What is Lumix working on?

[Markuswelder]

But BMW still charge for a software key to unlock adaptive cruise control. It’s £750 one-time payment in the UK. All the hardware is already there.

That's the KTM model as well. Like I wrote, I personally don't mind that. As long as you don't think about it too much, and wonder if the pricing hasn't been discounted/adjusted for the non addition of the feature as standard, and switching it on is simply just a big cash grab. In saying that though, sometimes seemingly more basic features are actually more expensive to include over the more "premium" ones. Take wind up windows for example. If you can actually get them now. Electric windows are one of my pet hates. Give me that simple old winder any day of the week

 

[Travis Butler]

That's the KTM model as well. Like I wrote, I personally don't mind that. As long as you don't think about it too much, and wonder if the pricing hasn't been discounted/adjusted for the non addition of the feature as standard, and switching it on is simply just a big cash grab. In saying that though, sometimes seemingly more basic features are actually more expensive to include over the more "premium" ones. Take wind up windows for example. If you can actually get them now. Electric windows are one of my pet hates. Give me that simple old winder any day of the week

From what I understand, the window motors have gotten sufficiently commoditized that electric windows are actually cheaper to make than manual ones; fewer moving/mechanical parts.

Kind of like DSLRs vs mirrorless. ^^;;

 

[pdk42]

That's the KTM model as well. Like I wrote, I personally don't mind that. As long as you don't think about it too much, and wonder if the pricing hasn't been discounted/adjusted for the non addition of the feature as standard, and switching it on is simply just a big cash grab. In saying that though, sometimes seemingly more basic features are actually more expensive to include over the more "premium" ones. Take wind up windows for example. If you can actually get them now. Electric windows are one of my pet hates. Give me that simple old winder any day of the week

Bring back the starting handle, that’s what I say!

 

[Markuswelder]

Bring back the starting handle, that’s what I say!

I do like my kickstart much more than I possibly should too. Nothing quite as satisfying as gently nudging a high compression, 625cc single cylinder engine into life. As bystanders watch, fully expecting it to break your leg. Technique and skills And I also have quite a distaste for all the other cr@p being foisted upon us, such as stability control, traction control, lane departure warning and so on and so forth. In my observations, all it's doing is turning cr@p drivers into really really cr@p drivers. How difficult is it to flick that little lever just behind the steering wheel up or down, to signal your intentions to turn off onto side streets? It's getting worse by the week. Taking more and more responsibility away is not making it any better from what I'm seeing

 

[PL-Shooter]

And I also have quite a distaste for all the other cr@p being foisted upon us, such as stability control, traction control, lane departure warning and so on and so forth. In my observations, all it's doing is turning cr@p drivers into really really cr@p drivers. How difficult is it to flick that little lever just behind the steering wheel up or down, to signal your intentions to turn off onto side streets? It's getting worse by the week. Taking more and more responsibility away is not making it any better from what I'm seeing

You are so "spot-on" with your opinion. Couldn't agree more.

 

[pdk42]

I do like my kickstart much more than I possibly should too. Nothing quite as satisfying as gently nudging a high compression, 625cc single cylinder engine into life. As bystanders watch, fully expecting it to break your leg. Technique and skills And I also have quite a distaste for all the other cr@p being foisted upon us, such as stability control, traction control, lane departure warning and so on and so forth. In my observations, all it's doing is turning cr@p drivers into really really cr@p drivers. How difficult is it to flick that little lever just behind the steering wheel up or down, to signal your intentions to turn off onto side streets? It's getting worse by the week. Taking more and more responsibility away is not making it any better from what I'm seeing

Yeah, modern cars are loaded with nanny features. The UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Transport Division sets most of the vehicle standards for Europe (that's EU and UK) and these days they are mandating all sorts of annoying crap that is either always on or defaults to on with every operating cycle. For example:

- Speed limit warnings
- Lane deviation detect - audible, visual, or sensory warnings (e.g. steering wheel vibration); in many vehicles now this extends to intervention/correction (tugging at the wheel)
- Forward collision detect, in some cases supported by auto application of brakes
- Pedestrian collision detect
- Stability control

I'm sure they can point to data to show that these things do actually improve road safety (since most drivers are pretty incompetent), but they sure as hell irritate the life out of me; especially when they don't work properly! As an example, there is a slight bend near to my home which is often festooned with parked cars and sometimes pedestrians and the system on my car often gets confused and starts screaming at me that I'm about to have a collision when I'm quite clearly not going to hit anything.

Thankfully, I'm adept at using the various OBD tools that are available so I've been able to turn all this stuff off; but most people don't go to those lengths.

 

[Miki]

But BMW still charge for a software key to unlock adaptive cruise control. It’s £750 one-time payment in the UK. All the hardware is already there.

One has already payed a premium (many times overprised) for a car with all that gear in the car, no question asked, if one wants it, or not.
(I'm sure, people do not wish to have features to fully control a car remotely, and yet, they have to pay for it.)
If that gear is running on soft, that should be included to run, what is already in the car, and payed for.
It is a daylight robbery by the real criminals!
There is always a choice to make.

 

[Nevyn72]

But it sounds like an S5ii and you pay extra for the codec. The hardware is already there… But if you bought the S5iiX you got the extra codec, and a nice paint job.

No there are more changes, like record to SSD, and you cannot buy that with an update, it's hardware related. Thats Why I waited 6 months before I bought the S5ii, so I could buy the S5iiX.

Do I use it often - No, but happy that O have it when I need it.

 

[RuleOfThirds]

As an example, there is a slight bend near to my home which is often festooned with parked cars and sometimes pedestrians and the system on my car often gets confused and starts screaming at me that I'm about to have a collision when I'm quite clearly not going to hit anything.

Thankfully, I'm adept at using the various OBD tools that are available so I've been able to turn all this stuff off; but most people don't go to those lengths.

When I got my first car with auto parking I decided to test it with a friend on a very busy day near a shop. parallel parking. The car found a very tight spot I normally wouldn’t try, but after 200 times back and forth he/she/it got it parked in ultra tight. After shopping I hit the parking-out button, and I got the message: impossible, do it yourself . My friend started laughing at me but he, helped me by watching the rear and front getting it out. My conclusion was that there must have been two separate teams or persons working on this feature… one team could park a car

How difficult is it to flick that little lever just behind the steering wheel up or down, to signal your intentions to turn off onto side streets?

This shows that you have not been to Italy… I think only one percent of the drivers use it, and my guess it those are tourists as well. It is almost as bad as in Lima, Peru over there and Napoli/Rome might be worse because of the maniacs driving scooters.

 

[Markuswelder]

This shows that you have not been to Italy… I think only one percent of the drivers use it, and my guess it those are tourists as well. It is almost as bad as in Lima, Peru over there and Napoli/Rome might be worse because of the maniacs driving scooters.

Ha ha ha. Dude, I've been to China, and driven/ridden around a little bit over there. But the difference is, it's expected behavior. The norm. If that makes any sense. You just plain expect it, and drive accordingly. No one gets upset, there's plenty of horn and flashing of lights usage to let others know you're there, and what you're up to. And the weird thing is, it kind of makes sense, and seems to actually work. Really well.
But here, it's just the randomness of it I think. For some reason it gets you by surprise, as it's out of the ordinary. I can't really explain it, it just seems so erratic and unexpected here. But when in Rome...........................

 

[pdk42]

Ha ha ha. Dude, I've been to China, and driven/ridden around a little bit over there. But the difference is, it's expected behavior. The norm. If that makes any sense. You just plain expect it, and drive accordingly. No one gets upset, there's plenty of horn and flashing of lights usage to let others know you're there, and what you're up to. And the weird thing is, it kind of makes sense, and seems to actually work. Really well.
But here, it's just the randomness of it I think. For some reason it gets you by surprise, as it's out of the ordinary. I can't really explain it, it just seems so erratic and unexpected here. But when in Rome...........................

It’s funny how different countries have their particular driving culture. I found Australia pretty tame and actually thought competence levels were high. I found on highways that pretty much everyone kept to the speed limit, which was not the norm in the UK at the time (this has mostly changed now due to blanket speed cameras becoming the norm). My one-liner summary for some of the places I’ve been is this:

- France - tailgating. They’ll drive a metre from your rear and when you move over they’ll pass at a snail’s pace.
- Germany - righteous. The rules are the rules. Make sure you follow them. Expect obvious annoyance if you don’t.
- Italy - madness. The rules are for guidance, but are mostly ignored.
- Spain - like Italy.
- USA - amateur. Most people have no real clue how to drive, and in any case spend most of their time behind the wheel doing something else!
- Canada - like USA, but with more courtesy.
- Norway/Sweden/Denmark - mostly sane.
- Finland - crazy but likeable. Everyone is a wannabe rally driver.
- Japan - mostly sane, at least they drive on the correct side of the road.

Feel free to add your own stereotypes!

 

[RuleOfThirds]

It’s funny how different countries have their particular driving culture. I found Australia pretty tame and actually thought competence levels were high. I found on highways that pretty much everyone kept to the speed limit, which was not the norm in the UK at the time (this has mostly changed now due to blanket speed cameras becoming the norm). My one-liner summary for some of the places I’ve been is this:

- France - tailgating. They’ll drive a metre from your rear and when you move over they’ll pass at a snail’s pace.
- Germany - righteous. The rules are the rules. Make sure you follow them. Expect obvious annoyance if you don’t.
- Italy - madness. The rules are for guidance, but are mostly ignored.
- Spain - like Italy.
- USA - amateur. Most people have no real clue how to drive, and in any case spend most of their time behind the wheel doing something else!
- Canada - like USA, but with more courtesy.
- Norway/Sweden/Denmark - mostly sane.
- Finland - crazy but likeable. Everyone is a wannabe rally driver.
- Japan - mostly sane, at least they drive on the correct side of the road.

Feel free to add your own stereotypes!

UK on the wrong side of the road ..from the European point of view. Never have driven there, but one of the reasons to not go there this summer Is that my son was afraid with only 6 months experience to take a roundabout "the wrong way". And I want him to drive as much as possible for experience. He drove well in Italy considering the insanity. Only Costa di Amalfi he refused to drive, and Napels/Rome. He did drive the Milan highway ring road during peak hours, and that went ok.

- Netherlands, most of the time people do abide the rules. But max speed equals minimum speed.... In my view Spain is much easier then Italy.. And France is much better now than it was 25 years ago. Paris was insane back then, now it is quite normal for a busy city.

US most fun thing I saw was a guy with a manual gearbox but didn't know how to use the handbrake on a hill. Rolled like 10m backwards before he got it running up-hill again after a traffic light. But yes.. USA is for amateurs.... big highways, and back in the day that I drove to Pikes Peak there was a laughable brake temp control station downhill. I saw that already when driving uphill, so I drove my V8 Cadillac down without using the brakes, just on engine as you are supposed to. They guy at the control point thought at first that hIs thermometer was broken . On the other hand.... after a round trip through Berechtesgaden, Austria, I saw a woman with burning brakes standing still after the descent. So probably a US tourist