Garmin Oregon 200, 300, 400i, 400c and 400t Mapping Handheld Review

Garmin’s Oregon 200, 300, 400i, 400c and 400t series is a rugged mapping handheld GPS navigator which is a technological leap ahead of the Garmin Colorado series. Prime advances are the touch screen display, state-of-the-art 3-D map view (giving an elevation perspective) and application modes.

Garmin Oregon

The Garmin Oregon is intended to be a reliable tool for campers, hikers and hunters alike being waterproof and built to withstand the associated rigors including humidity, water (waterproof to IPX7), dirt and bumps. Other notable features of the Garmin Oregon are the high-sensitivity receiver, microSD card slot, picture viewer and wireless sharing capability. All models except the 200 have a barometric altimeter for more precise altitude readings and an electronic compass for getting your heading while standing still.

Transflective Color TFT TouchScreen

The Oregon series is one of the first handheld GPS navigators with a touchscreen interface. This new functionality has been used to good effect for improved usability. The 3 inch (7.6 cm) diagonal, color, LCD TFT touchscreen is also transflective for far easier viewing in direct sunlight.

Garmin Oregon

Oregon Maps Include State-of-the-art 3D Elevation Perspective

The Oregon 200 and 300 do not have preloaded maps. Maps can be purchased on microSD cards and inserted in the card reader slot on your Garmin Oregon.

The 400 models have different preloaded maps as follows;

400t comes preloaded with U.S. or European topographic maps and a worldwide basemap with shaded relief. Map detail includes national, state and local parks and forests, along with terrain contours, elevation information, trails, rivers, lakes and points of interest.

400c is preloaded with BlueChart g2 coastal charts and a worldwide basemap with imagery. Map detail includes includes shorelines, depth contours, navaids, harbors, marinas, port plans coastal roads for the U.S. and Bahamas

400i has built-in U.S. Inland Lakes maps and a worldwide basemap with imagery. Map detail includes shoreline details, depth contours, boat ramps and mile markers for thousands of lakes in the continental U.S.

The included 3D DEM (Digital Elevation Model) world basemap gives a better perspective of elevation helping one visualize one’s surroundings. A DEM is a digital representation of ground surface topography or terrain.

Garmin Oregon has Five GPS Application Customization Profiles

Many portable handheld devices can serve multiple purposes. With a simple but powerful usability insight Garmin have provided the Oregon with five customizable profiles (automotive, marine, recreation, fitness and geocaching) to make the most of beneficial features for each activity.

High-sensitivity, WASS-enabled GPS Receiver with HotFix Satellite Prediction

The Oregon models share a high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver for gaining an accurate GPS position fix even in weak GPS signal reception areas, such as in canyons or under heavy foliage. The included HotFix satellite prediction reduces the time to obtain a GPS position.

Geocaching

Geochaching is an obvious use for a handheld GPS such as the Oregon and Garmin have made all models capable of downloading GPX files for geocaches and details directly rather than by laborious manual transfer.

Wireless ANT Technology Sharing with the Garmin Oregon

Using ANT short distance low power consumption wireless technology it’s possible to share tracks, waypoints, routes and geocaches wirelessly between similar units. ANT also allows the Oregon to communicate with Garmin accessories such as heart rate and cadence monitors.