Dash Express is Innovative, but There's Room for Improvement

One of the best features of the Dash Express is the included access to a Web browser-based interface via your PC. Since you have wireless access to your dash, you don't need to connect to it via USB cable. Also, you don't need to install special software on your PC, which is the case with other PC interfaces with GPS units. Just go online at MyDash after you establish your account, and you can look up and send addresses to your Dash Express favorites, check out and install DashApps, and upload saved searches. Sending a saved search parameter from your MyDash account online and seeing it appear in your Dash Express in seconds is truly impressive.

Even more impressive is asking a friend or coworker to access your MyDash and send you an address or addresses while you're out on the road. This is very useful for traveling business users – sales people take note.

One example of how saved search works in MyDash: Go to Pittsburgh, PA, type "museums" into the Yahoo! local search box, and save the addresses of all 174 museums to your Dash Express in seconds. You just planned your big Pittsburgh museum trip (don't miss the Carnegie Museum dinosaurs or the Warhol Museum) and you won't have any trouble finding them. While you're at it, add the hotels and restaurants you may be interested in visiting.

The Dash Express is almost always connected when it's turned on, either through its built-in cellular capability (included in the monthly subscription price) or via WiFi. This gives Dash headquarters the opportunity to push updates of any type to your Dash whenever it's turned on. If an update is ready, you will see a small dialog box that asks permission to do the update and estimated time. If you agree, the update takes care of itself with no muss or fuss.

Dash's automatic update is definitely easier than the update routine of other GPS units, which include connecting to your PC by USB cable, starting special software, and selecting and running updates, or buying and installing from a CD or SD card.

You can see the details of the latest Dash push update in Dash's June, 2008 update overview page.

The Dash Express is bulkier in size and weight than the typical flat/rectangular car GPS. It fits into a briefcase or large purse, but not as easily as typical size GPS units.

The Dash Express mounting arm is bulky and cumbersome, compared with much smaller and sleeker units that come with the big-name brands. This adds to the overall bulk of the GPS/mounting arm combo.

The road and route highlight colors used in the Dash Express display are a bit duller and less visible than those used in the typical car GPS. That, combined with too-small fonts for street names decreases visibility and usability, especially if you need to mount the Dash relatively far away due to a long dashboard and/or sloping windshield.

The Dash Express works without its connected features, but to take advantage of all of the connected features, you must subscribe to the Dash service plan. This includes unlimited cellular data connection via its built-in cellular hardware. The service plan also includes all map and software updates. The service rates are as follows:

• Month-to-month for $12.99 per month
• 1-year prepaid plan for the equivalent of $10.99 per month.
• 2-year prepaid plan for the equivalent of $9.99 per month

No one likes to lock into monthly service charges, but keeping it in perspective, other GPS makers charge service fees for equivalent services, such as traffic tracking and avoidance, mobile info feeds, and map updates. There's no free ride for mobile services.

Selected specifications:
-Display size: 4.3 inches (diagonal).
-Weight: 13.3 ounces.
-Control: Touch screen with separate "menu" and "volume/mute" control touch-surface on top of unit.
-Battery life: Two hours maximum.
-Connectivity: WiFi and cellular (GPRS).
-Pre-loaded maps: 50 US states.
-Automatic Day/Night backlighting/color mode (can be disabled).

In the Box:
-Dash Express GPS.
-Mounting arm and quick-release cradle.
-Dashboard mounting sticky disk.
-Car power port plug and cable.
-AC charger.
-USB cable.
-Padded carry pouch.
-Manuals.