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Anyone Dash yet?

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.

Posted by Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy on 08/30/2008 08:11 PM

Comments (13)

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13 Comments on Anyone Dash yet?

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

08/30/2008 08:23 PM

by Eric Reid Lawrenceville,GA (Renaissance Realty Group)

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.

08/30/2008 09:03 PM

by Jennifer Fivelsdal, Rhinebeck NY (Keller Williams Realty)

I just acquired a TOMTOM system that has made traveling around the area easier. I'll look at the dashboard. Thanks

08/30/2008 09:38 PM

by Terry Westbrook ~ Realtor(R) Grand Rapids Mi Ada/Cascade Real Estate (Five Star Real Estate, LLC Grand Rapids , MI)

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!

08/31/2008 06:24 AM

by Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate ERA United Realty

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.

08/31/2008 08:49 AM

by Don Rogers REALTOR®, CRS O'Fallon MO & St Charles County MO homes (RE/MAX Gold)

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.

08/31/2008 09:00 AM

by Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Diamond Dwellings Realty)

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.

09/01/2008 09:37 AM

by Mark

Haven't tried it yet but I am going to check it out as a result of this post.

09/01/2008 01:36 PM

by Team Honeycutt (Allen Tate)

Mark - Thank you for your input.

Allen - Cool. Let me know what you think.

09/01/2008 07:19 PM

by Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Diamond Dwellings Realty)

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

09/02/2008 10:28 AM

by Chuck Willman, Arizona East Valley Realtor® (Gentry Realty)

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.

09/02/2008 11:51 AM

by Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Diamond Dwellings Realty)

I have not tried the dash express yet since I have the garmin, but it sounds like this one has more tools.

11/11/2008 11:18 PM

by Mike Jackson (Realty World Global)

Mike - I am going back and forth on it...

11/12/2008 09:34 PM

by Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Diamond Dwellings Realty)