mx125

Great info. Thanks again for the info from all!

Wow. That's quite an endorsement!

Thanks. The one photo they have next to the old Oregon shows a definite difference in glare . . At least at that specific angle .but can only assume it's more readable generally. Still looks a little washed out and dim. They liked the screen but a little non specific in explanation. Any other real users comments would be welcome. Thanks.

Apologies if it's in the thread but haven't seen it yet. Could those that bought the new 600 please comment on the screen brightness/technology compared to the Dakota and former Oregon. I have the Dakota and it is completely different than the Montana's screen. I believe the old Oregon is the same as the Dakota. Is this new Oregon more like the Montana. .. . The old Oregon . . . . .or somewhere in the middle? The screen is really the only thing that bothers me about my Dakota. Thanks.

Me too! I'd love to see pics with backlight on full vs. on external power.

That's good news. Thanks . I wonder if it is potentially configurable in a setup menu or in a future firmware? I would like the option of trading battery life for brightness. However, it may be simply capped by the necessary requirements of the unit vs. the mW output of 2AA's.

Thanks . . yes . . I do have it at max. Actually, I have read on another review somewhere that on external power (car plug) the screen is brigther. Perhaps screen brighness is capped primarily for battery life. Is this a myth or have some of you used external power?

Yes . .on auto mode the map is a little easier to see. Still too dark for me without the backlight, but at least in very direct sun the screen doesn't wash out.

In bright sunlight and lots of reflection from snow cover - the screen can be a bit difficult to read even with the backlight on full. Just a part of the design. That's helpful . . yes . . exactly what i experience. Thanks for the reply!

My main concern was that my unit was an outlyer and I'd have to send it back. It's good to know it's just "the way it is". Thanks.

Thanks for the quick responses. It seems like each of you has a different experience. I understand it's tought to say, though, as these things can be very subjective. It's not unuseable, but is a bit straining. In normal evening ambient home lighting (not holding under a direct light) I definitely need the backlight to see the screen. Trrop76 . . is your's actually reasonable in this situation without backlight? And at full backlight you'd say it's quite bright? On mine the 50% brightness is pointless. I have to go to 100%. I probably should compare it to another demo unit in a store. I can live with it . . .but don't want to blindly (pun not intended) keep a unit that is calibrated incorrectly.

I just got a Dakota 20. The screen seems quite dark to me. I've read a few reviews that refer to the slightly darker screen but wanted to ask if it is (as the store told me when I called them) actually the way they are designed . . . .and not a faulty one. For reference i have an older etrex vistaC which is very bright white with backlight on . . .and a Zumo which is extremely (blindingly) bright white with screen at even 50% brightness. My Dakota is definitely too dark to see unless i hold it directly in bright light. With the backlight on (full) it is vewable but definitey more muted greyish icons. Barely white and no real "glow". Not bright white. I can see that the screen captures I've taken look the same as posted on other reviews and in the manual . . ie. Great! . . but the reality is far less so. Is this the way these new units are . . .or do I have weak unit?? Thanks.

The basemap is disappointing. But thanks for that feedback. I hope we do see a new Topo CDA . .although I'm assuming data suppliers to Garmin will be the barrier there. I doubt it. The topo data was released free to the world last year, so it should be easier. Actually there are rumours from Garmin about a new release. Great news . . thanks.

The basemap is disappointing. But thanks for that feedback. I hope we do see a new Topo CDA . .although I'm assuming data suppliers to Garmin will be the barrier there.

Hello. For those in Canada with the Colorado 300/400 (or those having panned into CDA), I had some questions . . . . First, I'm guessing that as only the Topo 2008 has shaded relief . . the Topo Canada maps look as they do on my prior units. Is this correct? Second, in regars to the basemap, I would like to understand if the 3-D shaded worldwide basemap actually provides relief shading in Canada . . and is it useful? Or is it only really applicable for very wide area view? Thanks.