oregon 450 what maps are included?

[+manhuntz02]

looking to invest in a oregon 450 but not sure what maps are built in or which need to be purchased separetely?? Also would a 450T be a better option?? Not even sure how to read a topo map but sure we could figure it out! Thanks!!

[+phlatlander]

I don't recall which map came with my O550 (Jan12), but I have downloaded and installed at least 8 other maps (including topos for ND and MT) from OpenStreetMaps. All of North America, Mexico and about 1/2 of Europe - all free!

OSM

[+levesund.dk]

It depends on where you wanna cache. I took the 450 after advice about buying in the maps after worth. It works great for me.

[alandb]

The "T" models have the US 100K Topo map with street detail. The non-T units just have a world base map with very little detail. In addition to the Topo map, you also get additional internal storage on the "T" models, to accomodate the pre-loaded Topo map.

 

I have a Oregon 550T and found the 100K Topo to be very inaccurate and pretty much useless. So I removed it and replaced it with the free Open Street Map NA for street detail and occasional navigation. For geocaching I downloaded the free My Trails map from GPS File Depot and also subscribed to Garmins BirdsEye satellite imagery. The Open Street Map and My Trails map both overlay nicely on the satellite images. I haven't really found the need for a Topo map with relief lines, but some of those are also available at GPS File Depot.

 

Except for getting the extra storage space, in my opinion, the 100K Topo map is not worth the extra cost of the Oregon "T" models.

Edited October 18, 2012 by alandb

[+splashy]

For roadmaps use Open Street Map = OSM

for the best Topo maps use gpsfiledepot.

 

Both are free.