Just how much of a pain are the touchscreens?

**Excellrec** · 07-05-2008, 03:39 PM

I'm in the planning stages of my main project car right now and I'm just trying to figure out the general plan. What I'm wondering is how easy is it exactly to maneuver a touchscreen while you're driving in a car? I would guess it'd be damn near impossible. What I'm thinking is that I could just go with a trackball mouse and a keyboard for an easier to use interface. The keyboard obviously wouldn't really be for driving use unless by the passenger but the trackball would be my main point of interface.

So I'm just curious on what some of you have to say, obviously the other benefit is that non-touchscreens are going for pennies now that everyone is all about the touchscreens.

**Maheriano** · 07-05-2008, 04:32 PM

With a touchscreen the buttons are always in the same place. So if you want to change the track of volume, you know where to put your finger and only have to glance once to make sure you're hitting the right spot. With a mouse, you have to move it and then glance to see how close you are. Then move it again and keep doing that until you're on the button you want. Too much hassle for me.

**skuller** · 07-05-2008, 06:16 PM

both are too dangerous.
I never touch the touchscreen while driving.

**Woofnstuff** · 07-05-2008, 06:27 PM

i wouldnt try browsing windows folders etc while driving thats just asking for a darwin award.

my audio player skin has big buttons and limited functions...

anything more than next track or pause, its too much while driving.

the touch screen is great if used with common sense

**2k1Toaster** · 07-05-2008, 06:52 PM

I have no problem navigating my touchscreen and I can do it without staring at it. The same amount of concentration used to glance at a normal HU really. Mouse/Trackball is waaaaaaay more dangerous.

**Excellrec** · 07-05-2008, 07:07 PM

i should add that I plan to have a transport button pad molded into the center console as well so simple functions such as starting and stopping and changing tracks will be handled by that. So basically the exact same as I do with my remote for my headunit now.

**pancit175** · 07-05-2008, 09:25 PM

If you are using a front end, which you should already be considering doing so, navigating through the menu screens is easy while driving because they have large buttons and in some cases gestures. And the front end useally has only the functions you should be needing while driving, ie media nav etc. Navigating through your operating system is simpley reckless while driving.

**Snootch** · 07-06-2008, 07:13 AM

I would plan on using multiple input functions. For instance, I use Streetdeck which uses gesture inputs (so does Centrafuse), so all I have to do to go to the next song, is swipe my finger from left to right across the screen, OR I can push and rotate clockwise on my Powermate, OR I can push the track + button on my steering wheel controls.
Which input I use really depends on how much attention driving requires at the time. If i'm doing 70 down a road with a bunch of twisties in it, I'll feel and use the steering wheel control. If i'm using cruise control on a deserted interstate, I'll take my eyes off the road for a second or two and use the touchscreen.

**sxott** · 07-06-2008, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

I have no problem navigating my touchscreen and I can do it without staring at it. The same amount of concentration used to glance at a normal HU really. Mouse/Trackball is waaaaaaay more dangerous.

True. Touchscreen I can do w/o looking it is easier than my HU.

**greatwhite** · 07-06-2008, 10:23 AM

I've incorporate my vehicles stock steering wheel controls........best input method!

Other than that (hard buttons somewhere), touchscreen is the only thing you should attempt to use when driving. Even then, only for pause, play, ff, rwd, vol etc. Anything requiring you to look should be done when stopped..........