Perks
Garmin has developed one of the first handheld GPS units with a built-in digital camera and picture viewer. It also has a rugged touch screen navigation system with color display. The Garmin gets amazing satellite signals even in covered places, such as canyons, where other models will loose signal.
Sacrifices
Although the Garmin Oregon 550 comes with a preloaded map, it is very basic and lacks detail and topography. New maps typically cost more than $100 in 2009. Features such as the camera, picture viewer, games, and back-lit screen drain the battery quickly, which could leave you stranded in the woods with a dead GPS unit.
Bottom Line
The Garmin Oregon 550 is a rugged and functionable GPS unit, but it is priced very high for some of the functions it is lacking. GPS units of similar quality can be found for half the price.
