Subaru radio hate thread - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

SubaSteve · 06-21-2013, 04:43 PM

The title says it all. I really have learned to hate the stock radio. Then when looking at the new 2014 forester it hit me. The reason the radio sucks is because we don't have the controls on the wheel. I think they designed the radio in mind that you had analog controls on the steering wheel. This meant you had no reason for buttons on the unit itself.

I for one hate trying to skip songs on the touch screen. I never am able to skip songs without looking at it.

Don't get me started about the Bluetooth. I swear this takes 10 mins to sync.

ntron1 · 06-21-2013, 04:50 PM

Wow, My bluetooth is 10 seconds or less.

AznBRZer · 06-21-2013, 04:57 PM

Yeah, my BT is pretty quick, but I hate the POS too.

SubieNubie · 06-21-2013, 05:03 PM

Sometimes mine loses my phone but then finds it again. Other than that my biggest issues is the skip track and skip preset buttons. On SAT radio the up skip preset button is right above the sound button, so it's easy to fat finger. Also searching through m iPod is pretty cumbersome some as well. I'm sure it would be better with wheel controls and miss mine on occasion. But I actually like not having wheel controls, crazy as it sounds.

infinite012 · 06-21-2013, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubaSteve

The title says it all. I really have learned to hate the stock radio. Then when looking at the new 2014 forester it hit me. The reason the radio sucks is because we don't have the controls on the wheel. I think they designed the radio in mind that you had analog controls on the steering wheel. This meant you had no reason for buttons on the unit itself.

I for one hate trying to skip songs on the touch screen. I never am able to skip songs without looking at it.

Don't get me started about the Bluetooth. I swear this takes 10 mins to sync.

Agreed.
I never use the headunit as a music player, only as a bridge for my BT streamed music off my HTC Thunderbolt...
The BT on my headunit or phone or both is so damn unintelligent. It will:
1. connect automatically and properly so both phone and music functions work
2. connect automatically with only phone or music, but not both functions
3. my phone will ask to connect to the headunit 18 million times, then ask to sync contacts and messages, but the contacts/messages never transfer to the headunit
4. just doesn't work

Flat Black VW · 06-21-2013, 05:49 PM

I relocated my usb to the glovebox and have a dedicated ipod in there so I rarely use BT. Only once in awhile for phone calls.

I dont like the track forward/backward button on the touchscreen but like Marchy said ive pretty much trained myself to hit it without looking.

I dont love the radio, but I dont hate it enough to justify getting an aftermarket nav, even though I work at a car stereo shop so I could get one dirt cheap with free install.

thill · 06-21-2013, 05:55 PM

I wish the buttons were much larger on the head unit touchscreen. Customizable would be nice. That said the Bluetooth works great with my iPhone 4S. Syncs in about 10 seconds or less and there are no dropouts. I stream all the time. I checked ou some other head units at Best Buy but nothing blew me away. Will probably keep this one a few more years until I find something I really like.

OrbitalEllipses · 06-21-2013, 06:01 PM

This thread will be very popular.

BigFatFlip · 06-21-2013, 06:09 PM

Unlike a lot of folks, I actually like listening to local radio. One thing I do quite often is travel, so I often look fro new stations to listen to. Is it so much to ask for scan button?! You're telling me I have sit there and repeatedly tap on this virtual button on the screen that I have to take my eyes off the road to look at to scan from Spanish station to Spanish station?

zoomzoomers · 06-21-2013, 06:14 PM

You've done it now.

I personally think they designed the HU so that it would be convenient for hamsters to operate. Possibly parrots too.

5th 86 · 06-21-2013, 06:18 PM

I actually love the fac deck in my sport tech, wonder how much difference there is to the US version

Longhorn248 · 06-21-2013, 06:24 PM

I know I've stated these opinions before, but here goes again.

-The unit should have mechanical buttons for the presets, trying to find the buttons on the touch screen while driving is a PITA
-The Bluetooth function is pretty hit or miss, I've given up on getting a reliable connection to my phone
-If they aren't going to add a few mechanical buttons they should at least position the "high frequency" buttons close to the edge of the screen

That being said, I'm not annoyed enough to buy aftermarket, so whatevs.

ShoNUFF · 06-21-2013, 07:40 PM

My speakers are already starting to pop... I dont even remotely abuse the sound system.

So sad.

Oc Ca · 06-21-2013, 10:36 PM

Love HD radio cut in and out. Lowers and raises volume. So it seems anyways.
Anyone try the DVD player part yet?

06-21-2013, 04:43 PM	#1
SubaSteve Captain Cocoa Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: CBS BRZ MT Location: MD Posts: 597 Thanks: 32 Thanked 282 Times in 161 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Subaru radio hate thread The title says it all. I really have learned to hate the stock radio. Then when looking at the new 2014 forester it hit me. The reason the radio sucks is because we don't have the controls on the wheel. I think they designed the radio in mind that you had analog controls on the steering wheel. This meant you had no reason for buttons on the unit itself. I for one hate trying to skip songs on the touch screen. I never am able to skip songs without looking at it. Don't get me started about the Bluetooth. I swear this takes 10 mins to sync.

06-21-2013, 04:50 PM	#2
ntron1 Sarcastic Bastard Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: '13 DGM BRZ, '13 Mini, 1999 Blazer Location: Amish Land, PA Posts: 586 Thanks: 341 Thanked 336 Times in 182 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Wow, My bluetooth is 10 seconds or less. __________________

06-21-2013, 05:03 PM	#4
SubieNubie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 WRB BRZ Location: LanGcaster, PA Posts: 157 Thanks: 8 Thanked 28 Times in 19 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Sometimes mine loses my phone but then finds it again. Other than that my biggest issues is the skip track and skip preset buttons. On SAT radio the up skip preset button is right above the sound button, so it's easy to fat finger. Also searching through m iPod is pretty cumbersome some as well. I'm sure it would be better with wheel controls and miss mine on occasion. But I actually like not having wheel controls, crazy as it sounds. __________________ Daily Driven 2013 6MT Subaru BRZ Premium in WRB

06-21-2013, 06:14 PM	#10
zoomzoomers Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: 2013 Subaru SWP BRZ Limited 6AT Location: Darkside Posts: 1,862 Thanks: 526 Thanked 305 Times in 207 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You've done it now. I personally think they designed the HU so that it would be convenient for hamsters to operate. Possibly parrots too. __________________ Man Law#17:A man in the company of a hot, seductively dressed, woman MUST remain sober enough to fight! MODS: AVO tubes + filter, Cusco (F) strut brace w/ MC brace, Perrin CBE, Subaru OEM trunk tray, Grimmspeed front license re-locator & hood struts and Beatsonic rear cam.

06-21-2013, 07:40 PM	#13
ShoNUFF Who's the BADDEST? Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: 2013 BRZ Limited - Crystal Black Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 200 Thanks: 257 Thanked 38 Times in 27 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	My speakers are already starting to pop... I dont even remotely abuse the sound system. So sad. __________________ AM I THE MEANEST? AM I THE PRETTIEST? AM I THE BADDEST LOW DOWN MOFO AROUND TOWN? SHO-NUFF!

06-21-2013, 04:57 PM	#3
AznBRZer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: 16 CBS WRX Limited Location: Boston Posts: 1,147 Thanks: 947 Thanked 592 Times in 371 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Yeah, my BT is pretty quick, but I hate the POS too.

06-21-2013, 05:49 PM	#6
Flat Black VW Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Location: NOVA Posts: 894 Thanks: 227 Thanked 343 Times in 202 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I relocated my usb to the glovebox and have a dedicated ipod in there so I rarely use BT. Only once in awhile for phone calls. I dont like the track forward/backward button on the touchscreen but like Marchy said ive pretty much trained myself to hit it without looking. I dont love the radio, but I dont hate it enough to justify getting an aftermarket nav, even though I work at a car stereo shop so I could get one dirt cheap with free install.

06-21-2013, 05:55 PM	#7
thill Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2020 SS1LE (previous 13 BRZ owner) Location: North Pole Posts: 2,753 Thanks: 328 Thanked 1,463 Times in 802 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I wish the buttons were much larger on the head unit touchscreen. Customizable would be nice. That said the Bluetooth works great with my iPhone 4S. Syncs in about 10 seconds or less and there are no dropouts. I stream all the time. I checked ou some other head units at Best Buy but nothing blew me away. Will probably keep this one a few more years until I find something I really like.

06-21-2013, 06:01 PM	#8
OrbitalEllipses Banned Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Attitude Location: MD Posts: 10,046 Thanks: 884 Thanked 4,889 Times in 2,902 Posts Mentioned: 123 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	This thread will be very popular.

06-21-2013, 06:09 PM	#9
BigFatFlip sleep, drive, eat, repeat Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: '13 BRZ, '12 Outback Location: Sack of Potatoes Posts: 4,431 Thanks: 2,630 Thanked 3,796 Times in 1,981 Posts Mentioned: 188 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	Unlike a lot of folks, I actually like listening to local radio. One thing I do quite often is travel, so I often look fro new stations to listen to. Is it so much to ask for scan button?! You're telling me I have sit there and repeatedly tap on this virtual button on the screen that I have to take my eyes off the road to look at to scan from Spanish station to Spanish station?

06-21-2013, 06:18 PM	#11
5th 86 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 BRZ SPORT TECH Location: CANADA Posts: 306 Thanks: 31 Thanked 98 Times in 68 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I actually love the fac deck in my sport tech, wonder how much difference there is to the US version

06-21-2013, 10:36 PM	#14
Oc Ca Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: subaru limited brz pearl white Location: orange county Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Love HD radio cut in and out. Lowers and raises volume. So it seems anyways. Anyone try the DVD player part yet?

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