I've been looking at this GPS unit, the Dash Express.
It looks pretty cool. It has internet connectivity through cellular and wifi networks. So, instead of having a static list of restaurants or other area points of interest... it can search. Maps can be automatically updated. Traffic heat maps are on a whole new dimension.
It also give three different route choices, their mileage and expected time. That would be great for me, because I often like to go a slightly different way in order to accomplish something along the way (gotta combine those trips, you know!).
But... using one is the best way to know about one...
Any users?
And if you aren't, go wander around the site and see what you think.
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I'd love to hear from you...
U need a new system and with all the growth here in Gwinnett it might be nice to have a system that can keep up
Lane - I do need a GPS so I will take a look at this, thanks for sharing.
Thanks also for your comment on my blog today.
I just acquired a TOMTOM system that has made traveling around the area easier. I'll look at the dashboard. Thanks
Lane...
I never used a GPS until about a month ago when a client got frustrated and gave me an old one of his. Now, I'm hooked, but since mine is two years old I am ready for the latest and the greatest.
I hope that someone can review this unit for us!
Lane,
I use a TOMTOM and have found it to be a real plus. I had not heard about Dash before you asked about it. The information provided on the website looks like it would be a good piece of technology.
Eric - My wife's van has a factory unit... it has done well. I would like one for my truck and my "future vehicle" which doesn't have a NAV option.
Jennifer - No problem.
Terry - I have been thinking about a NAV for a while. I have a GPS for my Jeeping but it doesn't do directions.
Richard - Luckily I haven't had any clients even notice when I wasn't using a GPS/NAV.
Don - It is a pretty new product, and could be a segment buster.
This just in....
In looking over the site some more and reading reviews around the internet, I came across a couple of things. Trulia has a 3rd party app. for it to display listing information for users and so does Coldwell Banker. One can see nearby open houses while driving around with it... This thing could really be a category buster in the NAV segment.
The Dash Express has a lot of potential. I would certainly try one. Be aware that the main feature is for traffic rerouting so there is a monthly fee involved. Most of the traffic rerouting is on numbered roads and highways. If you are mostly in residential areas (looking at houses) then you may not get the benefits of the DE. I'd look at Garmin, TomTom, Magellan, and Navigon. Garmin is by far the most popular and is probably the easiest and quickest to use.
I have the Garmin Nuvi 760 and love it.
Here are some very insightful reviews:
http://www.gpsreview.net/dash-express/
http://www.gpslodge.com/archives/cat_dash_news.php
http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2008/05/dash-express-re.html
Plenty of real hands on reviews at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0014CIBWC/ref=cm_cr_pr_recent?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
Dash Navigation Yahoo Forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dashnavigation/
Hope this helps.
Haven't tried it yet but I am going to check it out as a result of this post.
Mark - Thank you for your input.
Allen - Cool. Let me know what you think.
I don't know if you've seen this but dash has the ability to accept other information... some tinkerers hooked it up to a zillow feed to give real time zestimates on the homes you pass. Gizmodo wrote about it here:
Video: Dash + Zillow = Real Estate Stalk Fest
Chuck - It is actually bigger than that. Coldwell Banker has an app for listings in an area, and Trulia does as well. I know that the Trulia one will also point out nearby Open Houses if the user desires. Thanks for the link... going to look at it now.
I have not tried the dash express yet since I have the garmin, but it sounds like this one has more tools.
Mike - I am going back and forth on it...