Do we need an infotainment system ? Maybe not

[HarryN]

When we are driving, all 4 of us listen to completely different music. So we have our own spotify and earbuds.

We have perfectly good GPS in the phone.

So I really wonder if these fancy infotainment setups offer any value anymore? It seems like an easy thing to cut to save a lot of money and wiring complexity.

 

[BossHogg]

The fact that they are integrated is a significant convenience factor for many. I don't wear earbuds while driving for the obvious reasons. As far as navigation, I run Garmin RV units when towing. The factory navigation, like Tom-Tom in our RAMs, is a waste of my money. Waze and Google Maps on a phone are OK for most, but don't provide RV-specific support. These infotainment systems are also a significant thorn in both the manufactures butt, but ours too. No shortage of complaints, and those complaints on infotainment drag down the vehicle reliability rating on JD Power.

It seems there is a social media push right now to dumb down vehicles in an attempt to make them more affordable. The way the manufacturers configure option packages causes us to buy options we have no interest in. I was looking for a new tow vehicle, and I wanted options that directly supported towing, like 360 cameras and blind spot monitoring. But to get those options, you must buy a package that includes options I don't want, like a sunroof, massaging seats, and a power plant in the bed. I remember back in the 80s, you could sit down with a salesperson, go over all the sales codes, and select which options you wanted without paying for many options you didn't want. I think it is time for an ordering reset.

 

[HarryN]

The power plant aspect - honestly I fully support having, but I can understand why people don't.

I would be happy to buy the more premium features like lots of cameras and really nice seats.

Maybe a gps and radio function is essentially free anymore.

When I am the only one driving, I turn on a portable bose speaker and that is good enough for my worn out ears.

One bud is ok when driving.

 

[markabby]

When we are driving, all 4 of us listen to completely different music. So we have our own spotify and earbuds.

We have perfectly good GPS in the phone.

So I really wonder if these fancy infotainment setups offer any value anymore? It seems like an easy thing to cut to save a lot of money and wiring complexity.

so.....conversations are out of the question?

 

[Mlarv5]

I look at it this way, I am driving so the radio station stays on what I want to listen to. The other people can tune it out, or use ear buds. My wife and I drive across country at least once a year, when you get out west on I 10/ I 40 etc Sirius XM comes in handy. I am pretty sure the use of head phones or ear buds are against the law in most states for the driver. Factory Nav helps me because if I go 10 minutes in pretty much any direction I loose cell phone reception. So I have a Garmin in my Ram to get me back to wherever, and factory Nav in my F150.

I don't like the way it is integrated into the climate controls etc. Give me a real button or dial to touch.

 

[Sherman Bird]

When we are driving, all 4 of us listen to completely different music. So we have our own spotify and earbuds.

We have perfectly good GPS in the phone.

So I really wonder if these fancy infotainment setups offer any value anymore? It seems like an easy thing to cut to save a lot of money and wiring complexity.

I once dated a girl in high school... circa 1972. Her father was a CPA for a major oil company, and made a very nice living. He drove a 1952 Chevy Special with only a heater and a radio for options. Her mother's car was a 1962 Chevy Biscayne. Ditto on no options other than a radio and a heater.

Even back then, most folks had progressed to power steering and brakes and an Air Conditioner, as a rule.

I once asked her Mom why their cars were so "vanilla fudge" so to speak.

Her answer was profound, in my viewpoint, bur very on point. She said that by driving a manual everything car, one had all four limbs busy in the process of driving, and that lent itself to one's paying better attention to their driving. Go figure. Pragmatism at its finest!

 

[HarryN]

so.....conversations are out of the question?

At least in our cars, it is too noisy to have a conversation that spans 4 seats, so really it is 2 in the front or 2 in the back talking, sleeping, etc.

Might also be partly due to my hearing being much less than stellar, due to foolishly getting on a plane, trying to get home from a business trip - in my 40s when I had a cold. Don't do that.

We have been married a long time, we started out enjoying the same music, but now we can't honestly stand to listen to each other's music at all. So a conversation means turning off music completely.

 

[Sherman Bird]

At least in our cars, it is too noisy to have a conversation that spans 4 seats, so really it is 2 in the front or 2 in the back talking, sleeping, etc.

Might also be partly due to my hearing being much less than stellar, due to foolishly getting on a plane, trying to get home from a business trip - in my 40s when I had a cold. Don't do that.

We have been married a long time, we started out enjoying the same music, but now we can't honestly stand to listen to each other's music at all. So a conversation means turning off music completely.

My Dad yold everyone to "shut up".... when we were on road trips.