[buckybadger]

My wife wants to order the glass controls in X5. Just wondering if we can still write on top of the iDrive glass controller for entering addresses in navigation? The top of the regular iDrive acts like a touch track mouse to enter stuff in navigation, so not sure if this feature is still available with glass controls. Otherwise it's a downgrade.

[gpitts]

Originally Posted by buckybadger

My wife wants to order the glass controls in X5. Just wondering if we can still write on top of the iDrive glass controller for entering addresses in navigation? The top of the regular iDrive acts like a touch track mouse to enter stuff in navigation, so not sure if this feature is still available with glass controls. Otherwise it's a downgrade.

Yes you can. No issues at all as there is no crystal on top of the iDrive wheel/mouse. That said, you can enter the address by voice as well, which I find to be even more convenient.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by gpitts

Yes you can. No issues at all as there is no crystal on top of the iDrive wheel/mouse. That said, you can enter the address by voice as well, which I find to be even more convenient.

The top of the iDrive wheel is actually glass/crystal as well, but not faceted - just a flat surface - so you can "write" on it just like the standard wheel.

[MystroX5]

This is the best pics I have of the iDrive controls.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by buckybadger

My wife wants to order the glass controls in X5. Just wondering if we can still write on top of the iDrive glass controller for entering addresses in navigation? The top of the regular iDrive acts like a touch track mouse to enter stuff in navigation, so not sure if this feature is still available with glass controls. Otherwise it's a downgrade.

The voice command feature is so good you will never even think about writing it by hand on the iDrive controller. Voice command is really that good.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

The voice command feature is so good you will never even think about writing it by hand on the iDrive controller. Voice command is really that good.

Your right. It wasn’t for months before I even tried to use the iDrive controller. I use the touch screen. I think I tried to write on the iDrive once so far. It worked like my M2C but it’s a redundant idea at this point with the iDrive7.

[Paladin1]

The above. The Voice Command actually rivals "Alexa" in terms of natural speech, if you're an Amazon fan, and navigation is awesome now in iDrive. I've yet to have it not find a place if I had the correct address or name.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Your right. It wasn't for months before I even tried to use the iDrive controller. I use the touch screen. I think I tried to write on the iDrive once so far. It worked like my M2C but it's a redundant idea at this point with the iDrive7.

wait, you don't use the rotary controller? colored me surprised, I'm the opposite and only use the controller, never the touchscreen

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

wait, you don't use the rotary controller? colored me surprised, I'm the opposite and only use the controller, never the touchscreen

For general use, I use both the controller and the touch screen, depending on if I'm stopped and what I'm trying to do. For putting in addresses for navigation, I use neither. I say Hey BMW and say take me to <the address>. Almost every time, that's all it takes. Sometimes, it give me a choice of two or more and I can verbally stay the choice. It is awesome.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

For general use, I use both the controller and the touch screen, depending on if I'm stopped and what I'm trying to do. For putting in addresses for navigation, I use neither. I say Hey BMW and say take me to <the address>. Almost every time, that's all it takes. Sometimes, it give me a choice of two or more and I can verbally stay the choice. It is awesome.

I use voice commands for navigation as well but only use the rotary controller because touch screens get dirty quickly and it will bother me seeing finger prints constantly on my screen if I'm on a road trip for example.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

... touch screens get dirty quickly and it will bother me seeing finger prints constantly on my screen if I'm on a road trip for example.

...thank you for saying that because every time I hear about an iDrive "touch screen"...I'm thinking why would I want to touch the screen? The thought of all of those fingertip smudges...or actually seeing them and always having to clean them off would drive me up the wall.

Now I know that I'm not alone.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

...thank you for saying that because every time I hear about an iDrive "touch screen"...I'm thinking why would I want to touch the screen? The thought of all of those fingertip smudges...or actually seeing them and always having to clean them off would drive me up the wall.

Now I know that I'm not alone.

BMW nailed the rotary controller after many iterations. I hope it's here to stay not the ugly, cumbersome dual or single massive touchscreen companies feel people want.

I wouldn't mind the above if we still have a rotary controller to be clear

[randybobandy]

I had a rental vehicle earlier this year with the rotary gear shifter...let me tell you know bad that is after using the iDrive controller. I will give it to BMW, they definitely nailed the interaction with the screen. I like the touch screen ability, but also feel like you almost have to go out of your way to hit it. Rarely do I ever touch the screen since the knob is really intuitive.

[Paladin1]

BMW controls are among the several reasons I didn't stick with Audi - exclusive flat screen touch controls below line of sight are a less than optimum drive control interface, to be generous.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

I use voice commands for navigation as well but only use the rotary controller because touch screens get dirty quickly and it will bother me seeing finger prints constantly on my screen if I'm on a road trip for example.

You either get finger prints on the crystal control or touch screen so it’s gonna happen somewhere. Just wash your hands more and don’t eat in the car it won’t be a big issue. I keep a microfiber cloth in the car to remove excessive finger prints. I don’t see the prints that much but then again I dip my finger tips in superglue once a week to avoid this. Your either hardcore or your not.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

You either get finger prints on the crystal control or touch screen so it’s gonna happen somewhere. Just wash your hands more and don’t eat in the car it won’t be a big issue. I keep a microfiber cloth in the car to remove excessive finger prints. I don’t see the prints that much but then again I dip my finger tips in superglue once a week to avoid this. Your either hardcore or your not.

I'm really hardcore. I don't touch the steering wheel because I don't want to get prints on it. Oh, the obsession

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I'm really hardcore. I don't touch the steering wheel because I don't want to get prints on it. Oh, the obsession

I just use my steering wheel cover so I don't have to worry about it

.

[gpitts]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

The top of the iDrive wheel is actually glass/crystal as well, but not faceted - just a flat surface - so you can "write" on it just like the standard wheel.

That was my point, but I could have been more clear that there is no faceted crystal on the iDrive knob.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by Marty in Bgm

I just use my steering wheel cover so I don't have to worry about it

.

Aaand, you don't need a heated steering wheel then. Especially if you use live pink weasels....

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Aaand, you don't need a heated steering wheel then. Especially if you use live pink weasels....

Keeps my hands nice and warm in the winter.. ..

.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

You either get finger prints on the crystal control or touch screen so it's gonna happen somewhere. Just wash your hands more and don't eat in the car it won't be a big issue. I keep a microfiber cloth in the car to remove excessive finger prints. I don't see the prints that much but then again I dip my finger tips in superglue once a week to avoid this. Your either hardcore or your not.

oh I know, it's more that I keep my sunshade open most days since it's nice out and I can see them easier. I keep a microfiber cloth in my car too. I've never liked reaching for a touchscreen So I added the excuse if getting it dirty to make me sound less crazy

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by Marty in Bgm

Keeps my hands nice and warm in the winter.. ..

.