RonFisk

For registration you may have to call Garmin and let them know that it's a previously owned unit. As for the maps on the MicroSD they should work fine if selected. The backup won't work because the original is copy protected. I've heard that if your original data get corrupted you can reinstall the maps as long as you put them back on the same MicroSD. BUT... I've never tried it so don't quote me on this one! Interesting...I had a call into Garmin....after 30 min on hold they were gone for the day. Will try again next week. I had taken the MicroSD out and copied it and then put it right back into the GPS. I'm going out now caching so I'll see if it works now, but it has not been working the last few times. There should be no reason for the data to get corrupted but I guess one never knows for sure. So the original MicroSD is protected ?? If there is a problem does Garmin stand behind it ?? Anyone know for sure ?? Short answer is "NO"...

For registration you may have to call Garmin and let them know that it's a previously owned unit. As for the maps on the MicroSD they should work fine if selected. The backup won't work because the original is copy protected. I've heard that if your original data get corrupted you can reinstall the maps as long as you put them back on the same MicroSD. BUT... I've never tried it so don't quote me on this one!

I'd say it's as durable as any cell phone camera. Unlike cell phones the lens is recessed and well protected. I've never had a problem with mine. As an added plus the case being recessed acts as a lens shade. It would be nice if it had a view finder, but after all it's a GPS, not a camera...

I think that's a good choice for a charger. I use mine constantly. As for batteries, I have Eneloops as backups, but use Duracell 2650MAh NiMh as my main power source. I find that my 550t gets about double the battery life as my Colorado 400t.

We need a little more information. What GPS are you using and what computer? PC or Mac? Forget the above question. Apparently you answered my question while I was asking it...

Not enough information!

Like Walt said. Invest in a Premium Membership and have the best of both worlds. Having a 550t and a standard membership is like owning a car with no wheels.

It should work much better in normal mode. I generally carry several changes of batteries and always use WAAS with battery save disabled. The 550t is not quite as hard on batteries as my Colorado 400t but it's nowhere near as efficient as my 60CSx.

Yes it does! Battery save mode changes the way the Oregon queries the satellites. You will definitely notice a difference in accuracy. For most things it doesn't really make a difference, but in tree cover you will notice a change. Sometimes you can't get a WAAS lock in battery save mode.

You're a Premium Member so it's no problem. Just set up PG's for the areas you intend to visit and download each one to your Oregon GPX folder. Just make sure that each one has a different name. If you have GSAK it's even easier. You can merge all your PQ's into one file and download it into your GPX folder. Either one works great. Do i need to download each individual GPX, or can i download multiple at once? Check here: http://www.geocaching.com/about/premium.aspx

You're a Premium Member so it's no problem. Just set up PG's for the areas you intend to visit and download each one to your Oregon GPX folder. Just make sure that each one has a different name. If you have GSAK it's even easier. You can merge all your PQ's into one file and download it into your GPX folder. Either one works great.

Pocket Queries Thanks ,simple and yes done it.Followed link but can not seem to find Pocket Queries from the home page On your home page it's over on the right side, You will see a list of Premium Member items and it's listed there.

Call their customer support and let then know the details. They can authorize the exchange. That's happened to me as well and everything is fine now. Just be sure you have the serial numbers of both units. It shouldn't be a problem.

They are located in your field notes. Just download your field notes to GC.com...

It doesn't... The GC code is assigned by Groundspeak and it relates only to the cache. Not the coordinates.

Sorry, it won't charge. It just supplies power...

Splashy is correct..."angle" is everything. I have "old eyes", wear glasses, have a Zagg screen protector on my Oregon 550t, and can see/read it perfectly in bright sunlight...it may be necessary to tilt it a bit left/right or fore/aft...but that's an intuitive movement and very natural. Bill Exactly, its all about the angle you hold it at. Even my 400t is very readable in direct sunlight. I'd say mine is about the same as my Colorado 400t but nowhere close to my 60CSx. Like others have said, it's all about the angle. I've heard that polarized glasses help in bright sunlight but I can't attest to that.

Yes, you can save them as POI's. There is a macro in GSAK that allows you to do this. Check the GSAK forum macros. I can check after dinner and post the link for you if you can't find it. I just found it: http://gsak.net/board/index.php?showtopic=...amp;#entry81818

I assume it came from another area and that it hasn't been used for a while. Be sure to rebuild the almanac. This can be done by starting the unit and setting it out with a clear view of the sky for about a half hour. Turn on WAAS and disable the battery save option. A system reset shouldn't be necessary, but an almanac reset is recommended if that unit has one.

That procedure is for the Colorado. The Oregon is the same but without the Rock 'n Roller.

They are probably there, but too far away to show up when set to closest. Search for them by name and I'll bet they are all there. When you get within range they should show up as closest.

If you have a Intel Mac you can use GSAK with windows. I use GSAK all the time with no problems. I thought that RoadTrip had that capability but I've never used it.

It's pretty hard to beat the iPhone. I'm not sure about service providers in the UK, but we're locked into AT&T over here on this side of the pond. I'm not a big fan of AT&T coverage or service...

The screen has improved on the 550 over the 400/300/200. There have been a few members here that can back this up (ask redhawk44p for one). Also, the software in the unit seems to have gotten a polishing, not exhibiting many of the track logging/accuracy quirks some people claim to have. Many here are stating that it is more stable overall than the 400/300/200 models. Don't discount the camera just yet. I thought it was kinda goofy at first too, kinda like the GPSrs that have music players... but the more I think about it, it could be very useful for capturing views on the go while out hiking or geocaching. The reviews on the 550 state that it is a decent camera, not like a stand-alone obviously, but very decent for what it is. It does have auto-focus, is 3.2 megapixel resolution, and also geotags the pictures. Out of all gimmicky things they could put on these GPSr's, the camera could be one that I see being somewhat useful. If I have the option of just lifting my arm up a few inches and snapping a picture with the GPS, or having to take my pack off, unzip a pocket to get my camera out, turn it on, wait for it to start up, frame the picture I want etc, I would pick the GPS with the camera! That is just my take on it. But to summarize my answer, yes the 550 screen viewability has improved over the 400/300/200 lineup. The camera is not really that bad. It defaults to 2 megapixel and you have to set it specifically to 3.2 in order to get the higher resolution. The big thing is the storage space. Be sure to transfer them off the unit often to clear up available memory or use high capacity MicroSD's. I have city maps on my SD and also use it for JPEG's so it fills up pretty fast.

They may be out of range if you are searching by nearest. Try searching by name and see if they're showing up.