GPS Maps

[Alan K]

Hey guys,

I'm really getting close to pulling the trigger on the Garmin Oregon 550.  What has me worried however, is the Basecamp application it's supposed to use in combination with Birds Eye for aerial photos.  (Aerial photos are a must for me)

I've read a lot of poor reviews on slow download speeds etc. from the Garmin servers as well as some crashing issues when you get too many aerials loaded even if you have plenty of space on the computer and GPS unit.  Anyone out there with the Oregon 550 have any comment or experience with this?

Also, I've seen a lot of reviews point in the direction of the 550 over the 550t because you can find a lot of similar maps to what comes preloaded on the 550t elsewhere for little or no charge. Has anyone gone out and found these map sites? How about ease of use/installation?

I consider myself fairly computer savvy so I'd like to think I could figure out getting maps from various sources transferred.  Anyone have any insight on alternate programs similar to Basecamp? I've heard of some people using MapSource I think is what it's called.

How have your experiences been with transferring maps to your GPS been in general? Easy/difficult? Tedious? 

These things are so much more involved and high tech than my old etrex!  Appreciate any help you guys can share. I'm feel confident I can figure it out but am worried I might get overwhelmed at the same time. 

[Bob33]

I have Garmin 60x series GPS units. I've loaded various maps from various sources, including some custom made maps I made myself.  I load them from Mapsource, which is Garmin's older version equivalence of Basecamp.

It's really not that difficult.  There is a small learning curve.  If you're at all computer savvy, you will not have a problem.

Personally, I would advise against getting units with pre-loaded maps.  I think you can do better by loading your own.

[ORCA_SIX]

I also have the Garmin 60 CSX. It works great and I can use it driving also. Why do you wan to go with the touch screen? I do like the idea of the camera with a GPS location imprint.

[JBR]

Alan,

I got the Delorme PN-40 2 years ago because of several reasons, but a couple are that it comes pre-loaded with full 7.5 USGS QUAD topo maps of the entire US (read: you don't have to purchase seperate topo maps from your state at around $100 ea and load them) AND you can download AERIAL MAPS.  You pay $29.95 a year to subscribe to their Map Library, where you can download (pretty easily) hi-res full color aerial maps, NOAA Nautical maps, as well as Canadian topo maps! 

It has blazing-fast, high-sensitivity 32-channel STMicroelectronics Cartesio chipset and Dual-core processor for instantaneous map and satellite imagery redraws, even with large aerial imagery files and multiple maps layers.  As they say, why settle for just one map?

You can zoom into your hi-res topo maps, then boom, you have color aerial imagery of the same area.  I have used this on several scouting trips and hunts, especially when I want to see what the vegetation (trees, meadows, rocks, etc) actually LOOKS like just over that next ridge, before going there.  Yes, topo maps will show green areas for vegetation and white for "open" areas, but if you want to actually SEE it, now you can. 
https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=30536&section=10047

It's awesome.  I also use the first edition SPOT satellite messenger, but if I was in the market for a new setup, I would hands down get the NEW Delorme PN-60, new SPOT satellite messenger combo!  https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?beginIndex=0&item=30786&section=10047

Just my .2 cents.  Good luck with whatever you get.

[MtnMuley]

Unlesss you're in need of a small megapixel camera, the 550 isn't the way to go.  Personally, I'd save a little money and buy the Oregon 450T with 3D topo mapping.  Has all the features of the 550 minus the camera.  Also Montana Mapping has excellent 24K maps for the Oregon units.  In another month or so they will be launching a few new maps of some western states with landowner names also, so you might wait to buy maps until then.  Their website is : huntinggpsmaps.com

[Alan K]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

The 550's touch screen and geotagging camera are what really have me sold on it, something I haven't seen on any other GPS's. (If they are out there, please let me know!)

I'm mainly into the touch screen simply because I've been using a smart phone (Droid) for the last year and have gotten used to the simplicity and ease of use of touch screens.

For the camera, I like the idea of being able to take the GPS out scouting and snap tagged pictures of any points of interest like beds, rubs, benches, vantage points, etc.  Also, while out shed hunting it would be great to take tagged photos of all the sheds I find ATL.  Way points are alright, and I know you can still take a picture with your regular camera and later match it to the stored way point coordinates, but I like the idea of having it all in one.

Some more questions. . . .

Is it possible to subscribe to the Delorme Map Library with a Garmin unit or do they have different file types so that you have to buy their product to use their maps?

MtnMuley, that looks like a great site there, I already see some maps I'd be interested in.  So the 450 probably uses the same Basecamp map transferring software as the 550 correct?  Have you had any problems with that as far as the slow speeds or computer crashing when you get a lot of maps loaded?

Thanks guys!

[MtnMuley]

Yes it is Alan.  I buy the "chips" of the other states, so I just plug and play when I go to that certain state.  The other way is to download that version on your PC and buy a big sims card to insert in the back to save all the info.  One advantage to this way is Montana Mapping will upgrade your software when it becomes available, whereas to the chips that I use, I'm stuck with that chip.  Also, I'm almost positive that you can't use the Delorme Mapping library with the Garmins.  That's why they offer the subscription to Birdseye.

[JBR]

Also, I'm almost positive that you can't use the Delorme Mapping library with the Garmins.  That's why they offer the subscription to Birdseye.

Agreed.