Lift the latch on the back of the Oregon to remove the battery cover.
The Oregon 400t is powered by two AA batteries.
According to Garmin, Lithium and NiMH rechargeable less than a year old with a capacity greater than 2500 mAh will provide the longest battery life. So be forewarned: high performance batteries = longer battery life; el cheapo batteries = shorter battery life.
The Oregon microSD data card tray is located under the AA batteries.
The Oregon 400t has 4 GB of internal memory, of which about 1.1 GB is free and available to store tracks, waypoints, routes, and additional maps. If you need more storage, for example to install additional maps, you'll need to purchase and install a microSD data card.
Insert the AA batteries into the Oregon 400t, making sure to observe the correct polarity.
Replace the battery cover and push the latch down to secure the cover.
With the batteries installed, press and hold the power button to power on the Oregon.
When you turn on the Oregon 400t, the Main Menu appears.
The Main Menu is spread across four pages of icon. Use the left and right arrow keys to scroll from one page to the next. The first screen of icons, shown above, displays the most commonly used items:
Note that the order of the cons displayed on the Main Menu can be customized to your own preferences by tapping Setup -> Main Menu. Items can be moved up or down the list, according to your own preferences.
The second set of icons on the Main menu (accessed by tapping the right arrow at the bottom of the screen) include the following items by default:
6. Oregon's Screen Brightness
Figure 24: Garmin Oregon versus nuvi Screen BrightnessThe Oregon's LCD display isn't as brightly backlit as some other GPS units. When viewed indoors next to a Garmin nuvi 660, the Oregon's screen looks downright dim, as shown above in the side-by-side comparison photo.
In fairness, it should be noted that the Oregon's battery lasts 2-3 times longer than the nuvi 660's.
Figure 25: Screen Brightness in Direct SunlightIn direct, bright sunlight, the Oregon 400t's display can be hard to see, even with the brightness turned all the way up.
7. Geocaching With The Oregon 400t
Geocaching is a GPS assisted treasure hunt where "Geocachers" seek hidden treasure, or "caches" using GPS coordinates posted on the Internet. Geocaching is growing in popularity, and a fantastic way to discover new places and enjoy the outdoors. A more extensive explanation of Geocaching, and how to get started can be found on
Geocaching.com's FAQ page, but the short version is:
- Go to www.geocaching.com
- Register for a free basic membership
- Search for a geocache
- Connect the Oregon 400t to your MAC or PC using the included USB cable
- Click Send to GPS for the geocache you want to transfer. Follow the on-screen instructions
The Oregon 400t has a dedicated Geocaching profile that places Geocaching-specific features on the main menu and adjusts several GPS settings.
Figure 26: Garmin Communicator Plugin DownloadYou can download Geocaching.com cache files manually and transfer them to the Oregon, but a far easier solution is to download and install
Garmin's Communicator Plugin. The plugin is free, works on the PC or MAC, and is compatible with Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.
Figure 27: Begin the Installer ProgramAccept the License Agreement and click Next to begin installing Garmin's Communicator Plugin.
Figure 28: Installation CompleteThe installer completes in minute or two. Click Done to close the installer.
Figure 29: Letting Windows Detect the Oregon 400tConnect the Oregon 400t to your MAC or PC using the included USB cable. If you're a PC user, wait until Windows finishes detecting and installing the USB drivers for the Oregon.
Figure 30: Communicator Plugin Test PageAfter the installer completes, the Communicator Test Page appears and verifies that the plugin installed correctly.
Figure 31: Geocaching.com ListingsHead over to Geocaching.com and register for a free account if you don't already have one. Then search for Geocaches, place a check mark next to the cache(s) you want to transfer to the Oregon. Then click on the Send to GPS icon, shown above in figure 28.
Figure 32: Allow Access to the PluginDepending on your operating system and browser, you may be prompted to allow the Garmin Communicator Plugin to access your browser. Click Yes to continue.
Figure 33: Send to GPSClick Write in the Communicator window to transfer the selected cache(s) to the Oregon 400t.
Figure 34: Transfer SuccessfulThe Communicator Plugin displays a confirmation message that the Geocache .gpx file was successfully transferred to the Oregon.
Figure 35: Changing ProfilesA profile is a collection of settings that quickly configures the Oregon for a specific purpose, and arranges icons on the menu in order of usefulness for the task at hand.
The Oregon 400t comes with the following profiles pre-configured:
- Recreational
- Geocaching
- Automotive
- Marine
- Fitness
Before heading out on a Geocache, you'll want to put the Oregon into Geocaching mode by tapping on Main Menu -> Profiles -> Geocaching.
Figure 36: Geocaching ProfileActivating the Geocaching profile configures settings such as data fields, units of measurements, position settings and more.
Note: It's also possible to create your own custom profiles by tapping on Main Menu > Setup > Profiles > Create New Profile.
Figure 37: Geocaches
Tap Geocaches from the Main Menu.
Figure 38: View your geocachesTap Find a Geocache from the View your geocaches screen.
Tapping on Show Found displays a list of geocaches that have been marked 'found' on the Oregon.
Figure 39: Viewing GeocachesTouch the name of the Geocache you want to locate. Geocaches can also be listed by their name or geocache code (i.e. GCXXXX).
Figure 40: Viewing the Geocache on the MapAfter tapping on a geocache from the previous screen, the Oregon 400t displays the map screen. The geocache's location is marked with a pushpin.
Touching the Geocache's name displays additional details about the cache (shown below). Touching the large green Go button begins navigation to the geocache.
Figure 41: Viewing Additional Information For the GeocacheThe Oregon's ability to accept .gpx files directly from Geocaching.com using Garmin's plugin is a great time saver, and makes loading waypoints/Geocaches onto the GPS a snap. However, a major limitation is that detailed cache information is only available to premium geocaching.com members (premium membership costs $30/Year).
So unless you're a premium member, you'll likely still want to bring a printout of the Geocache's details with you.
Figure 42: 2D Map ScreenTapping GO on the Geocache details page brings up the 2D map screen, shown above. The route you should follow is highlighted in magenta.
Figure 43: 3D ViewThe Oregon 400t comes preloaded with DEM (digital elevation model) mapping data that can be viewed as a 3D map, shown above. When navigating to a destination, the route you should follow is highlighted in magenta.
Figure 44: Compass PageMost of the time you'll use the compass page when walking to a destination. The compass page displays an electronic compass with a red bearing pointer, and also displays speed, distance to the next turn, estimated arrival time, and time to the next turn.
- Speed
- Distance to next turn
- Estimated time of arrival
- Time to next turn
- Direction you are currently traveling
- Bearing to destination
- Exit to Main Menu
Note: the information displayed in the four available data fields can be changed to suit your own preferences by tapping the item you want to change.
The red bearing pointer always points towards your destination.
When stationary or walking, the electronic compass works like a magnetic compass. If your speed increases to driving speeds, the compass uses GPS signals to determine your direction.
Garmin's older GPSMAP 60CSx had several handy shortcuts for switching between the compass and map screens. Unfortunately, the Oregon doesn't have a shortcut way to toggle between screens, so you'll have to hop through the main menu each time you want to switch screens.
Figure 45: Trip ComputerThe Trip Computer displays your current speed, average speed, maximum speed, trip odometer, stopped time, and more. The Trip Computer can be reset at any time by touching Setup > Reset > Reset Trip Data > Yes.
The Trip Computer displays slightly different information depending on the selected profile. For example, when set to use the Recreation profile, the Trip Computer screen displays sunsrise and sunset information at the top. When set to the Geocaching profile, as shown above, the Trip Computer displays the Geocache's code in the upper left corner, along with a red arrow pointing in the direction of the Geocache, and the distance to the cache.
Figure 46: Elevation PlotThe Oregon can record elevation changes over distance or time, or pressure changes over time. To view an elevation plot of your course, touch Elevation Plot from the main menu. Touch the plus and minus icons to adjust the distance or time scale.
More detailed information can be viewed by touching a point on the plot. The time, date, and elevation information are displayed for the chosen point.
Figure 47: Logging A GeocacheOnce you've reached the Geocache, you can log the found status directly on the Oregon, marking the cache as Found, Did Not Find, Needs Repair, or Unattempted.
8. Whereigo
Figure 48: WhereigoOregon is compatible with Whereigo gameplay. Whereigo (pronounced "where I go") is a new location-based adventure game invented by Groundspeak, and combines Geocaching with role-based characters, puzzle solving, and elaborate story lines.
By combining virtual and real-world elements, Whereigo aims to bring geocaching to the next level by creating an outdoor adventure game in which a GPS is used to guide you to physical locations and you interact with virtual objects and characters. More detailed information on Whereigo'ing is available at
www.whereigo.com.
Whereigo games are called "cartridges", and must be downloaded onto the Colorado via a Mac or PC.
Figure 49: Whereigo Demo Cartridge Oregon includes a Whereigo tutorial that explains the basics. To access the Whereigo tutorial, touch Main Menu (page 2) > Whereigo > Whereigo Tutorial > Play.
9. Track Manager
A track is a recording of the path you have traveled. The Oregon can create and store track logs, and also share track logs with other Colorado and Oregon users wirelessly.
Figure 50: Configuring TracksBy default, whenever the Oregon is turned on and receiving GPS satellite signals, it is creating and storing track logs.
Track log settings can be configured by touching Main Menu > Setup > Tracks. The following options can be configured on this page:
- Track Log - turns track recording on or off
- Record Method - allows you to select a track recording method: distance, time, or auto. Auto is the default setting, and records the tracks at a variable rate to create an optimum representation of your tracks.
- Interval - allows you to increase or reduce the number of data points in a track log, creating more or less detailed logs. Recording points more frequently creates a more detailed track, but fills the log faster.
Figure 51: Track ManagerThe Track Manager is used to save, view, or clear your current track, load an archived track, or navigate a stored track.
Figure 52: TracbackOregon's Tracback function makes it easy to retrace the path you have taken, providing a large green Tracback button on the Current Track screen, shown above.
10. Sharing Wirelessly
Figure 53: Share WirelesslyThe Oregon can wirelessly share waypoints, routes, track, and Geocaches with another Oregon or Colorado GPS.
Access the wireless sharing feature by touching Share Wirelessly from the Main Menu.
Figure 54: Wirelessly Send or Receive DataOn the sending unit, touch Send. On the receiving GPS, touch Receive.
Garmin's documentation says the maximum distance between handhelds that will work is 10 feet, so be sure both the sending and receiving handhelds are within 10 feet of each other.
Figure 55: Select the Type of Data to Send WirelesslyNext choose what type of data you want to send. Waypoints, Routes, Tracks, and Geocaches can be sent wirelessly.
Figure 56: Sending DataIn this example, I'm wirelessly sending a Geocache to another handheld. After choosing "Geocaches" as the type of data I want to transmit, the Oregon lists all Geocaches and allows you to select one for transmission. Touch Send on the screen shown above to begin sending.
Figure 57: Connecting to Another UnitAfter tapping Send, the Oregon begin searching for nearby handhelds within range.
11. Sun and Moon
Figure 58: Sun and MoonTo view sun and moon information, touch Sun and Moon from the Main Menu.
Figure 59: Sun and Moon PageThe Sun and Moon page shows sunrise time, sunset time, moonrise time, moonset time, and moon phase or a specified date.
You can tap a specific date on the calendar, or use the left and right arrows to scroll through the days to view sun and moon information for a different date.
12. Hunt and Fish
Figure 60: Hunt and FishThe Oregon 400t includes a hunting and fishing almanac that provides the predicted best dates and times for hunting and fishing at your current location.
13. Calendar
Figure 61: CalendarOregon includes a basic calendar. Touch Calendar from the Main Menu to view it.
14. Calculator
Figure 62: CalculatorOregon's calculator.
15. Alarm Clock
Figure 63: Alarm ClockThe Oregon can be set to turn on at a specified time, and sound an alarm. The alarm has a snooze function that silences the alarm for 10 minutes.
16. Stopwatch
Figure 64: StopwatchThe included stopwatch function can be used as a simple timer, or can mark laps, view last lap time, total elapsed time, total time excluding the current lap, and average lap time, excluding the current lap.
17. Using Oregon With A Heart Rate Monitor or Cadence Bike Sensor
When paired with Garmin's optional heart rate monitor and/or speed/cadence bike sensor, the Oregon can display your heart rate and pedaling cadence. Heart rate and cadence values are then listed as data-field options on the Map page, Compass page, and trip computer screen.
Garmin's optional heart rate monitor retails for $60, as does the bike cadence sensor, although both can be found online for considerably less.
Figure 65: SetupTo begin pairing the Oregon with a heart rate monitor or bike sensor, touch Setup from the Main Menu.
Figure 66: Setup PageChoose Fitness from the Setup page.
Figure 67: Sensor StatusTouch Heart Rate Monitor or Bike Cadence Sensor, depending which device you want to pair.
It is possible to use both the heart rate monitor and the bike cadence sensor at the same time.
Figure 68: Select ModeTouch On or Off to turn the sensor on or off, or touch Search for new to pair the Oregon with a new sensor.
Note: you only have to pair the Oregon with a heart rate monitor or bike sensor once. After that, whenever the two devices are within range of each other, the Oregon will automatically connect.
18. Oregon vs. Colorado
Figure 69: Garmin Oregon versus ColoradoPhysically, the most obvious difference between the Oregon and Colorado is the Oregon's touchscreen. Unlike the Colorado's "Rock'n Roll" scroll wheel, all operations on the Oregon are performed via the 3-inch color touchscreen display. The Oregon is also a little lighter (6.8 oz versus 7.3 oz with batteries), smaller, and has slightly better battery life than the Colorado.
The Oregon feels easier to hold in the palm of your hand, and the plastic case is less scratch prone than Colorado's brushed metal finish. The Oregon has an internal patch antenna instead of Colorado's top-mounted quad-helix antenna, and accepts microSD cards instead of the SD cards used by the Colorado. The Oregon 400t also includes a carabiner lanyard attachment.
Oregon's interface is much easier to use than Colorado's; all functions on the Oregon have a dedicated icon on the main menu, and it's easy to navigate the user interface touch screen. By contrast, text entry on the Colorado is slow going, and the software can be confusing.
When I
reviewed Garmin's Colorado handheld back in January 2008, some readers felt I wasn't critical enough of the Colorado's dim LCD display, shorter battery life (compared to the older GPSMAP 60CSx), and the fixed orientation compass instead of a multi-axis compass. Some users also reported poor GPS accuracy on the Colorado, and wished Garmin had opted for a touch-screen interface instead of the "Rock'n Roll" scroll-wheel.
The Oregon delivers the touchscreen some users longed for, but screen brightness is still an issue, the compass is still not 3D (so you have to hold the compass level), and battery life is only marginally improved. GPS sensitivity was about the same in my testing (both the Oregon and the Colorado lag behind the GPSMAP 60CSx's GPS signal strength).
Below is a more detailed table of differences between the Colorado and Oregon handheld GPS units:
| | Colorado | Oregon |
| Input Control: | Rock'n Roller | Touch screen |
| Carabiner clip: | No | Yes |
| Weight: | 7.3 oz (206.9 g) | 6.8 oz (192.7 g) |
| Antenna: | Quad-helix | Patch |
| Dimensions: | 2.4" x 5.5" x 1.4" (6.0 x 13.9 x 3.5 cm) | 2.3" x 4.5" x 1.4" (5.8 x 11.4 x 3.5 cm)
|
| Expandable storage: | SD | Micro SD |
| Storage card location: | SD memory card slot | Under the batteries |
| GPS chipset: | MediaTek MTK MT3318 | ST Cartesio (STA2062) *unverified |
| External antenna connector: | Yes | No |
| Power-on to firs screen: | 20 seconds | 10 seconds |
| HotFixTM (fast location fix): | No | Yes |
| Automatic time zone setting: | No | Yes |
| Delete recent finds: | Yes | No |
| Report on % memory used for waypoitns / tracks: | No | Yes |
| Restore to factory defaults: | No | Yes |
| Remembers backlight settings across power cycle: | No | Yes |
| Text entry method: | Rock'n Roller | touch screen |
| Contextual help displayed on pages: | No | Yes |
| Track-up/North-up on satellite page: | Yes | No |
| Set location on map to start GPS: | Yes | No |
| Manual auto-locate position: | Yes | No |
| Show data fields on map only during navigation: | No | Yes |
| Track-up/North-up on map page: | No | Yes |
| Search from location on map: | Yes | No |
| Dynamic distance and bearing to selected point on map page: | No | Yes |
| Fast "mark waypoint" capability: | Yes (press & hold enter) | No |
| Track Manager: | No | Yes |
| Turn indicators on Active Route: | Yes | No |
| Detour: | Yes | No |
| Recalculate on/off option: | No | Yes |
| Stop navigation under Where To? menu: | No | Yes |
| Route elevation plot: | Yes | Yes |
| "Stop Navigation" location: | Shortcuts menu | Where To? menu |
| Add point to route from Map: | Yes | No |
| Zoom control for altitude axis: | Yes | No (Automatic) |
| Odometer dashboards: | Automatic | Auto, Geocaching, Default |
| Odometer data fields: | 6 small + 2 big | 8 small |
| Bug numbers odometer: | Yes | No |
| Geocaches in Recent Finds: | No | Yes |
| Select point from map in Geocache mode: | No | Yes |
19. Oregon vs. nuvi 500
Figure 70: Garmin Oregon versus nuvi 500Garmin recently released the
nuvi 500, an all-in-one crossover GPS designed for driving, boating, and outdoor recreation.
Although both the Oregon and the nuvi 500 have Topo maps installed and can be used outdoors, the nuvi 500 is primarily an automotive GPS and an outdoor GPS second.
The Oregon lacks a speaker, so there's no verbal navigation announcements. You'll also need to buy additional maps for the Oregon if you want to get turn-by-turn routing in automotive mode. The Oregon also doesn't come with a vehicle windshield mount.
The nuvi 500 supports Geocaching, off-road, and boating navigation, but it doesn't have anywhere near the outdoor feature set of the Oregon.
If you'll primarily be using the GPS in the car, and want a single device that can pull double (or triple) duty off-road or on the water, the nuvi 500 is the best all-purpose GPS available. However, if you're looking for a dedicated handheld outdoor GPS and need more features, the Oregon is better suited to your needs.
