Is the Garmin Oregon 550t a Good Value? Where Can You Get a Great Deal on this GPS Watch?

The Garmin Oregon series is a family of touchscreen devices add advanced capabilities that the entry-level Dakota products. Although both series have colored touchscreen displays, the Oregon devices have a larger 3-inch size with higher storage capacities. The Garmin Oregon 550t is the flagship product of the family which has preloaded maps and a 3.2-megapixel camera complete with autofocus so you can take some good photos that look better than a lot of the midrange camera phones out there.

See Lowest Price on Garmin Oregon 550t | Read Customer Reviews

Related Products

The Garmin Oregon 550t has a high price tag that few GPS devices manage to reach. Garmin's own Garmin Approach G5 device has a similar price tag but that device is intended for golfers. One of the only rivals of the Garmin Oregon 550t is the Magellan eXplorist 740 which boasts its own camera and topographic maps.

Accessories

The Oregon 550t is compatible with the same accessories that work with other Oregon GPS units since it basically has the same size as the others. Therefore, it fits inside the Garmin Hard carrying case that you can get separately.

This case is only needed if you need some added protection when you are traveling. It adds a nice layer to a device that is already waterproof with resistance to bumps and dirt. The case also makes it easier to carry since it can attach to the carabiner clip or loop around the belt using the adjustable Velcro loop.

You can also mount the Oregon 550t to a dashboard or car windshield so you can glance at the display while driving. It may not have all the car navigation functions that the average Garmin nuvi device has but the mount is secure and you can still track your current location on the road as you move. It costs significantly less than an entry-level Garmin nuvi so you won't have to buy a separate device if you are looking for basic car navigation functionality.

Product Details

The letter "t" at the end of the Oregon designates that it has preloaded maps. This is a major feature because the U.S. topographic data has plenty of details especially when you switch to the 3D view. You can get clear visuals on any trails, lakes, and other points of interests. The included worldwide basemap also lets you take the handheld in other remote areas while you still get shading relief. The Oregon 550t keeps the direction in check with its built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass.

Other Notes

Some customers have been experiencing accuracy related issues with the preloaded maps. Even if they are walking on the road, the plotted location is a few meters off. It is important to note that the Garmin 550t was introduced back in 2009 so the maps are quite old. To remedy this problem, obtain a microSD card that has the latest City Navigator NT maps or find some online. Updating the firmware can also correct some of the bugs that some customers experience. One you have the latest maps, make use of the pricey device by taking pictures and saving locations as you go so you can upload them easily to supported albums like Picasa.

See Lowest Price on Garmin Oregon 550t | Read Customer Reviews