Garmin Dakota 20 users

[Luis]

Just got my Dakota 20 unit and have some basic questions (rec. GPS newbie here).

- Do I need Mapsource (or basecamp etc...) or will Topofusion suffice?
- How do I choose whether to store tracks on the sd card or in memory?
- Do you trust the bike mount?

Any help will be appreciated!

[ekloco]

I purchased a Dakota 20 about one month ago. I also bought the Garmin specific map software that I was told was the only software that would work with the unit.

If National Geo or Topofusion is a better software to use (even for reference only).... I'd like to hear about it

I took a GPS class at REI..... it was pretty good for the hands on basics but not so good for trying to learn anything related to getting the computer and the GPS to talk to each other..... the instructions that came in the package were virtually worthless...... doing an Internet search, I found that there is a instructional DVD put out by Bennett Video, but it is backordered at Best Buy and at another source " cduniverse.com " as well.

Specifically, I want to be able to look at a route on a map software and be able to plot a course and transfer it over to the GPS unit.... that way when I am out in the field into unknown territory, I have some way to stay on course.  (OOOPS..... it looked good on a map)

I would also like to be able to leave a "trail of crumbs" on my GPS and be able to view it later on Google Earth or something similar.


I admit that I have not tried the  'hit or miss'  method of just messing around with the Garmin map software....I am kind of stuck wishing for more instructions on how to use the darn GPS and I am really hoping for that backordered DVD to come through.

If anyone out there has any tips on how to get a little more GPS savvy... I would appreciate it

[ScottM]

- Do I need Mapsource (or basecamp etc...) or will Topofusion suffice?

Well, I'm biased here, but there is one thing TopoFusion can't do, which is upload vector base maps.  It can upload any of the image types in TopoFusion as 'custom maps' but for longer bikepacking routes you might need the greater coverage of the vector based stuff.  However, there are free vector maps out there for many states, and you can use Mapsource for free to upload them.

Otherwise, yeah, stick to TopoFusion. 

- How do I choose whether to store tracks on the sd card or in memory?

When you transfer your own tracks to the Dakota you can put them in either place and they will be found by the unit.  As far as I know, it will always log the current track you are recording into the file structure of the internal memory.  Though I suppose I haven't tried to change it -- there might be a setting somewhere.

I recommend this site, which is full of all the details on the Oregon/Dakota that are not in the manual or really online anywhere else:

http://garminoregon.wikispaces.com/

(Most things apply to both the Dakota and Oregon)

- Do you trust the bike mount?

Yes, so far so good on mine.  I have done a lot of rough mountain biking and a fair amount of bikepacking as well.  Haven't had it fall off.  You do need to make sure the zip ties are tight so it doesn't rotate (isn't too loose).

Hope that helps a bit.

[ScottM]

I purchased a Dakota 20 about one month ago. I also bought the Garmin specific map software that I was told was the only software that would work with the unit.

If National Geo or Topofusion is a better software to use (even for reference only).... I'd like to hear about it

I took a GPS class at REI..... it was pretty good for the hands on basics but not so good for trying to learn anything related to getting the computer and the GPS to talk to each other..... the instructions that came in the package were virtually worthless...... doing an Internet search, I found that there is a instructional DVD put out by Bennett Video, but it is backordered at Best Buy and at another source " cduniverse.com " as well.

Specifically, I want to be able to look at a route on a map software and be able to plot a course and transfer it over to the GPS unit.... that way when I am out in the field into unknown territory, I have some way to stay on course.  (OOOPS..... it looked good on a map)

I would also like to be able to leave a "trail of crumbs" on my GPS and be able to view it later on Google Earth or something similar.


I admit that I have not tried the  'hit or miss'  method of just messing around with the Garmin map software....I am kind of stuck wishing for more instructions on how to use the darn GPS and I am really hoping for that backordered DVD to come through.

If anyone out there has any tips on how to get a little more GPS savvy... I would appreciate it

You might find the Garmin Oregon wiki page I linked above to be useful.  I wish I knew some good videos to get up to speed with stuff.  My software, TopoFusion, does what you are describing above (it is esp. good at forming new routes to put on the GPS and follow in the field -- but that's just my opinion).  But it is perhaps not the easiest software to jump into if you aren't familiar with GPS and a lot of the concepts.  There's definitely a bit of a learning curve.  But, the demo version is free, so you can check it out if you want:

http://topofusion.com/download.php

[Luis]

Thanks Scott. I ponied up for Topofusion Pro and I'm loving it so far, genius.  I used Basecamp to transfer the topos from gpsfiledepot.   The bike mount seems solid, I mounted it on the handlebar (I did wrap a piece of tube for extra bite) and didn't move on a pretty bumpy ride.

Question:

I have a collection of tracks for a trail system, each track's name corresponds to the trail name.  What is the best way to upload these to the unit and preserve the trail names so I can see those on the map?  I guess this would be a good use for the custom map feature.  Otherwise I can see the tracks but no way to ID them, correct? 

Thanks!
BTW you da' man for even starting AZT.

[ScottM]

Hey Luis,

Thanks for supporting TF (and by extension, this site).

Yeah, I think a custom map with waypoints for the trail names might be a good way to go.  If you upload each trail as a separate track, you would be able to turn them on/off individually by name, but the names don't show on the map screen.

[Luis]

Hey Scott,

What battery life are you getting out of your Dakota 20?  I just did a race and had to put spare batteries in at 5 hours, those died after 6 hours (with the power save feature ON). i hope I don't have to lug around dozens of batteries to keep the unit going on a long trip.  Are there any tricks to getting more life out of this unit? Garmin specs indicate 20 hours...  Thanks!

[ScottM]

I've gotten 15 or so using rechargeable batts.  20+ with lithiums.

What kind of batteries were yours?

[DaveH]

I'm not familiar with the Dakota 20, but on other Garmin models you can improve the battery life by disabling the electronic compass (if it has one).  I've heard reports of nearly doubled runtime with this trick.  The downside is you have no compass

Another obvious one is the back light.  On my Oregon 550 the back light does very little during the daytime so it's best left off completely.

I get at least double the runtime out of lithiums compared to rechargeables - for a price of course.  Racing use only.

[Luis]

I was using some of those duracell pre-charged rechargeables...

Thanks for the tips Dave, I'll check that out.