Garmin has announced that it will be offering new models in the Oregon series:
- Garmin Oregon 600
- Garmin Oregon 600t
- Garmin Oregon 650
- Garmin Oregon 650t
Here is a brief introduction to Garmin’s new outdoor GPS units
A Garmin Oregon 600 review / Garmin Oregon 650 review will follow as soon as the units are available!
Garmin Oregon 600 / 600t
The screen of the Oregon 600 / 650 has a resolution of 240×400 pixels, just like the Oregon 400 /450 . The touchscreen is now more robust and is said to support multi-touch gestures.
As before, the base model Garmin Oregon 600 comes with a compass and barometer. New are ANT+ and Bluetooth 4.0, with which the Oregon can now also transfer pictures and “Custom Maps” from unit to unit.
Also new is that the battery compartment has room for two AA cells or, alternatively, a Garmin NiMH battery pack. The Garmin pack – and only this one – can also be charged inside the unit. Besides GPS (Navstar), the Russian GLONASS satellites are now supported as well.
The Garmin Oregon 600t comes with the familiar recreational map. The models have 8 GB of internal memory – on the t model, 4 GB are apparently reserved for the map.
The Garmin Oregon 600 and 600t models have no built-in camera.
Garmin Oregon 650 / 650t
That camera, with 8 megapixels and a small flash, is found on the Garmin Oregon 650 and Garmin Oregon 650t models (predecessor: Garmin Oregon 550)
Independently of the camera function, the flash can also be used as a torch or as a flashing light.
An S.O.S. function is also provided – the light flashes in the familiar rhythm.
The top model, the Oregon 650t, again additionally comes with the recreational map.
Link with more information (in English): https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=113548&ra=true
Pictures of the Garmin Oregon 600 / 650t
Source: Garmin.com
Connecting the Garmin Oregon 600 to the Android app or the iPhone
According to Garmin’s press release, the newly added wireless Bluetooth / Bluetooth low-energy interface is meant to open up completely new possibilities. With this interface, the new Oregons can easily be connected to a smartphone or tablet, making it possible to exchange data between the devices.
Garmin gives this example:
“Spontaneously search for routes or geocaches in the new Garmin BaseCamp app while out and about and load them onto the device, or archive GPS data already stored on the device directly online or share it with friends. To use the online functions via Bluetooth and smartphone, the free Garmin BaseCamp app is required. It is currently already available for iOS devices; an Android version will follow”.
The display of the Oregon 600 / Oregon 650t
With the old Oregon 450 and also the Oregon 550, there were repeated complaints about the display. In many situations its readability left a lot to be desired – Garmin seems to have recognised that too. The new display is said to be noticeably brighter and higher in contrast. Garmin claims it is very easy to read in all lighting conditions. It now also switches automatically between portrait and landscape.
Garmin’s press release goes on to say about the display:
“The Oregon 600 and Oregon 650 are the first handheld GPS units with a capacitive display. As on a smartphone, such a display allows multi-touch gestures – even with gloves! Operation with several fingers, e.g. pinch-to-zoom with two fingers, is child’s play, and the responsiveness of the touchscreen is impressive and puts all previous outdoor devices in the shade.”
Since I personally was never entirely happy with the display of the otherwise good and reliable Garmin Oregon 450 (there were already much better touchscreens on the market when the 450 came out), I am looking forward to testing the unit and will report on my experience here.
Specifications / technical data of the Oregon 600
- Size: 6.1 x 11.4 x 3.3 cm
- Display: 3 inches, 240 x 400 pixels
- Weight: 210 g with batteries
- Power: 2 AA
- USB 2.0
- 8 GB internal memory
- microSD card slot
- 4,000 waypoints
- 10,000 track points
- routing mode for car navigation on roads
- electronic 3-axis compass
- paperless geocaching
- wireless transfer
- picture viewer
- hunt/fish calendar, sun and moon, …
Prices of the Garmin Oregon 600 and Garmin Oregon 650 in the USA:
- Oregon 600: USD 399.99
- Oregon 600t: USD 479.99
- Oregon 650: USD 479.99
- Oregon 650t: USD 549.99
