Dakota 10 and 20

owners manual
 20092010 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
Garmin International, Inc. Garmin (Europe) Ltd. Garmin Corporation
1200 East 151st Street, Liberty House No. 68, Jangshu 2nd
Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA Hounsdown Business Park, Road,
Tel. (913) 397.8200 or Southampton, Hampshire, Sijhih, Taipei County,
(800) 800.1020 SO40 9LR UK Taiwan
Fax (913) 397.8282 Tel. +44 (0) 870.8501241 (outside the UK) Tel. 886/2.2642.9199
0808 2380000 (within the UK) Fax 886/2.2642.9099
Fax +44 (0) 870.8501251
All rights reserved. Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced,
copied, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage medium, for any purpose without
the express prior written consent of Garmin. Garmin hereby grants permission to download a single copy
of this manual onto a hard drive or other electronic storage medium to be viewed and to print one copy of
this manual or of any revision hereto, provided that such electronic or printed copy of this manual must
contain the complete text of this copyright notice and provided further that any unauthorized commercial
distribution of this manual or any revision hereto is strictly prohibited.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Garmin reserves the right to change
or improve its products and to make changes in the content without obligation to notify any person
or organization of such changes or improvements. Visit the Garmin Web site (www.garmin.com) for
current updates and supplemental information concerning the use and operation of this and other Garmin
products.
Garmin, Dakota, BlueChart g2 are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, registered in the
USA and other countries. myGarmin is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. These trademarks
may not be used without the express permission of Garmin.
The Geocaching 4-box logo and the Wherigo logo are registered trademarks of Groundspeak Inc., in the
United States and other countries. Used with permission. Use of geocaching.com data is subject to the
Geocaching.com Terms of Use Agreement located at www.geocaching.com/about/termsofuse.aspx. The
Wherigo application is covered by patent 6,691,032 and US and foreign patents pending. Windows is a
registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Mac OS is a
registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. microSD is a trademark of SanDisk or its subsidiaries.

October 2010 Part Number 190-01069-00 Rev. B Printed in Taiwan

 Introduction

S ee the Important Safety and Manual Conventions

Product Information guide in When you are instructed to touch
the product box for product something, use your finger to touch
warnings and other important that item on the screen.
information.
The small arrows (>) used in the
Introduction text indicate that you should touch a
series of items in order. For example,
Tips and Shortcuts if you see, Touch Where To?
> Tracks, you should touch the
Touch or to scroll and Where To? button on the screen, and
see more choices. then touch Tracks.
Touch to return to the
previous screen.
Touch to return to the Main
menu.
Touch or on the Map
page to zoom in or zoom out.
Touch to accept a change.
Touch to search near a
location.
Touch to view the keyboard.

Dakota Series Owners Manual i

Introduction

Table of Contents Bearing and Course Pointers... 10

Introduction........................... i Managing Waypoints,
Tips and Shortcuts........................i Routes, and Tracks........... 12
Manual Conventions.....................i Modifying Waypoints................ 12
Getting Started..................... 1 Creating Routes....................... 13
Product Registration................... 1 Viewing Stored Routes............. 13
Contact Garmin.......................... 1 Editing and Deleting Routes..... 13
Optional Accessories.................. 1 Viewing the Active Route.......... 14
Caring for the Dakota................. 1 Managing Tracks...................... 14
Battery Information..................... 2 Additional Tools................. 16
Turning On and Off the Dakota.. 2 Elevation Plot........................... 16
Adjusting the Backlight Level..... 3 Sharing Information
Locking the Screen..................... 3 Wirelessly................................. 17
Acquiring GPS Satellite Calculating the Size of an
Signals..................................... 3 Area....................................... 17
Basic Navigation................. 4 Other Tools............................... 17
Accessing Applications Monitoring Satellite
from the Main Menu................. 4 Reception............................... 18
Creating Waypoints.................... 4 Trip Computer........................... 19
Navigating to a Destination........ 5 GPS Games........................ 20
Stop Navigating.......................... 7 Geocaches............................... 20
Using the Map ........................... 7
Using the Compass.................... 9 Customizing the Dakota.... 21

ii Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Introduction

Changing the Profile................. 21 Transferring Files to Your

Setting Up Profiles.................... 21 Computer............................... 34
Using System Setup................. 22 Loading and Deleting Files....... 35
Customizing the Display........... 22 Optimizing Battery Life............. 36
Map Setup................................ 23 Restoring Factory Default
Track Setup.............................. 24 Settings.................................. 36
Customizing the Main Menu..... 24 Attaching a Carabiner, Lanyard,
Changing Marine Settings........ 25 Mount, or Other Optional
Changing Time Settings........... 26 Accessory.............................. 37
Changing Measurement Calibrating the Touchscreen..... 37
Units....................................... 26 Software License Agreement... 38
Position Format........................ 27 Declaration of Conformity
Modifying the Compass............ 27 (DoC)..................................... 38
Altimeter Setup......................... 28
Index................................... 39
Pairing the Dakota.................... 29
Reset........................................ 30
Viewing Your Dakota
Information............................. 30
Appendix............................ 31
Specifications........................... 31
Using Demo Mode.................... 32
Connecting Your Dakota to a
Computer............................... 33
Installing a microSD Card....... 33

Dakota Series Owners Manual iii

Introduction

Power key

mini-USB connector
(under weather cap)
Touchscreen

Latch

Battery Mounting
cover spine

iv Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Getting Started

Getting Started In Europe, go to www.garmin.com

/support and click Contact Support
for in-country support information,
Product Registration or contact Garmin (Europe) Ltd. by
Help us better support you by phone at +44 (0) 870.8501241.
completing our online registration
today. Connect to our Web site at If needed, the serial number of your
http://my.garmin.com. Keep the Dakota is located in the battery
original sales receipt, or a photocopy, compartment. Remove batteries as
in a safe place. indicated on page 2.

Contact Garmin Optional Accessories

Contact Garmin Product Support if For a list of available accessories and
you have any questions while using maps, refer to the Garmin Web site at
your Dakota. In the USA, go to http://buy.garmin.com.
www
.garmin.com/support, or contact Caring for the Dakota
Garmin USA by phone at (913)
Cleaning the screen
397.8200 or (800) 800.1020.
Use a soft, clean, lint-free cloth. Use
In the UK, contact Garmin (Europe) water, isopropyl alcohol, or eyeglass
Ltd. by phone at 0808 2380000. lens cleaner. Apply the liquid to the
cloth and then gently wipe the screen
with the cloth.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 1

Getting Started

Battery Information To select the battery type:

1. Touch Setup > System > Battery
Dakota units operate on two AA Type.
batteries. Use alkaline, NiMH, or
lithium batteries. Use precharged 2. Touch Alkaline, Lithium, or
Rechargeable NiMH.
NiMH or lithium batteries for best
results. Long-Term Storage
Remove batteries when you do not
To install the batteries: plan to use the Dakota for several
1. Slide the latch and remove the
months. Stored data is not lost when
battery cover.
batteries are removed.
Latch Battery cover
Turning On and Off the
Dakota
1. To turn on the Dakota, press .
2. To turn off the Dakota, press and
hold .

2. Insert the battery. Align the

+ (positive) and - (negative)
markings on the device with the
battery.
3. Replace the battery cover.

2 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Getting Started

Adjusting the Backlight Locking the Screen

Level Lock the screen to prevent
1. While the Dakota is on, press and inadvertent screen touches.
quickly release .
1. Press and quickly release .
2. Touch Lock Screen (or Unlock
Screen).

Acquiring GPS Satellite

Signals
Before the Dakota can find your
current location and navigate a route,
you must acquire GPS signals.
1. Go outdoors to an open area,
2. Touch or to adjust the away from tall buildings and trees.
brightness levels. 2. Turn on the Dakota. Acquiring
See page 22 to change the backlight satellite signals can take a few
timeout. minutes.
The bars on the Main menu
indicate satellite strength. When
the bars are green, the Dakota has
acquired satellite signals.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 3

Basic Navigation

Basic Navigation Creating Waypoints

Waypoints are locations you record
Accessing Applications and store in the Dakota.
from the Main Menu To mark your current location as
You can access all Dakota a waypoint:
applications from the Main menu. 1. Touch Mark Waypoint.
2. Touch Save and Edit.
3. Touch an item from the list to
change.
Touch letters, numbers, or
symbols to make the changes.
Touch (except when
changing a symbol). Change
other attributes, if necessary.
Touch to discard the
changes.
Main menu
To edit or delete a waypoint, see
Touch or to access page 12.
additional applications.

4 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Basic Navigation

Navigating to a All POI (Points of Interest)if

supported by the preloaded
Destination or optional mapping, various
You can use Where To? or choose POIs may be listed.
a point on the map to navigate to a Coordinatesenter the
destination with the Dakota. coordinates of a location.
To navigate to a destination Citiesa list of the 50 closest
using Where To?: cities to your current location.
1. Touch Where To?. Tidesa list of the closest tide
2. Touch a category. stations.
3. Touch one of the items listed 4. Touch Go. A colored line indicates
below. This list may vary your course.
depending on the type of maps 5. Touch > Compass.
loaded on your Dakota. 6. Use the compass to navigate to
Recent Findsitems you your destination.
have recently found.
To find a destination by spelling
Waypointsa list of the name:
waypoints (page 4). 1. On the Main menu, touch Where
Tracksa list of tracks To? > All POI.
(page 14). 2. Touch .
Routesa list of routes 3. Touch characters to spell a part of
(page 13). the name of your destination.
4. Touch .

Dakota Series Owners Manual 5

Basic Navigation

5. Touch the destination. 4. Touch Go > > Compass.

6. Touch Go. A colored line indicates 5. Use the compass to navigate to
your course. your destination as indicated on
7. Touch > Compass. page 9.
8. Use the compass to navigate to To navigate to a destination near
your destination as indicated on a waypoint or a recent find:
page 9. 1. Touch Where To?.
To navigate to a point on the
map:
1. Touch Map.
2. Touch a point on the map.
3. Touch the information button at
the top of the screen.

Information
button
2. Touch .
3. Select from the following options:
A Recent Find
A Waypoint
My Current Location
A Map Point

6 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Basic Navigation

4. Touch the location you want to 3. Touch and drag the screen to pan
search near. the map.
5. Touch a category. Items are listed Zoom range
in order of distance from the
location you selected.
Zoom buttons
6. Touch a destination.
7. Touch Go. A colored line indicates
your course. Location marker
8. Touch > Compass.
9. Use the compass to navigate to
your destination as indicated on
page 9.
To review detailed information
Stop Navigating about a point on the map:
To stop navigating, touch Where To? 1. If necessary, pan to the location
> Stop Navigation. you want to review.
2. Touch the location.
Using the Map 3. Touch the information button at
the top of the screen for additional
To use the map:
information.
1. Touch Map. Your current location
is indicated by a location
marker .
2. Touch or to zoom.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 7

Basic Navigation

To save a waypoint on the Map

Information page:
button 1. On the Map page, touch the point
you want to save.
2. Touch the information button at
the top of the screen.

To show or hide data fields at the

top of the screen:
1. Touch Setup > Map > Show Data
Fields.
2. Touch Never, When Navigating,
or Always.
3. Touch to save the waypoint.
To change the Map page data
fields:
1. On the Map page, touch one of
the data fields.
2. Touch a data type.

8 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Basic Navigation

Using the Compass Calibrating the Compass

The Compass page guides you to note: The electronic compass is
your destination by displaying a unavailable with the Dakota 10.
compass and a bearing pointer. Calibrate the electronic compass
It also provides navigation data such outdoors. Do not stand near objects
as current speed, distance to the next that influence magnetic fields, such
point on the route, and estimated as cars, buildings, or overhead power
arrival time. lines.
The electronic compass is similar Calibrate the compass after moving
to a magnetic compass when you long distances, experiencing
are stationary or walking. If you temperature changes greater than
maintain a higher speed, such 20F (11C), or changing the
as traveling in an automobile, batteries.
the compass uses GPS signals to
determine your direction. To turn the
electronic compass off, see page 28.
To open the Compass page:
Touch Compass.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 9

Basic Navigation

To calibrate the electronic Bearing and Course

compass:
1. Touch Setup > Heading > Press
Pointers
To Begin Compass Calibration. The Dakota can use either a bearing
OR or course pointer on the compass.
From the Compass page, touch The bearing pointer indicates the
and hold the middle of the direction to your destination, and
compass. the course pointer indicates your
2. Touch Start and follow the on- relationship to a course line leading
screen directions. to the destination. To select a bearing
If Calibration Failed appears, touch or course pointer, see page 27.
OK, and repeat the process.

Direction you
are currently
traveling

Bearing to
destination

Bearing Pointer

10 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Basic Navigation

The bearing pointer points to The course pointer provides an

your destination, regardless of the indication of drift (right or left)
direction you are moving. If the according to the scale shown at the
bearing pointer points toward the edge of the compass ring. The scale
top of the compass, you are traveling refers to the distance between dots
directly toward your destination. If on the course deviation indicator.
it points any other direction, turn The course line to your destination is
toward that direction until the arrow based on your original starting point.
is pointing toward the top of the
Move back to the course line to
compass.
destination to compensate for
Direction you deviation and to get back on course.
are currently This is most useful if you are
traveling navigating on water or where there
Scale are no major obstacles in your path.
Bearing to It also helps you avoid hazards to
destination either side of the course, such as
shoals or submerged rocks.
Course deviation
indicator To change the Compass page
data fields:
Course line to 1. On the Compass page, touch a
destination data field.
Course Pointer
2. Touch a data type.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 11

Managing Waypoints, Routes, and Tracks

Managing 6. Touch to discard the

changes.
Waypoints, Routes,
To reposition a waypoint to your
and Tracks current location:
1. Touch Waypoint Manager.
Modifying Waypoints 2. Touch the waypoint you want to
You can edit waypoints to change the reposition.
name, symbol, comment, location, 3. Touch Reposition Here.
elevation, and depth of the waypoint.
You can also use the Waypoint To delete a waypoint:
1. Touch Waypoint Manager.
Manager to relocate a waypoint to
your current location, and to delete 2. Touch the waypoint you want to
waypoints. delete.
3. Touch Delete Waypoint.
To edit a waypoint: To delete all waypoints, touch Setup
1. Touch Waypoint Manager.
> Reset > Delete All Waypoints >
2. Touch the waypoint. Yes.
3. Touch the attribute.
4. Touch letters, numbers, or
symbols to make the changes.
5. Touch (except when
changing a symbol). Change
other attributes, if necessary.

12 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Managing Waypoints, Routes, and Tracks

Creating Routes Viewing Stored Routes

You can create and store up to 50 To view a route on the map:
routes. 1. Touch Route Planner.
2. Touch the route you want to view
To create and navigate a new
> View Map.
route:
1. Touch Route Planner > <Create
Route> > <Select First Point> to Editing and Deleting
select a starting point. Routes
2. Touch a category. You can edit any of your stored
3. Touch the first item on the route. routes.
4. Touch Use > <Select Next To edit a route:
Point>. 1. Touch Route Planner.
5. Repeat until the route is 2. Touch the route you want to edit >
complete. Edit Route.
6. Touch to save the route. 3. Touch the point you want to edit
7. Touch > Where To? > and select from the following
Routes to navigate the route. options:
Reviewshows the point on
the map.
Move Down (or Up)
changes the order of the point
on the route.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 13

Managing Waypoints, Routes, and Tracks

Insertadds an additional
point on the route. The
Viewing the Active
additional point is inserted Route
before the point you are 1. Touch Active Route. The points
editing. on your current route are shown.
Removeremoves the point 2. Touch a point for additional
from the route. details.
To reverse the order of points on
a route:
Managing Tracks
1. Touch Route Planner. A track is a recording of the path you
2. Touch the route you want to have traveled.
reverse > Reverse Route.
To record your tracks:
To delete a route: 1. Touch Setup > Tracks > Track
1. Touch Route Planner. Log.
2. Touch the route you want to delete 2. Touch Do Not Record; Record,
> Delete Route. Do Not Show; or Record, Show
On Map.
If you select Record, Show On
Map, a line on the Map page
indicates your track.
For more information on Tracks
setup, see page 24.

14 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Managing Waypoints, Routes, and Tracks

To save and view your current To clear your current track:

track: Touch Setup > Reset > Clear
Touch Track Manager > Current Current Track > Yes.
Track.
To open a saved track:
View Mapshows your 1. Touch Where To? > Tracks.
current track on the map.
2. Touch a saved track.
Elevation Plotshows the
elevation plot page 16 for your Archived or loaded tracks are listed
current track. on the Track Manager page. You can
Save Tracksaves your view the tracks on the map, view
current route. elevation plots, or navigate the track.
Save Portionallows you to
select a portion of your current
track to save.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 15

Additional Tools

Additional Tools Data fields

Elevation Plot
note: Elevation plot is
unavailable on the Dakota 10.
The Dakota can record elevation
changes over distance or time, or
pressure (barometric or ambient) Distance or
changes over time. To set which time scale
changes are recorded, see page 28. Elevation Plot Page
1. Touch Elevation Plot to open the
Elevation Plot page. Changing the Elevation Plot
Data Fields
2. To adjust the distance or time 1. Touch Elevation Plot.
scale, touch the scale and then
touch or . 2. Touch a data type at the top of
the screen.
3. To display elevation data, touch a
point on the plot. The time, date, 3. Select from the options listed
and elevation recorded at that to replace the data type on the
point are shown. screen.

16 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Additional Tools

Sharing Information 7. Both units indicate that the

transfer is complete.
Wirelessly
8. Touch OK on both units.
note: Sharing information
wirelessly is unavailable with the
Dakota 10.
Calculating the Size of
an Area
The Dakota can wirelessly share 1. Touch Area Calculation > Start.
waypoints, routes, tracks, and 2. Walk around the perimeter of the
geocaches with another wireless- area you want to calculate.
enabled Garmin recreational
3. Touch Calculate when finished.
handheld.
1. Place the units within 10 feet (3 Other Tools
meters) of each other. Select from the following options on
2. On the Main menu of both units, the Main menu to access additional
touch Share Wirelessly. tools:
3. On the receiving unit, touch
Receive. The receiving unit Calendaruse a calendar.
indicates when it is ready to Calculatoruse a calculator.
receive data. Sun and Moonview sunrise
4. On the sending unit, touch Send. and sunset times along with
5. On the sending unit, touch the the moon phase.
category of data to send.
6. On the sending unit, touch an
item to send and touch Send.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 17

Additional Tools

Alarm Clockset your Sight N Gopoint the

Dakota to sound an alarm. You unit at an object to lock in
can also set the unit to turn on the direction and navigate
at a specific time. to it. Follow the on-screen
instructions.
note: The alarm clock is
unavailable with the Dakota 10. note: Sight N Go is unavailable
with the Dakota 10.
Hunt and Fishview the
predicted best dates and times
for hunting and fishing at your Monitoring Satellite
current location. Reception
Stopwatchuse a timer, mark The Satellite page shows your current
a lap, and time laps. location, the GPS accuracy, your
Man Overboardmark a current elevation, satellite locations,
man overboard position and and signal strength.
start navigation. Follow the
on-screen instructions. To view the Satellite page:
Waypoint Averagingrefine Touch at the bottom of the
a waypoint location with Main menu.
multiple samples to achieve
the most accurate location
possible. Follow the on-
screen instructions. For more
information, refer to Trail Tech
at www.garmin.com.

18 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Additional Tools

Dashboard
Satellite
locations

Elevation

Satellite
strength

Satellite Page Trip Computer

The green bars indicate GPS satellite To reset trip data, touch Setup >
strength. White bars indicate that the Reset > Reset Trip Data > Yes.
Dakota is still collecting data.
To change the dashboard
background:
Trip Computer 1. Touch at the bottom of the
The Trip Computer displays your screen.
current speed, average speed, 2. Touch Default, Automotive,
maximum speed, trip odometer, and Geocaching, Small Data Fields,
other helpful statistics. or Large Data Fields.
Touch a field to change what is To display two larger data fields:
shown in that field. Touch to toggle between two
larger data fields and the default
view.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 19

GPS Games

GPS Games 3. Touch Go. A colored line indicates

your course.
4. Touch > Compass.
Geocaches
5. Use the compass to navigate to
Geocaching is a type of treasure your destination as indicated on
hunting in which geocachers page 9.
seek hidden treasures using GPS
coordinates posted on the Internet by For more information on geocaching,
those hiding the geocache. visit www.geocaching.com.

You can download Geocache sites

from www.geocaching.com. The
Web site supports the transfer of
geocache sites to your Dakota, and,
after registering and installing the
Garmin Communicator plug-in from
www.garmin.com/products
/communicator, you can download
geocaches directly to your Dakota.
To navigate to a geocache using
Geocaches:
1. Touch Geocaches > Find a
Geocache.
2. Touch a geocache location.

20 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Customizing the Dakota

Customizing the To change the name of a profile:

1. Touch Setup > Profiles.
Dakota 2. Touch a profile > Edit Name.
3. Touch letters, numbers, or
Changing the Profile symbols to make the changes.
Profiles are a collection of settings 4. Touch .
that allow you to optimize your
Dakota from one type of use to To change the order of the
profiles:
another, such as moving from
1. Touch Setup > Profiles.
recreational use to automotive use.
2. Touch the profile you want to
When you are in a profile and change move.
settings such as data fields, units of 3. Touch Move Up or Move Down.
measurement, or position settings,
they are saved automatically as part To delete a profile:
of your current profile. It is not possible to delete your
current profile.
Setting Up Profiles 1. Touch Setup > Profiles.
To change a profile 2. Touch a profile > Delete.
1. On the Main menu, touch Profile
Change. Your current profile is
indicated on the screen.
2. Touch the profile you want to use.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 21

Customizing the Dakota

To add a new profile: Battery Typeselect the type of

Touch Setup > Profiles > battery you are using.
<Create New Profile>. This
profile is a copy of your current Tonesturn audible tones On or
profile. The new profile becomes Off.
your current profile.
note: Tones are unavailable
Using System Setup with the Dakota 10.
Touch Setup > System.
Customizing the Display
GPSselect Normal, WAAS Touch Setup > Display.
(Wide Area Augmentation System),
or Demo Mode (GPS off). For Backlight Timeoutselect the
information about WAAS, go to amount of time you would like the
www.garmin.com/aboutGPS backlight to remain on after you
/waas.html. touch the screen.
Languageselect the text language To capture screen shots:
on the Dakota. Changing the text 1. On the Main menu, touch Setup >
language does not change the Display > Screen Capture > On.
language of user-entered data or map 2. Go to the screen you want to
data, such as street names. capture.
3. Press and quickly release .

22 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Customizing the Dakota

4. Connect the Dakota to your Show Data Fieldshide or show

computer with the included USB data fields on the Map page.
cable. The bitmap file is saved
in the Garmin\scrn folder on the Advanced Map Setupset the
Dakota drive. zoom levels, the text size, and the
detail level of the map.
Map Setup Zoom Levelsselect the zoom
On the Main menu, touch Setup > level for map items.
Map.
Text Sizeselect the text size for
Orientationselect how the map map items.
is shown on the page. North Up Detailselect the amount
shows north at the top of the page. of detail shown on the map.
Track Up shows your current Showing more detail may cause
direction of travel toward the top of the map to redraw more slowly.
the page. Automotive Mode shows
an automotive perspective with Shaded Reliefturn on shaded
next-turn information to use while relief maps if available.
driving. Map Informationtouch the check
box to display a map. This can be
Auto Zoomautomatically selects helpful if several maps are loaded on
the appropriate zoom level for the Dakota.
optimal use on your map. When Off
is selected, you must zoom in or out
manually.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 23

Customizing the Dakota

Track Setup Customizing the Main

A track is a recording of your path. Menu
On the Main menu, touch Setup > You can rearrange applications on
Tracks. the Main menu.
Track Logturn track recording on To change the order of
or off. applications on the Main menu:
Record Methodselect a track 1. Touch Setup > Main Menu.
recording method. Touch Distance, 2. Touch the application you want to
Time, or Auto. If your record move.
method is time or distance, enter the 3. Touch another application to
specific time or distance interval. switch places.
Touch Auto to record the tracks at To deactivate an application and
a variable rate to create an optimum move it to the end of the list:
representation of your tracks. 1. Touch Setup > Main Menu.
Intervalselect a track log 2. Touch the application.
recording rate. Recording points 3. Touch .
more frequently creates a more- note: To reactivate an
detailed track, but fills the track log application, select the application
faster. and select another application to
switch places.

24 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Customizing the Dakota

Route Setup Off Road Transitionsselect a

Touch Setup > Routing. transition method for routing off
roads.
Guidance Methodselect a
guidance method for calculating your Autoautomatically routes you
route to the next point.
Manualallows you to select
Off Roadcalculates point-to- the next point on the route by
point routes. touching the point on the active
On Road For Timecalculates route page.
on-road routes that require Distanceroutes you to the next
minimal time to drive. point on the route when you are
On Road For Distance within a specified distance of
calculates on-road routes that are your current point.
shorter in distance. Avoidance Setuptouch the road
Calculate Routes forselect a type you want to avoid.
transportation method for which to
optimize your routes. Changing Marine
Settings
Lock On Roadlock the current Touch Setup > Marine.
location marker on the nearest road,
compensating for variances in map Marine Chart Modeselect the
position accuracy (requires routable chart type.
maps).
Dakota Series Owners Manual 25
Customizing the Dakota

Spot Soundingsturn spot Shallow Waterset an alarm to

soundings that indicate depth sound when you enter an area that
locations on or off. is too shallow.
Light Sectorsturn the navigational Changing Time Settings
light on or off for specific sectors.
Selecting Auto causes some light Touch Setup > Time.
sectors to not be shown when the Time Formatselect a 12-hour or
density of light sectors in an area is 24-hour format.
high.
Time Zoneselect the time zone for
Symbol Setselect the set of marine your location.
navaid symbols.
Marine Alarm Setupturn marine Changing Measurement
alarms on or off. Units
Anchor Drag Alarmset an Touch Setup > Units.
alarm to sound when you drift Distance/Speedselect distance and
more than a specified distance. speed units.
Off Course Alarmset an alarm
Elevation (Vert. Speed)select
to sound when you are a specified
elevation and vertical speed units.
distance off course.
Deep Waterset an alarm to Depthselect depth units in feet,
sound when you enter an area of fathoms, or meters for marine use.
water that is too deep.
26 Dakota Series Owners Manual
 Customizing the Dakota

Temperatureselect water Numeric Degreessets the

temperature in degrees Celsius or Compass page reading to degrees
degrees Fahrenheit. (0359).
Pressureselect barometric Milssets the Compass page
pressure units in inches (Hg), reading to mils (0 mils1000
millibars, or hectopascals. mils).
North Referenceselect the north
Position Format reference of the compass:
Use the default settings unless Truesets true north as the
you are using a map or chart that heading reference.
specifies a different position format. Magneticautomatically sets
To change the position format: the magnetic declination for your
Touch Setup > Position Format. location.
Gridsets grid north as the
Modifying the Compass heading reference (0).
Touch Setup > Heading. Userallows you to set the
magnetic variation value.
Displayselect the type of
directional heading shown on the Go To Line/Pointer (depending on
compass: your unit)select Bearing to show
the Bearing Pointer, which indicates
Directional Letterssets the direction to your destination.
the Compass page reading to Touch Course to select the Course
directional letters (N, S, E, W).
Dakota Series Owners Manual 27
Customizing the Dakota

Pointer, which indicates your Elevation (used when moving)

relationship to a course line leading or Fixed Elevation (used when
to the destination (page 10). stationary, allowing the altimeter to
function as a standard barometer).
Compassselect Auto to switch
from an electronic compass to a GPS Pressure Trendingselect when the
compass when you are traveling pressure data is recorded. Touch Save
at a higher rate of speed for a set Always to record pressure data every
period of time. Select Off to turn the 15 minutes, even when the Dakota
electronic compass off and use the is turned off. Touch Save When
GPS compass. Power On to record data only when
the Dakota is turned on. This can be
note: The compass auto setting useful when you are watching for
is unavailable for the Dakota 10. pressure fronts.

Altimeter Setup Plot Typeselect the elevation plot

type:
note: Altimeter Setup is
unavailable with the Dakota 10. Elevation/Timerecords
elevation changes over a period
Touch Setup > Altimeter. of time.
Auto Calibrationallow the Elevation/Distancerecords
altimeter to self-calibrate each time elevation changes over a distance.
you turn the Dakota on. Barometric Pressurerecords
Barometer Modeselect Variable barometric pressure over a period

28 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Customizing the Dakota

of time. to display your heart rate. It can also

Ambient Pressurerecords be used with an optional Garmin
ambient pressure changes over a cadence bike sensor to display your
period of time. pedaling cadence. When connected
to the appropriate Garmin device, the
To manually calibrate the heart rate and bike cadence values
altimeter: are listed as data-field options on the
1. Go to a location where you know
the elevation or the barometric
Map page, the Compass page, and the
pressure. Trip Computer.
2. Touch Setup > Altimeter > Press Pairing is connecting your Dakota
To Begin Altimeter Calibration. with wireless sensors, such as a heart
3. Touch Yes if you know the rate monitor or a cadence bike sensor.
elevation, touch No > Yes if you After you pair the first time, your
know the barometric pressure. Dakota automatically recognizes the
4. Enter the elevation or barometric wireless sensor whenever they are
pressure, and then touch . turned on and within range of each
other.
Pairing the Dakota
To pair the Dakota with a
note: Connecting to wireless wireless sensor:
sensors is unavailable with the 1. Place the Dakota within 10 feet
Dakota 10. (3 meters) of the wireless sensor
The Dakota can be used with an (heart rate monitor or speed/
cadence bike sensor).
optional Garmin heart rate monitor

Dakota Series Owners Manual 29

Customizing the Dakota

2. Turn the wireless sensor on. Viewing Your Dakota

3. On the Main menu, touch Setup > Information
Fitness > Heart Rate Monitor or
Bike Cadence Sensor.
On the Main menu, touch
Setup > About... to view the Dakota
4. Touch Search for new. software version, unit ID number,
5. A Connected message appears. GPS software version, and legal
Note: To prevent your Dakota information.
from communicating with wireless
sensors, touch Setup > Fitness
> Heart Rate Monitor (or Bike
Cadence Sensor) > Off.

Reset
1. Touch Setup > Reset.
2. Touch an item to reset it.

30 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Appendix

Appendix Power
Source: Two AA batteries
(alkaline, NiMH, or
Specifications lithium)
Physical Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
Size: 3.9 in. H 2.2 in. W 1.3
in. D (100 55 33 mm) Accuracy
Weight: 3.5 oz. (100 g) without GPS: < 33 ft. (10 m) 95% typical*
batteries *Subject to accuracy degradation to 100
m 2DRMS under the U.S. DoD imposed
5.25 oz (148.8 g) with Selective Availability (SA) Program
batteries when activated.
Display: 2.6 in. diagonal (66 mm) DGPS: From 10 to 16 ft. (from
backlit 65K color TFT 3 to 5 m) 95% typical
display (160 240 pixels) (WAAS accuracy in
Case: Rugged plastic, water North America)
resistant to IPX7 Velocity: 0.328 ft./sec. (0.1 m/
Temperature Range: From 5F sec) steady state
to 158F (from -15 to Interfaces: USB mass storage
70C)* device
*The temperature rating of the Dakota Data Storage Life: Indefinite;
may exceed the usable range of some no memory
batteries. Some batteries can rupture at
high temperatures.
battery
required
Dakota Series Owners Manual 31
Appendix

Map Storage: Internal or to 30,000 ft. (from -610

microSD Card to 9144 m)
Performance
*
Subject to proper user calibration.
Receiver: more than 12 channel
WAAS enabled/High Using Demo Mode
sensitivity Demo mode turns the GPS receiver
off for use indoors or for practice.
Acquisition Times: < 1 second
The unit does not track satellites in
(warm start)
Demo mode.
< 33 seconds (cold
start) Caution: Do not try to
< 36 seconds navigate using Demo mode
(autolocate) because the GPS receiver is turned
Update Rate: 1/second, off. Any satellite signal-strength
continuous bars shown are only simulations
and do not represent the strength
Compass: Accuracy: 2 degrees of actual satellite signals.
( 5 degrees in extreme
Northern and Southern
latitudes)*
Resolution: 1 degree
Altimeter: Accuracy: 10 ft. ( 3
m)*
Resolution: 1 ft. (.3 m)
Range: from -2,000 ft.

32 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Appendix

To turn Demo Mode on, touch Setup Installing a microSD

> System > GPS > Demo Mode. Card
note: The microSD option is
Connecting Your Dakota unavailable with the Dakota 10.
to a Computer
The Dakota microSD data card tray
You can connect the Dakota to your
is located beneath the AA batteries.
computer using the supplied USB
You can purchase microSD memory
cable.
cards from an electronics supplier,
To connect your Dakota to your or purchase preloaded detailed map
computer: data cards from your Garmin dealer.
1. Lift the weather cap on the top of In addition to map and data storage,
the Dakota. the memory cards can be used to
2. Insert the smaller connector on store files such as images, cartridges,
the USB cable into the USB geocaches, routes, waypoints, and
mini-B jack. custom POIs. Go to http://buy.
3. Connect the other end of the garmin.com for compatible map
cable to a USB port on your products.
computer.
To install or remove a microSD
card:
1. Slide the latch on the back of the
Dakota (page 2) and remove the
battery cover and the batteries.
2. Lift the metal cover.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 33

Appendix

3. Push the card into the microSD Transferring Files to

card tray and close the metal
cover.
Your Computer
After you have connected the device
to your computer, you can copy and
Metal
cover microSD
paste files from your computer into
card the device drives/volumes.
1. Browse your computer for the file.
2. Select the file.
3. Select Edit > Copy.
4. Open the Garmin or memory
microSD card drive/volume.
card tray 5. Select Edit > Paste.

4. To remove the microSD card, lift

the metal cover and remove the
card from the microSD card tray.
5. Replace the batteries and the
battery cover.
In addition to map and data storage,
the microSD card can be used to
store files such as images, cartridges,
geocaches, routes, waypoints, and
custom POIs.

34 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Appendix

Before transferring data to or from To load a file onto the Dakota or

a Web site directly to the Dakota, microSD card:
install the Garmin Communicator 1. Remove the battery cover and
plug-in from www.garmin.com insert a microSD card (page 33).
/products/communicator. 2. Connect the USB cable to the
Dakota and your computer.
Loading and Deleting 3. Copy the file from your computer.
Files 4. Paste the file into the Garmin or
the microSD card/volume.
You can use the Dakota as a USB
mass storage device, and you can To delete a file from the Dakota
purchase a separate microSD card or microSD card:
for additional external memory. 1. Open the Garmin or SD card
drive/volume.
Note: The Dakota is not 2. Highlight the file and press the
compatible with Windows 95, Delete key on your computer
98, Me, or NT. It is also not keyboard.
compatible with Mac OS 10.3 or
earlier. note: When deleting files, do
not delete pre-programmed map
data (files that end with .img). It
is not recoverable.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 35

Appendix

Optimizing Battery Life Turn the electronic compass off if

Use premium batteries for optimal not needed (page 28).
performance and maximum If you plan on using the Dakota
battery life. The best performance extensively in your automobile,
is provided by lithium batteries, consider purchasing a vehicle
precharged (ready-to-use) NiMH power cable (http://buy.garmin
batteries, and NiMH rechargeable .com).
batteries less than one year old with
a capacity greater than 2500mAh. Restoring Factory
Consider the following suggestions Default Settings
to maximize battery life: You can restore your Dakota to the
original factory settings. Changes
Do not adjust the backlight more you have made using Setup are
than is necessary (page 3). Using restored to the default settings.
a backlight level above 50% of
maximum level for a prolonged To restore factory settings, touch
period of time will significantly Setup > Reset > Restore Defaults
decrease battery life. to Factory Settings > Yes.
Select a shorter backlight timeout
(page 22).
Turn tones off if not needed
(page 22).

36 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Appendix

Attaching a Carabiner, Calibrating the

Lanyard, Mount, Touchscreen
or Other Optional The Dakota screen does not normally
Accessory require calibration. However, if the
1. Position the accessory in the buttons do not seem to be responding
slots on the mounting spine of the properly, use the following process.
Dakota.
To calibrate the touchscreen:
Accessory
1. While the unit is turned off, press
(carabiner)
and hold for approximately 30
seconds.
2. Follow the instructions on the
Clip
screen until Calibration is
complete is displayed.

Mounting
spine

2. Slide the clip up until it locks in

place.
To remove the clip, lift the bottom
of the clip and slide the clip off the
mounting spine.

Dakota Series Owners Manual 37

Appendix

Software License disassemble, modify, reverse assemble,

reverse engineer, or reduce to human
Agreement readable form the Software or any part
BY USING THE Dakota, YOU AGREE thereof or create any derivative works
TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND based on the Software. You agree not to
CONDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING export or re-export the Software to any
SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT. country in violation of the export control
PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT laws of the United States of America.
CAREFULLY.
Garmin grants you a limited license to Declaration of
use the software embedded in this device
(the Software) in binary executable
Conformity (DoC)
form in the normal operation of the Hereby, Garmin, declares that this
product. Title, ownership rights, and Dakota is in compliance with the
intellectual property rights in and to the essential requirements and other
Software remain in Garmin. relevant provisions of Directive
You acknowledge that the Software 1999/5/EC.
is the property of Garmin and is
protected under the United States To view the full Declaration of
of America copyright laws and Conformity, see the Garmin Web site
international copyright treaties. You for your Garmin product:
further acknowledge that the structure, www.garmin.com
organization, and code of the Software
are valuable trade secrets of Garmin
and that the Software in source code
form remains a valuable trade secret of
Garmin. You agree not to decompile,
38 Dakota Series Owners Manual
 Index

Index B compass
calibration 9
background
dashboard 19 north reference 27
A
backlight 3 course 27
accessories 1
timeout 22
active route 14 D
barometer mode 28
advanced map setup 23 data fields
battery 2
alarm clock 18 changing 8, 11,
optimal battery type
alarms, marine 26 16, 23
36
altimeter show or hide 8
replacing 2
calibration 29 default settings 36
bearing 27
setup 28 demo mode 32
ambient pressure 28 C directional letters 27
automotive mode 23 cadence sensor 29
auto zoom 23 E
calculator 17
avoidance setup 25 edit
calendar 17
routes 13
calibration
elevation
altimeter 29
fixed or variable 28
compass 9
elevation/distance 28
carabiner 37
elevation/time 28
Communicator
elevation plot 16
Garmin 20
customizing 28

Dakota Series Owners Manual 39

Index

F M P
factory settings 36 magnetic north 27 pairing 29
fitness setup 29 man overboard 18 plot type 28
fixed elevation 28 map information 7 POI 5
marine 25 points of interest 5
G
mark waypoint 4 position format 27
geocaches 20
microSD card pressure
GPS setting 22
installing 33 ambient 28
grid north 27
loading files 35 barometric 28
guidance method 24
mils 27 trending 28
H unit of measurement
N
heart rate monitor 29 26
navigation 5
hunt and fish 18 profiles 21
stop 7
L north reference, compass R
language 22 27 recent finds 5
light sectors 25 north up 23 record method, tracks 24
lock on road 25 numeric degrees 27 reverse
lock screen 3 route points 14
O
routes
off road 24
calculate 25
off road transitions 25
edit 13
on road for distance 25
reverse 14
on road for time 24
setup 24
orientation, map 23
view 14

40 Dakota Series Owners Manual

 Index

S T V
satellite signals 3 text size, maps 23 variable elevation 28
SD card 33 timeout, backlight 22 view
sensors 29 time zone 26 tracks 15
serial number 1 tones 22
W
share wirelessly 17 tracks
WAAS 22
sight N go 18 clearing current 15
waypoint averaging 18
size of an area recording 24
waypoints
calculating 17 setup 24
creating 4
spot soundings 25 viewing 15
wireless sharing 17
stop navigating 7 track up 23
stopwatch 18 trip computer 19 Z
sun and moon 17 true north 27 zoom 23
U
unlock screen 3

Dakota Series Owners Manual 41

For the latest free software updates (excluding map data) throughout the life of
your Garmin products, visit the Garmin Web site at www.garmin.com.

20092010 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries

Garmin International, Inc.

1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA

Garmin (Europe) Ltd.

Liberty House, Hounsdown Business Park, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9LR UK

Garmin Corporation
No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road, Sijhih, Taipei County, Taiwan

www.garmin.com

October 2010 Part Number 190-01069-00 Rev. B Printed in Taiwan