550 vs 550T

[+atorg]

FNG here,

OR-550 for $449 or 550T for $399...Heard some would rather have 550 & DL better maps. Opinions?

TIA,

Torg

Edited March 27, 2011 by atorg

[cobra-ak]

FNG here,

OR-550 for $449 or 550T for $399...Heard some would rather have 550 & DL better maps. Opinions?

TIA,

Torg

the 550t has preloaded maps which are just as good as the Topo2008 maps and probably not as good as the 24K (I don't have 24K)

[+jbar]

I have the 550, no preloaded maps. I have the 24k topos loaded. works great. I'd rather spend the extra 100 on the 24k maps

[+Great Scott!]

Are those prices correct?

If so, go with the 550T.

Even if you don't like the preloaded topo maps, you can remove them from the unit.

The T model has more internal memory.

Edited March 28, 2011 by Great Scott!

[+G & C]

Definitely go with the 550t, especially if it's cheaper. That just makes no sense. It comes with a 100k map set for the entire US. Then you can use the external memory to load 24k maps of the areas you use most. Plus I'm pretty sure the 550t has more internal memory anyway.

[+Chrysalides]

I see Cabelas has it for $400 + $5 shipping now. Must... resist...

 

There's no reason to get the 550 over the 550t if the 550t is cheaper. I'd consider getting the 450 for $250 though unless you really want the camera.

[+atorg]

Thanks guys, I do appreciate the help.

Torg

[+myotis]

If the 550t is less than the 550 that does not make sense. So no question get the T. Maps are not the only difference with the t. Here is some language I cut and paste whenever I see someone asking about the t models:

 

I think there needs to be a FAQ on the difference between the T and regular models. People ask this all the time and usually get misleading advice. Certainly you can get free better topo maps on gpsfiledepot.com. However, the T models also come with 100K DEM (Digital Elevation Model) data which some features require. You can only get DEM data from a T model or Garmin 100K topo or Garmin's 24K topo (which have 24K DEM). Us map-makers have not been able to figure out how to make DEM data to load on your GPS, so you cannot get DEM data from gpsfiledepot.com.

 

While one may still decide the DEM data is not worth the extra money, it needs to be weighed in the decision. I thought it was worth the extra money when I bought my 550T.

 

DEM:

 

To show shaded relief, the GPS requires DEM data. If you have DEM data on your GPS, it will show shaded relief on any map (including the ones from gpsfiledepot.com). However, shaded relief makes the GPS significantly harder to read. However, sometimes it can be nice when looking at a map to see if the trail goes uphill or downhill. You can turn it on if you need it. Without it, usually you can tell which way is up, but sometimes you have to click on topo lines to figure it out.

 

The 3d viewer requires DEM data

 

With DEM data, the GPS will add elevation data to a track you load and follow on track manager. This allows you to view the elevation profile of your trip. However, I use http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/elevation to obtain the elevation profile as the DEM data there is more accurate than the built in 100K. But it is nice to have it just in case.

 

These are the two things I like (and use) the most:

 

With DEM data, the GPS will add elevation data to a car route. So you can see the elevation profile of the route you are driving.

 

With DEM data, you can click anywhere on the map and one of the pieces of information about the site that will be provided is the elevation. While it is based on 100K DEM, it is reasonablely accurate.