Garmin Dakota 20 Review

Garmin is a name that is recognizable for making quality GPS products that really last long and have amazing accuracy for you to depend on whether you are on the road, trail, or sea. Depending on where your next destination will be, a certain GPS device is necessary for you to use quickly and see the appropriate data. If you expect a lengthy trip and can't afford multiple devices, you will have to go with a Garmin device that is well-rounded in different terrains. A good start is to get a device that has a touchscreen but these devices can be a bit pricey and other models are optimized for a certain purpose. For instance, don't go for the Garmin nuvi devices just because they have touchscreens because those automotive GPS devices. You can save big while still getting essential features by getting a Garmin Dakota 20 instead.

Garmin Dakota 20 GPS Navigator

Design

Being part of the Dakota series, the Garmin Dakota 20 looks very similar to the cheaper Garmin Dakota 10. The only visual difference is the color accents which are orange instead of yellow. It features a colorful 2.6-inch touchscreen display that is coated with a material that effectively blocks off the sunlight so the display is more readable during the day. A ruggedized exterior is built around that screen to make it more comfortable to carry around while having production against dust, dirt, bumps, and other harsh elements. It is also waterproof which highlights its usefulness when you are in a boat or a rainy location.

Interface

Garmin devices are always made to be simple to use and the Garmin Dakota 20 is no exception to that. The familiar "Map" and "Where To?" icons are shown on the top and function similarly to the Garmin nuvi icons. There are also four more icons on the bottom that lead to other key functions. The interface space is a bit restricted as shown by the battery and signal meters on the bottom but the icons are large enough for easy touching and the arrows allow access to other menus.

Navigation Features

The Garmin Dakota 20 is a slightly enhanced version of the Garmin Dakota 10. It has the same high-sensitivity features for speedy tracking while being WAAS-enabled so any obstructions don't really to cause deep problems. The HotFix satellite prediction still plays its role in keeping track of the satellite for future use so it can make better predictions.

What the Garmin Dakota 20 adds to the mix is the barometric altimeter that keeps track of pressure so you can get a better reading for your current altitude. You can also use this feature to plot the barometric pressure over a period of time so you can get some ideas on the current weather conditions. You can also use the 3-axis electronic compass that is built right into the Garmin Dakota 20 and you won't need to hold it a certain way just to get the heading.

Like the cheaper sibling, the Garmin Dakota 20 has 850 MB of memory for storing waypoints and other data. If that isn't enough, you can expand on the map library and number of points by inserting a microSD card in the device. You can also share the data with other people that use Garmin Dakota devices as well as Oregon, Foretrex, and Colorado units.

Extra Features

Geocaching remains a popular hobby and the Garmin Dakota 20 is prepared to replace your paper so you can have all the geocache data within your GPS device. It knows how to read the GPX files that you acquire from the Internet for easy archiving and management. You can then use the data and begin your expedition immediately. Plus there are Blue Chart g2 marine maps built-in in case your journey involves bodies of water.

The Garmin Dakota 20 can also use the Garmin Connect service so you can place your activities online or even layer them with Google Earth. You can also share your recorded activities by means of Facebook or Twitter so you can let other users know what you accomplished thanks to the device.

Conclusion

For a device that has been around for several years, the Garmin Dakota 20 is quite affordable these days dipping below the $300 mark (original price was around $400). It is still considered a modern device with its good set of features, nice build quality, and good battery life. Although an entry-level device, the Garmin Dakota 20 outpaces just about every mobile phone with GPS features and many classic GPS devices that lack touchscreens.

List Price: $399.99

Click Here For Latest Offer on Garmin Dakota 20
Enjoy Free Shipping & Secure Shopping