Garmin Oregon 550T GPS Review

Check out the review for the Garmin Oregon 550T GPS and you make the best decision if this gear will work for you out in the field.

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The Garmin Oregon 550T GPS is a robust and versatile handheld GPS unit designed for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Offering a wide array of features and capabilities, it’s a reliable companion for hikers, campers, geocachers, and anyone exploring the great outdoors.

Specifications:

Display: The Oregon 550T boasts a 3-inch, sunlight-readable touchscreen display with a 240 x 400-pixel resolution, providing clear and vibrant mapping and navigation.

Mapping: It comes preloaded with topographic maps, including U.S. terrain maps. These detailed maps offer elevation contours, topographic data, and trail information, making it an excellent tool for backcountry navigation.

Camera: One of the standout features is the integrated 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera with digital zoom. It allows you to capture geotagged photos of your adventures, helping you document your journeys with accurate location data.

Wireless Sharing: With wireless capabilities, you can share your waypoints, tracks, and geocaches with other Oregon, Colorado, or Dakota series devices wirelessly, making it convenient for group excursions or sharing your favorite outdoor spots with friends.

Sensors: The Garmin Oregon 550T features a 3-axis electronic compass and a barometric altimeter for precise direction and altitude information.

Geocaching-Friendly: It’s compatible with geocaching, and you can load GPX files to hunt for hidden treasures using this device.

Garmin seems to be on a miniaturization kick this season; it’s a habit we’re glad they got in on. Their Forerunner 310XT is much less obtrusive than the other watches in the Forerunner series, but seems to have more features, and they’re features the multi-sport crowd will love.

The “T” comes pre-loaded with topo maps so you don’t have to go out and buy any. Compact and light weight yet still easy to use and read in most light conditions. Batteries go a bit quicker than I’d like but I have a solar charger for that. Camera isn’t the best at only 3.2 mp, but I used to map my hikes with my cell phone and take pics with it too, and the camera on that is only 3.2, so no changes there.

The cool thing is it tags the photos with the location and on top of that it is now a multi-use piece of equipment so you don’t have to carry a GPS and a camera. Finds satellites fast, comes with a carabiner to easily clip to the back of your pack. Looks to be built tough, but I haven’t tested that yet, but looks really stout.

Garmin Oregon 550T GPS Review:

The Garmin Oregon 550T GPS is a well-rounded and feature-rich navigation tool for outdoor enthusiasts. Its detailed topographic maps, camera, and wireless sharing capabilities make it a versatile companion for hiking, camping, and geocaching adventures. The touchscreen interface is intuitive and responsive, allowing for easy route planning and waypoint management.

The integrated camera with geotagging is a standout feature, as it allows you to capture the beauty of your surroundings and have a precise record of where those photos were taken. The device’s rugged build, long-lasting battery life, and durability in various weather conditions further enhance its reliability in the field. If you’re seeking a handheld GPS that can keep up with your outdoor pursuits, the Garmin Oregon 550T is a powerful and user-friendly choice.

Questions from our readers.

Question: What is the new Garmin GPS unit that is replacing the 550?
Answer: Check out the newer version Garmin 700.

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