jerryleejr

Also since I have a Nuvi 500 that has paperless caching built in do I need a Macro? JJ

Can I run this on a Mac? JJ

Well I had researched this forum to death and had made up my mind to get an Oregon, I had some reservations due to the screen and that I would have to buy maps for auto routing. I stumbled across a Nuvi 500 that was on sale for less than half an oregon even with the 50 dollar rebate. So since I really wanted a unit to use on my motorcycle and also to cache I went ahead and got the nuvi. It put me right on top of my first cache today. I look forward to finding many more. I will keep you posted on how it works out for me. And maybe once I become an experienced cacher I may get the Oregon anyway. JJ

Well I found my first Cache today! I picked a somewhat easy one to take my boys out and try out my new GPSR. I was all set to wait and pick up an Oregon but I found a nuvi 500 on sale for half the price of an Oregon and since I was wanting something that would work with my motorcycle I could not pass it up. I was really pleased the nuvi got me right on top of the cache no issues. I look forward to adding more finds to my list. JJ

Can someone give me an estimate on how close the nuvi 500 vs Oregon. Hopefully someone with both unit can stand the same distance away from a point and take a reading and then also stand on a known good spot and see the difference. JJ

Can someone give me an estimate on how close the nuvi 500 vs Oregon. Hopefully someone with both unit can stand the same distance away from a point and take a reading and then also stand on a known good spot and see the difference. JJ

The top upgrade lists Bluetooth I wasn't aware you could add that with just firmware? Also I do not believe it has voice guidance so why did they add the ability to load an English voice? Am I reading the list correct? JJ I went back a d read the Bluetooth was on supported units but the voice thing still has me scratching my head.

So I will not get auto routing but can I plan a route on my computer and see it on my gps? At least with the pins showing a route change? JJ

Please Delete Double Post

How do these maps compare to city navigator? JJ

I was under the impression that there was a 4GB limit to what can be used in the Oregon. You are right about a 4GB limit, but it is not for the SD card size. The 4GB limit is on the file size for the map set file. You can use larger cards in the GPSr, but the maps file must be 4GB or less in size. There are some SD cards that the Garmin GPSr units don't seem to like, but in general you can use 8GB micro-SDHC cards in the Oregon units. I have one in mine. As for our original question: I have not tried it with the Oregon 400t, but I had done it with my Colorado 300 last year. I removed the provided basemap file and replaced it with a set of maps covering the 6 states I am most likely to be in at any time. As long as you keep a backup copy of the pre-loaded map files, you should be able to test away and replace the originals if you don't like the results. Good to know, Since This will be my first GPS and I am not familiar with the set up. If I put two map sets on the SD card is there any special naming requirements or will they each have their own name and I just select which one I want to use say City navigator and 24K east when it becomes available? JJ

I was under the impression that there was a 4GB limit to what can be used in the Oregon. JJ

I read a post that touched on wiping your Oregon 400t clean and installing the 24k Maps on the internal memory. I was wondering if anyone had tried this and to what success? I like the bigger internal memory of the 400T. I talked to Garmin because I found a 400c for less then even a 300 and was going to attempt to load my own maps but apparently the T is the one with the biggest internal memory. I would have thought from a manufacturing perspective a 400 would have been identical with the exception of what maps were pre-installed. Why bother messing with the size of the internal memory to just accommodate a certain map set, seems like alot of extra work. JJ

You might want to rethink the price you can buy them new from a few places for that price. JJ

If you have a Windows only map, you need to convert it for use under OSX. MapConverter will do this for you. You can then use MapManager and MapInstall to send to your GPS, although RoadTrip can be used as a frontend to MapInstaller if you set up the perfs to send maps with other data. Thanks, I just downloaded the Mac software. JJ

Maybe I am new at this but the Garmin Website list system requirements for most of the Maps as Windows only. So as a Mac User how do I load different maps? I have Road trip and the map plug in for my browser but I want to make sure that I dont have to keep dual booting in order to Work with City Navigator. JJ

All good responses, I do not plan on staring at whichever unit I get. Mostly just to double check at fuel stops or if I have to cut my ride short and head home. Most of my riding is back roads so I do not plan on navigating many metropolatin areas. I want something I can plan a general route on my Mac and see where the day takes me. The primary use will be caching, I just thought one device for everything would be fine. JJ

I am a Mac guy so I think GSAK is out. I also do not want to deal with using a PDA or other device in conjunction with the 60CSX to go Paperless. JJ

Well, instead of continuing on my previous thread about an Oregon on a motorcycle I decided to elaborate with a new post. I had a chance to visit REI and check out three of the four choices I am debating on purchasing. (Garmin 60CSX, Colorado and Oregon 400T/ the nuvi 500 was unavailable.) I was only able to play with them in the store and take them out in the direct sunlight. I guess I am to new to know what is good and bad about each unit. I have read alot of the info on this board but my mission today was really to check out the dimness issue with the Oregon. I was out in the parking lot for about 20 minutes at almost noon. I tried different brightness levels and turned in circles trying to get it to the point where I was unable to read it. I was unable to get it to a point where I thought it was unreadable or even questionable. So I dont know if this was addressed with later production models or not, Now it definitely was not as bright and readable as it was in the store and not as bright as the Colorado or 60CSX but I believe I can live with it from what I was able to see. Now the confusing part was that I liked the Colorado equally well and I know there isnt a brightness issue with it. My concern is the lack or possible lack of support from Garmin because of the introduction of the Oregon series. I try not to make a habit of buying a product that is being discontinued. I would like a unit that is great on the trail and decent for auto routing on a motorcycle. I have a good Nav unit in our family car. Here are my thoughts. These are in no way definitive, just from my point of view and I wish I could own all three devices they all are great in different ways. 1. Garmin 60CSX Great device a little dated with control layout and menu hierarchy. Could possible be up for replacement. Not a good paperless option for Geocaching. 2 Colorado 400t Bridges the gap between the 60 CSX and Oregon, Little quirky with Rock n roller input. Possible obsolete due to the Oregon release. Now close in price to the 60CSX. 3. Oregon 400t Other than the screen visibility for my needs this may very well be the answer. Still pricey may opt for the 300 and get only the maps I need. Bottom line is I have some time to mull this over and seeing all three units in person did not help my decision in the least. JJ

My concern with the oregon is the dimness of the screen. Would hardwiring power to it improve this? The Colorado would be an option but I have read to many complaints about the unit and fear Garmin support will dwindle with the arrival of the Oregon. JJ

I wouldn't worry about throwing in a backpack, as long as it had some screen protection. But I'd have to agree with you on the battery issue. The battery is user accesable and I'm sure you could get spares, but that would probably be costly. You might want to look at the colorado, the screen isn't as good as bright and readable as a 60csx, but it is better than the oregon. Run down to your local REI, they will let you take it outside to look at it. If you think the oregon will work buy it and if it doesn't REI has a good return policy. You could exchange it for a colorado or a 500. I am going to REI this weekend but they do not have a 500. I have yet to locate one in a store. I will post my findings. Ideally what I may do is get the 500 for the bike for now and find a deal on a 60csx or see what the prices do on a CO/OR. JJ

I really don't think the oregon is much more rugged than the 500. The 500 and 550 were designed with scooterists in mind. I kind of think of it as a mini zumo with paperless geocaching. I'm waiting for one with Text to speech and bluetooth to come out and I'm buying one. If that doesn't happen, I'll probably just keep my old magellan 2200t. My main concern with the 500 is that whichever unit I end up with is going to be the only one I buy, So it has to be able to withstand alot especially when I travel overseas and use it as a back up nav source. I dont want something I have to worry about battery life or throwing in a backpack and getting knocked around. JJ

That is my only issue is the visibility. I looked hard at the nuvi 500 but I think I want a more durable solution. JJ

Hi all, First Post and I have spent several days reading all the great information here. Without getting into a which one debate I am wondering who has used an Oregon series on their motorcycle? I am splitting my use between the bike and the trail I believe the Oregon suites my needs. Not perfect but close enough for what is available. Photos would also be appreciated. JJ