any one use GARMIN DAKOTA 20 ???

[stealth3350]

hello im looking to buy a new gps unit. i currently have the expedition c . this is my first ever handheld gps. it has helped me alot on the ice, but i cant begin to tell how many times it has frustrated me, slow,kicks me off the screen im in, takes long time to find signal.. im running navionics hot maps.. soooo i was thinking about buying the garmin dakota 20 .. how is the lakemaster for garmin??? the lowrance endura sounds like it still has probs and garmin is the way to go

[eyebjim]

I have the Garmin Oregon. It is basically the same unit as the Dakota but has a slightly bigger screen.

I have a H20C and switched to this...um well kind of.

The Garmin will not work with Navionics maps so your choice is garmin or Lakemaster. I have the lakemaster and it is a little better than the last lakemaster chip (2007) I bought for the H20.

The problem is in the H2o There are a couple of lakes that have 1ft contours on the navionics maps but not in the Lakemaster. I really wish garmin would make a software update to allow Navionics.

I find I still use the H2O for these lakes so I can use the navionics maps.

Other than that I like the Garmin.

The garmin is fast to acquire satellites and screen redraw is quick too. It has better accuracy too.

[bigbad401]

I have the Oregon 200 and I love it. I also have the Lakemaster 2009 maps and they are great. It has over 3500 lakes on it with about 800 at 1 ft contours. The Dakota 20 is very similar to the Oregon except the smaller screen size.

[pulleye16]

I have the Dakota 10 series and wish I got the 20 or oregon. It picks up satellite very fast and have had no "function" problems with it. I wish it had some better and more features though. I don't like that I cannot "mark" an area unless I'm in that position (you can if you have coordinates though). If you get it on sale with the topo package it is a great deal. I have lake masters on mine (through DVD) and love it. I also have a 24k topo map that I downloaded as well of the entire state of MN and both downloads have not slowed the Dakota down at all. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars because it lacks a few functions (dakota 10) but it was money well spent and would purchase again cause I got a great deal and best unit for the money spent.

[Kirsch]

The Dakota and Oregon series are nice GPS units. Overall, there are only 2 things about them I don't like. First the screen size on the Dakota is smaller so I would consider the Oregon first unless the price is too much. Both units are touch screens. If you plan to use it for outside activities and will be wearing gloves, touch screen GPS units can be used with gloves but still can be difficult. Buttons can be hard to operate with gloves too but is still easier in cold conditions. Also, due to the way the glass needs to be manufactured for a touchscreen GPS, they tend to washout in bright sunlight. Take a 60CSx or a 62S out in bright sunlight and compare an Oregon or Dakota to either of these and you will see a difference. It comes down to preference as touch screen GPS units tend to be easier to use versus lots of buttons. Bottom line before you buy one go to the store and take a non-touch screen one and a touch screen outside and compare before you buy.

My 3 favorite handhelds for features, price, and function are:

62S

60CSx (many closeouts as the 62 series replaces the 60)

Oregon 450