Dash Express now officially $300

Looks like that sale at Amazon's turned into a full blown price cut -- Dash has officially lowered the price on the Dash Express from $400 to $300 (not including service, of course). Of course, this can be interpreted one of two ways: they're selling so well that economies of scale have kicked in, and everyone saves money buying the GPS -- or, the fresh-faced company's sole product isn't doing very well in the marketplace, leading to this second price drop so far. We're hope it's not the latter though, we're definitely stoked to see where else Dash can take us.

Update: Dash let us know that sales are meeting expectations, and they're capitalizing on the big uptick in new buyers during the last $300 price promotion. Good to know!

Update 2: Bonus! People who bought on or before May 31st are getting three free months of service. Thanks, Justin.

[croathlete @ Jun 20th 2008 2:26PM]

I'll place my bet on not selling well. Increase the price back to $400-500 and take off the monthly subscription and I'm in.

[Jeff @ Jun 20th 2008 2:41PM]

Because the subscription is so expensive? I do not think so. Think about how much GPS data updates cost for most built in car gps systems. Usually between $150-$200. Most update once a year. That works out to the same cost as the Dash service and the service gives you SO MUCH more value.

[Bakk @ Jun 20th 2008 2:52PM]

Jeff while your right that car makers charge a lot for the updates, only a fool would buy them every year. The maps you get with your car will still work 98-99% of the time even 6-8 years later. So I dont agree with that logic at all. I would still rather just use a normal gps that doesnt have a monthly fee, and "lose" a few features that my cell phone can already do.(obviously execpt for the rerouteing due to traffic but I dont need that feature) If you were in your car 5+ hours a day, I can see the justification of paying the dash monthly fee

[Reikon @ Jun 20th 2008 2:54PM]

And the price for a map update for non-car GPS is

[croathlete @ Jun 20th 2008 2:55PM]

I think the Dash's competition is the aftermarket GPS solutions (Garmin, TomTom) which we all know do not charge monthly subscriptions.

I know the Dash does provide much more value, but if I can make an analogy here, I believe sales of Tivo units went up drastically when they introduced a one-time lifetime use fee rather than a monthly subscription. I think a one-time fee is much more attractive to consumers. I'm sure someone more verse in marketing could explain why.

[keith @ Jun 20th 2008 2:56PM]

Garmin yearly map updates are $55 at costco. You can always reference the most expensive dealer updates.

[splat @ Jun 20th 2008 5:28PM]

Um, the other guys charge monthly or yearly subscription charges for traffic features on top of the yearly map update. You'll find the Dash is competitive in that respect.

The problem is that the Dash is a sucky gps right now. The thing is a dog when it comes to map refresh rate.

[BzowK @ Jun 20th 2008 2:34PM]

I want one! - (and always wanted to be the first to comment on something!!!!)

[nxtiak @ Jun 20th 2008 2:41PM]

Too bad you're not first.
I want one too. I bought my Nuvi 250W from Costco online for $300.

[From my Cube @ Jun 20th 2008 2:57PM]

56K user thinks his post was first....aww how cute!

[BzowK @ Jun 20th 2008 2:34PM]

Swing and a miss!

[Josh @ Jun 20th 2008 2:41PM]

By almost 10 minutes. How embarrassing is that?

[Wayne Schulz @ Jun 20th 2008 3:05PM]

Every time I stare at this big bulky GPS on my Dash I'm reminded of 1980's technology.

My money is on this thing closing out rather quickly.

Surely someone at this company took a look around at the competition and notice tha the Garmin's are , well, quite a bit thinner.

This device is a beast - way too big. Way too much undeserved initial praise.

Prediction: Woot! will have these by the end of next year for $149...

[MasterCKO @ Jun 20th 2008 3:08PM]

um, it is thin, genius. It's supposed to drape over your dashboard.

[Taylor @ Jun 20th 2008 3:35PM]

@MasterCKO

My (3000GT) dashboard doesn't have any place that this thing can just "drape". That is kind of part of the reason i don't have one - i don't know where i would put it... "genious".
-Taylor

[MasterCKO @ Jun 20th 2008 4:16PM]

@Taylor, that's unfortunate that you don't have a spot for it and that's hampering your buying decision (I actually don't have a spot for it in my car either), but the OP's claim was that it wasn't thin, which is false. It is thin. It just has the overhang part on the top which was fooling him (I guess) into thinking it was a thicker device than it actually is.

I do apologize for the "genius" remark, tho. It was needlessly snide.

[Wayne Schulz @ Jun 20th 2008 4:31PM]

Here is the image taken from a review I did of this Dash GPS.

Compared to my Nuvi I think it's about 2x as thick.

http://www.geardiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dash-express-gps.jpg

[yoinkers @ Jun 20th 2008 5:32PM]

Hey master, have a look at the side on profile and tell me the dash is meant to "drape" over your dash, genius.

[Zandr @ Jun 20th 2008 8:24PM]

@MasterCKO

No, it isn't 'thin'. It *looks* like it's supposed to drape over your dashboard, but I can assure you that the space under that thin-looking shape is very definitely filled with chunky GPS goodness...and that's where the dock connects.

It's *very* bulky, and hard to mount well. And it's slow, and the software sucks.

I think the extra 3 months is because the 'end of june' software update that is supposed to make the device vaguely capable of routing is going to drop after everybody's initial 3 months would have expired. I think the take rate on the service would be close to zero with the current software.

I have one, and it has great promise, but it is *so* not there yet.

[MasterCKO @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:19PM]

wow. *looks at picture. removes foot from mouth*

My mistake. Ignore everything I said.

[David Yang @ Jun 20th 2008 3:46PM]

It could also be a lower price will get more units on the road to better their live traffic stats

[Wayne Schulz @ Jun 20th 2008 4:31PM]

Here is an image of my Dash Express -- I think it's about twice as thick as my Nuvi:

http://www.geardiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dash-express-gps.jpg

[KLanD @ Jun 20th 2008 3:28PM]

It has a lot of great features, but the price isn't right.

I wanna see the Dash, with a built in media player, external SDHC, audio/vid output and no monthly fee for 300$

Now there is a killer product. Hell I'd buy any GPS that had all of that, as long as it worked well.

Harmon Kardon made a model a couple years back that was fantasic, it had all of these features (SD slot at time). it was arond 300$ (can get it for about 150$ now) only problem was that they never supported it so the product went under.

[Mark @ Jun 20th 2008 7:29PM]

Yea, I'm with you. I think it should do my dishes and walk my dog too! And why stop at $300? How about free and they pay me every month since I am providing them with information.

[Loban @ Jun 20th 2008 4:48PM]

I really want one of these things, but the reviews aren't so great. I guess the innovative features are great, but as a solid GPS unit, it lacks. Give it some time, and hopefully it'll get better.

[M.RodVonH @ Jun 20th 2008 4:45PM]

It's in Dash's best interest to have as many of these things on the road. The more Dash units that are on the road, the more traffic data that is collected, which results in higher quality data for everyone else.

Dash does lack some of the more common features in other GPS devices. If you only want a GPS to tell you were to go, Dash is not it. If you don't live in flyover country, or actually have a commute, having accurate traffic data is huge. No other device gives traffic data or POI information as accurately. The routing needs some work, but I think as it is now, the Dash works best for people who basically know where to go, but want to know how to get around traffic.

Now, Dash does have some work to do. If Garmin decides to include wireless connectivity in one of their devices, Dash will have a serious problem. Taking the Garmin UI and adding internet to a device would be the ultimate. And it would probably kill most of Dash's business.

[PiNPOiNT @ Jun 20th 2008 5:13PM]

Dash just emailed me and gave me 3 months more free to my trial period for being an early adopter!


from Team Dash
reply-to Team Dash
to --------------------------
date Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 11:19 AM
subject Price Drop and Early Adopter Appreciation

hide details 11:19 AM (2 hours ago)


Reply



Dear -----------

Since launching the Dash Express in late March, we’re off to a great start! Every day we continue to grow the Dash Driver Network leading to better, more accurate traffic info to help you in your daily commute. To maintain this momentum and make the Dash Express affordable to even more customers, today we lowered the price of the device to $299.99.

We know that being an early technology adopter has its ups and downs, particularly when it comes to pricing fluctuation. We want you to know that we are so appreciative that you were one of our first customers. As a thank you for your early support, we are extending you an additional three months of free Dash service. This service extension will be given to all customers that purchased the Dash Express on or before May 31, 2008. The additional three months will be automatically added to your account. If you have already purchased a Dash service plan, it will go into effect at the end of the three month extension.

If you haven't done so already, please register at MyDash (my.dash.net). This is our customer portal where, in addition to using Send2Car to wirelessly send addresses to your car, you can also access all of the great community content created by other Dash drivers. This is also the place to find our cool new DashApps – weather info, garage sales, speed traps, Twitter – and more! Simply click on the Saved Search tab to browse the content library. And, by clicking on the Forums tab, you can connect directly with us and other customers.

If you have any questions or need support, please call us from 9:00am to 5:00pm PST on Monday through Friday at (877)-500-3274. You can also submit issues via the MyDash website at my.dash.net/support.

Thanks again!



Team Dash



P.S. Please note that your service subscription information is currently not viewable on MyDash. This data will be added to the My Account area soon.

[PEZ @ Jun 20th 2008 5:59PM]

This is where a connected cellphone rules.. you get google search connected with the GPS for up to theminute shtufff

[michael @ Jun 20th 2008 8:21PM]

While I admit that the Dash Express needs a bit of work as far as refresh rates and some routing, I think the Live Traffic is great and the 2-way communications blows everyone else away. We aren't just talking about pushed weather but true 2-way communications! Plus the ability to extend the search capabilities by writing custom "DashApps" - specialized searches - is fantastic. Take a look at what is already released: Real-Time Weather Alerts, WeatherBug, White Pages searches, Trulia Home Sale searches, Fire Eagle integration, Garage Sales, Local Info Display by Zip, City and State, Jambase Event searches, and more.

The best DashApp may just Twitter Updates! You can send custom updates to Twitter including links to Google maps!

Some of the custom applications can be found here: http://DashApps.net. Hopefully Dash will start posting information on the custom applications on their website.