[J. Bond]

Wish the Insight came with “real” Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alerts, but what do you all think of the Lane Watch?

I know that Consumer Reports doesn't like it. I've seen a couple of commenters on the web call it “Lame Watch”. But I’ve seen many people swear by it; that it is a real help.

Oh, by the way, are there any BSM and RCTA add-ones available?

 

[Mr. Natural]

I’ve never had a car with either, so I guess I don’t know what I’m missing. I find the Lane Watch helpful and didn’t take long to get used to. Its good for helping judge moving back into a right lane after passing another vehicle.

 

[Hapless11]

I had BSM (or BLIS as Ford calls it) on my Fusion that I traded for the Insight. I miss it, but Lane Watch is ok for what it is. Very helpful on the interstate. I just miss having something on the driver's side as well.

 

[J. Bond]

Appreciate the input!

Goldy, do you have LW turned on all the time, that is whenever you signal — or, just manually when you press the button?

Hapless... how big a deal do you think BSM is? We started looking at the Prius a while back because you could get real BSM and the rear cross traffic alert for FREE (they now include them automatically), at least on trim 2 and above.

But the Prius has problems on some crash tests and we’re not sure we’d get used to the center dashboard mounted speedometer — which is also only digital, too. Plus, we’re familiar with Hondas!

 

[Hapless11]

Appreciate the input!

Goldy, do you have LW turned on all the time, that is whenever you signal — or, just manually when you press the button?

Hapless... how big a deal do you think BSM is? We started looking at the Prius a while back because you could get real BSM and the rear cross traffic alert for FREE (they now include them automatically), at least on trim 2 and above.

But the Prius has problems on some crash tests and we’re not sure we’d get used to the center dashboard mounted speedometer — which is also only digital, too. Plus, we’re familiar with Hondas!

It was nice to have the little light on the mirrors come on to let me know I really needed to pay extra attention to the blind spots on either side of the car, but it would sometimes come on if there was tall grass on the side of the road, etc., so it wasn't entirely flawless. That was Ford's implementation, though, and I'm not sure how much better (or worse) Honda's would be. Honda's auto highbeams and lane keeping assist is definitely better than Ford's, so I imagine the BSM would be, as well.

Lane Watch does give you the lines to let you know how much distance you have between your car and the car to the right of you, which is neat and useful.

 

[Mr. Natural]

Appreciate the input!

Goldy, do you have LW turned on all the time, that is whenever you signal — or, just manually when you press the button?

Hapless... how big a deal do you think BSM is? We started looking at the Prius a while back because you could get real BSM and the rear cross traffic alert for FREE (they now include them automatically), at least on trim 2 and above.

But the Prius has problems on some crash tests and we’re not sure we’d get used to the center dashboard mounted speedometer — which is also only digital, too. Plus, we’re familiar with Hondas!

I only use it when using the turn signal. Otherwise it would be monopolizing the screen. I like having the fuel economy app up so I can see the effects on mpg instantaneously as I drive. It’s like having a car that trains you how to drive!

 

[miosterbill121]

I like lane watch so much that I did NOT buy a 2018 Honda Accord when I traded in my 17 civic because it didnt have it. I was perplexed they would remove such a valuable feature as being able to "see: your blind spot.. Im so glad they revived it with the 2019 Insight which I did buy. I trust my eye's better than a beeping sensor. I do agree that it should be on the drivers side too, but this is less of an issue.

 

[J. Bond]

Great feedback, thanks!

 

[dj1anddt2]

I like lane watch so much that I did NOT buy a 2018 Honda Accord when I traded in my 17 civic because it didnt have it..

One of the reasons I chose the Insight was well as I was so used to that from my 15 Civic. It really is a nice feature I don’t know why so many reviewers complain about it.

My view on the driver side not having a LaneWatch is “while it would be nice to have, why would I look on a screen to my right when changing lanes.” Seems counterintuitive to me.

If they were to do LaneWatch on both driver and passenger sides IMO it would be perfect in the Driver Information Interface screen if at all possible.

Lastly if using the button to check what’s behind you on either side rather than using the turn signal would we need two buttons or a button somewhere else to see one side versus the other?

At any rate Honda won me over with this feature and everything else the Insight has to offer over the 18 civic and 18 accord.

 

[stevec73]

I just turned off the "on with turn signal" setting because of how it frequently "interrupts" other things, like if I'm using Siri. Will continue to use it manually with the button.

 

[cloudyy]

I'm kind of torn as I find it a little distracting to look down but the view is great. I would have much preferred the blind spot indicator like on the CRV.

 

[mgldan]

My view on the driver side not having a LaneWatch is “while it would be nice to have, why would I look on a screen to my right when changing lanes.” Seems counterintuitive to me.

For me this argument makes the most sense, too, but it will probably feel weird for awhile to have such a great feature on only one side of the car.

Coming from a 2003 VW Passat, which had none of this fancy stuff, I find myself still turning my head to look to the right, despite LaneWatch.

At night, LaneWatch is not super comforting, since the screen itself is totally black. The darkness makes it hard to trust that there is no car there, which is kind of a paradox.

 

[hobokencentral]

I would gladly sacrifice my right side lanewatch system for the rear cross traffic feature. In fact, if Honda chose to not have Lanewatch in the Insight and also - again - chose to not have drivers blind spot monitoring BUT CHOSE to add rear cross traffic, that would make all the difference to me. Blind spot monitoring feels like an unnecessary luxury to me, since I have both my side windows angled so far out that there really IS BARELY any blind spot in each rear corner. Lanewatch is okay but not as essential as rear cross traffic (especially in parking lots).

 

[PacketPaul]

I'm not a fan as it takes away your normal scan when making right turns. Check mirrors … check blind spot … check entertainment system (what?). And it only shows the passenger side. I much prefer the generic blind spot warning light on the mirror.

 

[insightfully]

I'm not a fan as it takes away your normal scan when making right turns. Check mirrors … check blind spot … check entertainment system (what?). And it only shows the passenger side. I much prefer the generic blind spot warning light on the mirror.

Agree on all points above. The Accord's blind spot sensors are mounted on the rear side panels, so it can also provide a rear cross-traffic alert along with blind spot information in the side mirrors. I really considered the Accord EX just for those sensors, but the car was too big for me.

 

[andrew28]

The Insight in Japan actually has blind spot monitor instead of lane watch. The Insight wasn't release in Japan until December so Honda had time to change it in that country. I assume future model years will offer blind spot monitor.

 

[Mobilcams]

I like it when I’m having a difficult time seeing in that direction. Another thing I like about it is the ability of it to see clearly when it’s raining or when my windows are fogged up. I usually leave it in manual mode though because it has caused me to miss a turn here and there while using gps.

 

[Mobilcams]

They also have rear ac vents in Japan. Grrrr.

 

[PacketPaul]

The optimal system would be both. About to turn right and the indicator shows to check your blind spot. So you fire up lane watch and check. Or have Lane Watch only automatically come on when there is something in the blind spot.

 

[insightfully]

The optimal system would be both. About to turn right and the indicator shows to check your blind spot. So you fire up lane watch and check. Or have Lane Watch only automatically come on when there is something in the blind spot.

If I had both Lane Watch and Blind Spot Indicator, the Lane Watch would remain unused for my regular driving. I agree with Honda's design that only includes one system or the other. The Blind Spot Indicator is what I'd rely on during mirror check before visual head turn check and I'd stop there... or as you nicely stated:

I'm not a fan as it takes away your normal scan when making right turns. Check mirrors … check blind spot … check entertainment system (what?).