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Previewed: Garmin Oregon 550 series

Words: Chris Lesser
5/7/09
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Garmin today unveiled two brand-new GPS devices—the Oregon 550 and the 550t—both of which incorporate a feature never before seen: a 3.2 megapixel digital camera.

The 850-megabyte capacity camera makes storing and uploading GPS-coordinate-enabled images easier than ever.

For mountain bikers, the lightweight (6.8-ounce) Oregon unit works with Garmin’s existing heart-rate monitors and speed/cadence sensors, and an optional handlebar mount puts all your ride information right in front of your eyes.

The $599 Oregon 550t comes with preloaded topo maps covering the entire U.S., and the $499 550 model comes with a less detailed map package.

In addition to the sunlight-readable touch-screen feature, the new units also come with a 3-axis compass. Both models come with two pre-charged AA NiMH batteries, providing up to 16 hours of power on a single charge that doesn’t depreciate when not in use. The units also come with a charger, carabiner clip and USB cable.

The Oregon 550’s built-in barometric altimeter precisely pinpoints altitude, and helps predict weather conditions by plotting pressure over time.

If you don’t already have a GPS device for your bike or your car, the Oregon 550 series is a chance to kill two birds with one stone. The optional City Navigator mapping feature provides detailed national street maps, and an optional Auto Nav kit adds a suction mount and car charger for getting turn-by-turn navigation out of the same bar-mount unit you use to log—and now photograph—your ride.

Reader Comments 
Posted Thu May 7, 2009, 3:22 PM — By Disco
Yeah drop five bills or just use my cell phone, what these guys ought to do is develop an App for a mobile OS (preferably android). I do give them props on keeping the batteries simple and replaceable, that's a step in the right direction most manufacturers miss.
Posted Thu May 7, 2009, 5:29 PM — By disco sucks
Your phone tracks speed, cadence, heartrate..? Nice phone!
Posted Thu May 7, 2009, 5:47 PM — By azteckeeper
Try Trimble Outdoors / AllSports apps if you wanna use your phone... won't do heart rate though
Posted Fri May 8, 2009, 2:57 PM — By Rich
The article says the "t" in the 550t stands for touch-screen. This is incorrect - they are both touch-screen. The t indicates that the topo maps are included.
Posted Sun May10, 2009, 12:30 PM — By Al
Didn't see the part about speed, cadence and heartrate anywhere in the article.
Posted Sun May17, 2009, 2:21 PM — By chuck
It's there: "...works with Garmin’s existing heart-rate monitors and speed/cadence sensors..." Also I'd wager this is more durable than your G1.
Posted Mon May18, 2009, 10:24 AM — By David Berry
I bought the Oregon 300 for my bike and took it back to the retailer within a week. Reason: utterly useless screen that could not be read in daylight. By comparison the Edge 705 that I swapped it for is brilliant (literally).
Posted Tue May19, 2009, 11:12 AM — By Chris
Rich - you're right, thanks for pointing that out. Both are touchscreen. D. Berry - These new Oregon units' screens are apparently designed to work in sunlight, much like the Edge units.
Posted Sat May23, 2009, 12:42 AM — By Wilderness Hiker
Garmin claims on its web site that its Oregon 400t is "sunlight readable" too -- but everyone who has used one says maps on its screen can't be seen well in direct sunlight. If the Oregon 550t is more readable in sunlight than than the 400t is I'll buy one. If not, forget it.
Posted Wed Jul 1, 2009, 7:36 PM — By chuck
it's there:"...works with garmin’s existing heart-rate monitors and speed/cadence sensors..."also i'd wager this is more durable than your g1.
Posted Wed Jul 1, 2009, 7:36 PM — By chuck
it's there:"...works with garmin’s existing heart-rate monitors and speed/cadence sensors..."also i'd wager this is more durable than your g1.
Posted Wed Jul 1, 2009, 7:35 PM — By chuck
it's there:"...works with garmin’s existing heart-rate monitors and speed/cadence sensors..."also i'd wager this is more durable than your g1.
Posted Thu Aug20, 2009, 1:16 PM — By Forrest
Out of the box, the screen brightness is set to 50 %, at least on the Oregon 400t. It helps a lot to turn this up to 100 % ... much easier to read the screen in the dark or in full sun. Unlike Disco's cell phone, the GPS unit is water proof, and works in areas with no cell phone reception ( many national parks, etc ). I clip mine to the hull of my kayak; I like being able to see my current speed from the cockpit. It's great that a lot of cell phones can tell you where you are ... but I love my (dedicated) GPS unit.
Posted Tue Jul20, 2010, 11:39 PM — By web game
Wow,It is new free MMORPG geme "dragon's call" cool picture,u can have see more on www.gamedp.com

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