I hate the dashboard!! (and I propose a redesign)

[Swinefuzz]

I made it all the way through! Good rant! Have you considered running for Congress @Swinefuzz?
The off-centeredness of the potential DIN location bothers me too and I made some comments at the Slate event at the Space Needle as I was talking my tape measure to the dash.
I assume all chats are going to AI, so maybe try an email to Slate instead of getting mad at a bot. Better yet, I hope they bring a Slate to a town near you. I’d love to be a fly on the wall for that!

Me as a politician? I'd get shot for speaking truth to power!

I'm confident it wasn't a chat bot, just a rep who doesn't care about what people actually want, you know? Bots are nicer, which is why they're obviously not humans. I actually did try to write them an email first, but it only allows extremely short, concise messages, and well, you know... Brevity is not a strength I possess. Knowing SA likely monitors this site, I saw my chance for an extremely fire and brimstone bomb-builder manifesto that would be difficult to look away from, if they have the interest, that is.

Thank you for letting SA know you don't like the DIN off center. It was your pictures with your trusty tape measure in them that basically confirmed my suspicions that the DIN was indeed purposely shoved aside in favor of the phone mount and that they are just being lazy and assumptive in their design. Don't treat DIN users like second class customers!

 

[AZFox]

FWIW, the DIN being off-center doesn't bother me one bit.

 

[Trace26]

I updated my previous post after looking at some pictures.
I'm also a weirdo that wants my head unit hidden behind a penal, so I'm hoping that's an option.

 

[Swinefuzz]

The phone mount is very easy to remove, uses a rail system with a t-nut. With the phone mount removed I see no reason a double din couldn't be mounted centered over the AC controls.

Sorry, but you're wrong: the chat CSR confirmed to me the DIN is off-center because of the phone placement.

I understand the phone mount can be removed. It's just on a common T-slot rail. But what's behind it is designed to place the DIN 2-3" offset just because of the flap panels segmented where they are due to the assumption the phone will be there. It's just dumb.

So for people who do want a DIN radio, they have to drive around for YEARS with an off-center stereo? I cry foul. For a DIN user to center their radio, they would be REQUIRED TO HACK AND MODIFY THE DASH to accomplish that. I would rather not hack up my new dash in my new truck. So I made a simple request to make a simple design change, pre-production and the SA chat rep rudely shut me down.

It's a lazy design based off of a false assumption that everybody wants their phone/tablet there and they decided DIN users don't matter. We matter. DIN lives matter!

 

[cadblu]

If executed properly, the tablet should be the focal point of the dash as long as the software application engineers at Slate get it right. The tablet can integrate most if not all of the functions we need most while driving. If the phone rings (caller displayed) or you want to call one of your contacts, the tablet should handle this no problem. Controlling audio and media and even a head unit via Bluetooth can and should be straightforward on the tablet. Meaning that the head unit can be tucked away elsewhere behind the dash. USB media can be inserted in the dash USB ports within arm's reach.

For situational awareness, navigation / maps / heading / range / miles to empty should be clearly displayed on a tablet, instead of peering into a small phone screen in the Slate holder, which is too low to be seen. For all these reasons, I vote for the tablet to be front and center.

 

[cadblu]

Sorry, but you're wrong: the chat CSR confirmed to me the DIN is off-center because of the phone placement.

I understand the phone mount can be removed. It's just on a common T-slot rail. But what's behind it is designed to place the DIN 2-3" offset just because of the flap panels segmented where they are due to the assumption the phone will be there. It's just dumb.

So for people who do want a DIN radio, they have to drive around for YEARS with an off-center stereo? I cry foul. For a DIN user to center their radio, they would be REQUIRED TO HACK AND MODIFY THE DASH to accomplish that. I would rather not hack up my new dash in my new truck. So I made a simple request to make a simple design change, pre-production and the SA chat rep rudely shut me down.

It's a lazy design based off of a false assumption that everybody wants their phone/tablet there and they decided DIN users don't matter. We matter. DIN lives matter!

So I guess their claim that "Slate is listening to customers" only matters if they agree with you...

I remember this truck was initially marketed as a BYOD (bring your own device) and the DIN radio option was kind of an afterthought. I'm guessing that 99.9% of customers have cell phones; and less that 50% will want to bring a DIN. Yes, Slate is listening... to the majority.

 

[Swinefuzz]

I updated my previous post after looking at some pictures.
I'm also a weirdo that wants my head unit hidden behind a penal, so I'm hoping that's an option.

You're not a weirdo for wanting that. I get it. I'm not trying to force a design that makes the DIN head unit out front for those who don't want to use it. I understand why som people don't use DIN stereos and use more recent tech that fits their lives.

Again, I do like the plain horozontal ribbon look of the dash, it's quite classy and fresh. I simply want the DIN mount opening centered, panel or no panel covering it. If people want to cover it all with a panel, by all means do so! I'm all for MORE options. I like the idea of the centered DIN covered by a panel for steal security purposes. I also completely get why some people like screens, screens, screens. Been there, done that myself.

I asked SA for the OPTION for DIN users to enjoy driving around with a centered head unit and they dismissed me. So I'm raising my voice here and want other DIN users to speak up, too, so SA will fix this design ERROR pre-production so we don't have to hack our dashes. That is all. SA has said they want to give everybody flexibility and personalization, but then decided that those who prefer screens everywhere get the dash design bias. I know this is a false assumption that very few people care about DIN, so it's okay to shove it aside and hide it away. This is why I posted the rant and the poll to show people DO STILL CARE ABOUT DIN STEREOS and SA's assumption they don't is wrong.

I'm not trying to take away the screen option for those who want it.

Thanks for commenting. This is why I started this thread, to get people talking about DIN and what they would like to see in the final dashboard design, because I think SA is just misguided here.

 

[Swinefuzz]

If executed properly, the tablet should be the focal point of the dash as long as the software application engineers at Slate get it right. The tablet can integrate most if not all of the functions we need most while driving. If the phone rings (caller displayed) or you want to call one of your contacts, the tablet should handle this no problem. Controlling audio and media and even a head unit via Bluetooth can and should be straightforward on the tablet. Meaning that the head unit can be tucked away elsewhere behind the dash. USB media can be inserted in the dash USB ports within arm's reach.

For situational awareness, navigation / maps / heading / range / miles to empty should be clearly displayed on a tablet, instead of peering into a small phone screen in the Slate holder, which is too low to be seen. For all these reasons, I vote for the tablet to be front and center.

Uh, there's a static screen embedded in the dashboard, front and center a few inches beyond the steering wheel. That screen displays speed, battery level, estimated range remaining and likely a trip meter, too (if you look closely at pictures, the screen has a push button at the lower left). This same screen also doubles as the backup camera POV. You don't need a phone or huge tablet for this stuff! All the dash pictures SA has show screens, screens, screens making people think they need screens, screens, screens. Tablets, phones all over. They don't actually need that. It's an option for people who want that data overload. I do not, so I won't be using that screen life system. It is actually 100% unnecessary! The Slate Truck is not a Tesla car with a mandatory screen that handles all functionality.

SA has said that the driver absolutely DOES NOT need to use a phone or tablet running an app for day-to-day driving or basic functionality of the truck. The SA app, in development, will handle advanced functionality, like charging settings, trip planning and charger location, etc, etc. Data, data, data. That app can be used occasionally, if and when needed or desired. It is not mandatory all day every day. SA has said the Slate Truck can be used just like any other "old fashioned" car or truck. As long as you have the truck's key fob present, it can be driven around without using screens running apps...

I want my DIN stereo centered for constant interaction, not a tablet or phone. When I'll need to open the app for deeper data or settings changes, I'll do so from my phone, which will NOT be permanantly mounted to my dashboard, thank you very much.

All I'm asking for is a centered DIN opening, not for it to be shoved aside like yesterday's obsolete tech.

Thank you for your comment. Getting people to talk about the dash is why I started this thread. There is so much misinformation.

 

[Driven5]

While it may be preferable from a radio-centric standpoint to have the cubby extend far enough to allow DIN centering, there may be other engineering decisions preventing such too. I would not assume that CSR's are privvy to all of the engineering rationale for even every visible decision.

Those that don't mind the DIN off-center and/or want it hidden can mount it in the dash cubby, and those that want it centered and visible can use a 'below HVAC' DIN mount. With steering wheel buttons to safely control it either way, those two solutions should be sufficient to satisfy all but the most curmudgeonly curmudgeons.

 

[Swinefuzz]

So I guess their claim that "Slate is listening to customers" only matters if they agree with you...

I remember this truck was initially marketed as a BYOD (bring your own device) and the DIN radio option was kind of an afterthought. I'm guessing that 99.9% of customers have cell phones; and less that 50% will want to bring a DIN. Yes, Slate is listening... to the majority.

I'm part of that 99.9% that has a cell phone, but I don't want my cell phone the center of my dash experience. I want my radio to be the center of my dash. There's no reason they can't do both, so both kinds of customers can get what they want. They just didn't because they think DIN users don't matter.

 

[Trace26]

You're not a weirdo for wanting that. I get it. I'm not trying to force a design that makes the DIN head unit out front for those who don't want to use it. I understand why som people don't use DIN stereos and use more recent tech that fits their lives.

Again, I do like the plain horozontal ribbon look of the dash, it's quite classy and fresh. I simply want the DIN mount opening centered, panel or no panel covering it. If people want to cover it all with a panel, by all means do so! I'm all for MORE options. I like the idea of the centered DIN covered by a panel for steal security purposes. I also completely get why some people like screens, screens, screens. Been there, done that myself.

I asked SA for the OPTION for DIN users to enjoy driving around with a centered head unit and they dismissed me. So I'm raising my voice here and want other DIN users to speak up, too, so SA will fix this design ERROR pre-production so we don't have to hack our dashes. That is all. SA has said they want to give everybody flexibility and personalization, but then decided that those who prefer screens everywhere get the dash design bias. I know this is a false assumption that very few people care about DIN, so it's okay to shove it aside and hide it away. This is why I posted the rant and the poll to show people DO STILL CARE ABOUT DIN STEREOS and SA's assumption they don't is wrong.

I'm not trying to take away the screen option for those who want it.

Thanks for commenting. This is why I started this thread, to get people talking about DIN and what they would like to see in the final dashboard design, because I think SA is just misguided here.

Speaking from my engineering background, the only way they would be to center the radio with the AC controls without a big design change would be to move the AC controls to the right so they are centered with the current DIN install location. That might even be difficult if they have already finalized the dash parts with their suppliers. If the truck is to be released in a year and a half that means most things should already be finalized.
A big part of having something that is very customizable/modular is things aren't always going to look the most "put together" such as the dash elements all being lined up perfectly.
I'm honestly impressed they were able to open up so much of the dash for use for customization. That's a lot of real state inside that dash.

 

[Trace26]

Maybe you'll be able to mount the radio on the left side of the steering wheel, even closer and you don't have to worry about a passenger trying to change your music. Lol

 

[Swinefuzz]

While it may be preferable from a radio-centric standpoint to have the cubby extend far enough to allow DIN centering, there may be other engineering decisions preventing such too. I would not assume that CSR's are privvy to all of the engineering rationale for even every visible decision.

Those that don't mind the DIN off-center and/or want it hidden can mount it in the dash cubby, and those that want it centered and visible can use a 'below HVAC' DIN mount. With steering wheel buttons to safely control it either way, those two solutions should be sufficient to satisfy all but the most curmudgeonly curmudgeons.

I feel it is you who is the curmudgeonly curmudgeon, here, seemingly insisting that it's such a terrible thing for the DIN mount hole opening to be centered because phones. The SA chat CSR told me it was off-centered because of the phone placement. Then rudely dismissed me. I'm simply making the point that not everyone wants FURTHER INTRUSTION OF TECH in their daily lives and I don't want tech screens all over my dash. Such a dash design change doesn't affect those that want all the screens and all their apps. They literally off-centered the DIN opening due to the flappy panels, which are divided where they are due to phones and tablets...

 

[Swinefuzz]

Speaking from my engineering background, the only way they would be to center the radio with the AC controls without a big design change would be to move the AC controls to the right so they are centered with the current DIN install location. That might even be difficult if they have already finalized the dash parts with their suppliers. If the truck is to be released in a year and a half that means most things should already be finalized.
A big part of having something that is very customizable/modular is things aren't always going to look the most "put together" such as the dash elements all being lined up perfectly.
I'm honestly impressed they were able to open up so much of the dash for use for customization. That's a lot of real state inside that dash.

The HVAC control unit is already centered on the dash. Centered. The DIN mount opening above it behind the flap is off-center. It's confirmed they did this due to the assumption that everyone wants to mount their phone where SA assumed everyone wants to mount their phone. Then they designed the flap panels to align with the assumed phone placement, so the flap panel next to it doesn't collide with the phone. So, then they shifted the DIN to the right so it aligns with the flap panels. It's a cascading design choice system all based off the false assumption that drivers need their phone where they decided drivers need their phone, even though they have stated drivers DON'T need their phone mounted or plugged in to operate the damn vehicle. This is all dumb design based off of a false assumption. I'm asking them to rethink this and stop assuming we all worship our phones. Some people want to interact with their DIN radio and don't want it shifted away...

LOL I don't want SA to go off-centering the HVAC controls to match the off-centered DIN! Come on. This just keeps getting worse and worse.

 

[sodamo]

Sounds like OP may have a fantastic business opportunity, reconfiguring the Slate Dash to his superior design. Likely make enough to pay for his Slate and then some.

me, I’m hoping that if a simple audio that it remains hidden behind the Slate panel or if I out for the Carplay type it replaces that panel.