jotne

Found this on a forum Patched version of MapSource 6.15.11 that do work with 3 party maps and can save maps to local disk, not only SD cards and GPS http://www.megaupload.com/?d=R5U78E6N

I have not compared it, just see a post on it on another forum. Would be nice if some mad a compare between Dakota, Oregon 300/400 and Oregon 550 with the new Oregon 450. (side by side)

It seems to have same firmware as Oregon 550, and the same readable display as Dakota series. software version 310 GPS software version 3.70

What is the firmware version on it?

And compare to the 550 ?

I would like to know if it is brighter than the Oregon 300/400 and 500

MapSource is not free. You need a previous version on the PC to download an upgrade from Garmin, or you can download Garmin Training Centre for free, and upgrade to latest MapSource from it.

From what I have read before, the map are the same (built in / DVD) One big advantage with the DVD, is that you can use it in MapSource on you PC and do trip planning etc. No free map upgrade..

Someone has posted that Oregon 450 may have better screen in the sun. Time will show. For some strange reason the chart do not list fitness option as Cadence and Heart rate monitor. Orgon 300/400 do support it, but do not list it.

For more info about Oregon 450, see this thread: Oregon 450

This GPS is still not realesed from Garmin, so it can not be tested yet. Regarding map segment limit, there are posted workaround here on this forum on how to convert many segments to less segments. This works on all Garmin GPS

Before you only could have one external map file, so it was nice to have as much as possible internal memory, but now you can have many maps in SD card, so this is not so important any more.

If GPS + Map do cost less than GPS and MAP separate, I do not see a problem with bundling maps.

Maybe it's the same as with Nüvi, you often need to do a hard reset to get it to work normal after an upgrade.

450 do not have any maps preloaded, 450t do. Most handheld do have option without maps.

Garmin has posted links to several online store. No one has it in stock, and I did find more than one site with this info: Availability: 05/07/10 So it may take some time before we see a Oregon 450

Has any of you tried to call Garmin about this?

Yes you can delete the internal map files. Normally named gmapprom.img (look for the largest img file in \Garmin folder) You can then add other maps/POI etc. DO TAKE BACKUP OF YOUR GPS before you delete any file.

@Red90 Can you change header of this thread, since it's not only Colorado that do has this problem.

If you thought handheld is a big mess, look at the Nüvi series. All the GPS in gray is current sold models. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Garmi....C3.BCvi_Series

The reason for 60 series to not die, is the superior display in bright daylight. Reason for that is the limited color need on 60 series compare to Oregon/Colerado. It is told that the new Oregon 450 should have better display than 400/300. Not sure if that would be the same or better than 550.

Its more complicated than that. There is something that is called map priority. This influence on what you see on the screen and what is used for routing. I do have both Topo and City Navigator loaded and both selected active. Only Topo is viewed, but all navigation is done correctly due to the underlaying CN, MG and RR map do not give you routing on the GPS, and only MG gives routing on PC. (Som MG map can do routing on GPS, or be patched to do so) When you transfer a route made on PC to GPS, only start and stop (and in between if you have selected so) are sent to the GPS. It will den self do the new routing for you, if you have maps that do support routing on GPS.

"Metroguide, US Roads and Recreation" are both old and outdated. But may be the only option for old GPS with little memory. You need one license for each GPS. In old days, you could use CN in two GPS, if you bough full version DVD of CN. You have never been able to use CN from a Nüvi or any other preloaded GPS to another GPS.

Using the cache function on your Oregon, you can log the cache as found, no need for other devices to do that.

Oregon 450 seems to be built on same hardware as Garmin Approach G5 GPS The middle digits in the part number in Garmins number is the hardware code Garmin Approach G5 GPS https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=31070 Part Number: 010-00697-30 Hardware 697 Oregon 450 010-00697-40 Hardware 697 Oregon 450t 010-00697-41 Hardware 697 Also same hardware as used in Oregon 300/400 So I am not sure if screen is better, but do hope so.