Garmin GPS suggestions: Dakota 20 vs Oregon 450t

[Charles S]

For the hunters, I have used a GPS for hunting, hiking, camping, navigation on land and water for a long time. I have experience with both Garmin and Magellan .

Currently I am looking at an upgrade to a Dakota 20 vs an Oregon 450t.

I appreciate anyone's thoughts and suggestions.

 

[svtruth]

Can't Advise, but

When I got a new one for the boat a couple of years ago, it was set to true North and statue miles, neither very handy with marine charts. It was easy to change but I had to do it.
Good luck.

 

[usmc1371]

Thats the same question I was asking myself. IMHO the Oregon 450t is the better buy. A few more features and IIRC holds more downloaded maps. I hate having to load and unload maps when I go from one side of the state to the other. Also I don't know how long the Dakota modles will be around.

If the extra stuff on the oregon modle will be usefull to you then spend the extra money but if its a bunch of stuff you will never use. Save a hunderd bucks and get the dakota.

 

[MJ_ATL]

I own the Dakota 20 and it works well for my needs. Didn't need the extra features and a 16 GB memory card fixes any capacity issues it may have. I have the Topo map for everywhere I'm going to go loaded and a few places loaded with the BirdsEye imagery and still have a ton of space left.

You WILL need to buy Topo maps for the Dakota though - but that does get them onto your PC as well. The base map is very basic. The satellite imagery is useful to my group when scouting public lands for hunting. Of course its another map subscription you have to buy.

Both units should be similar in operation which is WAY better than my old Magellan unit. The Dakota being a smaller unit is a plus for me as I try to carry as little as possible. I can see my father having problems using the Dakota b/c of the smaller screen though.

Happy with my Dakota but could see where the Oregon series would be preferred.