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| Dash Express Two-Way Internet-Connected Portable GPS Navigator | 
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| Brand: Dash
Category: CE
List Price: $299.99
Buy New: $299.00
You Save: $0.99 (0%)
New (1) Used (2) from $199.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  166 reviews
Sales Rank: 3497
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Native Resolution: 480 x 272
Display Size: 4.3
Includes MP3 Player: 0
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 2.8 x 4.8 x 4.1
MPN: 99-1000-001
Model: 99-1000-001
UPC: 892437002012
EAN: 0892437002012
ASIN: B0014CIBWC
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 If Stars could be given for Innovation alone, I'd give the Dash 10! June 8, 2008
12 out of 15 found this review helpful
I have been using automotive GPS units before they became practical (before May 2000 when Selective Availability was turned off). In just the last few years I have owned the Garmin 2720, 2820, Nuvi 350 and the Nuvi 750 (not to mention all of the hand-held units that I own including my new Colorado 400t). I have also used Tom Toms, Magellans and several others, including those built into cars. I have used them in all 50 states, Europe and South America. I only mention this so that people might see that I have had some experience with GPS receivers.
It seems from a lot of the reviews that I have read over the years that some people are always looking for the PERFECT GPS unit to give them the PERFECT GPS-guided experience. IT DOESN'T EXIT! The technology is close, but the data sources are not accurate enough to to make GPS navigation perfect. Every unit that I have owned or used has occasionally taken me to vacant lots, missed the target completely, freaked out altogether or come down with a GPS version of Alzheimer's. It happens, fortunately not too often. Still, they are indispensable for those that travel to unfamiliar areas or need live traffic information.
This product takes a giant step forward in both finding both what you're looking for and helping you to avoid traffic. Is it perfect? No. Can it be improved upon? Absolutely. But for $299 (I paid $399 in March but that's what happens when you are an early adopter) it is a GREAT deal! Especially since it includes the revolutionary technology of including two different forms of internet connections (I won't go into the details of the features as you can read them in the product information above). This makes the information that you receive when you conduct a search (via Yahoo) much more accurate. And, you can find something that does not have it's own category a lot easier. Example: If you are looking for a wine store on one of my Garmins you have to type in "wine" under the shopping category. You will only find stores that have the word wine in them. So "Billy Bob's Beverages" (which happens to be only 1 mile away) won't show up, but "Pay-Too-Much Wine Shop", 21 miles away, will. Not with the Dash Express. The Yahoo search engine will pick stores that fit that category even if they don't have that word in their name. A huge advantage.
The Dash Network also allows the units to report real-time traffic conditions. Traffic updates are available on some other GPS receivers, but not with this degree of accuracy. Yes, there is a monthly fee, as there is with the Garmin MSN or XM traffic service. In addition, when you ask for directions on the Dash it gives you choices of routes, letting you know how long it will take and what kind of traffic you will encounter on each route.
Yes, this is a first generation product, but if you are looking for a GPS in this price range (or even higher), try the Dash Express. As software updates become available the Dash sends it to you automatically. Other devices require you to hook your unit to your computer, log into the appropriate website, find the update and then down load it. Plus, Garmin and several others charge you for major map updates while, at this time, Dash does not. I am hoping that Garmin and the other key manufacturers of GPS receivers get the message that things have changed. I own the best hand-held on the market (Garmin's Colorado) yet my cell phone (BlackBerry 8830 World Edition) has GPS functions that my Garmins never will. However, even the current Dash can have these features added later thanks to their internet connectivity. I would buy this for a friend or family member, that's how much I like it.
Bracketron UFM-100BL Nav-Mat GPS Friction Dash Pad
UPDATE: JUNE 21, 2008
I just received and email from Dash telling me that because I was an early-adopter and purchased the unit before May 31, '08 (for $100 more than it's current price) they are giving me another 3 months of free Dash service. You gotta love a company like that! I have paid extra to be the first to get something many times but I have never had a manufacturer or retailer reward me for doing it. Way to go Team Dash!!!
UPDATE: NOVEMBER 07, 2008
Dash has announced that it will no longer be producing this GPS (or any other for that matter). They are going to try to stay in business by selling their technology to other manufacturers. It's a shame, it wasn't perfect but it IS the future of GPS units. I am on the month-to-month plan with their service and was still renewed this month so I am guessing that they will continue offering it for a while at least. Unless these really go on sale (like for $100) I would not suggest that anyone purchase a Dash now. It was a good product that would have been better if they could have hung on. Pity.
 good but not great June 8, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Good but not great. Its almost perfect, this is a fun device and the Gps maps are really easy to read. The send to car is very easy to use and could come in handy. The live traffic feature is pretty acurate and the Yahoo browser works just as it should.
 Suffers First Generation Flaws June 6, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I use my GPS for two different things. Most important is in city searches when I am looking for someplace around town. Second, I use it for long road trips to get from here to some far off location and back.
The Dash is really good for short around town use and to locate things. It has the best search features of any of the four or five different devices I have used and almost never frustrates me. It is perfect for finding something locally that may be obscure like a plumbing supply place or a doctor's office.
On long trips in unfamiliar territory, the device is nearly useless. There are errors in the map database I find regularly. It routes me around toll roads, and as I live in Florida where the turnpike is often the fastest and most direct route, it is a huge source of frustration. I complained to DASH and got no response. It crashes or updates regularly and if you are driving during the period of an update, it becomes non-responsive. Further, when I missed an exit in St. Louis, it decided I wanted to take the road I was on and re-routed me home in a way that was 280 miles longer.
Finally, the traffic information is mixed. I usually seem to find out about a traffic problem when I am stuck in it. I really hoped this would be useful, but in practice, so far it has not been.
In summary, if you are someone that does deliveries or service calls to houses, this thing is great. If you take road trips it stinks. The traffic so far is not that helpful.
 A 2002 Garmin Street Pilot III Gave Me Better Directions June 5, 2008
13 out of 17 found this review helpful
This GPS is ground breaking. It offers features that no one else offers right now. That being said, I set my destination for work (from home). It was 6:30 pm. In rush-hour traffic, it normally takes me 35 to 38 minutes on local roads for the 15 mile commute. The Dash express wanted to take me on the expressway, adding over 5 miles to the trip and turning a 38 minute commute into an hour and 10 minute commute. This route to work is the same route I've gone since 2002 when I had Garmin Street Pilot III Deluxe. Unlike the Dash, both the Garmin Street Pilot III Deluxe and the Garmin C330 GPS models gave me perfect, timely routes. Also, I logged into the Dash forum, a site for owners only. Apparently the Dash avoids local roads like the plague. For the most part all the routes involve expressways, even if it adds extra time to the trip.
Also this thing is much bigger than it looks. In my Saab convertible, the suction cup holder and the GPS blocked out a huge amount of my windshield view. The Dash makes the 2002 Street Pilot III look small in comparison.
The traffic info is neat, but you can't really do anything with it because the routing system is so flawed. I'm returning the Dash Express.
Best GPS available! June 4, 2008
9 out of 15 found this review helpful
When I received the dash unit, I was a little upset because I already had a Garmin GPS that I really liked. Well, like any techy, I set up both to compare them in my typical day to day, the dash is one of the fastest gps units I've ever seen. If I miss a turn, it will reroute before the next block, unlike my Garmin, which was rerouting even after I had made the dash turn. For about a month, I've been using solely the dash unit. The send2car is one of the most innovative features I've seen in a real long time, which is great. The support is phenomenal with the company, but with the dash you also are in the dash community, internet forums are filled with just dash users helping other users. You can also add applications to the device, such as weatherbug or trapster, which tells you when and where a police speed trap is located. This device is innovative and affordable, a bargain when you consider the exceptional customer service, as well as the growing user base. Highly recommended
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