Garmin intros Oregon touch GPS for outdoors

Garmin today kicked off the launch of the Oregon series of GPS mappers for outdoors use. All four of the inaugural models are rare for including both a 3-inch touchscreen while still being shock-resistant and waterproof enough to survive harsher conditions. At higher altitudes or in open water, they also have a new HotFix feature that remembers satellite data for a quicker position lock in between uses. A microSD slot gives the devices storage for regional maps.

Three models make up the high-end for the Oregon range. The 400t is meant for the trail with full-color, 3D topographical maps of the US mainland, while the 400i covers the country's lakes and rivers; the 400c addresses the coastline for both the US and the Bahamas.

For less US-specific travelers, the 300 supplies a world base map with shaded details; the 200 has a simpler map.

Garmin plans to start shipping devices in the summer and starts prices at $480 for the Oregon 200 to $640 for any one of the Oregon 400 models.