PSA: Adding raised tactile button "dots"

LexxM3 · 04-18-2021, 12:08 AM

While apparently BMW modern interior designs are "better" in this respect than all the other major luxury cars, it is still the case that you often need to look (dangerously) away from the road to activate useful functions like any of the 8 shortcut buttons and the main control panel buttons. I've been looking for a while for Braille glue-on dots, but I've come to the conclusion that those do not exist. I finally found something that seems to work well, however — self-adhesive "rhinestones". In case others find this of use, the following, for example, have the smallest I could find 2mm dots and below are a few pics of some that I installed:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07M6NDG4X/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M6NDG4X/

I installed dots on PDC camera button, Sport button, ECO button, 2/4/6/8 shortcut buttons. The double sided glue backing that came with these seems to be holding for now, didn't need extra glue (clean the surface with dilute alcohol first, like any tape or glue job).

These should have been molded into the original BMW plastic in the first place ...
.

Wild Blue · 04-18-2021, 03:46 AM

Thanks, man!

Like a rhinestone cowboy. Good idea.

sahajesh · 04-18-2021, 08:30 AM

Should use a Swarovski set for "Crafted Clarity"

LexxM3 · 09-16-2021, 08:03 PM

As an update and for the record, most of the 2mm dots eventually fell off and I am now using 3mm dots from the same set. Seems to be more sturdy (greater adherence surface area) and looks just as good.

SmartSaves · 09-20-2021, 09:11 PM

To add to your awesome idea: I developed muscle memory the following way to select the driving mode buttons without looking :

1. Using the index finger find/touch the front edge of the parking brake.
2. Slide the finger left (adaptive).
3. Next button is Eco Pro, this is sunken a bit.
4. Comfort and Sport has a ribs.

Seems like lot of steps, but in practice it's pretty quick to get the hang of it. Sometimes I also use voice commands to change driving modes.

04-18-2021, 12:08 AM	#1
LexxM3 Colonel 1699 Rep 2,609 Posts Drives: E46M3, G05X5 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Waterloo, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 X5 [0.00]	While apparently BMW modern interior designs are "better" in this respect than all the other major luxury cars, it is still the case that you often need to look (dangerously) away from the road to activate useful functions like any of the 8 shortcut buttons and the main control panel buttons. I've been looking for a while for Braille glue-on dots, but I've come to the conclusion that those do not exist. I finally found something that seems to work well, however — self-adhesive "rhinestones". In case others find this of use, the following, for example, have the smallest I could find 2mm dots and below are a few pics of some that I installed: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07M6NDG4X/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M6NDG4X/ I installed dots on PDC camera button, Sport button, ECO button, 2/4/6/8 shortcut buttons. The double sided glue backing that came with these seems to be holding for now, didn't need extra glue (clean the surface with dilute alcohol first, like any tape or glue job). These should have been molded into the original BMW plastic in the first place ... . Attached Images __________________ G05 X5 x40i (04/2019 mfg, Canada) on S18A-19-11-540
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04-18-2021, 03:46 AM	#2
Wild Blue Brigadier General 3684 Rep 3,479 Posts Drives: 2021 X7 M50i, 2004 330i w/ZHP Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Thanks, man! Like a rhinestone cowboy. Good idea. __________________ Cross-continent road trip journal from BMW PCD to Alaska in new X7 M50i in this thread HERE! New EVEN BIGGER road trip in X5 from BMW PCD to Alaska NOW ONGOING LIVE IN THIS THREAD! Wilderness road trip journal to Eastern Alaska in this thread And road trip journal to Denali and the Arctic Circle here in this thread!
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04-18-2021, 08:30 AM	#3
sahajesh Brigadier General 2294 Rep 4,451 Posts Drives: 2021 G05 X5 40i Tanzanite Blue Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Sheffield, UK iTrader: (0)	Should use a Swarovski set for "Crafted Clarity"
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09-16-2021, 08:03 PM	#4
LexxM3 Colonel 1699 Rep 2,609 Posts Drives: E46M3, G05X5 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Waterloo, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 X5 [0.00]	As an update and for the record, most of the 2mm dots eventually fell off and I am now using 3mm dots from the same set. Seems to be more sturdy (greater adherence surface area) and looks just as good. __________________ G05 X5 x40i (04/2019 mfg, Canada) on S18A-19-11-540
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09-20-2021, 09:11 PM	#5
SmartSaves X5 Enthusiast 461 Rep 762 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Neighbourhood of Santa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW X5 [10.00]	To add to your awesome idea: I developed muscle memory the following way to select the driving mode buttons without looking : 1. Using the index finger find/touch the front edge of the parking brake. 2. Slide the finger left (adaptive). 3. Next button is Eco Pro, this is sunken a bit. 4. Comfort and Sport has a ribs. Seems like lot of steps, but in practice it's pretty quick to get the hang of it. Sometimes I also use voice commands to change driving modes. Attached Images __________________ 2021 X5, Excellence, M Sport, DHP, DAP, RSE, MW, Merino.
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