Dash express review

But that is way more money than I want to spend on a GPSr.

I think the same could have been accomplished with wireless-enabled PDAs, such as Pocket PCs, BlackBerries, etc., with added advantages:

* Less startup cost by not having to engineer proprietary hardware units, only the software and infrastructure would have had to be developed. These savings could have been then passed to the consumer.
* Wireless Internet (i.e GPRS) has better wireless coverage than Wi-Fi alone, specially on the move.
* PDAs are still portable, not sure if they built the unit bulky on purpose, in order to 'tie it down' to a car.

Just my 2 c's,
Krieger

The concept sound good but it depends on having lots of units in the street to report the traffic conditions back to base in order to update the customers driving thru the same route.

After owning a Nuvi I can stick in my pocket doubt that I want that monstrosity sitting on the dash board, it is like going from a plasma TV to a big tube TV

$11 a month, no thanks I'll stick with my Nuvi and when encountering a bottle neck just hit the Reroute

It's something I been waiting for, actually, real-time traffic data. I know It's big, as long as it works as advertised. I don't care. The price is lower than expected, maybe they just wanted to populate their network ASAP.

Dash is capable of both Wi-Fi and GPSR and switches automatically like the iPhone. Maybe I'm the minority, I always leave my Nuvi 350 in the car.

As for the monthly fee, how much are others charging for TMC or MSN? And included in the fee is free map update too.

I'm getting one and will report back.

At $48 a yr, that's about $4 a month

I never leave it in the car. It is either on my body (when I am out of the car) or in the house/office.

The wi-fi is for updates, etc. Not to connect to traffic, in case anyone is confused about that.

Traffic can be updated thought either Wi-Fi or GPRS. GPRS coverage is not availably in all parts of the country.

How much is an annual map update from other manufacturers?

Dash is offering at least 2 updates a year. So, if you add that to the monthly fee. It doesn't seem that bad.

Hope mine arrives by the end of the week.

http://dash.net/help.php

That's the part I find intriguing. Regular updates built into the cost/fees might make me think twice about this unit.

The concept is good - the idea of real time updates is always appriciated. I still find that AM radio does a fairly good job of accurate updates. Couple that with some common sense and a little experience (most road construction continues for a long long time)and you are good to go...

I have been playing with it for few days. And basically, they built a house but forgot about the foundation.

Pros:

*POI search is fast and you are getting an unlimited POI database.
*Traffic info is up-to-date.
*Wireless two-way communication. If someone stole your Dash, you can probably track it down.
*Routing is pretty good, about same as Garmin with just little variations.
*The street map is newer than Garmin's.

Cons:

*GPS screen updates lag really bad at times. It can be at least one block behind. It happens with other GPSr. But this happens just too often with Dash.
*No geographical feature such as parks or landmarks to help identify location. Rivers and ponds are misplaced by up to a half mile or the streets have been flooded. (real-time weather update?)
*The unit is bigger than I thought and heavy. It barely fits into my glove compartment.

Most of the flaws can probably be fixed in future updates. Right now there are just too many bugs. It feels like a beta product. I still have not found a perfect GPSr yet.

Just ordered a Dash Express. I don't think it'll replace my sp7200, but it's worth a look. Being a truck driver, it will have a tall order to stand up to my 7200. I'll post what I find out about it.

Won't be getting it for a few weeks. I won't be getting home until then.

It's HUGE! I know they show a shot of it next to a nuvi 7xx, but I would be more interested in seeing it compared to an old street pilot. The mount is big, the GPSr is big. The mount reminds me of my daughter's 330.

I applied to be in the beta program, but did not make it. I really wanted to beta test it before I would commit $400+$12/mo ... that's a lot of money for a relatively unproven technology.

He makes the point that current GPS traffic subscription services are lacking, but until this device reaches a much larger audience, the added "benefit" of real-time DASH-to-DASH traffic patterns is pretty much useless.

For less than $400, I can get a Nokia N810 with the built-in GPS and subscribe to that service. I would then have a truly portable internet/WiFi device with GPS. I know the N810 has it's own problems and limitations, but, heck, I'm a geek, and I already have a GPS (or three). I need a new toy.

I'll sit this one out for awhile ...

The Express really is the beta test. Give them a year or less and they'll have the bugs worked out and reduce the size. Then I'll buy one.

I'm sick and tired of Garmin map updates that are obsolete the day you install them.

I like the concept of the top end Tom Tom's where you can "fix" the map, upload the updates, and download other peoples updates (either raw...forget it; or after they've been verified by tom tom.

Any feedback on the 910T?

I've been watching Dash ever since they started talking. The Express as reviewed is a disappointment. The concept is great, but now they've lost the "first GREAT one on the market advantage".

I'll wait for version 2; maybe even version 3, but by then, what will Garmin be marketing?

I love the concept but I am not sure the market saturation is sufficient to support the level of traffic reporting that I would like to see at this price point. I hope someone is able to crake the puzzle about traffic the way Dash is trying to. I would like to see real time (or at least near real time traffic) on most roads not just freeways/highways.

i want to know speech recognition enabled GPS,can I use in garmin C320 ???

There are a couple things that I would say most of us want in a gps -
1) Go where I am unsure of quickly and accurate
2) Find stores/parks etc easily nearby
3) Navigate our commutes around traffic

A simple interface with accurate maps is a big plus. I am concerned that the size of the dash makes it hard to carry with you or hide in the car. The lag of map display is also a major problem for me.

If you are going to knock off the big boys you had better have a product that is equal to or better than them in most ways. For me they still have a ways to go.

Daniel

The only way to get realtime for regular roads is for more users. I don't see that happening too soon.

Actually, the Dash is perfect for POI users. If one subscribes to a POI list and anytime that list updated, your subscription is too when you sync.

For those of you want to try it out and ignoring the negative reviews, order it from Amazon. They will give full refund.

someone can tell me about the speech recognition enabled GPS,can I use in garmin C320 ???

Davidlee, I'm not sure the question you are asking and how it applies to the Dash Express review. If you are asking about your C320, you'll have to start another topic.

Anyone have any guess about total number of units sold?

nice article. I still love my garmin.