Garmin Oregon 300 GPS

Garmin Oregon 300 GPS - Versatile and affordable.

I am a little ashamed to admit that even though I am an avid backpacker and outdoor enthusiast, I have yet to ever purchase a GPS unit. Which is funny considering that I don’t feel like I can live with out the GPS unit in my car! Considering how much exploring my friends and I do in the mountains of Tennessee, it is also strange that I don’t own one. In fact, I have actually been using my iPhone to drop pins and mark locations. While it works fine for that, the maps don’t actually load when out of service. Needless to say I have started shopping around for one. I am currently looking at the Garmin Oregon 300 GPS Unit.

The two things that caught my attention about the Garmin Oregon 300 GPS Unit is that it is small and uses a touch screen. Ever since owning an iPhone, I feel like everything hand held should use a touch screen. The Garmin Oregon 300 GPS Unit features a touch screen that is easy to understand and super easy to use. The “buttons” are large enough that you don’t have to struggle to push them, which is always a plus on touch screens.

If you are into geocaching as a hobby, you might find the particularly interesting. The Garmin Oregon 300 GPS Unit supports GPX files from geaocaching.com. These files will give you all the information you could want for a geocache; including hints, descriptions, difficulty, and more. So if you are looking at getting into geocaching, the Garmin Oregon 300 GPS Unit can help you get started fast!

The quick & dirty:

Where you can get one:
Amazon.com: $402

Why they rock:

• Large, sunlight-readable screen offers crystal-clear colors and high-resolution images
• Easy, intuitive touchscreen operation is fun and simple to use
• Waterproof MicroSD card slot for storing additional data; accepts Garmin MapSource and BlueChart data cards and software
• Built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter provide additional navigational aid
• Supports Geocaching.com GPX files for downloading detailed geocache descriptions, terrain, difficulty and hints directly into GPS unit
• Groundspeak’s Wherigo Player application comes pre-installed and includes an instructional tutorial; learn more at www.wherigo.com
• Basemap with 850 MB built-in memory stores up to 1,000 waypoints, 50 routes and 20 tracks with up to 10,000 points; Digital Elevation Model shading enhances map view
• Enjoy effortless sharing of waypoints, tracks, routes and geocache locations between Oregon and Colorado series units with ANT wireless communication function
• High sensitivity receiver and HotFix satellite prediction provide rapid first fix and help maintain signal, even in urban canyons and under dense foliage
• WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) enabled receiver delivers accuracy to within 10 ft. in North America
• Offers configurable profiles for end use—auto, marine, recreation, fitness or geocaching
• Operates on two AA batteries (sold separately)
• Rugged, waterproof construction protects unit from bumps, dust and moisture; meets IEC 60529 lPX7 standards (can be submerged 1m for up to 30 minutes)

Seat-of-the-pants rating: 9 out of 10

After looking at all the features of the Garmin Oregon 300 GPS Unit I thought it was cool, but expected to see a pretty hefty price tag. After all, the Garmin Oregon 300 GPS Unit is compact, has a color screen, and uses a touch screen. One would expect to pay top dollar for that sort of thing, but the Garmin Oregon 300 GPS Unit only costs around $400. Not to shabby eh?

Looking to Buy? Check out these sites:
Amazon.com: $402