Garmin Oregon 400t gets reviewed

Garmin's Oregon 400 nav comes in a few different flavors depending on how you like to experience the outdoors, but the essential 3-inch touchscreen package is the same, and it looks like it's a winner -- the folks at PC Magazine just put the 400t variant through its paces, and found that it's an "excellent hiking companion." Of course, for six bills you'd damn well better get a sensitive GPS receiver with quick acquisition times, but the 400t also impressed with solid battery life on just two AAs and easy set up. Of course, as an outdoor-centric PND, the highway guidance features are a bit lacking compared to devices like Garmin's Nuvis, but if you're looking to tromp around the woods in style and you've got cash to spare, it sounds like the Oregon series is worth a look.

[nathan.wong @ Aug 1st 2008 8:39AM]

I'll still use my Garmin 60CSx. Great unit. Plus it's cheaper. But I guess this one is a lot smaller. That's important for those people who backpack where space and weight are a huge issue.

[avester @ Aug 1st 2008 8:51AM]

Usually with hiking light = good.

[Itchy Pajamas @ Aug 1st 2008 9:19AM]

It's not really that much smaller. I'm really enjoying the Oregon (see comments below) but all things considered, the 60CSx is still the "gold standard" for a hiking GPS.

[Nate @ Aug 1st 2008 12:31PM]

+1 for the Garmin 60CSx or the 60Cx.

[nathan.wong @ Aug 1st 2008 8:40AM]

I'll still use my Garmin 60CSx. Great unit. Plus it's cheaper. But I guess this one is a lot smaller. That's important for those people who backpack where space and weight are a huge issue.

[Brian @ Aug 1st 2008 9:00AM]

This is the first GPS to give the GPSmap 60CSx a run for it's money since... the GPSmap 60CSx.

Rejoice!

[Itchy Pajamas @ Aug 1st 2008 9:16AM]

First, I have the Oregon 400t and I'm very happy with it, despite its shortcoming. Now that I've established that, I've got to say that PC Mag's review is very superficial and completely ignores some factors that are important to someone who is buying an outdoor GPS.

The biggest issue is that its hi-res screen is almost unreadable in bright sunlight. The hi-res screen comes with a tradeoff compared to older units like the 60CSx and the eTrex series -- it doesn't reflect light as well. With the older units, you rarely need to use the backlight, except in the dark (of course.) With the Oregon (and the Colorado), you frequently need to turn on the power-consuming backlight to see the screen clearly. The screens have more in common with the nuvi (in car models) screens than with the old outdoor models.

To compound the visibility problem in sunlight with the Oregon is the touch screen. It employs an extra layer that seems to trap light and further reduce reflected light that would allow you to see the screen without backlight.

Ok, now for the GREAT part about the Oregon: The touch screen! I love it. Compared with the Colorado (which I also have), it's like being set free. It's easy to navigate the screens, and it's a huge improvement in entering text. It's even better than the 60CSx (which I also have) and Vista (yep, which I also have. ;-)) The Colorado never managed to replace the 60CSx as my daily "carry piece", but the Oregon seems to be doing it. Yeah, I have to keep the backlight on, and cup my hand over the screen to see it on a bright day, but with high-capacity rechargeable NiMH batteies the battery life is pretty good, and that touch-scren... that's a winner.

For lots of information on the Oregon from real users, I recommend G-O-Cachers' wiki page: http://garminoregon.wikispaces.com/ and Groundspeak Forums: http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=11

[Cassini @ Aug 1st 2008 4:10PM]

My understanding is that in order to have the best automotive street guidance on the Oregon (beyond what it comes with), you'd have to buy Garmin's City Navigator NT for North America maps DVD (for example), and load it onto a microSD card, because the street maps that come with the Oregon by default are lacking. Is that true, or am I mistaken?

My understanding is also that Garmin's new Nuvi 500 series already comes with the City Navigator NT maps built in, so essentially buying that DVD and loading those maps onto microSD and placing that inside the Oregon, would give you the same street level maps the Nuvi 500 series has. You'll have to pay an extra $100 for the DVD, but at least, AFAIK, you could then have really good street level navigation on the Oregon.

The only remaining question is, does the Oregon pronounce street names? Garmin says that the maps on DVD will allow for that, but the device must support that feature (the Nuvi 500 series does not, which is unfortunate, so the Oregon also may not have that capability, which would also be a shame - especially considering the price tags). If it doesn't, then Garmin needs to correct that. These days, every PND (especially in this price range) needs to be able to pronounce street names.

I've been interested in the Oregon. It looks like the best GPS Garmin offers so far, IMO. Except I need it to be able to work as a top-notch automotive GPS, as well (even if that means I have to buy the Navigator NT maps DVD in order to have that capability). Otherwise, it would be a deal-breaker.

You could clarify all or most all of this, since you own an Oregon and I don't. So I'd like to hear your feedback.

IMO, for $600, the Oregon series need to also have automotive street-level mapping that exactly matches what the Nuvi 500 series offers, as standard. No one should have to go out and spend another $100 on a map DVD in order to have this. That's ridiculous (and a bit extortionist in terms of pricing) if you ask me.

[Cassini @ Aug 1st 2008 4:26PM]

OK, sorry, I asked all those questions before reading PC Mag's review.

Their review answered many of my questions.

So as it stands:

- The Oregon does not have an integrated speaker, so no voice-aided navigation of any kind is possible - just "audible beeps". (Incredibly short-sighted, Garmin! Please correct this on the next version of the Oregon!)

I know the Nuvi 500 has quite a bit, but it lacks many of the features of the Oregon, and the Nuvi is also shaped differently (so it won't fit in the hand as comfortably as the Oregon). Some of us want a PND that can do it all, and what I want is an Oregon 400t with an integrated speaker and the same street-level maps the Nuvi 500 has. Do that, and make the Oregon's screen more sunlight readable, and that thing would have it all (which is what I'm waiting for).

[ranger235 @ Aug 1st 2008 8:31PM]

Dude - this device is designed and meant for outdoor use. Last thing on earth I'd want is a speaker suckin up battery life and blabbing when I'm out in the middle of no where. I have one I use for work and its a hell of a unit. Highly recommended for those who actually leave paved roads and get out of the vehicle.

[Cassini @ Aug 2nd 2008 4:09AM]

@Ranger

Yes, I know what it's meant for currently. It's meant to be used for automotive purposes, as well - it's just that Garmin didn't allow it to be all that it could have been, in that department.

But "sucking up battery life"? What on earth are you talking about? First of all, since when would you even be using the speaker aspect when using it topographically while hiking? Did you think the unit would tell you to "turn right at the upcoming tree"? Off road navigation wouldn't come with any spoken prompts to begin with, so relax.

Secondly, and automotively (or "on-road") speaking, what do you know about how much an occasionally spoken prompt would drain battery life? Are you a Garmin engineer? A speaker wouldn't impact battery life hardly at all at the rate that it would actually be used when helping to navigate roads. Voice prompts make up for a very small percentage of the activity that a PND would be engaged in. Most of the time, people are just quietly navigating the menus and so forth.

I say, Garmin needs to come out with a model (an Oregon 500, perhaps?) that would have everything the Oregon 400t has, but with the automotive/road navigation of the Nuvi 500 (only with spoken street names capability, as well). And then add in a more sunlight readable screen. Now THAT would be perfect and that's the navigation device I'm waiting for.

Please make it happen Garmin. I know I'm not the only one who would want what I described above. You'd just be making the Oregon 400 even better and they'd fly off the shelves even faster.

[SuperQ @ Aug 3rd 2008 10:19PM]

Thanks for the real info.. I hate most reviews because they just fluff over the bad things and tradeoffs.

I've been doing outdoors stuff for 15+ years and have never had a GPS with me. I just got back from Desolation Wilderness and kinda wish I would have had a track of where I went. Maybe I'll grab one of these before my yearly BWCAW trip this month.

[Boarderwoot @ Aug 1st 2008 9:25AM]

Sweet. With this little sweetheart I'll know precisely where my friend died of dysentery.

I'm going to be a fan of the touch screen. I'm on my way out the door now to go get one.

[Colorado Owner @ Aug 1st 2008 9:28AM]

I'd take this review (and some others I've seen online) with a grain of salt -- particularly the first couple of the outdoor shots that seem like they have photoshopped in the screen. By most hands-on accounts, the Oregon has the same basic display that is on the Colorado, which is without a doubt the worst LCD I've ever seen on a Garmin. It is virtually unreadable in direct sunlight, and at other times only looks halfway decent when you have the battery-sucking backlight cranked up. There is no way that display looks as good as it does outdoors in those first couple of slideshow shots. If it did, I'd buy it in a minute.

This unit in no way is a replacement for the 60CSx any more than the Colorado was -- at least if you care about actually being able to read the screen while outdoors. The screen resolution is just too dense and not as reflective as the older models. What a shame...

[sinerasis @ Aug 1st 2008 9:46AM]

This post is the sweetness. I've been wanting an outdoor gps, but couldn't figure out which model to go for. I liked the specs on this one, but the expense is a little much. Thanks commentators for the older model recommendation.

[Jan Lisiecki @ Aug 2nd 2008 5:16PM]

I have a 60CSx. I read the review of the Oregon and after thinking for about an hour I decided not to buy it... It seems like a wonderful device + touch screen is soooo cool... But then, for touch screen, get an iPhone/iPod Touch (although you need a WiFi network w/iPod touch). The screen also doesn't look that good - it's like one of those screens on the airport check-in kiosk. : D
Yes, the 60CSx really works great with sunlight - I never have to turn on the backlight. Plus it is so rugged!

[jd @ Aug 1st 2008 4:15PM]

It looks like the iPhone got hit by a truck and then baked.

[Unknown @ Aug 1st 2008 11:02PM]

Excellent. more lost people in the woods when the batteries run out.
Is it so crushingly difficult to learn how to read a map? And maps are light and do not run out of power and can be read in daylight.

[Cassini @ Aug 2nd 2008 8:02AM]

Are you serious? You're on a gadget site and you're suggesting people should revert to maps instead?

Yes, because maps will tell you where you're at if lost and automatically plot out where you need to go to get to your destination, provide markers, aid in geocaching, provide 3D topographical info and a compass, sunrise and sunset info, are really small and unclumsy when folded open, can be read at night (better make sure you have batteries for your flashlight!), and are waterproof, etc., etc...

So yeah, maps are best... especially when considering how 'crushingly difficult' it is to carry spare AA's for a GPS device like the Oregon - that would be way too hard.

[Ab Brilman @ Aug 12th 2008 1:12PM]

I just have the Oregon for a couple of days.
The LCD is really disappointing. I have big trouble in using it in bright daylight.
Compared with my Magellan Explorist it is really shit.
For the rest it is a great device, but is you cannot read its only output
(the display) what sense does it make?

[dyverdown @ Oct 15th 2008 6:02AM]

I'd be happy to trade you some $$ and my Explorist 500 and 600 for you Oregon....

[Johnny @ Sep 8th 2008 6:06AM]

We all know what would make this product better - a touchscreen OLED display!!! Much brighter and would give even more battery life than the TFT LCD. We'll most likely see that in a future product once OLEDS come down in price. Till then, my 60csx will guide my way.

[islano @ Sep 15th 2008 4:53PM]

no external antenna and if your car has metallic tint you will have to stick your unit out the window to get a reading