I hate screens -- This is a thread for your favorite switches, knobs, pulls, and any other tactile car things.

[CostcoPizza]

I'm a broken record around here.

I post too many times in too many threads about how I can't stand screens and nonphysical buttons. Instead, here's a thread that seeks to accomplish just the opposite.

Personally, I've always loved the 70s-80s 911 defrost levers, every time I've pulled one up I expect to get ejected shortly thereafter, but it hasn't happened yet.



What else?

EDIT: I think we've already had a gauge and manual shift knob thread, so this is for all the other items.

[Ace_VR6]

Always my favorite, the typewriter transmissions many domestic car makers used in the 50s and 60s!

[Cabin Pics]

I'm a broken record around here.

I post too many times in too many threads about how I can't stand screens and nonphysical buttons. Instead, here's a thread that seeks to accomplish just the opposite.

Personally, I've always loved the 70s-80s 911 defrost levers, every time I've pulled one up I expect to get ejected shortly thereafter, but it hasn't happened yet.



What else?

EDIT: I think we've already had a gauge and shifter thread, so this is for all the other items.

Mom's 77' Super Beetle has similar levers, have not been ejected either. That's all I've got.

I do appreciate trunks that can still be opened with a dead battery, that's important to me.

[spoonie]

mostly buttons.

[phatrs]

I’m constantly ranting to anyone who will listen about the stupidity of touch screens in cars. It’s a tool, so should have physical controls.


Ben
Now: ‘19 VW Golf R, ‘15 Polo GTI
Before: ‘06 RenaultSport Megane 225 Cup, ‘14 VW Polo GTI, ‘12 VW Golf GTI, ‘06 VW Golf GTI, ‘05 VW Golf Sportline, ‘01 Holden Astra SRi, ‘00 Nissan Pulsar SSS, ‘99 Holden Astra CD, ‘98 Nissan Pulsar SLX, ‘91 Nissan Pulsar GL with Q engine swap, ‘80 Subaru Leone

[StressStrain]

OP, I take your point about the value of tactile user input..but would you really rather have the sea of buttons below?

My point is, it's easy to look back to when there were very few inputs into the user interface, so the UI could be very simple. But the complexity of the modern car means there are a lot more functions to account for in the UI. And that's were the contextual sensitivity of a configurable touch screen becomes very valuable.

[StressStrain]

I’m constantly ranting to anyone who will listen about the stupidity of touch screens in cars. It’s a tool, so should have physical controls.

Does your computer, tablet, or phone have physical controls?

Remember there was a time when your phone did...when it acted solely as a phone.

[vwpiloto]

These guys were famously asked about buttons too.

[zmt2]

I never knew how cool the mk1 TT heated seat knobs were until recently, so I'm going with that for now:


(you push the whole thing in like a button and the knob extends out so you can adjust the heating level)

[ImpeccableNEW]

Nothing beats the huge LIGHT button in 1999-2004 Honda Odysseys(I d imagine they kept this around) every time i get into another car and drop something on the floor I reach for the button that doesn't exist. Great simple engineering

[elmo3]

Does your computer, tablet, or phone have physical controls?

Remember there was a time when your phone did...when it acted solely as a phone.

I don't care about using the screen to access esoteric, one-time setup type things.

But the five functions you need access to while driving, should be controlled by physical controls.

As for your screen comment, my GTI lets me use the tuning button to move around Android Auto. That's an absolute godsend, because trying to use a phone type screen while driving is impossible AND irresponsibly dangerous.

[UncleJB]

I've always loved the simplicity of the VW Mk2 rocker switches.

[Baltimoron]

It's good to see that Jeep didn't bury the locker and sway bar disco buttons in the headunit for the JL/JT. It would have been a major pain in the ass for Brayden or Jayden to find the off road page option in the mall parking lot with a Sbux latte in one hand and a phone in the other.

[whitejeep1989]

Mini Cooper's toggle switches are awesome.

As far as screens are concerned, I think voice command will quickly replace having to physically touch screens.

[r_fostoria]

As far as screens are concerned, I think voice command will quickly replace having to physically touch screens.

That's even worse. Something about talking to robots that makes me uncomfortable.

[freedomgli]

I used to have this toggle switch setup in my Miata. Most of them were just unused accessory switches. But I still loved playing with them like a fidget device.

[MAC]

I love VW headlight switches.

[Sporin]

I love ICON's spin on the classic FJ40 dash pull knobs.




The originals...

[freedomgli]

The Ford GT has nice switchgear

[hasnfefr]

I agree with the op. Cars should be made less complicated and less distracting. Touch screens do the opposite. You should be driving not fiddling with a screen, or your latte, hell, I don't even like the radio, it's nice just to be alone with your thoughts.....
Didn't we learn our lessons with the ww2 war machines and all their same shaped controls. Afterwards industry standard was to make controls feel different. Now we go backwards? never made any sense to me. You should be able to operate a car without having to look away from the road.

[freedomgli]

I agree with the op. Cars should be made less complicated and less distracting. Touch screens do the opposite.

Human factors related to the human-machine interface have long been studied and well understood. But that doesn't stop manufacturers from choosing designs that are seen as being more technologically advanced, more in-line with customer expectations (hey everything is flat screen these days), and/or more profitable for the manufacturer at the expense of other qualities. Plus, many cars that have flat screens also have voice controls, and the mfr. would really prefer you learn to control your car via voice controls... for safety reasons.

https://www.volvocars.com/en-ca/supp...-voice-control

[JackStraw79]

That's even worse. Something about talking to robots that makes me uncomfortable.

No way. Siri is my girl.

::Long Presses mic button on steering wheel::

"Directions to ___"
"Call __"
"Play __ album by __"
"Read my last text message"
"What is the weather tonight"

Use this stuff all of the time

[atomicalex]

I love manual climate control!

[andlf]

I love VW headlight switches.

I like the textured buttons.

[abacabdan]

I've always loved the simplicity of the VW Mk2 rocker switches.

Agreed! A very satisfying click too.