What should I do?

[+peasemold]

I need your help and advice, folks!

 

At the moment I have an Oregon 450. I like it, insofar as I like the touchscreen, the size and weatherproof nature of it. What I don't like is the frequency with which it freezes and has to be switched off and on again.

 

Now, a sum of money has fallen into my sweaty grip. I find myself looking at an Oregon 600. Would it be worthwhile changing from the 450 to the 600?

 

Would there be a noticeable improvement in performance?

 

Advice and comment from people who've owned either/both would be much appreciated.

[+Pieman]

I made this switch about 6 months ago when I lost my GPS. The 600 has has a very nice scratch resistant touch screen and can handle as many caches as you could possibly want but it is not as good in terms of accuracy as my old 400. It has the glitch I last encountered with an old yellow etrex, where it will be out by a considerable distance (without interfering buildings or trees) and then suddenly changed location dramatically to the correct place after up to 15 minutes. This never happened with the 450. I find that it also freezes much more than the 450- normally when it receives several quick touches to the quite sensitive screen. It can't handle Wherigos either(although to be honest it's a better Wherigo experience on a phone than on the 450).

 

Overall, I wouldn't switch unless you have to.

[+peasemold]

That's brilliant, Pieman, thanks a lot. It tells me what I really needed to know.

[+Original A1]

Have you rebooted the Garmin 450 to see whether that helps? Or tried checking for any updates (if they are still issuing them for it)?

[+dartymoor]

I went from two 450 Oregons, which I loved but hated the touchscreen, to a 650 and interestingly, have had the reverse situation as you.

 

Neither of the 450 Oregons ever crashed. The 650 does so very often. I've even returned it but its replacement does exactly the same. I spent a long time trying to not get it to crash, but now just keep half an eye and pull the batteries when it does. A shame as the 650's screen is lovely. Maybe the 600 is better, but I did see early adopters like me have similar issues. (As well as a lot of people who never have a problem)

 

Both are well built, durable and completely water resistant.