Drew Technologies Dashdaq XL - Diagnostic - Display

"But wait! There's more! It slices! It dices..." Remember the Ginsu knife? We think we've found the electronic equivalent. The difference is that there's nothing gimmicky or cheesy about the Drew Technologies Dashdaq-XL diagnostic and display tool.

The Dashdaq-XL connects to your vehicle's electronics system via the OBDII port, and of course this means that the Dashdaq works primarily with OBDII vehicles. If you don't have an OBDII vehicle, the Dashdaq can still work with many non-OBDII vehicle sensors and EFI systems. The Dashdaq's housing is compact at 3 inches by 5 inches. It's an inch thick. The screen is approximately 2 inches by 4 inches, and the display's brightness is adjustable. The Dashdaq comes with an adjustable bracket that attaches to a smooth, nonporous surface with a suction cup. There's no need for batteries, as the Dashdaq gets its power through the OBDII port.

So what exactly is a Dashdaq? The Dashdaq is a compact many-in-one electronic tool. Many-in-one? Here's a rundown of what the Dashdaq can do:

Display gauges with parameters that you select. On our '04 Toyota 4Runner, there's a temperature gauge, but it doesn't tell you the exact temperature of your coolant. The Dashdaq can read and display your exact coolant temperature.

Display OBDII diagnostics. The Dashdaq automatically recognizes your vehicle's computer control system (ECU) and interfaces with it. The Dashdaq can read trouble codes and tell you what they mean in plain language. You can also use the Dashdaq to clear the trouble codes.

Keep tabs on fuel economy. The Dashdaq can advise you of bad driving habits that inhibit optimum fuel economy. You can opt to be alerted with an audible signal.

Display performance data, such as 0-to-60 acceleration, and quarter-mile times. The Dashdaq can also display braking data.

Log data. This includes everything that is available through the OBDII port. You can save up to 4 GB of data for post-drive analysis.

Entertain you. You can play MP3 files or even video games. Don't even think about playing video games while driving.

GPS. You can select turn-by-turn voice navigation, and choose multiple display modes. The Dashdaq is also available without the GPS function.

In addition to these functions, the display can be customized with different graphics.

That's a lot of stuff! The Dashdaq is a prime example of big things coming in small packages. Of course, you could buy a stand-alone GPS system, and you could buy an engine code reader, and you could buy separate gauges, but by the time you made all those purchases you'd have spent substantially more than the purchase price of the Dashdaq-XL. What's more, all those stand-alone components combined would take up a lot more room than the Dashdaq.

What was the Dashdaq like to use? Read on.

Here's a real-world size comparison. The Dashdaq-XL is small enough to stash in the glove compartment when you're not using it.
Here's a real-world size comparison. The Dashdaq-XL is small enough to stash in the glove
Our Dashdaq-XL came with a suction cup mounting bracket, an OBDII connection cable, a GPS antenna, a USB cable, and data recovery software.
Our Dashdaq-XL came with a suction cup mounting bracket, an OBDII connection cable, a GPS
Our OBDII port was under the dash, and yours is probably there, too. Be sure to route the cable so it won't interfere with foot access to the pedals while driving.
Our OBDII port was under the dash, and yours is probably there, too. Be sure to route the

The SD card port is where the GPS data goes in, and the same SD card can be used to store data that is then downloaded into your laptop or desktop computer for post-drive analysis.
The SD card port is where the GPS data goes in, and the same SD card can be used to store
Here's how we set the Dashdaq up for our 4Runner. We ran the power cable over the top of the steering column. Instead of mounting the Dashdaq on the windshield, we found a smooth surface on the dashboard next to the HVAC controls. This mounting location left our windshield view wide open and made it easier to reach and read the Dashdaq. The ball-and-socket joint let the Dashdaq point at the driver for solo flights, but it was pointed at the co-driver the rest of the time.
Here's how we set the Dashdaq up for our 4Runner. We ran the power cable over the top of
In the dirt, the mount held fast almost all the time, breaking loose on one particularly hard hit. We were still impressed, and think that if the Dashdaq had been mounted to the windshield it may not have come loose at all. For long-term use, we'd figure out some sort of bolt-on bracket. It's important to be able to reach the Dashdaq so you can operate the touch screen's controls.
In the dirt, the mount held fast almost all the time, breaking loose on one particularly h

This is the main menu screen. The touch screen works best with a deliberate press of the finger. A brief tap usually isn't enough.
This is the main menu screen. The touch screen works best with a deliberate press of the f
Turn-by-turn street navigation is one thing that many GPS units do well. We were primarily interested in what would happen in the dirt. Would the screen go blank from lack of dirt data? Maybe in some places, but during our time off-road in the Mojave National Preserve, the Dashdaq knew where we were and had the routes in its database. It's important to keep in mind that neither printed maps nor GPS software is perfect. The data showed some routes still existing in the Mojave National Preserve that had been closed since the data was gathered.
Turn-by-turn street navigation is one thing that many GPS units do well. We were primarily
Three navigation modes are offered. This is a compass rose view that includes latitude and longitude information in the upper left corner. You touch the icon in the upper right hand corner to get into this display mode. Touch the screen's lower left to get out.
Three navigation modes are offered. This is a compass rose view that includes latitude and

If you'd rather, the Dashdaq will give you this 3-D display instead. Your direction of travel will always point toward the top of the screen, and the rest of the map will swivel around you. The north arrow will change directions with the map.
If you'd rather, the Dashdaq will give you this 3-D display instead. Your direction of tra
Here's a 2-D map-style display mode. It's a bird's-eye view and north is always at the top of the screen. City streets are shown here, but this display mode works in the dirt, too. In the 2-D display mode, you can also choose to have the map orient itself to your direction of travel with the north arrow rotating as you change direction.
Here's a 2-D map-style display mode. It's a bird's-eye view and north is always at the top
This is only one of many data screens available on the Dashdaq. On the upper right, our longitude position is displayed. On the upper left, we've selected Engine Coolant Temperature to be displayed, with Intake Air Temperature below in the next box. Our 4Runner doesn't run at 136 Farenheit; we're warming it up in this photo. All the boxes that say "none" are ready to display some other type of data, such as fuel economy, engine RPM, vehicle speed, and so on. Like we said, the Dashdaq is a many-in-one electronic tool. Even if you don't own a Ginsu knife, we'd still recommend its better-quality electronic equivalent: the Dashdaq.
This is only one of many data screens available on the Dashdaq. On the upper right, our lo