28Feb/105
Garmin Dakota 20 2.6-Inch Touchscreen Handheld GPS Navigator
Click buy lowerest price Too low to display @ Amazon.com
GPS Navigator
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February 28th, 2010 - 09:56
Currently when you view the Oregon 300 on Amazon there is a note saying there is a newer model of it and when you click on it it takes you to the Dakota 20. However, this is not so. They have different features and are not the same size display. So go compare the features at the Garmin website before you fall for this.
Rating: 3 / 5
February 28th, 2010 - 12:42
This unit is very accurate. We got this unit mainly for geocaching. The only thing that I was disappointed in was the fact it’s not capable of reading geocaches of the card reader. We also have a Nuvi 550 which I load caches on micro cards for different areas we visit so when we go back to an area all we have to do is put the card in for that area and go. With the Dakota the card reader only reads map software loaded on to the card. This is a minor inconvenience since the Dakota will hold 2000 caches were as the Nuvi 550 will only hold 200. We are still learning how to use the features on the Dakota so I won’t say much about that except that some of them are a little confusing to work with. I’m sure over time with the Dakota we will figure everything out. I am very amazed at how well the reception is even in heavy tree cover. We were very happy of the accuracy of our Nuvi but this thing is even better. The compass feature is very nice as well and I have found myself using it quit a bit.
Rating: 4 / 5
February 28th, 2010 - 13:35
When I purchased the Dakota 20 I was somewhat concerned about using it on a bicycle because of mixed reviews (here and elsewhere) on its visibility during the day in various sunny and cloudy conditions. My first bike ride with the Dakota 20 confirmed the visibility problems, especially when not in direct sunlight. Visibility was especially a problem when the sun was on either the right or left side. When the sun is in front I twisted the Dakota until it was horizontal on the handlebars and this worked fine.
Then I decided to test ride the Dakota with sunglasses (polarized clip-ons), thinking if visibility got worse, then I would diffently return the Dakota. I was pleasantly surprized. The Polarized sunglasses greatly improved visibility in all angles of the sun. The reduction in glare from the polarized sunglasses greatly improve the contrast on the Dakota screen. The screen was not brighter, just more distinctively clearer. I repeated the test ride with polarized sunglasses on and off to confirm their effectiveness in improving the screen visibility in all angles of the sun.
The backlight on the Dakota is only effective at night or inside, not in daylight or even in shade.
One note, I loaded the Dakota with Garmin’s City Navigator for the test rides. This software map has a white background with varying colored streets and markers. I did not test Topo mapping software on a bike. It may have different results even with polarized sunglasses, but I don’t intend to add it to the unit.
Bottomline: I’m keeping the Dakota 20. I like the ease of using the touch screen and many of the other features, including the possibility of adding a heart rate monitor and cadance option. I just wanted to mention the use of polarized sunglasses (either green or brown)to improve visibility, because nowhere, in any of the reviews that have I read, has anyone identified this solution to the visibility issue.
Rating: 4 / 5
February 28th, 2010 - 14:57
The Garmin Dakota 20 makes good on all of its claims. The screen brightness is not, I repeat not an issue. You can turn up it’s brightness, which will drain batteries faster so keep extra AA’s in your pack. Problem solved. The customized map feature is slick. Jpeg -> Google Earth -> kmz, and then copy to the unit is a simple process and it works quite well. The unit has worked quite well for me in both Egypt and Korea and I will probably use it on all my future vacations. Good job Garmin!
Rating: 5 / 5
February 28th, 2010 - 17:34
The device is good, the base map sucks!
I think the Dakota GPS device is great, but the base map (for trekking purposes) is essentially worthless. Apparently Garmin makes all their profits on selling us overly expensive maps. Unless you are willing to double your price by buying very expensive maps from Garmin, or are capable and willing to build your own maps, this is not a hiking tool for you. If, on the other hand, you are willing to do either of those options, this is for you – it will work as advertised.
Rating: 3 / 5