We’ve been driving around lately with the Drew Technologies DashDAQ XL on our dash, and we’ve learned a lot about our vehicles. This is truly a sophisticated diagnostic and display tool. The DashDAQ connects to your vehicle’s electronics system via the OBDII port, which means 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 x 5 inches, with a 1-inch thickness. The screen is approximately 2 x 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:
| drew Technologies Dashdaq Xl Gps Powerful Tool unit
Display gauges: With parameters that you select, 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 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: The DashDAQ can display 0-to-60 acceleration, quarter-mile times, and braking data.
Log data: This includes everything that’s available through the OBDII port. You can save up to 4 GB of data for post-drive analysis.
Entertain you: You can play MP3s or even video games. Don’t even think about playing video games while driving, though.
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, an engine code reader, and separate gauges, but by the time you made all those purchases you’d have spent substantially more than the purchase price of the DashDAQ. What’s more, all those stand-alone components combined would take up a lot more room than the DashDAQ.
| Drag racing times...that’s what a lot of us want to know. Plus you can get 0-to-60-mph times, and even braking distance.
