Garmin Oregon 600

[hoshour]

I was all set to buy a Garmin Oregon 600 until I checked the reviews on Amazon which were VERY mixed. That's a huge red flag for me.

There were numerous different things complained about, most saying it was a great idea but has too many bugs. I won't list the complaints here except the two most common, which were battery life and the device locking up.

On the other hand, I have seen some great reviews. I am planning to use it mainly to stay on public land and to get the contact information for landowners.

Anyone using this or similar (650, 600t)? I'd like to get your opinion before I drop nearly $400. If not, does anyone have another GPS they really like?

 

[clacklin009]

The Oregon is one of the best units available. No GPS with a large color screen will have great battery life. You can use lithium or nickle batteries to help out. One feature of the Oregon (and most new Garmins) that can drain the battery is connecting to both GPS and GLONASS all the time, you should connect to both only when needed.

 

[Alabama]

Talk about good timing. I was planning to buy the same model this week. I wish I had bought the 450t while it was on sale at Cabelas. Those older 450, 500 and 550 models didn't seem to have such bad reviews as the 600.

 

[WapitiBob]

I have a Montana 600. Works flawlessy but firmware is at 6.1.

Read thru this....

http://garminoregon6xx.wikispaces.com/

If just using for basecamp scouting and huntinggps chip, a 62s might be cheaper and all the features you want.

 

[hoshour]

Thanks, WB.

It seems the professional reviewers are blown away by the capabilities of the unit but I like to check the user experiences as well, especially when something is fairly new.

I rarely buy software the first year it's out (especially with Microsoft!!), and I may try to limp along this year with my phone and give Garmin time to work the bugs out. Or, since the issues sound like they are software-related, I may go ahead and buy it now and download the updates as they come out.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have had an Oregon 600 for over a year and I love it!!! I also have the Colorado Land owner chip. I don't have anything bad to say about it....oh yes, I get pretty good battery life too. In constant use they last a week or more.

 

[hoshour]

Interesting.
What do you do to get the longer battery life? Some Amazon reviews mentioned battery life as low as 13 hours so it sounds like maybe there is a difference in settings.

 

[tdub24]

I have the 62st and couldn't be happier. The battery life so far as been great, it has a feature for saving battery and so far the 2 AA I have in the GPS now have been in all day for about 3 or 4 different trips and it is still shows full power. I see that Garmin has come out with the 64 series GPS, might want to look into those.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Interesting.
What do you do to get the longer battery life? Some Amazon reviews mentioned battery life as low as 13 hours so it sounds like maybe there is a difference in settings.

I guess my definition of constant use is different that other s. I'll turn it on and get my location and starting point, then turn it off. Turn it back on when I want to mark something, and off again and so on. I don't usually turn it on and leave it on all day.

 

[tdub24]

I picked up the habit of making trails everywhere I go for future reference.....especially walks. That is my only reason for having it on all day.

 

[Musket Man]

Is the 600 the one with the camera? I got an Oregon 450t a couple years ago (on the Cabelas sale Alabama missed. lol) and I have been very happy with it and have no complaints at all! If Im not mistaken Mike Eastman used an Oregon 600 or 650.

 

[Alabama]

Is the 600 the one with the camera? I got an Oregon 450t a couple years ago (on the Cabelas sale Alabama missed. lol) and I have been very happy with it and have no complaints at all! If Im not mistaken Mike Eastman used an Oregon 600 or 650.

Rub it in why don't you.

 

[atrietch]

I have no problems with the Oregon 600. Works great with the landowner chips. I update with garmin whenever I goto the basemap to customize the Birdseye aerials. The battery save mode works well.
I would get a week out of it in backpacking in before I had to swap batteries.

 

[WapitiBob]

battery life info for a Montana 600 but probably applicable to the Oregon 600 as well:

http://garminmontanagpsr.wikispaces.com/Power+Sources#x-Maximizing Battery Life

I bought a handful of the Lithiums a cpl days ago after reading this and will test them this weekend. The Factory ION bat pack numbers are pretty accurate.

 

[11C50]

I have a Garmin Oregon 450t with a landowner chip, it worked wonderfully in the field, but even the 450t eats regular Duracell AA batteries like candy. Day to day and a half tops before they go dead. I'll try Lithium (as recommended) next time out.

 

[Murdy]

Is the 600 the one with the camera? I got an Oregon 450t a couple years ago (on the Cabelas sale Alabama missed. lol) and I have been very happy with it and have no complaints at all! If Im not mistaken Mike Eastman used an Oregon 600 or 650.

The 500 series has the camera. I have a 550t, and haven't had any problems with it. When I bought mine, I don't think there was a 600 series -- so maybe whatever the upgrade was to that series needs some time to work out the kinks.

 

[Ghostrider6]

I bought one about two weeks ago. It is a very good piece of equipment. I have taken it out on a couple of hikes and scouting trips and have had no issues.

 

[rhino57106]

I'm having the same issues. I've been told to buy the Oregon 450 or 650, but the reviews on the 62 seem to be better. I think I like the fact that the 62 has buttons, vs a touch screen. Since you'll probably have gloves on when hunting. I still don't know what to do!!

 

[Winchester]

I'm having the same issues. I've been told to buy the Oregon 450 or 650, but the reviews on the 62 seem to be better. I think I like the fact that the 62 has buttons, vs a touch screen. Since you'll probably have gloves on when hunting. I still don't know what to do!!

I recently bought a Garmin 62 from Cabella's ... I went with this over the Oregon because it was on sale (cheaper), it will do everything I need (especially with the landowner chip) and uses buttons which I find better in cold weather when wearing gloves than a touch screen.

 

[Sawfish]

I have a Garmin Oregon 450t with a landowner chip, it worked wonderfully in the field, but even the 450t eats regular Duracell AA batteries like candy. Day to day and a half tops before they go dead. I'll try Lithium (as recommended) next time out.

Lithium batteries are essential to get any kind of battery life in high drain appliances like GPS units. Turning off the constant tracking feature will also help preserve battery life.