For the second time since its March release, Dash Navigation has cut the price on its Wi-Fi Internet connected Dash Express GPS system. Now, the 4.3-inch unit costs $299 to own, but its original price was a whopping $599.

The successive drops in price have caused electronics bloggers to speculate on the Dash Express' appeal.

To Engadget, the price drop can be interested one of two ways: "they're selling so well that economies of scale have kicked in, and everyone saves money buying the GPS," they note, "or, the fresh-faced company's sole product isn't doing very well in the marketplace, leading to this second price drop so far."

Dash Navigation says it's lowered its prices because of outstanding results from partners with a recent Dads and Grads promotion, but Crave smells a rat. Its editors report "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?"

GPSReview notes, "This GPS isn't for everyone. This isn't going to be the 'killer GPS' that suddenly starts taking significant market share from the big names." Others feel the Dash Express' bread and butter, Internet connectivity, needs work. Although Dash adds to its points-of-interest database by providing an up-to-date Internet search, PCWorld's writer says "the results are hit or miss. For example, a search for 'books' found 16 stores but missed a Barnes & Noble 3 miles from my home."

Dash Express also has a subscription fee for web applications from Coldwell Banker, Funambol, and Weatherbug. More recently, Dash Express began partnering with Trapster to provide whereabouts on speed traps and red light cameras. Writers report that the fee for this application and others hasn't changed.

Research other innovations in portable navigation devices with U.S. News' GPS Buying Guide.

Find this story interesting? If so, please click "Buzz up" to let us know.