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German versions:
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Edge705 / 605, | ISBN 978-1-4461-8831-6; |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Dakota/ Oregon V2, | ISBN 978-3-8391-7017-5; |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin GPSMap62 – Serie, GPS Praxisbuch Garmin GPSMAP64 – Serie, | ISBN 978-3-8423-2770-2; ISBN 978-3-7322-8520-4; |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Edge800, | ISBN 978-3-8391-8210-9; |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Edge 810, | ISBN 978-3-7322-3028-0; |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Edge 820, | ISBN 978-3-7412-8570-7; |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Montana – Serie, | ISBN 978-3-8423-6706-7; |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Monterra, | ISBN 978-3-7322-4589-5; |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin eTrex 10, 20, 30 ff., GPS Praxisbuch Garmin eTrex Touch, | ISBN 978-3-8423-6707-4; ISBN 978-3-7386-2149-5; |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin fēnix3/Chron./epix | ISBN 978-3-7386-2430-4; |
| GPS Praxisbuch - Tourenplanung mit Garmin BaseCamp, | |
| ISBN 978-3-8482-2144-8; | |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Oregon 6xx-Serie, GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Oregon 7xx-Serie, | ISBN 978-3-7322-3031-0; ISBN 978-3-7412-8555-4; |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Edge Touring/ Touring Plus, | |
| ISBN 978-3-7322-8500-6; | |
| GPS Praxisbuch Garmin Edge 1000/Explore, | ISBN 978-3-7357-2486-1; |
English versions:
| GPS Praxis Book Garmin GPSMAP 64 Series, | ISBN 978-3-7386-1494-7; |
| GPS Praxis Book Garmin Oregon 6xx Series, | ISBN 978-3-7386-5323-6; |
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way.
The information and descriptions in this manual are included solely for informational purposes and are subject to change.
Most of the product descriptions of hardware and software, as well as company names and logos mentioned in this work, are generally also registered trademarks and should be treated as such. They are mentioned for identification purposes only and are the exclusive property of their holders.
The compilation of text and illustrations was undertaken with the greatest of care. Nevertheless, errors cannot be completely ruled out. The publisher and the author accept no liability, or guarantee, and also take no responsibility for consequential damages due to errors, omissions or inaccuracies in this manual. We would be grateful for suggestions for improvements and notes on errors.
Production & Publishing:
BoD - Books on Demand GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany
English translation: Dustin Baer, Jan. 2016
GPS Praxis Book Garmin Oregon 6xx Series
Edition 2 – October 2016
© 2016 Red Bike
ISBN 978-3-7392-8701-0
Author und Graphics: Janet Bader
Welcome to the circle of GPS outdoor equipment users who have opted for a device that is designed for use in harsh conditions in the out-of-doors, universally adaptable to any type of activity, is easy to use with a brilliant display that truly lends itself to outdoor fun.
This GPS training, which lies in front of you, is tailored specifically to GPS newcomers and does not only show the way around the Oregon, but also provides general knowledge of GPS technology, optional accessories for the device and gives an introduction to tour planning.
As a Garmin dealer in the category of sports and outdoors and as a cycling-sport infected bike retailer, we combine many routes with the use of GPS technology ourselves and often have your exact type of device on tour. This gives us the ability to give you step-by-step descriptions of how it should work in practice.
The basic approach described here applies to all the new Oregon series models with a Bluetooth interface (model types “600 ...” and above). The advanced features of the camera and flashlight in the 650 models and the preinstalled Europe-wide topographic leisure map with the “t” models are of no consequence. All these models are referred to in this book as 600, or 6xx series.
Gradually, you will surely discover other ways you can use and adapt your device to better suit your needs and even long after purchase, be surprised what can be done with your Oregon. To discuss such details here is beyond the scope of this book and would make the reading for GPS beginners absolute agony.
Here we go with:
For working on a PC, or Mac:
Download: www.garmin.com > Support > Show Supporting Software > Mapping Tools
https://connect.garmin.com/ (choose your language)
For the most current software version:
All models of the Oregon series always offer plenty of local knowledge while hiking, climbing, bicycle riding, motorcycling, or car driving, paragliding, hang gliding and treasure hunting (geocaching). They also act as an unassuming guide at a completely unknown holiday destination, or as a navigator at sea. Of course, it’s assumed that the device was “fed” with the corresponding data (maps), before heading out. For this, there is now a wide selection of readily available, routable topographical maps, road maps and nautical charts that can be used with a simple “turn on and go.”
The Garmin outdoor models have a robust, impact-resistant plastic housing and are waterproof to IPX7 standards (30-minute submersion in 1 meter/3 feet deep water, no salt water), but they are not buoyant. If you want to keep the clear display in this state for a long time, we recommend the “FX-Clear, crystal clear Premium protector” screen protectors from the atFoliX company. This set of 3 crystal-clear, hard-coated films are tailored for all Garmin models. They can be mounted easily and do not spoil the view in any way. The same film is also available in an anti-reflective variant which somewhat disturbs the ultra-clear transparency, but ensures to precisely minimize glare, if someone finds this of importance.
The Oregon models can withstand temperatures between -15 and +70°C (+5 and +158°F), which is below/ above the recommended temperature range of many batteries. All models of the new Oregon series are equipped with high-sensitivity receiver chips. Dense forest and narrow canyons can hardly bring these devices out of balance.
All models of the Oregon 6xx series possess the following interfaces:
The storage capacity of the Oregon models can be expanded by up to 32 GB with a microSD card. Of this, only 4 GB of map data, or 2,025 map tiles can be read by your device. Additional space can be used for all photo files and other GPS-objects. Apart from that, the devices themselves offer ample internal storage to, for example, record their own data.
The device comes with a worldwide, shaded-relief Basemap built in. The map only displays interstates, highways, cities (as dots) and large bodies of water. The Oregon models, with the small “t” at the end of the model name, come with a recreational TOPO map of your country, or continent (Europe, U.S.A., Canada, Australia & New Zealand, etc.), at a scale of 1:100,000 with contour lines at intervals of 25 meters (80 feet). However, no automatic routing calculation is available on either map.
With the Oregon, you can be guided along a route of a prepared tour, or automatically navigate to a destination selected in the device. For the latter variant, routable maps are required. The programmed route must be compatible with the device and for the relevant activity type, e.g. pedestrian walking, cycling, driving, etc. These types of maps are already available in various equipment packages, e.g. Oregon 600 with TOPO TransAlpin microSD/SD.
In short, only maps from Garmin, or maps that are converted for use with Garmin, are possible. There is a distinction between three
There are nautical maps, topographical maps and road maps. The latter include all paved roads, sometimes even frequently travelled gravel roads, as well as countless, useful information about certain addresses, a.k.a. Points of Interest (POI), such as attractions, sports and leisure facilities, from accommodations to hospitals and their emergency numbers. These
Road maps can be purchased as a DVD for installation on a PC, or as a pre-programmed microSD card. Installing the map files from a DVD onto a PC has the advantage that you can get a very good overview on the PC screen before the trip and then comfortably plan ahead for all sorts of possibilities, without having to connect the GPS device to the PC. If you have multiple map DVDs, you can upload the map sections from the various maps onto the Oregon’s microSD card. The map DVDs are normally licensed for use with only 1 computer and 1 GPS unit and they must be activated online.
On the other hand, the preprogrammed microSD cards (as contained in some device packages), are ready for immediate use and can be read by several GPS devices. These regionally preprogrammed data cards come available with the same maps as the DVDs, as well as scaled-down versions with a smaller coverage area for a lower price. Use of these map files with a PC is only possible with a connected Oregon and with the “BaseCamp” map software from Garmin installed. BaseCamp can then easily access the map files from the microSD card, while it is the device. However, it is also possible to use the map files in BaseCamp by inserting the microSD card into the adapter that came with it and then the adapter into an available card reader slot on your home computer. When using preprogrammed microSD cards, printing makeshift maps is not possible.
Garmin road maps are routable, which means it’s possible to automatically calculate a route to a specific destination.
Topographic maps - also known as recreational, or hiking maps - include roads, paths and trails, bodies of water, vegetation, land forms, peaks and numerous POIs such as hotels, restaurants, mountain huts, etc. In the meantime, it is now possible for the Oregon to calculate the way to a selected destination with these maps as well. All Garmin TOPO maps, which have been released since 2010, have the capability for automatic navigation and can use the routing function. Beginning with the “... 2012 Pro” versions, routing can even be adjusted to the particular activity, e.g. hiking, climbing, mountain biking, tour biking, etc. These cards are advertised with the so-called “ActiveRouting.” In the latest release of the Garmin “TOPO Germany V6 PRO” map, it is now even possible to search for a street and house number.
→ However, using a topographical map in a car is to be treated with caution. Despite the use of activity type “Automobile Driving,” it may happen that the route calculation always prefers the shorter route, without complying with the local traffic regulations. With these maps, it can happen that you are directed to drive the opposite direction in roundabouts, and with highway on-ramps, the map could quickly instruct you to use the much closer off-ramp. ←
These maps are also available as a DVD for the licensed use on a PC and as an immediate-use microSD card for the GPS device. It can vary that some regions are only available as a set, while others are available either as a DVD, or microSD/SD card. Due to their detailed representation, the coverage area of these cards is much smaller, as compared to road maps.
Topographic maps, in electronic form, can also exist page-by-page, such as the Garmin Alpine Club maps. All currently available map pages of the Austrian Alpine Club are included and have been optimized and digitized for the Garmin GPS device. With their very high level of detail, they serve especially well as a planning basis for alpinists. These map files are all stored on a microSD card.
By contrast, Garmin provides a full-coverage map image with the material of the KOMPASS-Karten GmbH (map company based in Germany) on a microSD card, such as the Garmin “Wander-Atlas Tirol” (Tirol hiking map). As one already knows from the KOMPASS paper maps, they provide a very simple and familiar map image that colorfully highlights hiking, cycling and mountain bike paths. Likewise, some suggested routes are included. The map is routable and includes elevation information with which you can, in advance, calculate the altitude that must be conquered. The price of €40 ($45 US) will probably appear more acceptable to some, as compared to a map of the entire Alpine region that has to be purchased for €180 ($195 US).
BirdsEye (map images)
The appearance of Garmin maps is made possible by the use of vector maps, which require much less space and ensures a clear and sharp display at all zoom levels. This may take some getting used to and some GPS users may prefer to have an image of a typical hiking map made out of conventional paper in front of them (apart from the battered folding). For this reason, you have the opportunity to use the BirdsEye Select service, at the price of €20 ($25 US), to select up to 2,400 km2(927 mi2) of map sections of a country via the BirdsEye Wizard in the “BaseCamp” software on your PC and to upload it to the Oregon. In conjunction with a routable vector map in the device, you are then able to use the automatic route calculation and the familiar look of a raster map, at the same time.
Those who prefer to have a bird’s-eye view of the surroundings of their planned activity will be well served with BirdsEye Satellite Imagery. For a yearly subscription price of €25 ($30 US) you can download an unlimited number of high-resolution satellite images and upload them to the Oregon, depending on the amount of available disk space on it, or its memory card. These will “melt” with the vector maps that are built into the unit and portray a realistic view from a bird’s-eye perspective of roads, buildings and terrain. This gives you the ability to locate a suitable parking spot at the starting point of a tour, yet still use the automatic calculation function of the vector map.
Figure 1-1 The BirdsEye Satellite image and the routable road map melt together. Shown here: BaseCamp Software on the PC
You activate this service via the wizard in the BaseCamp software (menu bar: BirdsEye -> Download BirdsEye Imagery...). If BirdsEye Imagery was not included with the purchase of your GPS model, you will be forwarded to a product description where you will also find information on currently available coverage. The subscription is bound to a single device, like most Garmin maps.
Now back to the map types, because with the CustomMaps function, there is another way non-Garmin map material can be used in the Oregon. Maps that are self-scanned, or those obtained from other various sources, royalty-free, can be georeferenced using the free version of Google Earth (align and adjust the coordinates) and then converted to Garmin-compatible maps. The exact procedure is described in Chapter 4 / “Working on the PC.” This feature is especially useful if you want to use your own maps for activities in the GPS device. For widespread use however, this is a far too cumbersome and time-consuming process, which is out of proportion to the purchase price of a high-resolution and routable vector map from Garmin. If necessary, it might be useful for a holiday region, for which there are still no maps for Garmin devices...a solution, at least.
For those looking for missing maps, OpenStreetMaps (OSM) is certainly a recommended address on the web. This site offers a free world map in the spirit of Wikipedia. The spatial data originates from GPS logs and measurements and is managed by industrious amateur cartographers worldwide, who have laid their own network of routes over our globe. The maps from OSM can therefore be used for free on a PC and the GPS device, but also expanded through private participation. One can sometimes stumble upon maps from popular regions, or metropolitan areas, which are made of superb quality.
Especially for vacation destinations for which there are no digital maps, one can often find a map deposited for their Garmin device. Maps for a variety of devices, regions and types of use (MTB, cycling, hiking, etc.), are sometimes available on various other portals, which are linked from the OSM site and reached by clicking on the appropriate map selection. Therefore, the path to download a corresponding map may be different every time and changes constantly with the continuously increasing number of people interested in this activity.
As a first step for OSM-newbies, it is highly recommended to type the direct link into your browser:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Main_Page. If not already done, you can change the page’s language to your own via the link in the top bar. On this page you’ll find the directory, which clearly describes the first steps and possibilities in OSM. So, if you want to use maps in a Garmin GPS, click the “Using OpenStreetMap” link and scroll down the page to “Maps on your GPS device.” There, you can choose the link to “OSM Map On Garmin.”
A map download for an area with good coverage can quickly become 1GB in size. Herein is usually an installation file (.exe), which automatically integrates the map into the Garmin GPS software on the PC. On the other hand, an OSM map might also only be a pure “IMG” map file, which you have to copy into the “Garmin” folder in the Oregon device’s storage, or the microSD card via the desktop explorer.
OSM maps are pixel maps with large storage requirements and a stored “vector backbone,” ultimately with which a Garmin device can also calculate/ create a route to a destination, based on the registered routes within the map.
The disadvantage to Garmin maps: Elevation data is not always integrated into OSM maps. Thus, a representation of an elevation profile is often not possible during the planning of a route on a PC, or the start of a route on the Oregon. The visibility of the OSM map on the device display is a bit more arduous, especially in metropolitan areas. In order to see the guided route, or waypoints, you need to look very closely through all the details, which you are not able to blend out. Similarly, it happens every now and then, that one, or another functions are overridden in the BaseCamp software.
Of course, you can also use
Nautical maps, such as Garmin’s “BlueChart g2,” in the Oregon by means of a preprogrammed microSD card. These maps include, for example, realistic navigation features, nautical navigation aids such as currents, IALA map symbols, marine POIs, navigational aids, wrecks and obstructions, prohibited areas, restricted access areas, anchorages, port plans, settings for safe depths, two different navigation perspectives, depth contours and coastlines, as well as tidal levels and more.
With these, you may well have the widest range of maps to use on your GPS unit. You can therefore select the appropriate map display, according to your own taste.