This time we have tested Garmin GPS device and we were very satisfied with its performance. Oregon 300 seems robust at first glance, and it has a single button, for power control. It has touch screen display which can be locked if it’s needed. Design of this device contributes to the fact that it fits pretty good in both hands, but because of slight extension on right side, we must notice that it provides more natural handling to right-handed users. However, no matter in which hand you are holding it, navigation commands are very easy to get to.

3” color TFT touch screen display, won’t get dirty because of fingerprints on surface and many people will appreciate this feature. Additional quality is good visibility, even on a very sunny day. If you find yourself in some poor lighting conditions or you drive at night in case you don’t need strong backlight, you can always press Power button shortly, and backlight regulation panel will appear. This action will lower illumination and even prolong battery duration. Oregon 300 does not possess internal battery, but instead, it uses two AA size batteries, that are not included in package. It is recommended to use Alkaline, Lithium Ion or NiMH rechargeable batteries with capacity higher than 2500 mAh. You can find battery storage if you easily remove nicely designed back cover with lever. This cover at the same time protects microSD card located under batteries, from dust, dirt and water moist and other weather conditions. Considering that this cover is made of rubbery plastic, it enables additional resistance to drops and scratches, but it also contributes to the fact that this device is water resistant for one minute, if it drops in water at maximum one meter depth. This will especially appreciate all of you that need to use this navigator on water.

Oregon 300 uses 12-channel parallel high sensitive WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) GPS receiver. Positioning precision shifts from 3m to 15m, depending on availability of corrective satellites and signal strength. When you turn on the device, main menu is shown, and on its bottom you can see signal strength indicator. If you press this indication point, you can get detailed information and a map with active satellite positions and their precision at the moment. We were stunned with signal strength which this device provides. In numerous occasions we managed to receive signal, and recognition of our location, even in indoor environment, far away from windows.

Besides signal strength indication and battery status, main menu contains 24 buttons with all kind of different functions. Interface is good, colors are precisely interpreted, and displayed picture is sharp. Only thing that bothered us is impractical menu design. This practically means that when we get to the end of menu list, you will be forced to go back through buttons step by step, instead of simply cross from last one to first. Button positions in main menu depend on profile you chose. Depending on whether you are using GPS device in your car, on a boat or simply during walks, you can speed up interaction. Oregon 300 uses Garmin MapSource and Bluechart g2V maps. Additional maps are available for purchase, and you can install them in internal memory, or on microSD card. Movement across the map is fast enough, and display of current location, which is marked with triangle, in any moment, is easy to notice. Main map can be displayed in 2D or 3D mode which looks very interesting and gives a clear image of surrounding topography. In case you choose 2D map, you can see additional two panels with information. These panels can be used for displaying of 2 out of 44 offered useful information, and among others, you can find here info about amount of traveled kilometers (meters), what is your maximal or average speed, clock, GPS precision, actual coordinates, altitude, info about next turn, water temperature, distance and time needed to get to destination, sunset timing etc.

Option “Where to?” will allow you to quickly find previously saved waypoints, last searched locations, memorized routes or addresses. Searching for all registered locations in your surroundings is also supported. Modern version of game “Hansel and Gretel“ is designed to use up to 1000 memorized waypoints which are described with names and symbols. “Traveling computer” can have three different settings: off-road, car with virtual dashboard or geocaching view. In each one of them it is possible to define six display panels with additional useful data. Option “Active Route” shows a list of all turns on the way to your destination, as well as their individual illustration, in case that you want to get to know destination and environment more closely. If you want to create your own routes, view them, or you want to make inverse route to the old one, you can do it with „Route Planner“.

Option that came out pretty useful and quite accurate is calculation of area which you previously imbordered with your movement. In order to make this device more useful and at the same time more attractive to end-users, Garmin Oregon 300 also offers picture viewer, high quality stopwatch, calendar, calculator, alarm, Whereigo and Geocache games, and even advices for hunters and fishermen, regarding info about which day, and at what time they should go in action.

This device possesses integrated electrical compass, which can be calibrated if it’s needed, and which shows direction where you should go to, besides four cardinal directions of course. Alongside compass, Oregon 300 has integrated barometric altimeter which will graphically show height differences of your journey in two dimensions. This devise also possesses wireless module, meaning that waypoints, routes and geocaches sharing is enabled between many users. This ANT+ sensor is also used for wireless communication with Speed/Cadence bike sensor (additional accessories for fitness and cycling).
This equipment, as well as other holders and accessories are not delivered with device, and they have to be bought separately. In starter pack, besides GPS receiver itself, you can find instruction manual in printed and digital form, carabineer clip for fixing the device to some part of clothes, and USB cable which can also be used charging.