The Garmin Oregon 550 Review: Can You Really Bring Adventure With You?
Move over, Lewis and Clark. The Garmin Oregon 550 series is a GPS system that comes with a digital camera built in, putting two of your most useful gadgets into one pocket-filling product. But is it really enough to satisfy, and what about the quality of that camera anyway? Ever since some data on the Oregon 550 series was, this has been an attention-getting product. Let's see if it delivers the goods.
The Skinny on the Oregon 550
First, here's a basic rundown of what the Garmin Oregon 550 is: It's a hand-held GPS unit that allows you to take pictures, track your elevation, and, of course, navigate to your heart's content. It's not an iPhone, but it will do a better job of telling you where you are and where you're going.
The new feature, of course, is the one that tells you where you've been: the digital camera. Johnny Appleseed GPS has the details: you'll find a 3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera with up to a 4x zoom. It's not the most versatile camera you'll ever use, but it gets the job done.
If you've never had a need for a handheld GPS device in the first place, you might not want to leave your picture-taking to one. But if you're a frequent hiker who can't get enough of the sights, this Garmin will keep your packing light.
Pricing and Availability
Of course, one of the most important variables here is the pricing. With the Garmin 550 and 550t, don't be surprised to shell out around $500. (By the way: the difference between the 550 and 550t? Pre-installed U.S. maps are available on the 550t. Maybe not something Australians will want to pay more for.)
Conclusions? The Garin Oregon 550 isn't necessarily a gadget that will change your life, but if you've been hankering for a good handheld GPS device and need a digital camera to supplement your trips, you wouldn't go wrong here. Being able to keep the two functions in one product will save you space and a little bit of time. Remember: you bring the adventure; let your handheld GPS help you out a little along the way!
 New Garmin Oregon 550 Worldwide Maps Handheld GPS US $426.99 
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 Garmin Oregon 550 GPS Receiver 32MP Digital Camera NEW US $426.90
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