Subaru radio hate thread

[Gary in NJ]

I must be an idiot...I think the unit is fine.

[Turbowned]

Don't even get me started on the voice commands... the interface is so clunky its embarrassing!

[thill]

Yes, the voice commands on this unit are terrible. I stopped even trying to use it. Worst voice recognition system I have ever used.

[SubaSteve]

I just feel like they yanked the headunit from the parts bin. They most likely planned on having the controls on the steering wheel but then trashed the idea because it was too expensive.

Subaru hurry up and make brz wheel with the controls in it.

Also I want to point out that the frs is getting their radio upgraded to one that doesn't suck. I DEMAND BUTTONS.

P.P.S. I don't give a shit if this is a "drivers" car or not. I drive my car every day and I like to jam out whilst sporty driving. COMON GUYS have you not seen the fast and the furious more sound equipment = faster.

[Superhatch]

My only real issue is with the BT syncing. Interestingly enough when using my previous iPhone 4 it worked great, never had an issue. I just picked up a S3 and it will stay connected for about 45s then drop, then reconnect, then drop. About 1/10 times it actually works. I also can't connect via the usb with my S3 and play pandora/google music, it's not recognized as a usb device.

[thill]

Originally Posted by SubaSteve

I just feel like they yanked the headunit from the parts bin. They most likely planned on having the controls on the steering wheel but then trashed the idea because it was too expensive.

Subaru hurry up and make brz wheel with the controls in it.

It wasn't a cost thing. They wanted a true sports car feel and that means no buttons all over the wheel. I get the reasoning. But they should have added more buttons on the head unit, or much larger icons that are responsive, to compensate.


I don't think the radio is a huge gripe, but it could be better.

[37]

Agreed with the OP. Touchscreens aren't my thing and I never listen to the radio. The display is on all the time, even at night, with no way to kill it. This is a sports car, not a video game.

Do late model Subaru (ie: 2013/2014 WRX/Outback/Forester) double-DIN head units swap into the BRZ plug-and-play? I'd like to get an analog unit with buttons and USB/line-in that matches the current interior and isn't a theft magnet.

[BRZfan]

THe display CAN be turned off. Read the manual.

TO turn off display:
1. Press and Hold Audio button
2. Press OFF button. One can also adjust contrast and brightness at the time (after step 1).

Originally Posted by modifier

Agreed with the OP. Touchscreens aren't my thing and I never listen to the radio. The display is on all the time, even at night, with no way to kill it. This is a sports car, not a video game.

Do late model Subaru (ie: 2013/2014 WRX/Outback/Forester) double-DIN head units swap into the BRZ plug-and-play? I'd like to get an analog unit with buttons and USB/line-in that matches the current interior and isn't a theft magnet.

[kludger]

Yeah the HU touchscreen response is laggy and the buttons could be a bit bigger to make it easier to hit while driving, but other than that the HU is fine to me, BT works great with my iPhone 4, and with the OEMAudio+ upgrade it sounds awesome.

I'm sure there will eventually be plenty of aftermarket options for those that want them.

[BigFatFlip]

Originally Posted by BRZfan

Have you read the voice commands section of your owner's manual???

Yes, so if I don't feel dumb enough tapping at my screen over and over, I can yell at it over and over instead...

[BRZfan]

Yes, that is a good idea. A good way to release all that pent-up anxiety.

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Yes, so if I don't feel dumb enough tapping at my screen over and over, I can yell at it over and over instead...

[Rinzler]

You still have to reach over to the radio to press the voice command key. So it doesn't really help.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by SubaSteve

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

Not everything needs a touch screen. Not everything needs to be integrated/connected to smartphones and the internet. Sometimes you just need a good old knob or switch in the same place, so you can learn to reach for it subconsciously.

[ProjectD]

Originally Posted by Marchy

yeah bt for me is easy and quick, the only thing i notice is if i'm playing music from the usb while hooking the BT up, the sound may skip once or twice.

as far as hitting the next song button, i've trained myself to touch just below the touchscreen with my middle finger, and know exactly where to place my index to change song/folders.

^ This. I am using my Nexus 7 for all my Media and there are times when it will skip here and there. Strangely, IF i connect my 7 directly to USB while it is Simultaneously paired with BT -- i find that it rarely skips, if not none at all.

As far as the BT syncing - ive never thought it to be of an inconvenience since i do like to warm it up from cold starts. So the whole time I wait and admire how beautiful our cars are -- that time isn't wasted on BT sync. My buddy @rupert likes to use the 1k warm up method which i find unique and helps pass time.

In regards to the "training of finger placement" -- I am also a practitioner of #becauseracecar arts. It helps me "become one" with the car

Originally Posted by Longhorn248

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.

My thoughts exactly.