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Garmin Oregon 550 GPS
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Garmin Oregon 550 GPS

Item # 782640

$499.95

Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)

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The Garmin Oregon 550 sports an integrated digital camera, a groundbreaking touch screen interface, spectacular trail mapping, geocaching and a vivid display for the ultimate GPS experience.

  • Built-in digital camera features 3.2 megapixels, auto focus and geotagging capability
  • Enjoy vibrant 3D ''walk the trail'' maps with Topo 2008 mapping software, sold separately
  • Large, sunlight-readable screen offers crystal clear colors and high-resolution images
  • Easy, intuitive touch screen operation is fun and simple to use
  • Waterproof MicroSD™ card slot for storing additional data; accepts Garmin MapSource® and BlueChart® data cards and software
  • Built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter provide additional navigational aid
  • Supports Geocaching.com GPX files for downloading detailed geocache descriptions, terrain, difficulty and hints directly into GPS unit
  • Groundspeak Wherigo Player application comes pre-installed and includes an instructional tutorial; learn more at www.wherigo.com
  • Built-in basemap stores up to 1,000 waypoints, 50 routes and 20 tracks with up to 10,000 points; Digital Elevation Model shading enhances map view
  • Enjoy effortless sharing of waypoints, tracks, routes and geocache locations between the Oregon- and Colorado-series units with ANT wireless communication function
  • High sensitivity receiver and HotFix™ satellite prediction provide rapid first fix and help maintain signal, even in urban canyons and under dense foliage
  • WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) enabled receiver delivers accuracy to within 10 ft. in North America
  • Offers configurable profiles for end use: auto, marine, recreation, fitness and geocaching
  • Includes 2 AA NiMH batteries
  • Rugged, waterproof construction protects unit from bumps, dust and moisture; meets IEC 60529 lPX7 standards (can be submerged to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes)
  • Compatible with Garmin heart rate monitors and GSC 10 Speed and Cadence Sensor, sold separately
  • Features JPG image viewer, outdoor GPS games, hunt/fish calendar and sun/moon/tide data
  • Includes USB interface cable, carabiner clip, owner's manual and quick start guide

Imported.

Item 782640

Garmin Oregon 550 GPS Specs

Specification

Description

Position accuracyWAAS-enabled 3 meters
Routes200
Waypoints (total)1,000 and 1,000 geocaches
MemoryExpandable microSD card slot
PC CompatibleYes
CompassYes
AltimeterYes
Color screenYes
Compact antennaHigh-sensitivity
Display size2.55 x 1.53 inches
Screen Pixels400 x 240
Battery type2 AA
Battery life at 70 degrees16 hours
Dimensions4.5 x 2.3 x 1.4 inches
Weight6.8 ounces

Garmin Oregon 550 GPS Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
GARMIN OREGON 550 GPS
 
2.2

(based on 5 reviews)

40%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Intuitive menu (3)
  • Large screen (3)
  • One hand control (3)
  • Quick signal (3)
  • Reliable reception (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Hiking (5)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Enthusiast (3)
    • How are you with directions:
    • Great w/directions (5)

    Reviewed by 5 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-5

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    Jul

    20

    2009

    (54 of 57 customers found this review helpful)

     
    1.0

    Garmin Disappointment

    By iradio

    from Santa Barbara, CA

    About Me Enthusiast

    Pros

    • Quick Signal
    • Reliable Reception

    Cons

    • Hard To Read
    • Horrible Outdoor Display
    • Limited Memory Expansion

    Best Uses

    • Hiking

    Comments about GARMIN OREGON 550 GPS:

    As a commercial pilot I am very familiar with the Garmin line of GPS products. Although not perfect, until now I have always preferred them over the competitive products.

    I just received my Garmin Oregon 550 and was really surprised to find two issues that have shaken my confidence about purchasing Garmin products.

    First . . . the memory. I purchased the 550 and not the 550T so I could load a blank card and load my 24k Garmin map of the West. After opening the box I scoured the instructions and web links looking to find out how much memory the unit could handle. Not finding anything other than a micro SD card was needed, I finally called Garmin to ask if there was any restrictions. The customer representative explained there were no known restrictions as long as it was a micro SD. I bought the biggest (non-refundable) card . . . a new 16gb. Shortly after loading the memory I started downloading the map and kept getting an error that I out of memory, even when 14gb remained. I called Garmin and after spending much of my morning with numerous representatives I was finally asked what size card I was using. When I explained it was 16gb, he put me on hold and mentioned he needed to speak with someone else. After a few minutes he returned and stated the unit was never designed for anything above 4gb. After a very long pause on the phone I explained that I could find nothing in my instructions, nothing on line mentioning that fact, and that the Garmin representative I spoke with just two days ago said there was no limitation. Now I have a very expensive, non refundable 16gb chip that won't work in my Garmin. He apologized and stated that information should have been included and that he would mention it to staff.

    Second issue . . . the display! After getting the unit updated, configured and loaded for our first test trip I quickly discovered the units real short-fall. Trying to see the display on this unit while on the trail was unacceptable! While asking assistance from some of my hiking buddies to create shade over the screen while I checked our status, one of them pulled out his $49 cell phone and showed everyone how much better it displayed than my $600 GPS. I thought for sure I must have settings that would change contrast, since I knew the backlight was on high. Back on the phone with Garmin . . . their response . . . "it's a known problem, and many people call to complain." Known problem? When I asked what he meant by that he replied the Oregon and Colorado units have the same display and both have a "marginal outdoor display." I asked how is that could be with a unit that was designed for outdoor use? He could only tell me the complaints have been sent to engineering numerous times.

    I wanted to take some photos with its new camera, but found that difficult as the display was to washed out to see what I was capturing.

    WOW!

    At my breaking point I neatly packed everything back in its original box and prepared it for return.

    My biggest disappointment is Garmin knowingly distributing a product/products that are not built to work in the environment in which they were designed to operate. The response I received from their staff was shocking, and unacceptable from a known premium brand.

    The Garmin aviation products I have purchased and used for years have never let me down. Its as if I was dealing with a whole different company on this new unit. I hope this is not representative of things to come from Garmin. Until now I didn't hesitate to pay the premium that Garmin usually commands.

    I really wanted to give the unit at least two stars for the many great features packed into the 550, but decided if you cant use them on the trail where you need them what good are they?

    Sorry about being such a downer, however I wanted to detail my experience as best possible so others could be informed before making the investment.

    • Gift:
    • No
    • How are you with directions:
    • Great w/Directions

    Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    (54 of 57 customers found this review helpful)

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    Aug

    13

    2009

    (6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

     
    1.0

    Not working with cards greater than 4GB

    By Dan in Silverthorne, CO

    from Silverthorne, CO

    About Me Power User

    Pros

      Cons

      • Buggy Software

      Best Uses

      • Hiking

      Comments about GARMIN OREGON 550 GPS:

      As the other reviews mention, this device will not work with an 8GB card. I tried (2) of them. One was from Target and the other was a standard SanDisk. I called tech support and they also said that 8GB is completely "overkill" because this unit can only hold 4000 maps they said is at least 4 states worth. The problem is that I am traveling through 18 states and 24 national parks and taking lots of photos along the way and since the 8GB card was only $29 I thought why not? Guess I am "overkilling" it as it will not even come close to that. The problem is that by Christmas the 8GB card will be about $15 and probably the only thing you can find in Bestbuy, but it will not work.

      The other issue is that the slot underneath the batteries that the MicroSD card goes into is the worse I have seen it. It has a small piece of tin to try and keep it in place and I thought if I was really carefull I could put the batteries over the tin and it would keep everything in place. I was wrong. The batteries do not keep the tin pushed down and the MicroSD card will slide out. It is the worst slot I have ever seen, but if you use some scotch tape in there you should be alright. Somehow my tin to hold the MicroSD card in place did end up popping off as well and it really is supercheap.

      It would have been nice if Garmin would allow the device to hold several states worth of 100k maps and maybe even a few 24k maps as well of the national parks,etc and still allow plenty of room for pictures, etc.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • How are you with directions:
      • Great w/Directions

      Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

      (6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

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       - You may also flag this review

      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Aug

      5

      2009

      (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Better than previous reviews indicated

      By kstock

      from Costa Mesa, CA

      About Me Enthusiast

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Accurate
      • Intuitive Menu
      • Large Screen
      • One Hand Control
      • Quick Navigation
      • Quick Signal
      • Reliable Reception

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Cycling
        • Hiking
        • In Car

        Comments about GARMIN OREGON 550 GPS:

        First, I would like to say that if I had gone by the previous reviewer's comments, I would not have purchased this Oregon 550 unit. I am not sure why there was an issue viewing the screen. The screen is actually extremely viewable, especially in direct sunlight. I also understand that the unit can read a large memory card but cannot read a file on the card that is larger than 4Gb. So the solution would be to add multiple maps of 4Gb or less onto an larger memory card.
        I am extremely happy with the 550. I previously owned the GPSMAP 76Csx and I am not disappointed with the smaller (overall size, not screen) Oregon. The 3D maps are great, Satellite acquisition is fast and the accuracy is good.
        My only gripe is that it does not sense the speed sensor from the GSC-10. I am hoping that the will be addressed in a firmware update. I also wish that there was a way to display altitude based on the satellite information in addition to barometric pressure.
        If not for those two issues, it would get a 5 rating.

        • Gift:
        • No
        • How are you with directions:
        • Great w/Directions

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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         - You may also flag this review

        Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

        Oct

        7

        2009

        (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

         
        1.0

        What a disappointment ! Don't buy it !

        By BPylant

        from Decatur , AL

        About Me Enthusiast

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Intuitive Menu
        • Large Screen
        • One Hand Control
        • Reliable Reception

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Hiking

          Comments about GARMIN OREGON 550 GPS:

          I am a Garmin fan in spite of my new Oregon 550. I have a Nuvi 500 and a GPSMap 76CSx and they are excellent units. I bought the Oregon 550 to replace my GPSMap 76 and I'm glad I didn't dispose of it prior to using the Oregon. The display on the Oregon has so much reflection and is so dim it cannot be read in sunlight. I am very dissapointed in Garmin for building such an inferior unit. All of my other Garmins have good to excellent screen views. I have a Motorola Q phone and a Palm TX that both have far superior displays and they didn't cost [$] Don't buy this unit unless you plan to use it at night.

          • Gift:
          • No
          • How are you with directions:
          • Great w/Directions

          Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

          (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

           - You may also flag this review

          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Sep

          10

          2009

          (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

           
          4.0

          Getting better and better

          By Plav

          from Chilliwack, BC

          About Me Power User

          Pros

          • Accurate
          • Intuitive Menu
          • Large Screen
          • One Hand Control
          • Quick Navigation
          • Quick Signal

          Cons

          • Short Battery Life

          Best Uses

          • Geocaching
          • Hiking

          Comments about GARMIN OREGON 550 GPS:

          I've had the Colorado and Oregon 400t. This unit was a upgrade since my Oregon had issues with the power button and figured I should try out the camera model. The camera actually takes very nice pictures and geocodes them which is a added bonus. New icons on the map are bigger with the 550 and also shows the pictures you took. Lets be honest no gps is perfect but I use mine as a city navigator and for geocaching and hiking. Battery life isn't great but what do you expect for having a nice big screen, no worse than the Colorado or other oregons. No regrets I love the unit

          • Gift:
          • No
          • How are you with directions:
          • Great w/Directions

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

           - You may also flag this review

          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Displaying reviews 1-5

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