Dakota vs. Edge for Road Biking I am looking for feedback from anyone that has used the new Dakota for road biking. I am considering either one of the Garmin Edge (605/705) or the Dakota - the Dakota actually looks like it offers more, except for the training partner feature. Which I wouldn't miss. Dakota vs. Edge for Road Biking I am looking for feedback from anyone that has used the new Dakota for road biking. I am considering either one of the Garmin Edge (605/705) or the Dakota - the... » Read More Dakota vs. Edge for Road Biking I am looking for feedback from anyone that has used the new Dakota for road biking. I am considering either one of the Garmin Edge (605/705) or the Dakota - the Dakota actually looks like it offers more, except for the training partner feature. Which I wouldn't miss. « Show Less
820808
Has anyone used the Dakota 20 for touring? Or any Garmin unit for that matter. I'd be interested in your experiences. I'm leaning towards the Dakota for a number of reasons (Battery type, battery life, price, features) I don't need a heart rate/cadence monitor(s) I just want directions but I also don't want to be directed on to a freeway on ramp by some piece of misguided software.
820809
I have a Dakota 10 and use it all the time for biking. True, it doesn't do any of the things Frank mentions. I guess I'm just interested in track, elevation and odometer, time, so it's perfect for that. Weather/temperature is applied when the tracklog is uploaded to Basecamp or Garmin Connect (although at this writing, the "new" Garmin Connect isn't correctly calculating distance on GPX files, so there's that.)
608267
This may not work on the Edge 810. It does work on the 800. I tried an 810 and returned it because the turn-by-turn routing provided by RideWithGPS.com TCX wouldn't work with the 810. The following is from the RideWithGPS web site on how to load maps. http://ridewithgps.com/users/115523 ................ After downloading, copy the IMG file to the SD cards "GARMIN" folder that was created earlier. The SD card can have multiple IMG files on it and you can choose between them in the Edge 800 configuration menu. I kept my names descriptive, "osm_western_us.img". VERY IMPORTANT: keep the name short and free of spaces or odd punctuation - underscores are OK for spaces. Once the file is copied, safely remove (right click on the icon in the lower right of screen for Windows users) the SD card from your computer. Insert the card and power up the Garmin. Go to the configuration menu, then System -&gt; Map -&gt; Map Information, and select the map type. Enjoy!
9514
Hi, The options for this GPS are amazing. I only use as a backup to navigate on the water and it never fails me. Topography is not something that I have ever used the Garmin Montana for. I hope my answer helped. Capt. M. Price
1854708
On the PLUS model ($299) you can, not on the base ($249) model. Check garmin.com for a great comparison of all their bike computers. The 810 is packed with features and has the touch screen. The touring also has the touch screen. I use ot for long bike trips on roads wher eI am unfamiliar, not around my town. Good luck and happy riding!
349773
HM, did you ever get any good feeback to your dilemma? I am in the same boat now, debating between the 305 Edge and Forerunner. As a Mtn Biker (primarily) I'm leaning toward the Edge but they both have the functionality I need.
865669
You need to contact garmin & ask them what type of map you need to load on the instrument to d o this. I have city navigator which is good for road biking. You may need a topographical map.
1231547
I too have a Tri Glide and would like to talk to someone who has used this GPS for a while. I'm going to go out on a limb and leave my email address, huskers_68352@yahoo.com. Please contact me.
1566510
The Garmin 800 is a better option for downloading *.tcx files with embedded turn by turn directions. The Garmin 810 does not support *.tcx files as well as the 800. I used RideWithGps.com last year to plan my ride across the USA (4162 miles in 53 riding days) and had turn by turn directions all the way with the Garmin 800. I originally bought an 810, but returned it when proved problematic and bought the 800 instead. It worked pretty well. The only problem was when turns are very close together. RideWithGPS gives you the option to set how early a turn notice will be given (50', 200', etc). If the turns are really close together and the warnings are set to be 500' the notifications can overlap.
9024
I'm surprised no one has given you a suggestion. On the off chance you are still looking, I'll add a comment or two. Obviously, any of the units you have listed "could" do the job very well (I've heard good and bad things about each of them). Multiple routing (which my unit doesn't have) would be very nice to have if it's implemented properly. I originally wanted the Magellan because I liked its features better than the others (especially the AAA feature), but didn't want to take a chance (their customer support is terrible). And any unit that allows you to exclude/avoid a road is a good one to get. The Nuvi 200 really is a basic unit and has no Text-to-Speech (which I prefer even though some names are butchered). The 200 also comes with only the lower 48 states (adding Canada can get very expensive), so I would suggest the 250 or 260 (the 260 has TTS). The newer 260W (wide-screen) is probably priced too high right now. As far as ease of use, they all work similarly, but Garmins are probably the easiest and most logical (with Magellan a close second). TomTom will give you many more customizable options, plus has Mapshare (a really great idea). No matter what you decide to get, I'm sure you will be pleased. Just remember that they all have various quirks (even the big, expensive models).
1047608
To my knowledge, this is still the most current - and best - GPS Garmin produces for most consumers. Those of us wanting the 3597LMTHD had to wait until it's release in May of this year, following our pre-order of same. I believe there is a new "Big Rig" device out there, customized for over-road truck drivers. I've seen nothing else more current from Garmin. Hope this satisfactorily answers your question.
1114656
The Garmin Edge is intended for cycling use. It has far more bells and whistles than a runner or hiker may want to use. Garmin makes a product for runners called a Forerunner worn as a watch and is less expensive than a Garmin 810. A hiker would better advise what is best to use for off-road hiking. I would not buy a Garmin 810 for running or hiking.
731073
AFAIK, Garmin uses the same routing algorithm as older units. However, I've heard complaints that the new ones can take you to routes that mystifies some users. I can't confirm this (my 765t pretty much routes me like my older 260 ... all things being equal, i.e., same settings). This is not to say my Garmin units' routing are spot on, they aren't always.
823983
The Oregon GPS is a nice unit, fairly light, easy to read, user friendly and easy to navagate buttons. If your looking for a unit to use more detailed maps this unit is not for you. Its difficult to download maps from Terrain Navagator Pro and will only hold so many. If you are just going to use the Garmin 24 maps on the unit, which will cost you more money to purchase then I recommend this unit. If you like to fiddle alot with the unit be warned it uses up a lot of battery power so carry extras with you. I purchased the Oregon 550 and altho I do like it I wish I had spent the extra money and bought the 550T series or the Montana 650T. Hope this helps.
710262
I bought a Polar RS800sd about a year ago after I got sick of my (2nd) Nike+ losing data after a run. The polar has been great. Simple to use, detailed info, and from what I've seen pretty accurate. I just bought a Garmin 405. Went to the REI garage sale and they had one for only $160. It was that low because someone returned it saying the band was broken. Check it out and it still looked fine, so I bought it just for the sake of getting a new toy. Just did my first run with it, and as of right now, I like the Polar better. I think I'm just used to that technology and am comfortable with it. The garmin doesn't come with any software. you need to download it all off the web, and it's not super simple to find. Polar came with some offline software which I like a lot. Now, I think once I get used to the forerunner, it may grow on me. There have been a LOT of reviews where people think the garmin is the best, and then there's 3rd party apps that let you map where you've ran. Plus, with the 405, I think you can use it for biking right out of the box. no need for a pod or anything.
1831094
None of the bicycle Garmins call out turns, however it does beep to alert you to upcoming turns and then displays the turn-by-turn directions. Be aware that when you buy this,or any other Edge series Garmins that, in addition to the device, you will need to buy or upload maps for your particular region (i.e. Western U.S., Eastern U.S., etc.). These are best purchased or downloaded from RideWithGPS.com rather than Garmin. Although I traded my Touring Plus in for the 810 model, I've found this GPS indispensable and wouldn't tour without one now. I used it recently in Switzerland after uploading the maps for that region and never got lost as long as I was paying attention to it. None of the bicycle Garmins call out turns, however it does beep to alert you to upcoming turns and then displays the turn-by-turn directions. Be aware that when you buy this,or any other Edge series Garmins that, in addition to the device, you will need to buy or upload maps for your particular region (i.e. Western U.S., Eastern U.S., etc.). These are best purchased or downloaded from RideWithGPS.com rather than Garmin. Although I traded my Touring Plus in for the 810 model, I've found this GPS indispensable and wouldn't tour without one now. I used it recently in Switzerland after... » Read More None of the bicycle Garmins call out turns, however it does beep to alert you to upcoming turns and then displays the turn-by-turn directions. Be aware that when you buy this,or any other Edge series Garmins that, in addition to the device, you will need to buy or upload maps for your particular region (i.e. Western U.S., Eastern U.S., etc.). These are best purchased or downloaded from RideWithGPS.com rather than Garmin. Although I traded my Touring Plus in for the 810 model, I've found this GPS indispensable and wouldn't tour without one now. I used it recently in Switzerland after uploading the maps for that region and never got lost as long as I was paying attention to it. « Show Less
293610
I bought the 260 and can recommend it (although later Garmin changed the interface to the 2x5 series ... which may or may not be a positive). My new 765t doesn't route me any better than my 260 did (it just has a few bells and whistles that I liked and needed ... lane assist for one). I've never owned a TomTom, so I cannot compare the two.
2252905
Thank you. Sounds good. Now I want to find it in combo with the NuMaps Lifetime. Nuvi combo have the NuMaps Lifetime for $50 extra, but I can't find this with a combo yet.----------------Garmin said the one with lifetime update for maps (3790LMT) would be out in September, keep checking their website. Said the cost was $499.99. I hate to spend that money, but am getting the voice activated one for safety reasons. Said it was shipped to Best Buy, but I can find it only in Canada...