Getting to know the Dash Express
This is the first in a series of posts “Getting to Know the Dash Express” where we will be sharing a lot of new information about the product. While most of the posts in this series will focus on the device functionality, I wanted to start the series by providing new pictures of the hardware. There are numerous photos of the front of the product on dash.net, so here are some side shots of the product for you to check out:
As you can see in the pictures above, the top of the device has two buttons. When touched, the button on the left of the device (when viewed from the front) provides fast access to control the volume. The larger button on top provides quick access to the main menu and back to the map. We have found the ability to quickly switch from map view to the main menu, and vice versa, very helpful.
You can also see the power button on the right hand side of the device, and on the back of the device you can see the groves that allow you to slide the device into the mount. Notice the contacts on the back of the device that provide power from the mount to the device when mounted.
Finally, I want to let you decide what functionality I post about next. Please just leave a comment asking for what feature you want me to post about next and I will start there.
Mark
February 28th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Please post about the traffic features. Specifically how it combines all the sources (Inrix, Dash users, Historical data, etc) Give us the scoop
February 29th, 2008 at 3:23 am
1. Will there be a detour function?
If so will you be able to choose to skip
a section of a highway / road in case of
traffic or accident?
2. Will you be able to select, in your
routing options, to avoid highways, tolls,
etc?
3. Will the mapshare updates be
“instant” to the dash, or just whenever
teleatlas decides to give you the map
update?
February 29th, 2008 at 4:04 am
Thanks for the pictures, Mark!
Requests:
1) Pictures of the mounting bracket
2) Daytime 3D view
3) Possibly another video on youtube with more traffic functionality - how quickly does it update, detour, reroute, etc.
Thanks!
February 29th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Mark - Can we see the 3d view? Thanks for the new pics.
February 29th, 2008 at 6:58 am
I’ll third the request to see the 3d view, both at night and day.
Also, how does it handle switching between night and day modes (automatically or by pressing a button).
I’d also like to see an example of ways you can take an RSS feed (only particular ones or any feed?) and use that with the Dash.
Thanks for the updates. While I’m waiting impatiently for my Dash to show up on my doorstep, these updates are both keeping me excited and increasing the number of times I expect to look on my doorstep and the Dash is magically there.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Thanks for the pics … looks great!
February 29th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
How do I import waypoints(not just addresses). I have hundreds and want to know what I’m looking at.
Can I input coordinates, MGRS, UTM, or lat/long.
Is there any way to gain access to the mydash website and configure data without having our dash systems?
Show us how to use wifi hotspots with the Dash.
Show us how to create our own geoRSS feed.
Thanks. I’m dying for this product to ship.
March 1st, 2008 at 6:44 am
I would like to see the mounting hardware myself. The Sony NV-U83T was just released and I noticed they are using a suction cup that works on a textured dash as well as the windshield. I like that concept especially for California drivers and other states that prohibit windshield mounting.
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Will the dash tell you what side of the street your destination is on?
Im going out to Colorado soon. Id like to see various locations out there. Can I load in my desired destinations and have the dash optimize my route?
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:58 am
Thanks for the pics, it looks better than I had imagined from the front images.
I’d like to see pics of the mounts being used in a car, as well as shots of the different UI screens.
Also more information on using the Open Content Platform.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 am
A video displaying how slow or fast lookups are over GPRS- worried about the speed and latency given the data format chosen.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Would it be possible to see the user guide before we get the product? It might answer a lot of people’s questions and give us some reading to keep our minds of the waiting.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:01 am
@gsthome - I think engadget posted the user guide when they posted the dash FCC proposal. I read the user guide (at least the one they had at that time), and there really wasn’t too much to it. I am guessing that the unit will be intuitive enough to not really need the guide.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Hi all… I am going to try and start posting around the most frequently requested topics soon, and I do hope to answer ALL your questions over time… so stay tuned.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I am interested in some of the underlying trasnmission and receiving characterstics. For example, if I am at location A, and another Dash user is at location B, how close do we have to be together before we begin receiving each other’s data? The same cell tower? The same county? The same state? Or does Dash Express compute some sort of virtual lat/lon box where everyone in that box (which constantly moves with you) communicates with each other? Or, none of the above?
March 5th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Is this device portable? If so, will there be another form factor? This one is quite unattractive, and not very suitable for travel.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
The reported battery life is only two hours, so no it really isn’t meant for portability. The size & “unattractive”ness of the device is due to the need of space to incorporate both a wi-fi & cellular antenna for constant map & software updates.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I have a question about the updates that will be received either via Wifi or cell network. For the system itself, how long do you plan on supporting this specific model. All going well for you guys this obviously isn’t going to be the only model. How future proof is it? I guess that is my question.
March 18th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Although I’m still hopeful that the functionality of the Dash will make up for it, I feel almost duped by the original product photos, taken (I now realize) at the perfect angle to hide the bulge of the back of the unit.
I had anticipated that I would be able to sort of “hang” Dash on my dashboard (realizing that it needed sky view), now I think it’s going to protrude, and so intrude, much more.