the dealership. I thought I was doing something wrong (its menuing system does have a learning curve and the interface is a bit cryptic).... after many UNSUCCESSFUL attempts, I was irritated AND distracted which could very well have led to a collision, injuries etc....... SO, I don't buy the Lexus Liability Logic and Reasoning.... hell with all the Internal Bells and Whistles in the LS430 who's to say what level of distraction can cause an accident and incur Lexus Liability.
Although the Lexus Navigational System will ALLOW you to ACCESS the POI when it has to do with a Police or Hospital Emergency. ....... To me, when I'm hungry and have the desire for an In N Out Burger Animal Style, while traveling down a Major Highway in Calif, that is an emergency. Since the CHP discourage you from pulling over on the shoulder of a freeway, the only other option I have is to keep an eye out for an In-N-Out Bill Board Sign (that's distracting).
This Motion Sensor has even CRIPPLED my Bluetooth Phone Functionality using the on screen # Pads. This forces me to grope for my LG Blue Tooth Phone and try to dial using the phone which is FAR MORE DIFFICULT and a GREATER RISK and potential libability for Lexus.
In the words of Dr Phil.... Lexus WHAT WERE YOU THINKING????? (Take a page from Mercedes, Acura and Others that allow the passenger/driver to utilize the functionality of the navigational system without pulling over and stopping on our highways. I just purchased a Garmin 2620 and it allows one to program on the move. There is a disclaimer which you agree to everytime its turned on. OK, I'll live with that.
Having a FULLY functional navigational system is a lot less dangerous than a female driving down Lane One of a Freeway putting on her makeup.
Seriously, I intend to bring some of the selected comments I have compiled from this forum. and bring it to the attention of my Lexus Dealership Thursday when I have the LS430 serviced. I might even take it a step further and
send it to Lexus/USA.
So what's the answer.... Lexus, RETHINK your policy, or how about expanding the Voice Activation System where you can simply activate the microphone and tell
the System to Dial "Mom" "Home" or Say the Numbers (Cell Port System Allows this), or use a command "Locate" and Say the name. I don't know, FOOD for THOUGHT...... speaking of which, there is a NEW IN-N-Out Burger which just opened up in Burlingame. Never been there, not sure where it is.... Better take my Subaru/Garmin 2620 just in case I get lost ;)