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We all know Stages Cycling has brought accessible, simple and effective power measurement to the cycling world. Now, as the company builds out it;s ecosystem of products, the Stages DASH takes center stage. A performance driven GPS head unit, designed with best in class view-ability, ease of use and power driven metrics, the DASH becomes part of a fully complementary system when used with a Stages Power Meter and the cloud-based Stages Link training service. Many keen powermeter users will be excited to see that DASH will log your Zero Calibration data, which can be hugely helpful when examining inconsistencies and spikes that are otherwise unexplainable.

Technically speaking, DASH is set-up to utilize both GPS and GLONASS protocols for greater accuracy and geographic coverage. You will be able to set-up push notifications for turn-by-turn directions from a Bluetooth enabled smartphone. Course themselves can be downloaded via Stages Link which provides an on-screen "breadcrumb" map onscreen. This feature is only 3rrd party right now, but is expected to be an integrated feature upgradable via firmware soon.

Everyone notices and comments on the super slim, aerodynamic profile of the rectangular DASH head unit with it's ability to be mounted and viewed both in portrait or landscape mode based on your viewing preferences or space requirements. The 2.7" LCD display delivers a resolution of 240x400 and has an effective anti-glare coating. This high resolution display is easy to view in all lighting conditions. There are multiple bike profiles available, with 5 customizable screens per profile. Each screen can be set-up for 1-16 data fields, and there is a split screen mode that allows you to directly compare real-time metrics with past workouts. It is easy to set-up the DASH screen options via the DASH itself or through the Stages Link system.

Stages engineered the DASH to be compatible with all 3rd party sensors that employ ANT+ and/or Bluetooth protocols, and it's data files are compatible with Stages Link, along with 3rd party sites susch as Strava, Training Peaks, MapMyRide, and many others. The firmware is fully upgradable, so more options and functionality will be added over time. Durability and longevity are a must in today's competitive market, so the fully weatherproof CNC chassis of the head unit is most welcome, as are the 25-30 hours of battery life per charge. Data transfer can be achieved wirelessly, or with the same Micro USB cable you use for charging. There are multiple mount options available based on usage requirements.

in developing the DASH, Stages made workout use via simplicity and accuracy the major set of priorities. This is best accomplished through Stages Link, which creates an environment that allows for complete autonomy between the prescribed workout and the post ride analysis, as well as what’s being executed on the bike. There is no need for taping route cues to the top tube, or to need to check your phone. Workout Mode allows you to create settings that will give an audible and visual cue when intervals change. You will get a cue on the screen for exactly what intensity and duration you should be working, as well as an audible cue to let you know when to start the next interval, which keeps your focus on training and the road ahead, instead of peering down at the head unit. After you upload your ride data via Stages Link, you will be able to see a clear graphic display of actual performance versus your planned workout, and the system will generate a compliance score. That score can be viewed for the entire workout, or from interval to interval. With the DASH capable of recording data rates at 4hz or 64hz (4 times a second or 64 times a second), your overall metrics are more definitive, which is both live and when uploaded, which allows you to fully tap into the data, especially power meter measurement.

There is so much about the Stages DASH to love, and Stages Link adds a level of data and device management that exceeds many competitors. We really appreciate the the screen mount options and the placement of the five buttons on the face of the housing- not the sides. This makes it much easier to use while riding. When you delve into the deep details you can see that Stages has worked to make the DASH compatible with many powermeters, sensors, systems, and 3rd party training and coaching sites, with the promise of more via firmware upgrades. If you are in the market for a new GPS head unit that can truly upgrade your training and performance experience, you must strongly consider the Stages DASH.