Garmin makes global positioning systems for navigational use in aviation, automobile and for outdoor enthusiasts. The 550 and 550t models are part of Garmin's Oregon series, which features Garmin's first handheld, touchscreen GPS devices. The 550 and 550t GPS models are high-end and are intended for serious topography and trekking use.
The Oregon 550
The Oregon 550 is a handheld GPS unit with a 3-inch touchscreen for effortless navigation. The 550 also serves as a 3.2 megapixel camera, which automatically "geotags" each picture you capture with the location of where it was taken. As an extra feature, you can upload and store your photos from your GPS unit to the Picassa Web-based photo sharing community. The 550 has a "built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass," which displays where you're going even when you're standing still. Its "barometric altimeter" tracks pressure changes to pinpoint your exact altitude and you can use it to monitor changing barometric pressure to see changing weather conditions.
The Oregon 550t
As with the 550, the 550t also features a 3-inch sunlight-readable, color touchscreen for easy navigation, as wells as the 3.2 megapixel camera that "geotags" your images. It also features the 550's "built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass." Essentially, it can do everything that the 550 can. However, it does have its upgrades. The 550t comes loaded with built-in, detailed U.S. topographic information for the lower 48 states, as well as a worldwide base-map, all for serious hikers and trekkers. The 550 model requires that you buy and load extra maps to your GPS unit.
Oregon 550 and 550t Differences
Besides the U.S. topography maps being pre-installed in the Oregon 550t, there are basic internal memory differences between the two models. The Oregon 550 comes with 1GB of memory, whereas the 550t comes with 4GB of memory. Memory cards are available as separate accessories.
The Oregon 550 and 550t Prices
The last key difference between the two Oregon models is the price. At the time of publication, the 550t model is priced at $100 more than the 550. With the main distinctions being the 550t's preloaded topography maps and the 550t's superior memory, it's up to you as the consumer to decide if those upgrades are worth that extra $100. At the time of publication, the 550 GPS model sells for $499 and the 550t sells for $599.
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