Dash Express gets $100 price cut

Dash Express

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

Citing "outstanding results from our partners' recent Dads and Grads promotions," Dash Navigation today announced a $100 price drop for its Dash Express portable navigation system. You can now get the Internet-connected GPS for $299 rather than $399, though you will still have to pay for the Dash Express service after the three-month complimentary period is up ($9.99 a month with a two-year plan to $12.99 per month for month-to-month). Now, while we certainly think that the grads and dads promotion helped spur the price drop, we can't help but wonder if it also has anything to do with slow sales? Anyone out there own this thing? And if so, what's your experience been like?

[mas90guru]

I have been using a Dash Express since about May 2 of this year.

The device is way too large. Easily twice the size of a Nuvi.

I have trouble seeing the display screen if there is direct sunlight (something that I haven't had a problem with on any other GPS that I've owned).

Turn by turn directlions are ok. It takes a while (30 - 45 seconds?) to pick up the GPS signal. Recomputing directions seems slow. The ability to pick from different routes seems largely gimmicky since the screens are so tiny that that it's hard to distinguish one route from another.

Interesting concept but I would not purchase this again or recommend the purchase to a friend.

[lee-shor]

My experience has been good enough that I have had 2 friends purchase the unit in the last 2 days. It has done a better job than the unit that came with my Chrysler or a Nuvi 660 I was using. The primary benefit, (though there are still some updates needed) is that the units are able to provide real time info based on Dash users who proceeded you. There are also a great many add-ons called DashApps that are extremely handy. I would absolutely recommend it. And I have, based on a live demo.

[smplymouth]

I've had the Dash express for 3 months now and I'm disappointed with the device. The route calculations are two slow. It takes too long to get a detour. The signal gets lost when blocked by anything. The unit has a slow response time. The traffic information is not as up-to-date as the FM traffic receiver. Sometimes the traffic information is completely wrong. I like the internet connectivity. I've used it many times to look up restaurants. I think they need a lot of upgrades. The device needs to be smaller and faster.