The unpaid version of cruise control/autopilot is actually a different software from the one that comes bundled with FSD. I actually think the semi-smart autopilot that comes bundled with FSD is better than FSD itself.
I tried to get into FSD but I felt that it made me an obnoxious driver. Chill is too slow and makes unnecessary lane changes. Hurry makes too many unnecessary lane changes while speeding beyond the flow of traffic. When you encounter a "mormon roadblock", e.g two cars going the speed limit on a two lane road, FSD goes into a loop changing lanes back and forth hoping for an overtake that never comes. If you're the type of driver who picks his exit lane early because you know they're prone to jamming and drivers blocking each other later, FSD will still try to get out of the merge lane to pass, ditto for busy intersection queues.
Removing the human driver makes one things SPECIFICALLY worse, and that is the ability to correct navigation errors and override sub-optimal routing. For example: there is one block on my commute where you can take either an uncontrolled left turn, or go up to a light. The difference is one block and the light is usually faster during rush hour because the uncontrolled turn takes forever to get a safe gap. Navigation always chooses the uncontrolled left to the point that you have to disengage. There's other quality of life issues too like wanting to approach your destination from the left or the right because you know the parking situation ahead of time. These can be communicated to a human driver. You can't explain that to Tesla FSD though. It's tapped into the car-machine-god hivemind and can't be bothered with instructions from mere mortals.
But I digress, I think the paid, semi-smart autopilot is their best product. I can set an objective speed limit. It stops at stop signs and red lights automatically. It stays in its lane until I tap the blinker so it changes lane. It can autopark. These things actually augment my driving and reduce cognitive strain while driving, while keeping me just alert enough. FSD is all or nothing while requiring full non-interactive attention like a sentinel.
I tried to get into FSD but I felt that it made me an obnoxious driver. Chill is too slow and makes unnecessary lane changes. Hurry makes too many unnecessary lane changes while speeding beyond the flow of traffic. When you encounter a "mormon roadblock", e.g two cars going the speed limit on a two lane road, FSD goes into a loop changing lanes back and forth hoping for an overtake that never comes. If you're the type of driver who picks his exit lane early because you know they're prone to jamming and drivers blocking each other later, FSD will still try to get out of the merge lane to pass, ditto for busy intersection queues.
Removing the human driver makes one things SPECIFICALLY worse, and that is the ability to correct navigation errors and override sub-optimal routing. For example: there is one block on my commute where you can take either an uncontrolled left turn, or go up to a light. The difference is one block and the light is usually faster during rush hour because the uncontrolled turn takes forever to get a safe gap. Navigation always chooses the uncontrolled left to the point that you have to disengage. There's other quality of life issues too like wanting to approach your destination from the left or the right because you know the parking situation ahead of time. These can be communicated to a human driver. You can't explain that to Tesla FSD though. It's tapped into the car-machine-god hivemind and can't be bothered with instructions from mere mortals.
But I digress, I think the paid, semi-smart autopilot is their best product. I can set an objective speed limit. It stops at stop signs and red lights automatically. It stays in its lane until I tap the blinker so it changes lane. It can autopark. These things actually augment my driving and reduce cognitive strain while driving, while keeping me just alert enough. FSD is all or nothing while requiring full non-interactive attention like a sentinel.