yogazoo

"You need a new pony." X2 Have you seen the Rino 6xx series? You don't think this is an upgrade? This took the Rino series from an Oregon 400 w/radio to an Oregon 700 w/radio. Not sure if you really know what your talking about when it comes to the Rino series but I do know your axe should be plenty sharp by now.

You are correct jmvdigital. But according to rumors in other forums, Garmin wants to allow for full info download. The only reason I can think of is that GC.com isn't willing.

There's nothing "unreliable" about the data comparisons I posted. The only time I couldn't use the smart-phone data was when the units were stationary and the phone app stopped recording.

My phone application is "Geo Tracker". It was recommended to me by several people of whom I trust. It only stops tracking when the phone isn't moving but the GPS circuitry remains ON. When moving, the application is simply reading and logging data from the GPS circuitry inside the phone. My application didn't cause the erratic tracking, my smart-phone did. Same conditions, same constellation, same everything. I also didn't intend this thread to be a smart-phone vs dedicated GPS debate. Only testing, data, and results regarding the Oregon 7xx. As a courtesy, when replying, could you please avoid directly replying to large posts with photo's and such. It only serves to bloat the thread. Thanks

I'd be glad to but my friend is using my Oregon 650 at the moment. I'll try to perform time tests with various features enabled. It will take a few days.

I was able to get out and perform some comparative tracklog and position tests. My parameters were that all units only have GPS + WAAS enabled, units were carried out in front of my body with arms extended, and the recording interval was 1 second. I also allowed each unit to obtain satellite data for 20 minutes before starting the tests. Granted this is just one set of comparative testing under similar satellite array, but hopefully it sheds some light on how the new Oregon 7xx series performs. For comparison I used a Montana 610, GPSMap 64s, Oregon 7xx, and Motorola Droid Razr. The Oregon 7xx unit firmware version was 2.43. The GPS version is unavailable (only dashes "----" listed after GPS version in test mode). Test 1: My hope for this test was to gauge multipath processing as I walked down the center of the sidewalk that ran adjacent to a 50ft tall building. Typically, the tracklog gets drawn to the building or source of multipath signals. Red: Oregon 7xx Dark Blue: 64s Light Blue: Montana 610 Yellow: Motorola Droid Razr As you can see here, the Montana has some difficulty on the first pass but recovered on the return pass. The Oregon 7xx performs rather well with only minor draw toward the building. Motorola Razr does nicely as well but has some trouble being consistent. Test 2: I was looking for more intermittent GPS signal interference so I walked down the alley behind my house. The alley has tall, broad-leaf tree cover in certain areas, single level garages, and other intermittent obstructions common in a neighborhood setting. Red: Oregon 7xx Dark Blue: 64s Yellow: Motorola Droid Razr I forgot to hit the record button on the Montana so we only have three samples here. The Oregon 7xx and the 64s performed similarly with smooth, accurate tracklogs. The Motorola Razr shows some trouble in cover and was a bit off a reasonable mark in my opinion. I did two out-n-backs walking down the center of the alley in this test, so there are four lines for each unit. Test 3: I was looking for positional accuracy and consistency in all orientations so I walked around a running track twice. I stayed on the extreme inside lane of the running track. Red: Oregon 7xx Dark Blue: 64s Light Blue: Montana 610 Yellow: Motorola Droid Razr The 64s performed as the best of the bunch in this test with no noticeable veering and a solid tracklog. I'd give the Oregon 7xx a close second with a good, smooth, and accurate tracklog. Test 4: The Garmin's were placed on the ground 10 meters apart and left to record a tracklog for 20 minutes. I wish I could have let them run longer but a guy's gotta sleep sometime. The point of this test was to see how much drift was experienced in a stationary location. The Motorola wasn't tested here because my GPX app would shut off if the phone wasn't moving. There was a clear view of the sky with no obstructions. Red: Oregon 7xx Dark Blue: 64s Light Blue: Montana 610 As you can see, the Oregon 7xx has less than a foot or two of drift. The 64s performed as the best of the bunch here. Impressive results overall. The 64s track is barely visible from under the direction symbol Test 5: The point here was to find some hindering obstruction to see how the units held up. I went to the courtyard of a school with 50 to 80 foot brick walls surrounding the yard. There was enough of a view of the sky to get decent reception but the multipath environment was dreadful. No GPS unit of any flavor could be expected to behave reasonably in this signal environment, so take it for what it's worth. Again, no cell phone as the app simply wouldn't work. Red: Oregon 7xx Dark Blue: 64s Light Blue: Montana 610 As you can see here, drift is considerable. Despite the unfair environment, the Oregon 7xx appears to have drifted less and was more rounded when it did. So that was the first, quick and dirty testing of my Oregon 700. You can draw your own conclusions but in my opinion, the 7xx performs remarkably well for being a new unit with updated antenna components and presumably immature GPS firmware. I'll do more this weekend when I hope to actually get out in the forest and do some hiking. I also plan to average several waypoints at Geodetic Control Points (known horizontal positions). I'd also like to go for a bike and compare distances etc. I would also enjoy eating, sleeping, and hanging out with my family a bit too so be patient. Again, as another data point, the commonly noted Geocache GZ overshoot has not yet been experienced after visiting quite a number of caches. Cheers!

Not only is the antenna on the top side, it's an updated component. This configuration and component update seem to have made a difference. At least in my observations of performance thus far. I look forward to conducting a real-world data comparison to either confirm, or dispute my observations.

I've been out a few days caching with the Oregon 700. I haven't yet experienced any anomalies of overshooting GZ. So far so good on that front. Tracklog accuracy seems noticeably better than my Oregon 650. I'm hoping to get out this weekend with my arsenal of units and collect data to post some tracklog comparisons. Accuracy in general seems better and more positionally stable than the 650, so the claims of improved accuracy seem, so far anyway, to be anecdotally supported. There are several geodetic control points around the valley. Accuracy testing, both actual and relative to other units / smartphone, will commence this weekend.

"redesigned antenna for better satellite reception" - Garmin

I hear what you're saying geodarts. But, you're probably among the small percentage of nerdy (said with love) users who know how to transfer caches wirelessly to the 600. For the masses however, the new 7xx makes it easy and seems to be very reliable. I nerd-out over tech stuff as much as anyone and wish for all the limitless bells and whistles on most of my gadgets too. But, with photography as with navigation, if a devices primary functions meet my high standards, I'm happy.

How about Airdroid (for Android phones)? Geocaching, for me, is about the only frequent task where wireless capability would come in handy. When I need to download GPX Waypoint or tracklog files I can go through the enormous "hassle" of plugging in a wire. Just because Smartphones can do something, doesn't mean it's helpful, or necessary for other devices to do the same. Simply wanting a file to appear on your computer without a wire is great, but I'm sure most of us will live through its absence. My new $1,500 camera can't download photos to my computer wirelessly either. And I couldn't care less.

Thanks. Just was confused a little bit, I can understand it authenticating to see if you are a premium member but they used the word REGISTER this device. I remember having this problem when I bought an Etrex 20 and tried to register it with Garmin only to say it was already registered to someone else and had to phone them. Which is how I found out it was previously owned but being sold as new. Understandable concern. The Oregon 7xx Geocaching application actually registers to your specific account. You can see your account username on the 7xx. You can even "Unregister" the unit from within the Geocaching application on the device itself.

Yes, the unit can be registered twice. Well, once, but it can be re-registered if sold. I tested this out with my wife's account and it works just fine.

That German fellow was reviewing the unit from within "Activity Mode". "Classic Mode" is available in the System Setup menu and is a very similar UI as the current Oregon 6xx units. I strongly prefer the "Classic Mode" for my uses. Your preference may vary, but the option is nice to have.

Yes, the Oregon 7xx supports custom symbols. I'm not sure about the chipset. But, it supports EPO (Extended Prediction Orbit) data which is downloaded via wifi. Apparently this EPO data can last up to 14 days and facilitates a sat-lock within 5 to 10 seconds.

1. How does the screen compare with the Oregon 600 series? Is the same? Is it even brighter and easier to read? The screen looks very similar to me. There's something slightly different, like more color contrast or something, but it's hard to put my finger on it exactly. 2. Are dashboards still a thing? (IE, can we still have a geocaching dashboard atop the map with a compass and basic cache info?) All screenshots so far just show a narrow strip atop each page. Dashboards are still a thing. Hasn't changed from the 650. 3. Are profiles still a thing? I noticed they included activity profiles similar to the eTrex touch. But are fully customizable profiles still there as they were in past models? You can have either the "Activity Mode" like the eTrex touch or "Classic Mode" like the Oregon 650. Either mode is fully customizable but Classic Mode feels better and more customizable to me. 4. Garmin has changed some of its terminology. ABC sensor, 3D electronic compass. Am I right to assume that these are the same 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter as before? You're assumption is correct. 4b. I notice that the 700 includes an accelerometer. What data does this improve? (was the accelerometer there before?) Not sure on either account. 5. How well does it connect wirelessly to a computer. Could I transfer tracks, routes, and waypoints to and from basecamp without a USB connection? The O7 connects to your phone or directly to WiFi. There is no way I know that allows you to connect wirelessly to your computer. 6. Did they fix the location/direction of the USB port so that you don't have to remove the clip to connect to a computer? The form factor is identical to the 0regon 650 save for a few cosmetic differences.

I'm not sure if duplication is the result. But feel free to keep using your app. No, not "25 closest caches". You can select groups of 25 caches repeatedly, anywhere.... on the fly. You can even build multiple Pocket Queries on geocaching.com and they will appear on the Oregon 700. That's many thousands of caches.... on the fly. You can select as many as you want. That is more than 25. You can scroll anywhere on the map. This means you can select the "LOCATION" of those 25 caches.

Ok, it seems as though the sky might be the limit. I have four PQ's that have been run and transferred wirelessly to my Oregon 700 at the tap of a button on the GPS. All PQ's have 1,000 caches each. And, instead of manually loading an updated PQ every few weeks or months, I can update them all automatically on my Oregon 700 whenever I want providing I have a premium geocaching account.

The Oregon 700 allows you to do this. You can scroll anywhere in the WORLD you want on your Oregon and the unit will download the 25 nearest caches to the center of the MAP. Or you can use your current location. You can also filter what is returned live. When you create your PQ on geocaching.com you can filter what caches the PQ returns. The Oregon 700 does everything you want it to in the above statement. It might be a different workflow than what you're used to on your iPhone app but just as easy, if not more so, than your current method. Or at least it sounds that way. 1) Generate a PQ with any app associated with geocaching.com. Filter (or not) the results you want. 2) Once the PQ runs on Geocaching.com, it will show up in the Geocache Lists on the Oregon 700. Done. Now you can "Sync" that list anytime you want to refresh the logs, etc. You can also download multiple lists. I'm not sure if the sky is the limit, but pretty darn close. I'm going to see whether or not I can load multiple 1,000 cache lists on the unit.

You are correct. I just tried this feature and it works perfectly. Create a PQ in my geocaching.com account and, once it runs, is available seamlessly on my Oregon. I can refresh the data anytime I wish directly from the GPS. I found one gripe and that's when I'm searching for something by name in the "Where to" app. Text input for me is a tad sluggish here and it may be due to the fact that I have 8 different map sets loaded up for different uses (the unit searches all the maps as each letter is typed so this is probably it). My impressions so far are very positive and have yet to experience a crash or instability. The Garmin Connect uploads work well also. I got home today after a short hike and the hike uploaded to my Connect account automatically. I went online to view the record of my workout stats and they're all correct. So far, so good.

1) Just a Bluetooth connection I think. I use Garmin Connect mobile so I connected through that app but I'm not sure if you need to. You can also connect through Wifi at your home or office. You must register your device to your account on geocaching.com a single time. You can check the registration page out yourself at "geo.co/garmin". Go to that address and, after you log in, it will take you to the registration page. A number will pop up on your GPS screen which you'll need to enter on that web page. Boom, done! 2) Not sure where the "Live" data is stored. Or how. Yet.

I thought it worth mentioning that I haven't experienced any lock-ups yet. Even after extensive configuring, setup, and use. The software seems to be very stable. Also, the Live cache data downloads will show your geocaches as opened treasure chests if they're logged as found in your Geocaching.com account. Key when downloading new caches around areas where you've been caching before.

Screenshots. I've come home for a "shower" while out camping so I can share these images. I hope my wife doesn't read the forums. Live Geocaching screen before Live cache data is downloaded. Live cache data after downloading on the fly. Live cache data cumulative downloads. New Drop-down status screen that shows the status of all connectivity including ANT sensors, Wifi, Bluetooth. Also provides access to the setup of all the aforementioned. This feature is extremely handy! When you want to turn off Wifi and/or Bluetooth to save battery in environments where you'll have no connection, simply swipe down, tap, and disable. To reconnect, swipe down, tap, enable. Simple and easy. You'll also see notifications, weather, and current activity.

If you move your position and refresh again, do the original 25 geocaches remain, or are they deleted? They remain. Kept and refreshed whenever you want. There might be a limit but so far, after a few hundred, I'm still adding to my downloaded caches. Even Basic members can download three per day including, notes, hints, and logs. Fantastic! It really works better than I could have imagined.

GPScity must have had a few in stock. I received my 700 today. I'm on vacation at the lake this week so I'm not able to really dive into posting photos or visa. What I can tell you is that the Live Geocaching is pretty slick. Zoom anywhere on the map, tap the refresh button, and the closest 25 caches closest to the center of the map load automatically. Once found, my notes and found log update my Geocaching.com account instantly. Complete with logs, notes, hint etc. Loading PQ's and connecting my GPS to my computer to download my finds, for me, is dead. Everything is working smoothly with no issues so far (knock on wood). I'll be testing other features and summarizing my experience next week.