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The quickest way to soil a fun day out in the country is to get lost. Energy level fades, the kids start to argue, or you are too busy trying to read a map that you miss all the sites. A handheld GPS will navigate you high and low and through thick and thin, especially if it’s worldwide.
The Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 are just that- worldwide handheld GPSs that are compact, convenient and you can take with you wherever you go. We are going to compare the two in order to decide which one is the best option. After comparing their features, we will include a comparison chart and some pros and cons.
Let’s start with what the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 have in common.
Garmin Oregon 600 vs 650 – Similarities
Quick Glance
All of the specifics of the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 can be found in the comparison chart below.
Appearance
The Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 look and feel identical. They both measure 4.5 x 4.5 x 2.4 inches and weigh just 7.4 ounces.
GPS Receiver
It takes no time for the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 to locate your position. They are both highly sensitive with WAAS and GLONASS, as well as HotFix satellite prediction, they will find your exact spot and maintain the GPS location regardless of the terrain.
The Screen
With a 3-inch touchscreen, the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 are easy to use. They have multi-touch capacity and are sunlight readable, preventing glare. You can use both of the handheld GPSs in wither portrait or landscape mode.
Sensors
The Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 have a 3-axis compass, an accelerometer, and a barometric altimeter to further help you get your bearings and understand your position.
Connectivity
You will be able to connect to the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 via ANT or Bluetooth. You can wirelessly share your routes, geocaches, tracks, and custom maps.
Geocaches
You can download up to 4 million caches and load them from GSAK. You no longer have to choose between one plan or route. You can view cache photos, record logs, read full descriptions or just hints, and filter caches by size, terrain, difficulty, or type.
Batteries
The Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 require 2 AA batteries. They are also compatible with a NiMA pack.
Add Maps
It the worldwide base map isn’t enough, you can add more software for a greater range of maps with the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650. The TOPO U.S 24k will lead you around trails. Trailhead Series highlights famous treks for you to explore. BlueChart g2 allows you to take to the water and City Navigator is perfect for roads.
Basecamp Software
With the Basecamp software that is available for free with the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650, you can organize your maps and routes and plan your trips more easily. You can display 2D and 3D topographic map data on your computer screen and create Garmin Adventures that you can share with fellow trekkers.
Warranty
Both the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 come with a 1-year limited warranty.
There are just a couple of things that make the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650 different.
Differences Between Garmin Oregon 600 And Oregon 650
Camera
If you don’t want to worry about taking a camera along with you, one of these handheld GPSs has the solution.
Garmin Oregon 600
There is no camera on this model.
Garmin Oregon 650
Along with the GPS, you get an 8MP digital camera. Photos are geotagged with the location that you took the photo and you can share them with your Garmin Adventure friends via USB or wirelessly through Ant or Bluetooth.
The Winner is- The Garmin Oregon 650
Read next – Garmin eTrex 30x vs Garmin Oregon 600T: Which Handheld GPS Navigator is Better?
Built-in Torch
When the sun starts to set, it helps to know that your handheld GPS can provide some extra light.
Garmin Oregon 600
You will have to guide your way with the light from the screen.
Garmin Oregon 650
This comes with a built-in LED/torch that will light up the path ahead of you.
The Winner Is- The Garmin Oregon 650
Read next – Garmin Oregon 600 vs 700: Which Handheld GPS is Better?
Pros and Cons
Garmin Oregon 600
Pros:
- It is highly accurate
- The screen is a good size and easy to read
- It’s very sturdy and can handle knocks and bumps
Cons:
- The software has been known to crash
Garmin Oregon 650
Pros:
- This is a great option for geocaching
- The touchscreen is fast, no lagging when you zoom in
- The camera works surprisingly well and with flash
Cons:
- The maps included have a lot to be desired
Video Comparison
Garmin Oregon 600
Garmin Oregon 650
The Final Verdict
It’s safe to say that there is a learning curve with both the Garmin Oregon 600 and the Garmin Oregon 650. The instructions are not the best so you will need to either download the user manual or watch some online videos. Once you have mastered the functions, you will be far more impressed with both.
Today’s overall winner is the Garmin Oregon 650. Both of them functioned in the same way and were extremely accurate. They were also the same size and had the same software. What made the slight difference for us is that although the Garmin Oregon 650 was a little more expensive, we felt it was better value for money. It came with an AC adapter and the NiMH battery pack. This, on top of the built-in camera, felt like we were getting more for our dime.
Last update on 2022-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API