I am considering purchasing an Oregon 200. I have searched and read the threads here, the wiki faq on the Oregon, and the Garmin Oregon manual pdf.
I've read the difference between the 200 and the 300 is the 200 doesn't have the electronic compass, altimeter, audio tones, wireless communication, NMEA serial communication, or alarm clock. And the 200 has the 24MB internal compared to the much larger of the 300 or 400 series.
I have a few remaining questions on the 200:
1. Is there tide info on the 200? If so, is it using the tidal charts from the map "GPSMAP 16/168 Tide Points" from the dowloaded "RecommendedMapSourceUSTidesSoftware.exe" file? Does it show the same info as in Mapsource using this map (Tide Prediction window)? Does it show the tidal graph?
2. With Topo 2008 loaded on to a 200 does the 3-D view work (using DEM I believe it's called)? Does it look as good as the 400T, or the 300 loaded with Topo 2008?
3. Is there shaded relief of terrain using the 2-D looking-straight-down-from-above view on the 200 (standard map view)?
4. For the gps compass (non electric compass that it doesn't have), how much do I need to be moving for it to give me a compass reading? Is walking 5-10 feet (2-4 steps) enough to get a useful reading? Is walking a fast enough rate of movement to get quick and useful readings? I understand the advantage of the electric compass is it works when you aren't moving, but if the gps compass works by just moving a short distance on foot then it's probably adequate. (I realize this has been covered a lot and people have differing opinions)
5. Even though there is no altimeter on the 200, does it have the "Elevation Plot" page using the gps readings (instead of altimeter readings)? If not, is there a way to review a track/route's elevation changes over time/distance (like the track profile, or vertical profile of routes on the 60csx)?
6. Using the altimeter as a barometer to predict the weather. Has anyone done this? Does it work well? Seems like it could be neat and fun if it worked.
7. For the sun/moon page, does it give the location of the sun/moon in the sky, or where it will rise on the horizon the way the 60csx does (like the "Celestial Information" window in Mapsource)? Does the 200 do the "animate moon phases" like the 60csx?
Thanks in advance for the help!