bimbert84

Which version did you upgrade to? See http://garminoregon.wikispaces.com/Versions. -- Rob

Here's free 24K topo for WA: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/95/. -- Rob

...or download them free from www.gpsfiledepot.com. -- Rob

That's exactly why I'm asking. I want to know if the 400t imposes any mapping limitations that the 300 does not. After reading through the wiki, it sounds like at a minimum I could just blow away the preloaded maps, effectively turning the 400t into a 300. If that's the case, then it follows that the 400t can do everything the 300 can do (and more). In other words, it sounds like there's no reason to buy the 300 if I can get the 400t for the same price. I'm hoping for some confirmation that my reasoning is sound. -- Rob

I was all set to buy an Oregon 300, but now I see I can get the 400t for the same price. Given that, is there any reason to prefer the 300 over the 400t? Is there anything the 300 can do that the 400t can't? I'm mostly wondering about maps. I know the 400t comes with 100K topo built-in, but I'd like to load it up with some free 24K topos. Can this be done easily on the 400t, or would it somehow conflict with the preloaded maps? Can I get the preloaded maps out of the 400t and into MapSource for viewing on my computer? Are there any other differences between these two Oregons? -- Rob

Thank you, Lee. Yes, but it's a close thing. I agree about the $20, and that's why I mentioned the prices. Robustness, ease-of-use, and 3rd-party support are my top three priorities. I see no reason to believe the free maps won't work for me, and aerial imagery is not something I need (or even want to spend time gathering). It looks like my choice is clear. Thanks for your input. -- Rob

Let me clarify. Looks like the maps I need are free: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/154/ I really have no need for aerial imagery. I don't need streets, either. Topo would be enough. -- Rob

I'm looking to buy my first GPSr and I think the Oregon 300 is the right one for me. I have but one concern, and that's the readability of the screen while outside. There are lots of reports of it being quite bad, but then there are others that say once you adjust the backlight, it's not too bad. So my question is, how bad is it? How bad is it with the backlight turned all the way up? -- Rob

I've been saying that myself for while. Best geocaching GPS I can think of at this price point. With current Amazon pricing, the Oregon 300 ($349 after rebate) is only $19 more than the PN-40 ($330). Given those prices, would you still say the PN-40 is the best geocaching GPSr for the price? -- Rob

I'd like to add my two cents, from an "independent observer" point-of-view. I'm getting ready to buy my first GPSr, and have been following many of the PN-40-related threads. What I see is not so much a "bashing" of the PN-40, but rather an appraisal of its (serious, IMO) downfalls. Now I realize not everybody is suffering from problems, and that's terrific for those who are not. But as a prospective buyer, I would be doing myself a terrible disservice to ignore those problem reports. For some reason, many PN-40 owners seem to take those reports as attacks on either themselves, or on Delorme as a company. I've not seen anyone attacking either, rather I see them attacking the current state of the device. Nor have I seen anyone claim other GPSrs did not experience growing pains. But that's not relevant to the new buyer. I'm not interested in how some device performed when it was first released a year or two ago. I'm interested in how it performs NOW. Given Delorme's terrific support and their continued presence here, I have little doubt they'll get these issues worked out, and have a really great, robust device. But as of NOW, I've scratched the PN-40 off my list. Growing pains are something I'd rather avoid. -- Rob

Is using the maps on gpsfiledepot.com as easy as it sounds? There's a nice-looking 24K topo of Michigan there. That would probably be all I'd ever need. If it's easy to load that up, I can buy the Vista HCx instead and just skip the Garmin topos. -- Rob

Thanks for the info. I'm looking at the bundle primarily because of the assumption I'll need to buy maps. First and foremost, I want simple. I don't want to have to scour the internet for maps, wait for lengthy downloads, perform complicated conversions, or learn a bunch of new software packages. Although I'm technically savvy, I just don't have the patience or time for all that. I have no need for street navigation, so I'd be looking only at topo data. At 31.6MB (I assume that's at 1:100K, right?), I won't be able to fit the entire lower peninsula, but that's probably OK. The only reason I'd want even that much map data is for when we go on vacation. I don't mind loading up specific areas before we go, as long as it doesn't take hours to do so. How much time and effort is required to replace the map segments on the GPSr? -- Rob

I read your statement above to say "Topo 2008 is what is included in the package you're looking at". Is my interpretation correct? I hate they way they make different products with such similar titles. It's very confusing to those not in-the-know. -- Rob

What does it mean that they are "unlocked" vs. "locked"? Does "unlocked" mean they can be used across multiple receivers? Also, you mentioned "US Topo" and "Topo 2008". Are those two different things? If so, how are they different? Specifically, I'm looking at the Summit HC Bundle from Gander Mountain. It includes the Summit HC GPSr, Topo US 2008, a case, and a 12V adapter. How is the "Topo US 2008" in this bundle different than "US Topo" and "Topo 2008" you mentioned above? Also, is $199 a good price for that bundle? Is there anything else I'd need to get rolling? -- Rob

I'm looking to buy my first GPSr. Its primary purposes will be geocaching and hiking, although I've not actually done any geocaching yet. I've been doing lots of reading on the various options, and I must admit the best GPSr for me probably doesn't exist yet. The Oregon is the closest thing, but reports (and pictures) of poor screen readability are a big turnoff. I have little doubt in the next year or two, somebody will find a way to improve on that, so in the meantime, I'm leaning toward a much more basic solution for two reasons: 1) keep costs down since I intend to replace it with something in the future, and 2) make sure I actually like geocaching as much as I think I will before I spend a fortune on a GPSr. That said, I stumbled across a really good deal on the Summit HC bundle, which includes Topo 2008. I think this unit will suit my needs well for today, but I'm not sure how much practical limitation the 24MB will be. How much map area can be covered with 24MB? Would the whole lower peninsula of Michigan be asking too much? Half of it? Also, if I buy a Summit HC today, and upgrade to another Garmin unit in a year or two, will I have to buy the maps again? In other words, are there unit-specific unlock codes? Or can the same copy of Topo be used for more than one GPSr? Any other advice is also appreciated. -- Rob