April 2008
First Look: Dash Express
First connected GPS may not be ready for prime time
The Dash Express is the first Internet-connected portable GPS navigation device, which gives it some unique capabilities.
While you can't surf the Web, Dash users can search Yahoo for desired businesses, products and services using their device,
and get real-time information on things like gas prices and movie times. A user can also send an address to the unit from
a home or business computer, create personalized searches for things like dog parks or Thai restaurants, and set up the device
to receive GeoRSS feeds for live information such as weather reports, traffic incidents, and airport delays, all from the
Dash Web page.
Dash also has the potential to provide more accurate traffic information than other GPS devices, because it uses three different sources for traffic data: information on historic traffic patterns, third-party data from traffic info provider INRIX, and Dash Express users themselves. The Express is equipped with a GPS receiver, GPRS radio (cellular), and Wi-Fi. Those receivers allow the unit to dynamically access and share data, so Dash devices can communicate with each other through a common database, reporting on traffic conditions along traveled roads and alerting approaching Dash drivers of problems ahead.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The Dash Express does well as a navigator. Its user interface is intuitive and easy to use, and it gives good guidance while
driving to a destination. The added features associated with Internet connectivity such as sending addresses to the unit and
setting up searches and GeoRSS feeds also worked well in testing. The built in points of interest database is enhanced with
access to the dynamic data supplied by Yahoo Local search. Although it wasn't experienced during testing, the Dash Express
will automatically update software and map data at no additional cost. The Dash Web site also provides good feedback to questions
asked, and a forum where users can exchange tips and make suggestions for improving Dash Express.
On the down side, the Dash Express is one of the bulkiest units we've tested. A sturdy mount is supplied to support its size
and weight, but it is also one of the least portable mounts we've seen. It keeps the Dash secure but it vibrates while driving.
Also the Dash Express software could be improved. The unit sometimes keeps routing after a destination is reached, English
is the only available language, and it does not accommodate spelling errors when entering a destination.
The ancillary information given to the driver is adequate but a user must toggle between displayed info, and the name of the current road is not displayed while routing. As mentioned above, a user can use Yahoo to search specific categories like "sushi" or "Italian," and set up personalized searches, but preloaded POI categories are not broken into subcategories. So for example, a user can't search for Italian restaurants in the preloaded database, rather they have to scan all restaurants in the area. (That is only a concern if the unit is not getting Wi-Fi or cellular signals.) Traffic data is displayed on the route with colors indicating the traffic condition, but no additional info is given, such as if the occurrence is an accident or construction related. But that can be supplemented with a GeoRSS feed.
CR's take: The Dash Express is exciting because it shows progress toward giving a driver accurate and timely traffic information. But getting that information requires a certain number of users in any given area. Dash says that about 1,000 are needed for live, up-to-the-minute traffic reporting in a major metropolitan area. Whether enough potential users will be willing to pay the $400 we did for our device remains to be seen. In addition, a monthly subscription that costs $10 to $13 a month, depending on length of contract, is required for connected services.
During our testing we found very few roads with information from other Dash units. The information is displayed as a solid green, yellow, orange, or red line to indicate volume. Reliable third-party data is displayed in the same manner. Historic and questionable third-party data are shown in the same four colors, but as broken lines. Unfortunately, we found that that data was often inaccurate. During testing, traditional FM traffic data from providers such as MSN were as helpful if not more informative than the Dash. The promise is that as the driving network grows, the traffic information will improve. The Dash Express is a good choice for Internet savvy users who see promise in this traffic network, but most consumers looking for a PND will find the traditional devices that top our Ratings (available to subscribers) to be better suited to their needs.
We will continue to look at the Dash Express to see how the traffic network grows and whether new Internet applications become integrated.
For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings (available to subscribers) and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS with other shoppers and owners in the forums.
Dash also has the potential to provide more accurate traffic information than other GPS devices, because it uses three different sources for traffic data: information on historic traffic patterns, third-party data from traffic info provider INRIX, and Dash Express users themselves. The Express is equipped with a GPS receiver, GPRS radio (cellular), and Wi-Fi. Those receivers allow the unit to dynamically access and share data, so Dash devices can communicate with each other through a common database, reporting on traffic conditions along traveled roads and alerting approaching Dash drivers of problems ahead.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The ancillary information given to the driver is adequate but a user must toggle between displayed info, and the name of the current road is not displayed while routing. As mentioned above, a user can use Yahoo to search specific categories like "sushi" or "Italian," and set up personalized searches, but preloaded POI categories are not broken into subcategories. So for example, a user can't search for Italian restaurants in the preloaded database, rather they have to scan all restaurants in the area. (That is only a concern if the unit is not getting Wi-Fi or cellular signals.) Traffic data is displayed on the route with colors indicating the traffic condition, but no additional info is given, such as if the occurrence is an accident or construction related. But that can be supplemented with a GeoRSS feed.
CR's take: The Dash Express is exciting because it shows progress toward giving a driver accurate and timely traffic information. But getting that information requires a certain number of users in any given area. Dash says that about 1,000 are needed for live, up-to-the-minute traffic reporting in a major metropolitan area. Whether enough potential users will be willing to pay the $400 we did for our device remains to be seen. In addition, a monthly subscription that costs $10 to $13 a month, depending on length of contract, is required for connected services.
During our testing we found very few roads with information from other Dash units. The information is displayed as a solid green, yellow, orange, or red line to indicate volume. Reliable third-party data is displayed in the same manner. Historic and questionable third-party data are shown in the same four colors, but as broken lines. Unfortunately, we found that that data was often inaccurate. During testing, traditional FM traffic data from providers such as MSN were as helpful if not more informative than the Dash. The promise is that as the driving network grows, the traffic information will improve. The Dash Express is a good choice for Internet savvy users who see promise in this traffic network, but most consumers looking for a PND will find the traditional devices that top our Ratings (available to subscribers) to be better suited to their needs.
We will continue to look at the Dash Express to see how the traffic network grows and whether new Internet applications become integrated.
For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings (available to subscribers) and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS with other shoppers and owners in the forums.
