How long will it take?

[nickmccally]

The prices of LCD screens are drastically decreasing. I bought a new 24" HD computer screen from dell: $190 SHIPPED!

How long is it going to take before we see LCD screens standard in the dash. Why do car companies charge $2,000 I don't get it. I think with all the technology (LCD, touch screen capabilities, GPS chip, etc) it is worth $1,000 max. And I really think they should be priced at $600-700.

This one bugs me, I think ALL NEW CARS should be equiped with the RFID tag with push button start, keyless entry, etc. Ford doesn't offer it until the 2011, and Chevy only has it on the vette.

Lastly, in correspondence with the LCD screen I think the mirrors should be camera's. Camera technology is super cheap these days, it shouldn't be but 200-300$..

Overall I think the car industry should push for more modern technology to be standardized.

Thoughts?

[BOOTZILLA]

I think that people need to focus more on the road.

LCD Screen Price? - You pay for the convenience and look of it, not the cost of producing it.

Navigation? - I don't get into the car if I don't already know where I'm going.

Cameras? - They break. Mirrors are fine by me.

Cadillacs have keyless entry and push button start.

[Blownhotrodder]

What you gonna do when your sideview camera stops working? It also takes your eyes down off the road.

[lil_chef]

unfortunately i have to agree with bootzilla, LCD screens offer way too much of a distraction for most people.

side view cameras could be helpful to improve aerodynamics.... but then its just another electrical component that can go wrong

i think push button start and keyless entry is just a gimmick..... but boy did i love that gimmick when i test drove the 370z. this is the only option that i can see becoming more available within a couple of years.

[nickmccally]

I know that I was sideswiped on Dec. 4th and my mirror was knocked off. Would have been no problem had the camera's been in place. Mirrors are sorta glass and break..

Doesn't everyone's cellphone and GPS take your eyes off the road? I think it is just something you need to adapt to. LCD screen or not - you'd still be distracted changing the temperature of the car. I think that most cars everything is controlled with the LCD screen with the nav package (temp, radio, etc..)

[BOOTZILLA]

Originally Posted by nickmccally

I know that I was sideswiped on Dec. 4th and my mirror was knocked off. Would have been no problem had the camera's been in place. Mirrors are sorta glass and break..

Would have been no problem had you been 6 more inches to the left/right too.

Doesn't everyone's cellphone and GPS take your eyes off the road? I think it is just something you need to adapt to. LCD screen or not - you'd still be distracted changing the temperature of the car. I think that most cars everything is controlled with the LCD screen with the nav package (temp, radio, etc..)

Yes, cell phones and GPS devices do take peoples' eyes off the road. I enjoy the bluetooth in my Camaro when I feel the need to talk on the phone. I refuse to text while driving.

And again, I don't get into my car without knowing exactly where I'm going.

I never get lost, because I remember the names and directions of the streets & highways that I've been traveling on. The built-in compass is good enough for me.

[nickmccally]

Originally Posted by BOOTZILLA

Would have been no problem had you been 6 more inches to the left/right too.



Yes, cell phones and GPS devices do take peoples' eyes off the road. I enjoy the bluetooth in my Camaro when I feel the need to talk on the phone. I refuse to text while driving.

And again, I don't get into my car without knowing exactly where I'm going.

I never get lost, because I remember the names and directions of the streets & highways that I've been traveling on. The built-in compass is good enough for me.

Call me crazy, but one time I drove from Indiana to Florida (22 hours approx) with just a GPS.. I had NO idea where I was going.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by nickmccally

Overall I think the car industry should push for more modern technology to be standardized.

Thoughts?

It is...The Cobalt's replacement (Cruze) this year will have a standard screen in-dash.

It all just takes time...and money. There's a limit to how much "modern tech" you can put into a car...because it gets expensive...because it's modern. That was the reason they didn't put a push-button start in the Camaro...the sensors, wiring, and computer code would have added cost to the vehicle, and they would have rather allocated that elsewhere rather than raise the base MSRP of the car.

Power locks have only just become pretty standardized. I mean...heh!

Life is about trade-offs, the Auto-Industry deals with that on an even more focused level.

[nickmccally]

Now that you say it, the power locks and windows have only recently been standardized.

10 more years on the indash screen?

By then Caddis, Lincoln, BMW, Mercedes will all have hologram technology.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by nickmccally

Now that you say it, the power locks and windows have only recently been standardized.

10 more years on the indash screen?

By then Caddis, Lincoln, BMW, Mercedes will all have hologram technology.

Sounds about right...

[ViperTomcat]

I'd take inexpensive, easy to read, simple HUD's over in dash LCD's.

RPM, speed, engine temp and current gear(and shift indicator) in my FOV please, not below my eye-line where I have to take my eyes off the road.

[AngryAmish]

Originally Posted by nickmccally

Lastly, in correspondence with the LCD screen I think the mirrors should be camera's. Camera technology is super cheap these days, it shouldn't be but 200-300$..

Overall I think the car industry should push for more modern technology to be standardized.

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by BOOTZILLA

I think that people need to focus more on the road.
Cameras? - They break. Mirrors are fine by me.

Originally Posted by Blownhotrodder

What you gonna do when your sideview camera stops working? It also takes your eyes down off the road.

Originally Posted by lil_chef

side view cameras could be helpful to improve aerodynamics.... but then its just another electrical component that can go wrong

Cadillac's version of the Volt--a concept mind you--has cameras instead of mirrors.

Alot of people will criticize cameras, but think it through for a minute. You take your eyes off the road when looking in the side mirrors too, especially in a car with massive blindspots. Panoramic cameras have NO blindspots. Most people don't set their mirrors right anyway...another benefit to cameras. How many people glance over their shoulder in addition to using the mirrors anyway?

Also, in some cases those cameras would actually be cheaper to replace than mirrors. Especially the gadgety ones with turn signals in them.

No doubt, cameras would take some getting used to. There would be a bit of a learning curve, especially in regards to distance. The benefits as far as I'm concerned are worth it.

[lil_chef]

i wasnt saying that i didn't want cameras instead of mirrors, i was just saying that cameras are just another electrical thing that may malfunction. but hey, the rest of our driving experience is dependent on electrical aids so why not?

where would you put the LCD screens to display the side view image? implemented in either side of the dash board? implemented into a HUD? or just use the nav screen?

i also think that systems like Ford Sync need to become standard in vehicles. rather than fiddling with buttons to find my song/ radio station i just simply give the command with my voice.

[BOOTZILLA]

Originally Posted by nickmccally

Call me crazy, but one time I drove from Indiana to Florida (22 hours approx) with just a GPS.. I had NO idea where I was going.

I'm not saying it can't be done, or that it doesn't work well.

But yeah, I would call you crazy for doing that.

GPS craps out halfway.... and you're SOL.