Garmin Oregon 400i GPS Review

Garmin Oregon 400i GPS – Simple and powerful.

Interested in getting a hand held GPS unit but aren’t the most tech savvy person out there? If so, then finding an easy-to-use handheld GPS is of the utmost importance.

Otherwise, you will just end up frustrated and not using your expensive GPS very often. Lucky for you, hand held GPS units have come a long way over the years. There are GPS units for everyone from the extreme novice to serious backcountry enthusiasts. If you are one of the novices out there, you will be interested in the simplicity of the Garmin Oregon 400i GPS.

As I said before, if you are a bit technologically challenged, then the Garmin Oregon 400i GPS is perfect for you. The unit extremely user friendly. Part of what makes the Garmin Oregon 400i GPS so easy to use is it touch screen interface. The home screen of the unit is filled with large buttons that are well labeled for all of the most common tasks and features of the unit. Doing things like dropping waypoints, viewing the map, and getting directions are all just a touch away.

The Garmin Oregon 400i GPS features a large display that is full of color. More importantly, this full color screen is easy to read in almost any lighting condition. Even in bring sunlight, the screen on the Garmin Oregon 400i GPS is still easy to read. The unit is also built tough. The entire GPS Unit is built in a tough waterproof housing. This housing not only protects it from water, but also protects against dust, dirt, and even prolonged submersion in hallow depths.

The quick & dirty:

Where you can get one:
Amazon.com: $399

Why they rock:

• Enjoy vibrant mapping with preloaded U.S. Inland Lakes software and worldwide basemap
• Large, sunlight-readable screen offers crystal-clear colors and high-resolution images
• Easy, intuitive touchscreen operation is enjoyable 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
• Built-in basemap stores up to 1,000 waypoints, 50 routes and 20 tracks with up to 10,000 points
• 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 and geocaching
• Operates on 2 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 min.)
• Compatible with Garmin heart rate monitors and GSC 10 Speed and Cadence Sensor, sold separately
• Features JPG image viewer, outdoor GPS games, hunt/fish calendar and sun/moon/tide data

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

I know I have pointed out that the Garmin Oregon 400i GPS is extremely user friendly and great fr those who are new to the whole GPS thing, but that’s not to say the the unit isn’t powerful. The Garmin Oregon 400i GPS is very feature rich and has many, if not all, of the features the average user could want.

Looking to Buy? Check out these sites:
Amazon.com: $399