| When it comes to the best handheld GPS | | | | Oregon 200 doesn't support this feature. |
| systems, the first and only name that pops into | | | | Other features include: |
| our mind is Garmin. This company has been | | | | Custom points of interest, picture viewer, hunting |
| producing the highest quality GPS devices in the | | | | and fishing calendar, geocaching mode, area |
| 21st century, for a very good price. Garmin's | | | | calculation and many more. Garmin Oregon is the |
| products are well known for their extremely | | | | swiss army knife of handheld GPS systems. |
| sensitive positioning and tracking, as well as their | | | | There are three different models in the series: |
| long battery life and reliability. | | | | Oregon 200 |
| The latest addition to the higher end of the | | | | This is the basic model for a list price of 450 |
| handheld GPS devices' spectrum is the Oregon | | | | dollars. It lacks some of the features (wireless |
| series. The main distinguishing feature of the | | | | unit-to-unit transfer, digital compass, altimeter) and |
| Oregon series is the large, 3-inch diameter | | | | has only 24 MB of memory. I don't recommend |
| touchscreen. Yes, you no longer need a dozen | | | | this one, because the additional price of a microSD |
| buttons on the handheld unit, which means there's | | | | card (you're gonna need one, 24 megs isn't |
| finally enough space for a large, color LCD screen. | | | | enough for anything) will make it cost almost as |
| All the models of the series come with many | | | | much as the next model, the Oregon 300. Also, it |
| features. Actually, I can't think of any more really | | | | doesn't have some of the important features I |
| useful features. Here's a complete list, with some | | | | mentioned. |
| description: | | | | Oregon 300 |
| Electronic compass | | | | The next step, with all the features and 850 |
| This is a very useful tool. Most GPS devices can | | | | megabytes of memory. It costs only 50 bucks |
| only determine your direction while you're moving. | | | | more than the Oregon 200, making this the best |
| A digital compass however, will always show your | | | | handheld GPS unit in this price range. |
| direction with pinpoint (2 degrees) accuracy. | | | | Oregon 400 |
| Barometric altimeter | | | | This model is an extended version of the 300. It |
| This shows your altitude wherever you are, with | | | | comes with 4 Gigabytes of memory and some |
| 3 feet accuracy. Another important function for | | | | maps installed. Three versions of the 400 are |
| hikers. | | | | available: |
| Wireless unit-to-unit transfer | | | | - 400t, which comes with a topographic map of |
| Now this is a feature I've been looking for a long | | | | the US. |
| time. You can share trails, waypoints, caches and | | | | - 400c with Bluechart g2, and |
| other information with your travel mates very | | | | - 400i with maps of inland lakes. |
| easily, if they also have Oregon GPS units. No | | | | All three models cost 600 dollars. Make sure you |
| cables or SD cards needed. Be aware that the | | | | buy the one with the map you need. |