Camera-packin' Garmin Oregon 500 navigator on sale in UK
By Darren Murph 
posted April 12th 2009 12:38PM
posted April 12th 2009 12:38PM
Wouldn't you know it? That leaked Garmin Oregon 500 is indeed a real, bona fide product, and it's on sale now for argonauts over in the UK. The outdoorsy navigator officially boasts a rugged 3-inch sunlight-readable touch panel (400 x 240 resolution), a tough, waterproof casing, a built-in electronic compass, barometric altimeter (seriously!), AA battery support, USB connectivity, a microSD card slot and a bundled carabiner clip to really set it apart. Oh, and there's also an integrated camera for automatic picture geotagging, which seems to be a pretty rare commodity in GPS units these days. We're not quite sure it's rare enough to justify the lofty £353.97 ($519) price tag, but thankfully that's not our call to make.[Thanks, Jordan]
$519 for a gps,.LOL!!
Fail!!
You know, there are people who use a GPS for more than just finding Wal-Marts out-of-state. They'd disagree with you.
Obviously not for some people here. But, I want it
you obviously have no clue on how much GPS units are sold for. Lots of low end units for < $200. This is supposed to be mid-high end topographic GPS.
400x240 on a 3" screen? That sounds like the sort of stupidity you would expect from Nokia!
That's almost the iPhones...
Did I mention the iPhone, foo?
For a phone, that's pretty bad, but a device like this needs to be easily readable without the backlight on, even in relatively dim light. Unfortunately, high density screens don't work nearly as well without a backlight. (Obviously this does have a backlight, but it's meant to be used only when there's very little ambient light.)
Your name is "iLoveApple". that's more than enough to tell me that insulting an Apple product will annoy you
I hate my iMac.
That was a lie.
Sorry.
*Licks screen*
..what.. no phone?
I am quite content with my Colorado.
Almost all outdoorsy electronic navigation things have a barometric altimeter (seriously!)
I'd rather have a camera with built-in GPS, than a GPS with a built-in camera.
Amen!
The Nokia n97 is a way better alternative, plus awesome array of features and its also phone.
Good luck using that in the rain, or when it is -40 outside.
Seriously, comparing a Nokia n97 with an Oregon is just pathetic - Does your Nokia even have topographical maps available?
It's people who go outdoors thinking their mobile phone will rescue them that end up on the news when they are found under 10 feet of snow frozen to death.
Then who was GPS?
Topographic maps are available for S60 actually. But even so, comparing a dedicated GPS device to something on a phone is a bit silly.
Unless you really want to be left without GPS guiding if you stay on the phone for too long and the battery runs out ;)
I'm with Scooby on this one. I clean off my e-trex Vista by running it under the tap. The only way I'd try that with my N95 is if it were in the Pelican case I bought for it.
it be really col for one day you'll be able to take a picture of something and the GPS will know where your at by that, but then again, why would you need it when you have a GPS in your hands anyways to tell you where your standing, lol, just a thought tho
Uhm. Geotagging. Yeah.
Garmin mobile phone in 3...2...1...
I'll just leave this here...
http://www.garminasus.com/
How could I forget about that :O
if its display is equal to the oregon 300's display, than using "sunlight-readable touch panel" is just a complete lie. fact is that oregon 300 is just a complete no go as its display is not made for outdoor use (but then again, who uses gps outdoors?!!!). i think i stay with my excellent Garmin 60Csx with an excellent display. Although the touch screen approach is definitely cool. But on the other hand, what's the use of being able to display heart rate and cadence frequency on the oregon if you can't export it to Garmin's training center software?
I use my iPhone for all my GPS needs and it works perfectly. It is very convenient since I can have a phone, an iPod, and internet communicator too everywhere I go.
Right up to the point where your battery is flat, and you can't change it.
Seriously? Do you really think your iPhone is on the same level as this device for GPS and outdoors use? Do you really think your half inch think, non-replaceable battery, afraid to let it touch a drop of water iPhone is comparable?
If yes: Stop deep throating your iPhone. It is obviously obstructing your breathing and oxygen to your brain
If no: Good, now don't bring something irrelevant like that up again
This is mainly for people who will need it in more rural areas. Most phones only cover cities, which obviously is pointless when your on top of a mountain (or hill/fell). Also, most phones or normal GPS devices would probably break within a few hours. Few people also seem to have noticed that it can run off AA batteries, which is a god send! (for this type of device).
For those comparing it to phones (the iPhone seems to be a favorite), don't bother, they occupy different markets (there places that aren't urban and yes, they do matter).
PS The people who compare iPhones to everything, just seem to want to say anything but what the "great/beloved/whatever else" Apple produce. Damn, I hate fan boys.