5. Activating Dash Express

Figure 26: My Dash Card

Although Dash Express can be used as a standalone GPS, you'll want to register the device and sign-up for monthly connectivity service in order to take full advantage its Internet connectivity and real-time traffic features (note: historical traffic pattern data is available, even without an active subscription).

To register online, you'll need the DDN (Dash Device Number), printed on the back side of the credit card sized activation card that comes taped to the installation guide. Make a note of your device's DDN number, and then open a web browser to http://my.dash.net

Figure 27: My Dash Website Homepage

Begin the process of registering Dash Express by browsing to http://my.dash.net and clicking on "Join Now".

Figure 28: Register Your Device

Enter the DDN number (found on the back of the credit-card sized card included with the installation guide, and printed on the back of the GPS device) and your email address, then click "submit".

Figure 29: Verify Your Email Address

Dash will email a verification code to the email address you specified in the previous step. Once that email arrives, enter it into the verification code box and click "submit" to continue.

Figure 30: Create Your Account

Enter your first name, last name, a username, password, and mobile phone number.

Figure 31: Sending an Address to your Dash Express

After creating an account and logging in for the first time, Dash's website asks you to setup your home address and send it wirelessly to the GPS. Enter your home address and click "look up address" to continue.

Figure 32: Specify Device and Send

Once Dash's website has located the entered home address, you can add notes as well as a phone number to the saved address, then click "send to your car".

Figure 33: Successfully Sent Address

After sending the home address to the device, Dash's website gives you the option of sending additional addresses, or continuing with the tutorial.

Figure 34: Welcome to the Tutorial

Dash's web tutorial has lots of useful information on getting to know Dash Express, how to use the device, and what functionality is available.

Figure 35: Adding a Service Plan

Dash Express comes with 90-days of free wireless service. After that, you'll need to sign up for a monthly service plan. From the My Account tab, click "Add Service" to view available service plans and choose one that makes sense for your needs.

Figure 36: Picking a Subscription Plan

Dash offers the following connectivity plans:

• $12.99/month - Month-to-month service
• $10.99/mo - effective monthly rate if you agree to 1 year of service
• $9.99/mo - effective monthly rate if you agree to 2 years of service
• $99.99 - Adds an additional 9 months of service to the 3-month free trial period. This plan can be "gifted" to yourself, or another new Dash owner.