Few GPS navigation devices have been more eagerly anticipated than Dash Navigation's "Dash Express". The wait is finally over, and the unit is shipping and available for purchase.
Sure, it may look like any old GPS, but Dash Express is the first Internet-connected navigation system that uses two-way wireless connectivity to provide real-time traffic data for highways AND surface streets, Yahoo! internet searches for basically unlimited POIs, and a whole lot more.
Anyone who currently owns a traffic-enabled GPS knows that the traffic data it provides is anything but reliable, and coverage is generally poor. Unlike traditional traffic data, Dash Navigation has gone to extraordinary lengths to provide accurate data and keep you out of traffic. Next generation traffic awareness combined with Internet connectivity sounds great, but does it work? Read on.
Fletch
Best way to test traffic is to have two vehicles with different PND units, lets say your Garmin Nuvi 760 and the DASH unit, test during the busiest day of the week which I would say best time for us here is on Friday between 3-5 PM commute hours and see what routes it offers you and how accurate it is. Sometime routing on surface streets is less desireable than waiting on the hwy for a few minutes. When we tested with multiple vehicles, the two vehicles normally about 10 minutes apart following one another, the reason for this is to test how accurate or fast the unit report issues such as a vehicle park on the side of the road or an accident where all the rubber neckers slow down just to take a peek, this may not be a true traffic delay and may clear up in minutes and if the unit send you way out of the way to avoid this type of minor delay, it may take you longer time to get where you need to go.
You will find it very interesting the way the units will report different traffic conditions and how it recommends a new route.
I have been a beta tester for DASH for sometime also, they have improved much but the size of the unit does not make it very portable and I have always recommended to DASH to place most of the GPRS and WiFi in the cradle instead of the physical unit so when one wish to walk with the unit, it will not be that hard to carry.
I see Dash will have hard time to be successful in the market. Monthly fee is the major problem. I like Gramin's approach to use people's cell phone as Internet access modem.
When you do a full review, I hope you make it clear what features the Dash unit provides if I opt NOT to sign up for the monthly service, e.g., basic GPS, and how well it stacks up in that regard to other units in its price range.
The CNET review says that the device could be off by 1-3 blocks from your actual location. Please let us know if you find the same thing in your testing. (I wouldn't want to buy a device that wasn't accurate.) Thanks,
What's even worse than Dash's inability to properly locate you and is Dash's response to CNET:
"Now, Dash says the Express is for commuters and drivers who typically know where they're going and want the new features." Say what???
With responses like this, Dash already has a quick strike against them.
Tim, of GPS Review, also experienced some wacky routing.
Pass.
There's really no point to buy this device and NOT invest in the added connectivity. That's kinda the whole point of the unit. If you don't want to shell out for the monthly fee, then don't shell out for the dash all together.
This unit is for people who values traffic information. As for the monthly fee, how much do others charge for TMC or MSN?
If you don't need real-time traffic info this GPSr is not for you.
Here's my prediction:
For now (assuming the unit functions as advertised) Dash is going to sell a ton of these and "rule the roost." However, as soon as other major companies (Like Garmin/Magellan/Tom Tom/Navigon) begin to sell units with the same capabilities we're going to see the price of these units plummet, much like cell phones have.
Eventually These devices will be given away "free after rebate" in an effort to sign people up for long-term contracts, as THAT is where the real money is. Early Adopters beware!
I hope the Dash proves to be as good as the promise ... this can only be a good thing for power users who do a LOT of driving and see the value in real time traffic avoidance. For the rest of us, conventional GPS's will continue to improve while dropping in price.
Regards,
Steve
I really like the idea that DASH as added a post theft disabling capability.
My tom tom was stolen from my vehicle (stored in center console). I lamented the fact there was no way to disable the device This would at least deprive the crooks of usable device.
It seems to me All internet electronic connected devices (laptops, mp3 etc. should have a disable and even a tracking capability.
I am looking forward to your dash reviews
Tried this device for 10 days an returned it. 2 reasons:
1. Poor usability -- bad mount, holder, form factor
2. Poor routing -- takes too long and finds longer routes
3. Poor traffic capability -- at least in the Bay area. Routed me through too many traffic jams that my Nuvi 660 was showing clearly!
Ugh!
Mostly agree with Ajay except that the mount, though huge, does work well in my car. These units may work well in CA, but here in ATL, the unit often is worse than being ignorant. It frequently reports clean and green when radio reports all lanes blocked with accidents. DASH blames INRIX, but ATL has a great network of sensors, and Google doesn't seem to have problems.
The unit does allow problem reporting direct to DASH from the unit. Many of my routes have been nonsensical; things like crossing an intersection, making a U turn, then turning left, when the right answer would be a simple right turn. It tries to route me onto choked freeways, reported yellow, when parallel surface streets are lightly traveled. Tech supports uniform answer has been "there are known issues with (your problem here). We will be addressing these in a future softeware release.
It has some cool extra features, but the basic NAV and traffic are so bad that the extras don't matter. bottom line, I would never trust the unit in an unfamiliar city, but isn't that the point of a GPS? My long suffering Roadmate 760 is still much much better.
Noticed a previous post that cited a CNET review that the unit was off 2-3 blocks from actual location. This is true. What happens is that the unit is slow to update the map position, and the map lags behind actual position by about 5 seconds. In a residential area traveling 35 mph, this can be 2 or 3 blocks. While the map is off, the voice prompts remain accurate and some in plenty of time.
This company (Dash) just started off. It's a new company. They probably will make newer models of the current Dash and the newer Dashs will be updated and better. But that is a long time from now considering that this is the first device and that they are new to the GPS market.
I am a very new (4 days) with the Dash. While I LOVE the concept, it already appears the function is not there. I like the "new" features, but the routing is a joke. It seems the routing models only consider highway routes first. I'll refrain from elaborating until I have used the unit for a few more days.