Is the Genesis GPS text-to-speech?

[Kevinc5a]

I tried searching but couldn't get past the security question...
Thanks

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I tried searching but couldn't get past the security question...
Thanks

Security question?

 

[dataguy]

I tried searching but couldn't get past the security question...
Thanks

The GPS does not say street names during guidance except for generic roads (i.e. "Interstate Five"). Otherwise, it's just directionals and the street name is shown on the display.

Kind of disappointing, especially since the voice command system does do TTS -- it will even read back addresses and XM station names to you.

 

[Kevinc5a]

Too bad. I'm considering a Genesis, but that gives me one more reason to wait for the 2010 model. The text to speech on my two year old Garmin 680 is much more useful than I expected. I'd like to see if there's an upgrade on the new Genesis to at least match that technology.
With new GPS models coming out so frequently I'm wondering if getting a Tech package just locks us into a older technology without an upgrade path.

 

[dataguy]

Indeed, technology packages on cars will almost always lock you into something without an upgrade path. Usually, there's no way to update--there might be a technical capability (such as a general purpose CPU, flash memory, or a hard drive), but that doesn't mean that the manufacturer will ever offer an update. If they come out with a new system, then it's usually not retrofitable on older models. Even if you can do an aftermarket upgrade, there's so much integration now that it's difficult to do that except on a base model car.

So, yes, from a future-proofing standpoint, it's better to go with a non-integrated aftermarket GPS. But there are tradeoffs to that. You can also wait for better technology, but you can never win at that game, and as soon as you do buy, you're stuck with obsolescence.

As far as the 2010, I hear that it might be getting a touchscreen nav, which implies that they may be changing to the Hyundai-developed system that's showing up in other models. Something you'll have to weigh. I'm not convinced that an internally developed system will have as many advantages as some may think.

 

[ctrcbob]

My former MKZ had the "Touch Screen" and although I liked it at the time, the screen would get very dirty, plus the coating over the icons I would touch most, wore off. When I would get a damp cloth to clean the screen, you could see where the coating wore off.

When I first got my Genesis, I did not like the DIS knob and the way I had to use screen. Well, I changed my mind. I NOW LOVE THE GENESIS SYSTEM. Just have to learn the system and how to use it. Best of all, the screen stays clean. (My best friend has touch screen in his Prius, and his is even dirtier than my MKZ ever was).

 

[pixelvisions]

Can one of you lucky bastards that has a 2010 answer this question officially. I have been told by two different dealers that the 2010 now has "text-to-speech" meaning it pronounces the names of the streets as it gives directions. Is this true... or are dealers lying to my face?

 

[dataguy]

Can one of you lucky bastards that has a 2010 answer this question officially. I have been told by two different dealers that the 2010 now has "text-to-speech" meaning it pronounces the names of the streets as it gives directions. Is this true... or are dealers lying to my face?

I can believe that the 2010 4.6 base and 3.8 w/ Premium Navigation package may have TTS with the touchscreen nav, but my guess is that the Tech package (the Lexicon/DIS system) is exactly the same as 2009--no TTS.

 

[pixelvisions]

That is what I am wanting to know... thanks for the clarification. I am eying the tech version (since it has a bigger screen) -- Any 2010 4.6 Tech owners out there that can verify this package doesn't do the text-to-speech?

 

[Pahaska]

with the much larger screen, I really don't miss the text to speech. When I went from a little Magellan to a little Magellan with TTS, it was a great improvement since the small screen could be hard to read. With the much larger screen, the street names are easy to spot.

I always get amused at the mispronunciations with the Magellan. Texas is full of FM (farm to market) and RM (ranch to market) roads. "Maggie" pronounces them strangely. Also, Maggie tries to make words out of all sorts of other abbreviations. Still, she is useful and we have a lot of interesting conversational exchanges when she tries to take me where I refuse to go.

Last year, Maggie took me 1/2 mile down a narrow road that was crossed by a railroad overpass marked 8' 1". Trouble was, I was pulling a 29' Airstream trailer that needed almost 10' clearance. Big, big snafu!

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[dataguy]

I just don't know why the Lexicon wouldn't do TTS, since it's a mature, now-standard feature on most GPS. Plus, the voice command system reads back street addresses that you input to the GPS via voice, so it has the TTS capability but doesn't use it during route guidance.

 

[ASHDUMP]

My sprint cell phone's navigation is quite good. It recites back to me street names all the time.

 

[Paulroger]

I was getting ready to get on i4 in central Florida, when to my surprise, the 4.6 2010 tech GPS announced " NEXT RIGHT ONTO i4 EASTBOUND". I don't know why it announced this road, it hasn't done TTS for any others.