Garmin oregon vs Garmin Dakota vs Garmin nuvi 500

[76starcraft115]

I've been wanting and looking for the best handheld device for Marine use mainly (lakes, rivers in mn) And then auto nav secondary..

Anybody own one of these three? Goods and cons? Or get away from Garmin?

Any input is helpful
Thanks

 

[Eyeman]

Re: Garmin oregon vs Garmin Dakota vs Garmin nuvi 500

Before last boating season, I picked up an Oregon 400c touch screen, mount and 12v cigarette lighter adapter. It comes with coastal water maps, including the Great Lakes and the Mississippi river. I purchased the LakeMaster WI card too. It is wonderful. It's taken me from Door County WI to Traverse City, MI and put me on pinpoint fishing spots in the middle of inland lakes. I would never board a boat without it. Now, it is small and somewhat hard to read when comparing to my dream Lowrance HDS10 network, but it certainly gets the job done at a very reasonable price tag.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Garmin oregon vs Garmin Dakota vs Garmin nuvi 500

do you know what the difference is between the 400c and the 200... besides the price?

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Garmin oregon vs Garmin Dakota vs Garmin nuvi 500

Found an app for my phone for now on the android market. Navionics has a couple apps of GPS northern maps. $14 app, but I downloaded it. It's pretty sweet. maybe stick with this for now!

 

[scipper77]

Re: Garmin oregon vs Garmin Dakota vs Garmin nuvi 500

You beat me to it. I was about to say that for auto use my android phone's navigation app blows away the hand held gps units. Just put it in satellite view and it will plot your course on actual satelite images of the terrain you are on with really good detail. I'd imagine you will want to get some maps that show depth etc... however for marine use. I know there are blue charts for the i-phone, not sure for android, I'll have to look.

 

[76starcraft115]

Re: Garmin oregon vs Garmin Dakota vs Garmin nuvi 500

well, Navionics has lake maps of a lot of lakes and rivers in mn. Shows all depths, objects, etc. You can also plot a course, search different lakes, mark spots, etc... Its actually pretty good! I'll just have to put a little zip lock bag around it or something, just in case... And find a universal holder... 10 days till opener here.....