I've been using a Garmin eTrex Venture HC for a few years.

I have the Paddlenav map and use Mapsource to arrange waypoints into routes and download to the etrex.

What I generally do when traveling in and out is activate a route and follow it waypoint 1, 2, 3, etc to the end.

Anybody used an Oregon 600 or eTrex ?

Does the Oregon 600 follow a route the same way the eTrex does?

Is the Oregon any faster to paint screens than the etrex?

Easier to read in daylight ?

thanks

There is a list of special interest groups at the bottom of the main messageboard page. One of them is a GPS group. You'll want to join that group to get the best information.

ETrex 20 is 2 generations newer and much more capable than your Venture. If you are investing in new and want the Oregon 600 you would be better served with the 700. Newer version with double+ waypoint/track/route storage.
Mapsource has been fully replaced with BaseCamp, and your RedPine PaddleNav will work fine in new models. Functionality is the same between models, just with newer interfaces and capabilities.
By all means check out GPS Forum!

butthead

PS: Just to be clear, I'm a pants and suspenders type. Do not rely on just a GPS device for navigation. Pair it with knowledge and use of maps and compass. bh

quote stubnt: "I've been using a Garmin eTrex Venture HC for a few years.

I have the Paddlenav map and use Mapsource to arrange waypoints into routes and download to the etrex.

What I generally do when traveling in and out is activate a route and follow it waypoint 1, 2, 3, etc to the end.

Anybody used an Oregon 600 or eTrex ?

Does the Oregon 600 follow a route the same way the eTrex does?

Is the Oregon any faster to paint screens than the etrex?

Easier to read in daylight ?

thanks"

Adding to what butthead has said, last year I took my new Oregon 600t with me and used the route option (I made the route in my home computer). It worked flawlessly and it was funny using the "turn by turn navigation" up in the bwca.

What are you using for batteries and how long are they lasting on your Oregon ?

quote stubnt: "What are you using for batteries and how long are they lasting on your Oregon ?"

I was using standard energizer AA batteries. Took a few with me just in case. Going in they lasted about 2-3 hours of i recall correctly of uninterrupted up time. But I did turn off display majority of the time during canoeing. The only time id turn on is when i heard the route beeps or when i wanted to know where exactly in the map I was.

2 to 3 hours?
Need to question that because I get 2 days of continuous travel use. Display on tracking on, backlite off sounds off, not following route just checking visually. 2 Energizer Lithium's, in Garmin ETrex 20/GPS60/GPS62 and Delorme PN 40se/60 units. Even actively routing geocache's will get 10 to 16 hours out of rechargeable nimh and standard alkalines. Never used an Oregon or Montana unit though.

butthead

quote butthead: "2 to 3 hours?
Need to question that because I get 2 days of continuous travel use. Display on tracking on, backlite off sounds off, not following route just checking visually. 2 Energizer Lithium's, in Garmin ETrex 20/GPS60/GPS62 and Delorme PN 40se/60 units. Even actively routing geocache's will get 10 to 16 hours out of rechargeable nimh and standard alkalines. Never used an Oregon or Montana unit though.


butthead"

It might have been more honestly I forgot if I changed to a set of new batteries on the return trip from the camp to the entry point. But I just keep a few extra standard alkalines just in case I am out of juice.

> "What are you using for batteries and how long are they lasting on your Oregon ?"

I've used an Oregon 450t for the last few years and I have always been able to get 16-18 hours of continuous use per pair of Energizer Lithium AA batteries.

There's no way a new pair of batteries would only give you 2-3 hours of use as listed in previous posts. My guess is that they didn't have new batteries or that they were old rechargeable batteries... hard to tell.

Per the specs on Garmin.com, my figure is also in-line with expected life:
Oregon 700: 16 hours https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/550460#specs
Oregon 600: 16 hours https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/113532#specs
eTrex 30x: 25 hours https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/518048#specs

I believe you should ALWAYS use Energizer Ultimate Lithium if you want the best life out of your small electronics. They don't necessarily have a $$$ to hours ratio but you will need to bring less and they weigh a lot less per battery. Unless you will use it often, don't go for the rechargeable battery pack. Those packs are not going to last anywhere near where they do the first time if they aren't discharged and recharged regularly.

In the menu for the Garmin Oregon you will need to make sure you choose the option that says you installed lithium batteries, this will ensure it draws power the most efficient way for them.

quote cuylar: "> "What are you using for batteries and how long are they lasting on your Oregon ?"


I've used an Oregon 450t for the last few years and I have always been able to get 16-18 hours of continuous use per pair of Energizer Lithium AA batteries.


There's no way a new pair of batteries would only give you 2-3 hours of use as listed in previous posts. My guess is that they didn't have new batteries or that they were old rechargeable batteries... hard to tell.


Per the specs on Garmin.com, my figure is also in-line with expected life:
Oregon 700: 16 hours https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/550460#specs
Oregon 600: 16 hours https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/113532#specs
eTrex 30x: 25 hours https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/518048#specs


I believe you should ALWAYS use Energizer Ultimate Lithium if you want the best life out of your small electronics. They don't necessarily have a $$$ to hours ratio but you will need to bring less and they weigh a lot less per battery. Unless you will use it often, don't go for the rechargeable battery pack. Those packs are not going to last anywhere near where they do the first time if they aren't discharged and recharged regularly.


In the menu for the Garmin Oregon you will need to make sure you choose the option that says you installed lithium batteries, this will ensure it draws power the most efficient way for them."

Hey thanks for the tip I will take Lithium Batteries next time. Going in it must have been older batteries can't recall. Do you take extras too just in case?

I'm not a fan of the Garmin touchscreen devices. Maybe they have gotten better in recent years but I am avoiding them until I see some indication they've improved the touchscreen and interface.

I use an eTrex30 at work and a GPS62csx is my personal device. Both are good, I like the compact size and simplicity of the eTrex and would probably have bought one for personal use but came across a great deal on the 62.

Note that I'm NOT talking about the eTrex Venture, which is a different (older) device, and like others I'd recommend staying away from if only from an obsolescence standpoint.

quote adibee: "Hey thanks for the tip I will take Lithium Batteries next time. Going in it must have been older batteries can't recall. Do you take extras too just in case?"

I usually plan my route and see how much paddling I will be doing and bring enough batteries for 2x that length based on an average of 16 hours per pair.

If I am only going in for a fishing trip that's 4 hours in and 4 hours out I still being a second pair.

A AA Ult. Li Batteries are only 14g each so they won't weigh you down and I wouldn't ever shy away from an extra with me.

One tip to help you avoid low or dead batteries. I use post-it flags:
https://www.amazon.com/Post-Assorted-Colors-Dispensers-683-VAD1/dp/B000MK4RAM/
I wrap one on each battery and take the flag off when I use it. I take the batteries out when I get back and they are the first used on my next trip or other need. If I take a used battery on my trip, it doesn't count toward my total brought since I never know how much is left.

I'm now tore between the Oregon and low end Montana. How is the daytime visibility on the Oregon/Montana ? I wish there was a store close where I could handle them, but nobody carries either.