This topic contains 66 replies, has 16 voices, and was last updated by 
Lostby7 16 years, 2 months ago.
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@gotta run wrote:
BUMP!
Just two questions here–
1. How does the Oregon do in TREE COVER – and any comparison to the other series?
2. For those experienced with the Oregon, which model would you purchase and why? Assume cost is not a factor. Well of course it is, but assume it is not!
Thanks!!!
The 300 I have seems to work fine under tree cover…almost as well as the GPS60. I have lost signal a couple of times with it on the road…that has never happened to me with the GPS60.
I’m fine with the 300…there is no difference between it and the 400s save the maps installed.
Hmmmm…ALMOST as well as the 60?
Though the touch screen is an intriguing feature.
How as the durability on the touch screen held up?
And what about accidental touching/bumping?
On the Left Side of the Road...As far as I’m concerned the GPS60 series is still Garmin’s best, most accurate unit….
As far as accidental bumping, yes that can happen and does from time to time…not a big deal though and there is a quick two button click to lock the screen to protect from that happening.
Screen durability seems OK though most folks I hear from use a screen cover to protect from scratches.
I guess it’s been a long time since I posted an update to this thread, so here goes.
We have about a thousand finds on the unit since I bought it just before Christmas. We’ve also had it out in just about all conditions except extreme heat now too.
Cold performance was just fine, and I had it in prolonged temps of about -10F at least a few times. Much like any touch screen device I had a bit of sluggishness getting it to respond to a input, but not any lack of reading an input.
Rain hasn’t been an issue, the screen has remained responsive in steady rain, though reading the screen meant constantly wiping it off with the edge of a shirt-tail. Something I didn’t bother with with the 60CSx because I was only using it for a big pointy arrow. I am more hesitant to get it wet, though that’s more of a perception issue, because theoretically it’s just as waterproof.
I have shock tested it… I was dashing up a flight of stairs in LaCrosse and missed a step, and brought the unit down hard on one of the steps. It shut down involuntarily, but hitting the power button brought it back on with no problems I’ve been able to identify other than a little abrasion on the case.
I have had one issue that I’m still not sure I found the root cause of and it was weird and pretty disconcerting. I had an issue with the unit crashing on the map load screen on start-up. This only happened a couple weekends in a row, especially at the WGA campout, but it was one of those when you need it situations. I scanned the extremely well done Oregon Wiki and found the described condition. The fix took a reset and reloading the City Navigator mapset. By what they were describing on the wiki I had a corrupted map file. I have had no problems since.
One thing that has brought some uncertainty into my evaluating things is that I’ve been running beta software almost since I bought it. Some versions have been a little glitchier than others, but every update has brought a little more to the table. If I remember correctly, version 2.85 is the last version that Garmin offers on their Updater, and I’m running 2.98 that I picked up off the Wiki page. I’m going to guess some of the little things that have been weird have been beta related.
As far as reception, my gut feeling is that the 60CSx is stronger under cover, but I am not having a problem with the Oregon getting me to ground zero. The most noticeable thing is that the Oregon doesn’t achieve WAAS lock as well, sometimes taking quite a while and then losing it in cover. I couldn’t really care less as long as I get there, but some of the techies on the Wiki forums are pretty unhappy with that. I’ve also had one instance of drift with WAAS on where I was standing 120 feet away from where Zuma and K-Spud signing the log, with apparently good reception. Again, hasn’t happened since.
I think that’s a fair warts and all evaluation of what I’ve seen with the unit, and even with the mild frustrations I’ve had I am still very happy with it. The positives were apparent right away and I’ve noted them earlier in this thread.
@Team Honeybunnies wrote:
…As far as reception, my gut feeling is that the 60CSx is stronger under cover…
This is the same for me…kinda a gut feeling though I’m guessing there is an actual basis in fact. I found 1,500 with my Map60Cx and about 200 or so with the Oregon and the Oregon just doesn’t “feel” as accurate.
There is talk about the 500 version of the Oregon (which also includes a camera) having a better electronic compass and possibly being a bit more accurate as well…
…anyone wanna buy a relatively new 300?
@lostby7 wrote:
…anyone wanna buy a relatively new 300?
Maybe!
As you can tell though I am probably trying to be “talked into” the 500t. It has the “cool” form factor going for it.
On the Left Side of the Road...For those interested the Garmin Oregon 500 series will begin shipping the week of July 27, 2009.
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