Changes to Oregon 650t Design?

[+jakiesfolks]

We have been away from geocaching for some time and plan to get back into it this summer. Our current gps is an Oregon 550t that we have had for several years and have never updated an maps or anything. We are thinking about possibly purchasing a new unit but unsure if we can better the current unit or not. I went to the Garmin site hoping to compare models and the Garmin 550t is not available for comparison. Looking at the Montana/Monterra/Oregon 650t which one is best. It looks like the ability to access caches directly to the gps unit while out on the trail is not available on any unit at this time, is that correct? Any input would be appreciated. At the very least we need to update maps in the Oregon 550t right?

[+jakiesfolks]

Sorry, this title is deceiving. I was thinking that ours was an Oregon 650t but then checked and saw it was the 550t. Would still like advise about possibly updating. Tx

[+Mausebiber]

My advise would be to keep the 550, it's a very good GPSr. Just update the firmware via web-updater and get a current map.

Just for testing purpose, you can always use free maps. Try following search:

 

OSM +Garmin

 

You will find plenty of free maps.

 

Greetings, MB

[+Atlas Cached]

While your Oregon 550 works just fine, once you experience the 6x0 series, you will never want to go back! I have several Oregon x00 and x50 units collecting dust since I started using the 6x0 series. Have a look here for a review on the Oregon 6x0.

[+jakiesfolks]

Checked out pricing to put some topo maps onto the 550t and we are thinking that it makes sense to go ahead and upgrade to a newer, more readable (larger, sun readable screen) with maps already loaded. Any opinions on Oregon 650T, Montana or Monterra? We use Apple products but I have Windows on my Macbook, if that impacts anything. I would like the latest and greatest technology as long as we are going to be upgrading, this looks to be the Monterra, correct?

[+Mausebiber]

All topo maps from OSM project are free at no costs:

http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download

 

The T-series has a map pre-loaded which ist not very usable. Most users deleting this map right away.

The 600 screen has the same size as the 550.

 

Good luck, MB

[+Atlas Cached]

Checked out pricing to put some topo maps onto the 550t and we are thinking that it makes sense to go ahead and upgrade to a newer, more readable (larger, sun readable screen) with maps already loaded. Any opinions on Oregon 650T, Montana or Monterra? We use Apple products but I have Windows on my Macbook, if that impacts anything. I would like the latest and greatest technology as long as we are going to be upgrading, this looks to be the Monterra, correct?

 

You will be fine with windows or mac, but I would steer very clear of the monterra. A lot of functionality not present that other units have had for some time. And it is twice the size of the Oregon 6x0, if that is a concern. The more recent garmin topo units (ending in 't') have decent maps (they were recently updated), while there are many non-garmin maps available as well. I like to buy the 't' models as they have more internal memory.

[+jakiesfolks]

UUUUUGH! I have been researching for this most of the day and have it down to the Montana 680t or the Oregon 650t. I would love the Monterra for the larger screen and bluetooth and wifi capabilities but there seems to be a higher level of dissatisfaction and I am worried about the android OS since we use Apple. So just when I think I'm leaning toward one or the other (Montana or Oregon) I read a few more negative reviews and back off. Frustrated!

[+Red90]

YOU need to go and look at them yourself. That is more important than specs.

[+jakiesfolks]

I think you're right. Will have to head to Cabelas

[capt caper]

I think you're right. Will have to head to Cabelas

 

We bought the Oregon 600T on sale there last weekend for $300 .. Cablelas in Maine.

[capt caper]

UUUUUGH! I have been researching for this most of the day and have it down to the Montana 680t or the Oregon 650t. I would love the Monterra for the larger screen and bluetooth and wifi capabilities but there seems to be a higher level of dissatisfaction and I am worried about the android OS since we use Apple. So just when I think I'm leaning toward one or the other (Montana or Oregon) I read a few more negative reviews and back off. Frustrated!

 

I've owned a new Monterra for over a month now and it has been a great unit. Put it thru heck and it's panned out fine... I did add Apex Launcher to get the icons larger that's it...

Much brighter screen in the day light and at night then the Oregon 600T that my wife bought..

[+Atlas Cached]

UUUUUGH! I have been researching for this most of the day and have it down to the Montana 680t or the Oregon 650t. I would love the Monterra for the larger screen and bluetooth and wifi capabilities but there seems to be a higher level of dissatisfaction and I am worried about the android OS since we use Apple. So just when I think I'm leaning toward one or the other (Montana or Oregon) I read a few more negative reviews and back off. Frustrated!

 

Those are the exact two GPSr I carry on every hike! I prefer the Oregon 6x0 over the Montana for most of the work for many reasons, mostly because I can turn the screen off on the Oregon 6x0 while it is not in use (to conserve battery power and prevent accidental button presses), which is not possible with the Montana. Plus, I prefer the capacitive touch screen of the Oregon over the Montana.....

[yogazoo]

I can select "Battery Save" on my Montana 610 which turns the screen off after a set table amount of time.

 

One thing to consider is that the Oregon 6xx has a built-in flashlight. While, on the surface, it may seem superficial but it's actually super-handy. Wish the Montana series has a built-in flashlight. I have and use both and the Oregon 6xx would be my personal go-to if I had to only take one GPS unit. It's portable, has a rail mount, and a capacative touch-screen which I like more.

 

My two cents. Individual experiences may vary.

[+Atlas Cached]

I can select "Battery Save" on my Montana 610 which turns the screen off after a set table amount of time.

 

One thing to consider is that the Oregon 6xx has a built-in flashlight. While, on the surface, it may seem superficial but it's actually super-handy. Wish the Montana series has a built-in flashlight. I have and use both and the Oregon 6xx would be my personal go-to if I had to only take one GPS unit. It's portable, has a rail mount, and a capacative touch-screen which I like more.

 

My two cents. Individual experiences may vary.

 

Yes, but battery save mode literally puts the unit into hibernation, which prevents it from continuing to update the track log, which is the primary reason I carry it

 

I also take my Oregon 650t when I only take one GPSr.

 

That;s my two cents, so now we are up to four pennies!

[+Red90]

Are you sure? The 64 battery save does not affect track logs.

[yogazoo]

The battery save mode doesn't effect tracklog recording on the Montana 610/680 either.

[+Mineral2]

 

Yes, but battery save mode literally puts the unit into hibernation, which prevents it from continuing to update the track log, which is the primary reason I carry it

 

 

Incorrect. Battery save mode just turns off the screen after a set time of inactivity. Information is still being collected, but drawing and refreshing the map on the screen is a big source of power consumption.

[capt caper]

 

Yes, but battery save mode literally puts the unit into hibernation, which prevents it from continuing to update the track log, which is the primary reason I carry it

 

 

Incorrect. Battery save mode just turns off the screen after a set time of inactivity. Information is still being collected, but drawing and refreshing the map on the screen is a big source of power consumption.

 

Battery save must be similar to the forced pressing (sleep) of the lower button under the shut off button then? Not sure if it's the same thing..or if you touch the screen it comes back? I see if it's forced to sleep via the lower button touching the screen doesn't do anything it still sleeps but records etc. still. My Monterra does the same.

Edited May 28, 2016 by capt caper