Camera Phones Plaza

Devices are perfect (or at least closest to perfection, if not perfect) when they do not focus on one functionality only. When a device is able to do one thing, it becomes boring, even if it does what it’s supposed to in terms of high performance.

When you buy yourself a camera, you expect it to play music, in order to make you the happiest human being alive. When, on the other hand, you go for a handheld game console, it would better come with GPS functionality, otherwise there’s nothing for you to do with it. Last, but not least, when you make up your mind for a certain GPS unit, you probably ask for the device to also take pictures. Why? I don’t know, maybe because it makes you feel like you’re the one who rules the market.



In the given context, is no wonder that the new Garmin Oregon 550 and the 550t version are two touchscreen handheld GPS devices that come with an integrated 3.2 megapixel digital camera and a 3-axis compass. The camera is able to create geotagged images, being equipped with autofocus and 4x digital zoom.

“As everyone looks for ways to do more with less, Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t can be the one GPS device you turn to for all of your activities, in any climate, or any terrain, at any time of year”, said Dan Bartel, who is the Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Garmin. In addition, he said that: “Easy enough for beginners to master, Oregon will guide you in your adventures, capture the highlights and bring them home”.



Both devices are waterproof and come with an internal memory of 850MB, but you will also have the possibility to increase the storage capacity and data transfer with the help of a microSD card slot. Weighing no more than 6.8 ounces, the Oregon GPS devices are equipped with two precharged AA NiMH batteries which are able to provide up to 16 hours of life when charging them once.

The Oregon 550 comes with WAAS-enables GPS receiver and HotFix satellite prediction, with an integrated barometric altimeter that is able to keep under control changes in pressure. As for the 550t, it comes with detailed U.S. topographic maps.

If, for example, you’re on the road, the Optional City Navigator mapping gives you access to street map that are so very detailed, to tons of preloaded points of interest and, probably the most important of them all, turn-by-turn directions that help you find your way to the destination.

As for the price, the Oregon 550 is expected to retail for $500, while the 550t version will be sold for $600, but the release date is still unknown. However, it seems that this is going to be the next best GPS device.

(Source: Dvice)