GPS Again

[jamiep]

£135 at Handtec but on pre-order....

http://www.handtec.co.uk/garmin-dakota-20.html?___SID=U

I've been keeping an eye on this. It's now in stock but increased to £150, same as amazon

[Aidan]

Ooh, that tip on the cheap OS 1:50k is very handy.

I had been using Open Streetmap for free, but the user-contributed aspect wasn't always perfect. The maps in SE England are great - they've even got mtb trails by name. In the wilds of Wales, though, they just have big patches of green with no trails at all :(

For Chew's sake, here's how to sturdy up your Dakota mount:

http://www.aidanharding.com/2012/02/how ... ike-mount/

[Cheeky Monkey]

Out of interest what software do folks use with the Dakota? I used Garmin Connect (briefly) before but scanning the site they seem to be pushing Basecamp? Anyone got a preference between the two or somethign else to suggest?

Appreaciate this might have been covered elsewhere - feel free to point me at a thread 8-)

[johnnystorm]

I use OS Getamap. Lets you draw routes, export as .GPX that then get dropped into the Dakota. It's £18 a year but you can also print off the maps for your paper back-up.

I think bikehike was a free service that was recommended.

[Chew]

Bikehike is what i use. Its free and has all the functions i need :)

[ScotRoutes]

Basecamp seems to work really well. It'll access the maps on the Dakota when it's connected, so you get 1:50k if that's what you've bought. I like not having to plug the Dakota in every time I want to use it so I bought a little USB stick, copied the map file onto that and Basecamp reads it just fine. I installed the City Navigator mapping off my Edge 705 onto the same card, renamed the file slightly, and can access both with Basecamp with neither GPS attached.

I also use the OS Getamap service as I it's sometimes useful to have access to 1:25k mapping and aerial imagery . For £20(?) a year it's a bargain!

[Aidan]

I use Routebuddy for my mapping needs.

The key feature for me over Bikehike is that I can have multiple tracks/routes on there and join them together. That's a frequent technique of mine: grab a bunch of other people's loops in an area that I might want to ride in; overlay them on a map together; join bits of them up to make a substantial ride.

[Lughnasadh]

Have been watching the dakota20 but it us now up to £162 on amazon. Is this still the cheapest around?

[rocklobstercat]

I normally use Bing maps which zooms to Explorer level, but I've also come across these sites which are quite good also:

http://maps.the-hug.net - zooms only to Landranger level but it tells you the grid reference of every point you input, which could be useful.

http://www.justgoride.co.uk - zooms to Explorer level and also allows you to fine tune your route, you can also share routes online.

Both of them are free. :)

[johnnystorm]

Have been watching the dakota20 but it us now up to £162 on amazon. Is this still the cheapest around?

£146 on handtec if you don't need it straightaway.....

http://www.handtec.co.uk/garmin-dakota-20.html

[Cheeky Monkey]

Cheers folks, all good useful info 8-)

[Lughnasadh]

The Dakota 20 are back in stock at Handtec - ordered one yesterday.
Also, the price has dropped a little again on Amazon.
Also, also, I got a price match from go outdoors with the additional 10% off but unfortunately there are none in stock for home delivery. However, if you live near a store that has one in stock then you could get a good bargain!!

[evilgoat]

Hello, do you have a link to that 150 quid Dakota on amazon? I searched but only found something that called it a portatile? That was 170.

[Cheeky Monkey]

It's the "portatile" one that I got.

Others seem to have seen the price go up and down. Given it's another £28 for the OS ampping at £170 you might want to consider the Oregon on Sportspursuit (comes with mapping on a recondition-as-new unit) for a little over £200.

I've never used the Oregon BTW but think it is a potentially better unit with bigger and clearer screen.

[Taylor]

I have an oregon which I've not regretted buying in the four years I've had it.

[evilgoat]

Amazon have the etrex 20 for 120 notes. Seems like a very good price, I have some amazon vouchers so my just get one.

[rocklobstercat]

The Dakota 20 is being sold at the following website for £139 and free delivery. Anyone bought from this site before? Not sure it's legit.

http://www.simplythings.co.uk/010-00781 ... dwide.html

[Bearbonesnorm]

The site looks straight enough, although a slightly random selection of products ... use your credit card if you've any doubt about it.

[Zippy]

Not sure it's legit.

http://www.simplythings.co.uk/010-00781 ... dwide.html

I don't trust that site. There's not much info on the web about it, any trust reviews are a bit sparse and the biggest thing that bugs me is the mismatch in the whois and the websites stated address.

http://www.simplythings.co.uk/contactus.html

vs

http://www.nominet.org.uk/whois/lookup? ... ings.co.uk

You'd be better off buying on eBayand paying via paypal - coz then you can get your money back through paypal if nothing turns up.

Then again, it might well be legit and there's explanations for the disparities above and general lack of web information about the site; but if it was my own money, I wouldn't risk it.

All IMHO of course

[Matthew77]

Garmin maps for £22.46 link

http://gb.ioffer.com/i/2012-garmin-gb-d ... -127349741

Are these maps really legit? as they retail elsewhere for £199!? Just seems too good to be true?

I just bought a etrax 20 and must admit I was massively disappointed in their so called base map,for a gps thats sold as an all round outdoors GPS i.e. for hiking etc only including major roads is a bit of a let down...i mean i wasnt expecting 1:50k maps but out of the box it was no better than my 8 year old garmin geko!

thanks Matt

[Cheeky Monkey]

Yep, mapping is legit. Comes branded as a Garmin product, though I guess it might be a copy. Plugged in the card and worked straight away. Makes buying a useful GPS much cheaper. Really good service from the eBay seller as well.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'll second what CM says ... no trouble with mine, just plug and play. I'm actually thinking of buying another sd card of somewhere really bizzare to help me appear interesting

[Matthew77]

I'll second what CM says ... no trouble with mine, just plug and play. I'm actually thinking of buying another sd card of somewhere really bizzare to help me appear interesting

Yep, mapping is legit. Comes branded as a Garmin product, though I guess it might be a copy. Plugged in the card and worked straight away. Makes buying a useful GPS much cheaper. Really good service from the eBay seller as well.

Cheers guys, good to hear that from people that have bought the maps,as does seem too cheap. I'm going to order mine, although looks like the seller is on holiday, so no sales!

Matt

[ericrobo]

If I buy a Dakota 20 can I use the Micro SD card in my Edge 800 for maps on the Dakota ? If not has anyone bought from http://gb.ioffer.com/i/2012-garmin-gb-d ... -127349741 ?

Are they genuine and would they come on a Micro SD card ?

[Bearbonesnorm]

If I buy a Dakota 20 can I use the Micro SD card in my Edge 800 for maps on the Dakota ? If not has anyone bought from http://gb.ioffer.com/i/2012-garmin-gb-d ... -127349741 ?

Are they genuine and would they come on a Micro SD card ?

No idea whether the card from your Edge will fit in a Dakota ... however if the Edge takes a micro sd card then it should fit.

As for the cards from gb.ioffer ... they come in a packet marked Garmin which obviously doesn't mean much but they work fine. There's a few folk on here using them and I've not heard of any troubles. Yes they are a micro sd card.