A Poll on Slates current direction - has it changed?

[Doctors Do Little]

What I've never understood about Tesla was the need to have a huge screen to project a map upon. It's understandable that EV need map and routing tech above and beyond what ICEV require due to the more involved requirement to monitor and manage fuel replenishment.

Considering though EV are still best for local use and home charging does a Tesla or any EV need to have a constant map up while driving? It is neat tech and all, but I've never seen the need for a constant large display. I think most people 90% of their driving is local and well known to them. I've always thought the ideal EV set up would be a removable big screen for the dash if and when you'd need/want one.

And for me, Mr. Dinoboomer, turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps is good enough. It works for local addresses where I know pretty much where I'm going except for the "last mile". And it works equally as well in unfamiliar territory. I'd bet 70% of young people (not familiar with paper maps) don't understand cartography.

Which is why SLATE has the ideal solution with their BYOD motif. You can bring any sized screen you feel you need for the application, or none at all.

Traffic updates to change routes are a thing. I rely on that every day. When I don’t I can add 15-20 minutes to commute bc of construction, accidents, etc. That’s my use case.

 

[tubes]

Traffic updates to change routes are a thing. I rely on that every day. When I don’t I can add 15-20 minutes to commute bc of construction, accidents, etc. That’s my use case.

Yeah, since I drive old shitboxes, I have my phone mounted up high in sight. I rarely touch it, but I do watch for Google to go orange or red to monitor traffic and consider route options. I expect to use it the same way on my Slate. My normal route has frequent freeway rear end accidents (I was in one last year!). When I see it go red, I take the toll road.

 

[E90400K]

Yeah, since I drive old shitboxes, I have my phone mounted up high in sight. I rarely touch it, but I do watch for Google to go orange or red to monitor traffic and consider route options. I expect to use it the same way on my Slate. My normal route has frequent freeway rear end accidents (I was in one last year!). When I see it go red, I take the toll road.

Rear-end accidents, because everyone is looking at their phone checking on traffic...

 

[E90400K]

For clarification, there is no traffic where I live.

 

[tubes]

For clarification, there is no traffic where I live.

Just washed out roads. (running and ducking for cover)

 

[E90400K]

Just washed out roads. (running and ducking for cover)

May have to pass a tractor once and awhile... but the deer keep you in check. Almost hit a bear in the driveway once; he dove out of the way - I was coming in HOT! LOL.

 

[E90400K]

Had to wade thru a herd of cows once in the E90, like a scene from 310 to Yuma... Called the Sheriff's office once I got home.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Rear-end accidents because everyone is looking at their phone checking on traffic...

perhaps....but I'm usually scanning Slate Forums for snarky remarks while driving 85mph, so there's that

 

[E90400K]

perhaps....but I'm usually scanning Slate Forums for snarky remarks while driving 85mph, so there's that

Snarknado!

 

[tubes]

Since we're off topic, I'll go with it. I stay out of the left lane on urban interstates now. That's how I got rear ended last year. I was maybe a bit too close and left lane traffic stopped ahead at a merge, even though right lane traffic was flying. I stopped in time, but it was a quick stop. The guy behind me was aware (I saw it when I reviewed my rear dashcam), but he was just a tiny bit too close and hit my bumper. Damaged the bumper cover, still a $1000 fix, much of that painting charge. That's where a blank Slate should really help with insurance... I hope.

The crux of the issue is that a lot of people get in the left "fast" lane and zone out.

 

[livehappy42]

What I've never understood about Tesla was the need to have a huge screen to project a map upon. It's understandable that EV need map and routing tech above and beyond what ICEV require due to the more involved requirement to monitor and manage fuel replenishment.

Considering though EV are still best for local use and home charging does a Tesla or any EV need to have a constant map up while driving? It is neat tech and all, but I've never seen the need for a constant large display. I think most people 90% of their driving is local and well known to them. I've always thought the ideal EV set up would be a removable big screen for the dash if and when you'd need/want one.

And for me, Mr. Dinoboomer, turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps is good enough. It works for local addresses where I know pretty much where I'm going except for the "last mile". And it works equally as well in unfamiliar territory. I'd bet 70% of young people (not familiar with paper maps) don't understand cartography.

Which is why SLATE has the ideal solution with their BYOD motif. You can bring any sized screen you feel you need for the application, or none at all.

I used to tape a towel over the screen in my Model S at night on long trips; "0%" brightness was still too bright

 

[SailorDan]

I dislike the huge screens in general. Why watch the screen instead of the road? The screen is not going to help you miss those bicycles up ahead. And when it breaks, just out of warranty -- and it will -- it is going to cost time and $$$, And meanwhile your vehicle will not work at all. So I am glad Slate has resisted some calls to add more electronics, screens etc, to the base vehicle.

 

[SailorDan]

I think only that SLATE has moved on the "SKU of One" motto. It's now more like "SKU of a Few". With "It's Best if You Order the SUV from the Factory", now. And now some DIY's are "better left to professionals".

Not big deals and not game changers in my view.

I do wish they would get this part of their act together. The cargo kits are still not even listed in the Maker, much less priced or display-able. With a Q2 order window, I am sure this will all be worked out long before I plunk down my $25K, or $28K, or $30K, or whatever it turns out to be. But in the meantime, it is downright irritating

I agree that their message has gone from a full DIY vehicle, which anyone can change from one version to another, to a message of: you had best order it the way you want from the factory, because assembly is way too difficult for anything less than a 2-person team of trained mechanics.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I do wish they would get this part of their act together. The cargo kits are still not even listed in the Maker, much less priced or display-able. With a Q2 order window, I am sure this will all be worked out long before I plunk down my $25K, or $28K, or $30K, or whatever it turns out to be. But in the meantime, it is downright irritating

When you come to ATL in 6 weeks, all that will be sorted.

 

[sodamo]

I do wish they would get this part of their act together. The cargo kits are still not even listed in the Maker, much less priced or display-able. With a Q2 order window, I am sure this will all be worked out long before I plunk down my $25K, or $28K, or $30K, or whatever it turns out to be. But in the meantime, it is downright irritating

I agree that their message has gone from a full DIY vehicle, which anyone can change from one version to another, to a message of: you had best order it the way you want from the factory, because assembly is way too difficult for anything less than a 2-person team of trained mechanics.

I do as well, but I’m 99% certain my initial order will be a bare Blank Slate