So here's something we're yet to figure out about our STI: Periodically, let's say maybe 70 percent of the time, this is the first screen we see when we fire up the STI's navigation system. It appears before the "caution" screen which must be agreed to before using the system. Basically, it's one more step to take before getting on with your business. And it's annoying...
The bizarre part is that it's not consistently the first screen to appear. We're yet to read every word of the navigation system manual, but there's no obvious mention of how and why choosing a language is sometimes the first thing we're asked to do. Or how to make it default to English and stop asking.
Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor @ 4,435 miles
karjunkie says:
02:31 PM, 05/27/08
Didn't know female english was different from male english. In politically correct California, I would have expected a cross gender option!
actualsize says:
02:50 PM, 05/27/08
Male english is weird in this car--not because of the male voice but because the chap has a proper British accent. It seems odd to take direction from someone who sounds like David Attenborough or James May.
Now if the voice were that of Samuel L. Jackson ...
SnakeDoctor says:
02:57 PM, 05/27/08
Some cultures find the female voice more pleasing the male voice. Acura used to have a Navi voice like that of a 12 year-old girl!
Some British cars have a fake British male accent - to create a butler atmosphere(?)
Like I told Josh - I think the initial language choice may be due to Canadian regs on bilingual language.
I see that Josh chose - English(US), female. Right on.
johnmarco says:
03:08 PM, 05/27/08
Retarded. Must be a software bug. Beware first-year models!
Incidentally, it's nice to know the male voice has a UK accent. I prefer that accent. Have my girlfriend's Garmin set to female UK.
estreka says:
03:18 PM, 05/27/08
Samuel L. Jackson Nav:
"The path of the your trip is beset on all sides by the inequities of other cars and the road rage of evil men"
"I've had it with these MFing cars on this MFing road!"
Error Msg: "Jus' 'cause you pour syrup on sumtin' don't make it pancakes!"
jjacquot says:
03:27 PM, 05/27/08
I assume there's some logic to the system which is determining which screen we get and when we get it. I'm just yet to find the pattern.
Josh
SubyTrojan says:
04:35 PM, 05/27/08
I'd rather have Mr. T barking at me than Samuel L. Jackson. :o)
Hopefully, you guys and gals get this sorted out in the navigation options/setup. Or if it bugs you that much, I'm willing to take one for the team and take the car off your hands.
On a semi-related note, Joe Spitz's site has some cool screenshots of the nav system:
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/nav2.html
stovt001 says:
08:22 PM, 05/27/08
Reason #528 why factory nav systems are a rip off and why you should just go for a Garmin.
trackwrex says:
12:00 AM, 05/28/08
gee, another suby quirk? why is this not surprising? i would've chosen female english as well. there have been studies made that show that female voices are preferred in most cases for nav systems. my tomtom has a uk-english female voice. gotta love that accent- one can only wish it was kate beckinsale...
deadmansale says:
10:55 AM, 05/28/08
Love it estreka, absolutely love it!
SubyTrojan says:
08:02 PM, 06/ 1/08
Some of the posts (3431, 3432, 3435-3438, 3442) on this NASIOC page may help, fellas.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1415491&page=138
drphyzx says:
01:24 PM, 06/ 4/08
It's not random and it's not a bug. That is NEVER the first screen. The first screen is ALWAYS the lawyer screen where you have to press "Agree". If you don't press "Agree" for a long time (if you ignore it) then the language selection screen appears after some predetermined period.