Garmin Dakota 20 Leaked!

Bass Pro Shops site has since pulled it but there catalog they sent me had it in there. It looks like a eTrex replacement but with touchscreen and better resolution. I've seen the hype Garmin Oregon 550 with the built in camera, but the price was way out there, the Dakota was a little better.

http://www.gpsfix.net/

Geesh, I wanted to know what was leaking from a GPS device.

I love Garmin GPS's. I've got an original E-trex, a newer E-trex Legend C, and a Nuvi model for the car. Best GPS receivers I've ever owned.

In fact, I was thinking about picking up their Rino 530HCx. The features list is awesome; High-sensitivity color GPS receiver, two-way GMRS/FRS radio that can transmit location data, NOAA weather radio, barometer/altimeter, electronic compass, microSD card slot for expansion, water-resistance, ability to accept AA batteries with accessory battery holder, and much more. In fact, if they added the ability to receive shortwave/am/fm radio, transmit/receive on CB channels, and take pictures.......I would run out and buy one right now.

If that were the case it would let me condense 6 electronic devices that I currently carry on some trips, down into one little unit that I can hang off my belt.

Yeah but... if they cram that much functionality into a tiny little case, many of the functions would probably end up being next to useless.

If you added a micro nuclear power supply (aka Star Trek) you could end up with a real multipurpose device that doesn't take up too much space. AA batteries in most handhelds last between 14-20 hours. As it is now, a Blackberry /w GPS is about as close to most people's requirements that can be met at the moment.

They could make a simple, light, cheap, waterproof one, without the useless maps or power hungry color screen, and make it yellow so you could find it and have it run for 24hours on 2AA batteries.

I'm starting to get tempted by some of the new ones but I've got my etrex with maps and accessories, wonder what all will transfer over? Just bought a couple of the rail mounts.

As much as I hated rechargable batteries on that kind of device I think that Garmin came a long way in creating something that would hold a decent charge. With possibility of using AAs for a backup that makes it even a sweeter deal. Also Solar charger (like for example Solio) usability makes it a pretty decent outdoor model.

I think that GPS devices lately are limited by the quality (and prices) of maps. I know that typical 100K maps are decent for basic stuff but not detailed enough. 24k maps are great and better than most of the National Geo maps but they are quite expensive. I had a scare yesterday that I lost my set of topos and when looking at different websites for solution and it would have been close to $300 to replace them.

All the extra bells and whistles are nice to have and I use some for tracking progress, waking up, tides and ocassional game when there is a down time at the camp.

But in the end I want just few things: fast signal gain, maintaining signal, long battery life and clear screen. It seems that that Dakota 20 would do that job. But since my days of buying new and the best as soon as it comes out are gone I will have to wait for the review. But that bundle you linked to seem like a pretty fair deal.

Why would you hate rechargeable batteries, or are you talking about the GPS's that used proprotary lithium ion ones that need their own charger?

I'm talking about proprietary batteries that require a special charger. If you are on a ten day trek you are screwed short of bringing few extras with you but than again you are still not 100% covered. I like new solutions where you can charge things thru usb (in my case solar power), remove the battery and bring extra or if needed replace it with AAs. That makes it very usueful tool while trekking. I can't wait for digital cameras to be entered into that equation as well.

Any one used a touch screen at -40?

That is why I like this forum. As I sit here in 100 degree heat, I would not have thought of the issues of using a touch screen device (like my iphone) at -40. Not only would the device need to be kept near the body (keep the LCD warm), but you will need bare fingers to use the device.


Darn smart fellow up there, I say.

Here you go: $84 bucks from Amazon, free shipping & no tax

The high sensitivity receiver is the same chip used in their higher end Etrex models. Waterproof. Fits in your palm. Weighs a few ounces. Rated for 16 hours of continuous use with alkaline AA cells, but you would get close to 24 hours with lithium AA cells.



Ironically, my Etrex Vista HCx is full color and does mapping, but is rated for 24 hours with regular AA alkaline cells. It's also selling for $40 cheaper on Amazon than when I bought it 2 or 3 years ago. It has been a fantastic and reliable tool on the trail.

I probably get around 20 hours with rechargeable AA's (Sanyo Eneloop) with my Legend HCx and thats with color and maps and such.
Hmm, anyone have one of those $84 ones? Wife wants one of the sports watches to track walking and such but if the low end GPS like that has a trip meter and logging and such it could work, then I'll just get her the bike mount too.

Same here. I have absolutely no complaints as far as battery life (or anything else really) when it comes to my Legend HCx.

Yes that's (almost) the one I have - the original etrex.
Funnily enough I paid about $80 for it the first time.

I was trying to make the point that they build the ideal device and then add all sorts of bells and whistles until it's useless. Then bring out a revolutionary new model that almost goes back to what they had originally.


I never thought maps on a GPS were any use until I saw this gadget http://www.satmap.com/about.php which includes maps with some proper detail

I have two of the basic E-Trex, and like them. You can also hook them up to a computer with a mapping program in it and download the track to the map. Or use the GPS in the car to show the current location on a lap top ( we use this while hunting ELT's).

Not me. Used my non toch screen Garmin in -40 and it worked but buttons didn't. Few minutes inside my pocket and it worked like a charm. I read somewhere that Garmin specs put their handhelds operating temp between -30 (-30 F) and 80 celcius. But I dont know if that operating range applies to their touch screen line.

Attempted to at close to -50°F. In my experience, any LCD much below 32°F isn't very usable, especially a touch. Had some equipment with LCD screens that when exposed to direct sunlight or lower temps you would be faced with a black screen.