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So in addition to needing to purchase the $100 street map to use it on the road, I also need to buy a halfway decent topo map. This is my first gps unit and it is very cool when you turn it on. The basics are good. I have not ruled out returning yet - it is just not THAT impressive given all of the silly drawbacks and shortcomings.
And lastly, my experience so far has shown me that Garmin customer support sucks and is largely a waste of time. I have owned it for about 6 months now and have taken this unit on many trips. I am only using alkaline now on the corresponding setting and the batteries last a fair amount for me. Also, I have found that loading lithium batteries and setting the system accordingly only seems to tell the unit to make more beeps and such, which tends to wear the lithium battery at the same rate as an alkaline set to the alkaline setting.
I was disappointed on a recent trip on the Pacific Crest Trail because the trail (a rather large and prominent one) was not on my map. In addition, it does not seem to have a pointer feature like the 60csx to calculate the distance of a trail on a map, the compass must be recalibrated daily while on an excursion, and as others mention, the screen brightness leaves much to be desired. The 3d view is great for locating water sources in the backcountry, and backpacking side by side with a garmin 60csx shows it is pretty accurate. After $450 on the unit and $200 on maps, it may function to it's fullest potential.
Perfect. However, the 400t comes pre loaded with topo maps that are fairly worthless. After contacting garmin they told me quite frankly that I should have bought the 400 base model and bought my own topo map separately.
The Garmin Oregon sure looks pretty in the shade or inside the store where there is no light but also no satellite reception. If there are any positive reviews about this device they would come from people that never used it. This gadget gets one star for been the dumbest invention with an expensive price tag. Don't buy it. The Garmin Oregon was not designed for outdoor use, I think it was designed to fool the amateurs or people that never go hiking because as soon as you hit the sunny trail, the Oregon LCD screen becomes completely and utterly washed out, you won't be able to read the text or anything at all. It is by far the worse screen I have ever seen on a GPS or any other device.
The Oregon 400 has all of the features I need. I love it. I am not a big fan of the Nuvi series, and I am a long-time user of the III Plus and 60cs which I loved.
This is my first new GPS receiver in 8 years, and to the basic technology of reporting your position, it adds a very nice color interface, Wherigo games, really easy PC connectivity, Geocaching features, a decent road and topo map, lots of points of interest, the list goes on.I am not sure I like the touch screen, and the screen could be brighter, but other than that I'm completely happy. I've always chosen Garmin units, and bought my first in 1995.
I like the GPS but beware if you order maps or need a question answered. I am so annoyed with this companies customer service I am tempted to take the product back.
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