Garmin Oregon 450 or 550t

[Derek0525]

Both are on sale at cabelas wanting to upgrade my etrex so I can use the hunting gps maps so what are they pretty much thesame except for the camera in the 550t which would you go with?

 

[OR Archer]

Id opt for the 450 and add the Hunting Maps GPS Oregon chip to it. It has better topo maps and shows all landownership and unit boundaries. With the chip it would still be cheaper than the 550t.

Been looking at the same two. Price is fantastic right now.

 

[tipsntails7]

I would be Leary about them being a touch screen, what happens when it rains? How about gloves on? What if the screen cracks. Just things I always think about when screens makeup the entire device.

 

[Derek0525]

Ya I think I will go with the 450 just wasn't sure if the 550t was worth the extra money.

 

[BowElkStalker]

Had the 450T which was great but got ride of it because I use my phone with GPS Hunt app. I like to be able to download to my computer, phone has a better screen, topo and aerial maps with public lands map.

 

[Broken Arrow]

I love my 450t. Used it in the rain without issue. Gloves? Don't know yet didn't need them when I was using it.

 

[Shrek]

I keep reading reviews of the Oregon 450 that say it eats batteries like they're free and weightless. For the guys who have them how long are you getting on a set of batteries ?

 

[Jpeaston]

First time I got out with it was in CO third season, cold temps, I used it alot with the boundary chip as I hadn't been in this area before and burned through a set of gas station batteries a day. Got lithium batteries the next year and didn't use it as much and they would last almost 3 days. Keep it protected in your pack, I am on my 3rd screen now in not much use.

 

[Lawnboi]

Iv got the 450.

The 't' versions are a complete waste as the topo maps suck at the scale they are at. Not worth the extra money.

The camera on the other hand, is worth some. I know the camera that comes on the Oregon is not super nice but it saves some weight in the pack.

I wish I would have gotten the one with the camera, only because I never carry a camera, and if I do, it always ends up in the bottom of my pack.

If I had a camera on my GPS it might get used more.

The Oregon unit is very nice though. Very user friendly. It will eat batteries if you use it non stop and keep it in a place where the touchscreen keeps getting bumped on. Still though lithiums last a while. I have never needed more than 1 extra set of batteries (which I have only ever changed once) for the Oregon that I have. Keep in mind that I don't leave mine on all the time. It connects to a sat so fast I never saw a need to keep it on. If I want to know where I am, or mark a point, I turn it on, do what I need and turn it off. If your one to leave your gps on all day every day, then any gps you buy is going to go through batteries like nuts...

Mine is like 2.5 years old and still works and looks like new. I keep in in a small case with a hard back to allow you to leave it o without the touchscreen being turned on constantly.

Awsome price on cabelas right now! I wouldn't mind upgrading my Oregon to the Montana with a camera if I had the extra funds, but that is not going to happen for a long time.

 

[Kevin W]

I just bought the 550t from Cabelas, I haven't had a chance to use it yet but plan to use it alot on our upcoming Wyoming Antelope hunt with the hunting maps gps chip. I went with the 550t because one of one feature really, I was told it has is the ability to take a picture and it is saved as a way point (with the ability to name the picture). With this being my first GPS I am planning on taking a picture of camp so I can atleast get back to it each evening. Also if it works as planned we can take pictures of goats or the immediate area to refer back to later, be it a day or two or three later. Since we want to check out the area and size up the antelope bucks for a couple of days this feature may come in handy. That's the plan anyway.

 

[Curtis C]

Those are really good prices on both of those units. I agree the T models with garmins topo maps aren't worth the normal cost, but no loss with those sale prices. I would choose the 550T. I have been using a camera model GPS and really like them. If you find some sign(wallow or heavy trail) you want to mark there is no faster way than to snap a pic and move on. Looking back at the pics gives a visual of what you wanted to mark and since its geotagged you have the location.

 

[doverpack12]

With the Oregon 450 if you use Lithium batteries and set it internally to Lithium batteries being used it will last 3-4 days depending on how often you use it and the screen turns on. I have had no issues in the rain and I use a screen protector from Garmin because I did put a small scratch in the screen the first day I used it. No issues since.

 

[Derek0525]

Well I ended up just going with the 450. Not to worried about the battery part as I just turn it on to mark place and don't have it on at all times.

 

[hflier]

I really like my 450, and the battery life isn't bad. If you just run it periodically it goes a long time. It boots pretty fast do it makes leaving it off no trouble.

 

[Derek0525]

Anyone know who has specifically the Oregon GPS map in stock?

 

[Shrek]

I just recieved a 450 and looking for maps. I found gpsfiledepot.com with a bunch of free maps. Has anybody tried the maps there ? My laptop died when I tried to use it sunday to download some maps so my son is going to have to do it. Thats probably a good thing but I will not see him until the night I leave for Montana. It would be nice to know if the maps are worth a damn before I leave.

 

[OR Archer]

Anyone know who has specifically the Oregon GPS map in stock?

Normally Cabelas has them in stock. If not you can order them directly from Hunting GPS Maps

http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/store/gps-maps/?hgm_map_states=468

 

[Derek0525]

Went to cabelas they said they have been sold out for a wile checked on line they were on backorder every online place is on backorder finally found some in stock for $89. I tried the Hunting GPS website and for some reason it was locked up for me anyways.

 

[aron]

I have the 450T and much prefer the topo of hunting gpm maps or TRAX maps. I left my gps on nonstop for 2 days of hunting and shutting it off at night. I have my screen to black out after 15 seconds. I've also left it on with a bottle of wind checker in the same pouch. I had to end up deleting over 75 waypoints so be careful. Used mine in the rain with no issues. I put a cheap ass generic screen protector on it and just replace that once it gets scratched up.

 

[aron]

Kirsch TRAX maps are another option for state maps to purchase. They might have the Oregon map needed. You can also purchase "area" maps to include multiple states.
http://www.koutdoorproducts.com/products/ortrax/