Garmin - Oregon 450

[Itsa Pole Bender]

I just bought a Garmin Oregon Series 450T. Got it on sale plus a $50 rebate from the manufacturer so I ended up getting it for less than the 450. I am looking for folks who already have it and can provide some advice.

First the 450T comes with a preloaded 100k topo of the US. I want to get the 24K topos for it. I can buy this directly from Garmin but only in regions of the US and for over $100. I know you can download compatible 24K maps for free from some web sites. Has anyone done this yet? Is there anything I should now prior to doing it that can save me some headaches?

Second - I am trying to decide which lake chip to buy for it. I currently run Navionics on my Humminbird and like that map. However, that map will not work with the new handheld. My options are the Lakemaster Minnesota Chip or the Garmin US North Central chip. The Garmin chip covers North and South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin. I was told by a Garmin rep that the Garmin chip has more lakes in Minnesota with 1-foot contours than the Lakemaster chip. Problem is, I can remember if that is what I truly heard. The folks at the two big chain stores just don't have enough experience with these new units yet to provide good support. So I have a couple of questions for you all.

Has anyone seen or bought the Garmin chip and what do you think of it (appearance, lake availability etc.)? Does anyone know which map has more high def lakes for Minnesota?

I fish in Minnesota and Michigan so the Garmin map would be nice, but I also know that lakemaster puts out a good product.

Any help/advice would be great.

Thanks in advance

[croixflats]

I'm not much up on downloading free software but I think you will loose out on the 3D shaded terrain maps your oregon is capable of doing. I know theses maps are spendy but if you get the cd rom from Garmin you get much more than just the map like receive BaseCamp software for managing data on your GPS and computer, playing back routes and tracks, geotagging photos.

As for the lakemaster you get more lakes and more lakes with 1 ft contours and more state detail like roads. Problem is its only localised per state. The inland lakes map by garmin I was told is more of a generic mapping.

I just ordered the CDrom version of Lakemaster today. With the Cdrom, like the topo, you can view maps on the unit and also the computer and set up up waypoints on the computer and create paper maps. And you get 2 un lock codes, one unlock code per unit essentialy making 2 mapping chips for 2 seperate units.

Another thing Garmin is releasing the new 2010 lakemaster to be shiped out june 28

[delcecchi]

If one were to search the internet using the proper terms, one might find some sites that have available topo maps formatted to download to garmin units. I bought a etrex, added a 2G microSD card and have a good chunk of Minnesota along with about 1/3 of California.

The feds make the maps and they don't seem to be too big on copyright.

[Itsa Pole Bender]

good point about the shading / relief.

thanks for the info

[Ed Carlson]

With the Garmin Inland Lakes Vision chip, you will be able to take full advantage of 3-D shading and lake maps contour shading. You just will not get the sonar enhanced underwater 3-D "Fish Eye View" that would be also shown on the Garmin Sonars.

The Central North edition Inland Lakes Vision Garmin chip may cover all your needs without buying the full set, less $$$.

I run the Garmin Inland Lakes Vision chip, and the NDTRAX and MNTRAX that I pre-loaded from my TRAX CD's into my Nuvi 500.

I can run either/or in my 530 HCx depending on my needs, but I will not get the 3-D benefits in my Rhino 530 HCx as I do in my Nuvi.

FYI: I opted for the LakeMaster LOTW Rainy River 2010 chip over the Garmin Vision version chip for the same waters due to there was a large section of the Rainy River omitted on the Garmin Vision chip set, and it was on the new 2010 LakeMaster....so that was the deciding factor there to not get the Vision...or I would have.

[Wimbie]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how far you can zoom in? I have the Nuvi 500, and want to get the Inland Lake Vision or Lakemaster. I would prefer the Garmin product because it has the 3 states I would fish in. Any disadvantages to it?