Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1165 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Garmin
• Model: 010-00697-11
• Dimensions: 4.50" h x 1.50" w x 2.30" l, .50 pounds

Features

• Tough, 3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color touchscreen display
• 3.2 megapixel autofocus digital camera with 4x digital zoom
• Barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, can plot barometric pressure over time
• Both durable and waterproof, Oregon 550t is built to withstand the elements
• Built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass

Customer Reviews

Good but not perfect
After using the 550t for several weeks, I find the unit good but not perfect. It still has some issues, one of which I have been in touch with Garmin over. The main issue I have is it will periodically corrupt the track file and stop showing the tracks on the map or allowing for elevation plots on the tracks. The only way to clear it is to attach the unit to a computer and replace the track file with a new one from the computer.
The compass sometimes loses it's way and needs to be recalibrated.
I have not had an issue with the accuracy under tree cover, that some have reported, but I have had a few tracks that were not 100% accurate. Walking on known roads, it will be several 100 feet off in some cases. I am not sure if this is an issue with the preloaded Topo 2008 maps, or the unit's accuracy.
I love the camera and the tagging of each photo.
For a new unit, it is not bad, but it still shows a few rough edges.

Just an update - After comparing the tracks for accuracy, I found it was the 2008 Topo maps that were off. When superimposed over the City Navigator NT 2009 Street maps, the 550t was dead on. So the accuracy concerns I have are shifted from the 550t itself to the topo maps it comes loaded with.

Mixed Blessings in an attractive package
Having "played" with this device for few weeks now, i'm still not convinced it was worth the money.

Mostly there's the trust issue, I'm not entirely sure I can trust it. I've repeatedly lost waypoints. I feel REALLY naked without a fix point of where I parked my truck and I'd like to be able to get a fix to the last waypoint, which works fine as long as you have the waypoint. If you loose the waypoint, you are well, kind of lost. Seems like the only reliable waypoint you can have (at least I haven't lost one yet) is to take a picture. Problem is that taking pictures burns batteries even quicker and batterylife is a real issue with this device. real issue. waas off, compass off, back light low and time out set to a few seconds, you still burn batteries FAST. and what is worse is that it is more like catastrophic failure than a slow decline, one moment you have 5 bars of battery and the next, its panic time. Not sure I understand this, what I do understand is that lithium batteries are kind of pricey. Forget the nihm batteries that comes with the device,I've no good experiences with those. If you are going anywhere without paved roads and cell coverage be sure to bring an 8 pack of lithium batteries, may just save theday. Also, bring a back up device, if I haven't been there before I save the truck's location on the Nuvi and bring that too, then I pull out the nuvi and save a waypoint occasionally. That has saved me before and seems 100% reliable. The oregon ? not so much.
Back to the waypoints,I've had TWO issues with waypoints, one of which I opened a ticket for (with Garmin) and another one I'm just going to wonder about,I can't reproduce it at will. Occasionally when you save the current track the waypoints dissapear. Garmin suggested I do a device reset. Has happened twice after that. The other issue is probably even worse, save a waypoint, just tag it with the default name (an incrementing number#, 1 for the first, 2 for the second and so on.. then find out that while the counter incremented you have NO waypoints saved. Thank goodness I found that out in a place I've been before. And today it failed to connect to my lap top. Had to do another device reset. YAY!

Its a pretty device though, and it feels good in the hand, has real potential if they fix the issues. I really DO like the waypoint function, it is by far the easest, fastest waypoint save around, just fix the reliability issues. That has got to be a software issue.

ONE feature I REALLY like: the trip timer, very addictive.

Oregon great for geocaching, but not perfect
Got my Oregon 550T approximately a month ago and have been completely reinvigorated to go geocaching. No more route planning, reviewing logs and printing out all of the potential locations to visit. All GPX files on [...]which are easily downloaded and updated (with premium membership).

Screen is still somewhat difficult to read in direct sunlight unless you have the backlight on fairly high which limits the batteries, but one observation I made the other day, it is nearly impossible to see with polarized sunglasses. I checked this out with my Vista C as well and it was still somewhat difficult with the glasses, but not as bad as the Oregon.

Took it ATV riding last weekend and it was GREAT for that as well. Topo's really helped in the back woods and paths as well as the tagged pictures allowing for a quick Google Earch overlay of our route and pictures of the trip! Truely a unique way to record your trips!

I would highly recommend if you are new to geocaching as it makes it so much easier, as well as for hiking and biking as you can keep your camera at home for basic pictures. But I would NOT recommend this if you are looking for a vehicle GPS. I love my Nuvi and am obviously a Garmin fan, but this one would miss the mark in a car.