Team-BHP - Tesla-like big & vertical audio head-units in India

I happened to come across this installation video of a Tesla-like vertical ICE for Fortuner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-wqm4vDDF0. On a further search on youtube, I found a couple of more installation videos for many other US made cars. Amazon US has listings for similar ICE for US car model's. These ICE's run stock Android and the fit finish and the touch quality is very phone like, I am very interested in such a product. Do we have any forum member who has tried a similar product?

Wow, I can see why some people might like that. Looks very eye-catching and has some good functionality too.

It's like an Android-based tablet with some additional functionality, no?

Better turn that screen off while driving at night. Will be a major distraction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ketz (Post 4459484)

I happened to come across this installation video of a Tesla-like vertical ICE for Fortuner... Do we have any forum member who has tried a similar product?

Wow! Love the passion.

While I am not a fan of very large screens (as they might distract the driver and may also break in the event of an accident) in a car I take nothing away from the sheer passion that is required to install something as "mad" as this.

If there is anyone who has the "madness" required to install something like this in Mumbai (if not India) it would be the "Mental Dental" Frank Mehta.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/car-e...oid-twist.html

Personally I prefer some tactile controls for the primary audio functions (volume, power, track /station change, etc) but I am old school.

IMO, installing such screen will require expertise along with knowledge to connect it to the steering mounted controls.
Please check first is such an installation was done previously and if it is fully functioning in all aspects. Avoid your car being a guinea pig along with voided warranty.

Frankly, I found this HU quite grotesque and very Chinese..err..blingy. :)

I've installed multiple touch screen based HUs in my car over the years. So while screen based controls look cool they're IMHO not so cool when in use. I mostly operate accessories using feel and place high priority on being able to feel my way around to select and press the appropriate control. Some call it 'muscle memory'. The consolation with my touch screen HU is the most basic controls are on the steering plus rather small buttons on the HU. I almost never need to take my hand off the wheel or eyes off the road.

Therefore the biggest problem I foresee with this humongous touchscreen HU is the lack of tactile feel and feedback. For e.g. when I drive I feel around on the centre console for the correct button and press it. How am I supposed to adjust or switch off the climate control, switch HU operation modes, without taking my eyes off the road or searching on a screen that's well populated with several icons? That to me spells a big safety hazard.

Sorry, I'll pass. Won't touch this one with a barge pole. Yeah, guess that means I am old fashioned. :D

Looks down right crass in my opinion. A screen this big does nothing for the functionality or ease of use while driving the vehicle.
IMO, hard buttons for major vehicle functions are a must and no screen sliders can replicate that.
In-fact, having spent 1 week in a Tesla Model S while travelling recently , the large vertical pad on the dash for all vehicle functions was just plain irritating to use after the novelty wore off within a day or two. Not to mention taking the eyes off every time to look where to press and sun light legibility issues. Lastly, no matter how impressive it was, it was not a 100% fluid and seamless experience.