Garmin Edge 705/805 vs Dakota 20

[Shayne Robinson]

Hey there guys, I need to buy a GPS for my trip http://www.edgeride.co.za

 

I am looking at either the Garmin Edge 705/805 or the Dakota 20, has anyone used both units.

Comments and advice very welcome.

 

This trip is going to bankrupt me, so any money I can save will be appreciated.

[Tankman]

For cycling, get the Edge 800 (not 805).

 

The Dakota 20 is an outdoor handheld unit so you have to decide if you are going to walk or cycle?

[rob!]

Ja, we have the Dakota at our work - it's good if you hold it in your hand, but that's it.

 

Personally I am using the Edge 705 and am very happy with it. I jsut bought it and consciously opted not to get the 800 because I a) don't like touch screens and B) thin that touch screens are difficult to handle when wearing gloves and perhaps some mud being involved.

Further I sweat like a pig and feared that my dripping sweat might confuse the computer cause it thinks it's a touch...

[mark ellis]

had the 705 and loved it, now have the 800 and love it more! 800 all the way, no complaints

[TimW]

Can recommend the 705 with confidence and it seems to be perfect for yoru trip.

 

Have not used the 800 but it looks even better and reviews say there are no problems using touch screen with gloves.

 

Good lukc withe the trip ... looks like an amazing adventure for a fantastic cause -- what could be better.

 

Let me know when you are in KZN and I will organise some publicity for you here.

[Shayne Robinson]

Thanks guys, looks like it will be an Edge, now to go play with both units and then try and find the cash.

@Tim will definitely do that, thanks...

[Dirtbreath]

I use an Oregon 300 which is the somewhat like the Dakota. Has a great bicycle mount. This is more a pukka gps than a bicycle computer with a gps built in and mapping. I use it on my bike, car, hiking and just about anywhere. I have a Suunto hrm hence I didnt need another hrm although you can use the garmin hr belt. Its a bit bigger but the screen is great. Much better as an all round unit but if you're using it specifically on the bike go for the edge.

 

Oh, another reason why I wanted the Oregon is that it uses AA batteries. Doing multidays and overnight trails, it makes it handy to be able to keep spare batteries which you can just change over.

[Shebeen]

I got a dakota 20, because i figured it could get used on everything from the bike to the surfski to the trail to driving.

 

because mapping is going to be an issue for you, i think it would work better than the edge. could work pretty well with people uploading kml routes onto your site, which get voted on. then you just could get them onto the garmin. the 805 obviously does do maps, but probably not as well and it's quite pricey.

 

in terms of use - the dakot 20 is not really a cycling computer - i actually need to change my firmware as they've improved it there according to the forums. touch screen works fine with full finger gloves. i'm not overly wild about the interface, it's not that intuitive to learn but once you get around how to work it all is good. i get about 15 hours+ battery life off it, and solar powered AA charger would be my guess for best reliability.(ooh you have backup vehicle? cig lighter then)

 

it works with tracks4africa(i must get that sorted soon), sure the 805 does too. garmaps is a bit crap for what you pay to be honest (when T4A is only R150).

 

It would make sense that such a crucial product would be easy to find an equipment sponsor for, and you have enough time to secure this. don't forget the cellphone companies here (ie. nokia).

 

in terms of keeping the costs down, couchsurfing.com is the way to go. b and b's are pricey china

[Doggone]

I got an edge 800 for my birthday and did my first ride with it today. I love the feedback on the ride via the graphical format in Garmin Training centre. I am sure I have a lot to learn and havent even loaded the maps yet so much playing to do before I RTFM ( Read the flippen manual) to find out about what I dont know the unit can do.