Beta Tester - Would not recommend
I've had my Automatic for a few weeks now. I enjoy being an early tech adopter and checking out new gadgets. I'm not uber-critical like many of the thread-posters, but I will say this is 70 bucks that I'd like to have back.
The UI is clean and has some nice little touches (I'm not sure if it customized to each user/vehicle, but there's a little car that "drives" up and down the screen as you scroll from trip to trip. The one in my app looks just like my white Accord - not sure if that's coincidence or a cool little detail.)
The issues:
The link will randomly not connect to the app.
The map/parking location feature is weak at best. Sure, it may get you in a general vicinity, but if you were at an airport or a mall, especially an area with parking decks, it's of very little use. Also, there is no way to turn on satellite view in the map, making it even more difficult to determine where your vehicle is. It's also completely inaccurate at times. Earlier this week, I left work and drove about miles before stopping for gas. When I pulled up the app (as I was standing next to my car pumping gas into it), it showed that my car was still in my work parking lot.
This morning on my way into work, the check engine light came on. Although that's typically a bad thing, I was actually excited to get some use out of Automatic to see what was going on. I pull up the app, and it doesn't even register that my light is on. What a complete joke, that's one of the most enticing features of the app.
This product is just a novelty. I would not recommend buying it.
However, in response to the rather ignorant posters that made comments about all new car having these features built in. Yeah, they do. But what's more financially reasonable, going out and buying a new car in order to get these features, or $70 for a device that is supposed to add the features that an older model car doesn't have?
In addition, not knowing the full technical output capabilities of the OBD II ports, I would think that the device could give you more information. I was hoping that it would serve as a dashboard for all data about my car, mileage, miles to empty, actual mpg while driving, etc.
Finally, another poster's comment on another thread about Automatic is very true. You know how you drive. No little "link" beeping at you is going to keep you from going over 70 mph (which is a joke anyway, bc a set speed limit does not mean reduced fuel efficiency for every single vehicle. 70 mph is vastly different for my 4 cyl Accord than a 8 cyl Audi) or driving aggressively and hard-breaking.
Also, the there is no emergency call feature in the Beta app, but out of fairness, that was made know before we elected to join the Beta program.
Overall, interesting concept, decent UI, poor execution - ultimately of very little actual use.
