Launched in the US earlier this year, this impressive handheld navigator – boasting smartphone-like functionality – looks set to become the go-to device for discerning outdoor lovers worldwide. Happily, the Oregon 750 is now available on our shores, so fellow South African adventurers can finally get in on the action. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect from this highly-capable, multifaceted device. 

 To say the new Garmin Oregon 750 GPS has a lot going for it would be an understatement. On the outside, it looks identical to the popular Oregon 650, the model it supersedes in the nav giant's handheld line-up. But, as we all know, appearances can be deceiving. Hidden within its familiar robust, weatherproof housing you'll find a host of practical upgrades. Without a doubt, this device has been crafted with the modern adventurer in mind.

Peeking under the hood, the first thing you'll notice is the redesigned menu interface that, not only supports numerous activity profiles (hike, tour cycle, mountain bike, hunt, fish, climb and geocache), but is incredibly easy to use. Smartphone-like functionality lets you conveniently swipe between map and data screens, instead of having to physically rummage through menus and select each page individually. And its new auto-locking map page function prevents one from accidentally creating strange waypoints when inadvertently bumping the screen – something that bugged more than one Oregon 650 user. Garmin, thanks for listening!

Plotting new routes has also been made much simpler. Now all you need do is press the “start” and “stop” buttons on the glove-friendly touchscreen, then decide whether to save or delete each track or not. Previously, this involved having to dig around in the unit to reset all your trip and track data. There's also an improved antenna to boost GPS/GLONASS satellite reception in tricky areas even further, not that fix accuracy was ever an issue with the 650.

Connected tool for the modern explorer

All the above upgrades are welcome improvements. But it's the Oregon 750's ability to pair with compatible smartphones via Bluetooth that make it a truly modern handheld navigation device.

First up is live weather tracking. This handy feature delivers up-to-date forecasts with animated weather radar overlays, letting you know exactly what Mother Nature has in store for you while out on the trail.

Live geocaching allows users to wirelessly download cache descriptions, logs and hints, even when out in the field – unshackling them from their computers and reams of printed-out paper lists. And, once a geocache is logged as found, it gets automatically uploaded to the user’s Geocaching.com profile. Premium members can also sync their geocaching lists directly to their device.

Excitingly, the Oregon 750 is also the company's first handheld GPS capable of utilising Garmin's Connect IQ platform – their online training portal where you can store, analyse and share all your fitness activities. Previously, this was only possible when using the company's sports and fitness wearables. And, like its sports and fitness cousins, being ANT+ wireless compatible, it can pair with heart rate, cadence, chirp, and temp sensors too. A brilliant move that must surely place this device amongst the top tier of extreme outdoor training tools.

There's even a live tracking feature that, as long as you have network coverage, allows friends and family to follow your progress on a map in real time – so don't phone your wife telling her you're sick, then dodge work and go goof-off fishing.

As you'd expect with a smart connected device, the Oregon 750 can also display incoming emails, texts and alerts – allowing you to stash your delicate phone safely at the bottom of your backpack, stay in the loop and get on with what you're doing.

Premium features for a premium device

The Oregon 750 comes with all the bells-and-whistles you'd expect from a high-end navigation device. There's the three ABCs – altimeter, barometer and compass. The altimeter provides elevation data to accurately monitor ascent and descent, while the barometer can be used to predict weather changes by showing short-term trends in air pressure. The tilt-compensated 3-axis electronic compass keeps your bearing, whether you’re moving or not.

Featuring an 8-megapixel auto-focus camera, the Oregon 750 does more than just let you cut down on weight by leaving your camera at home. It also automatically geotags every photo you take, allowing you to use each shot as a visual waypoint to easily navigate back to the exact spot later.  You can also upload and share photos with friends via Garmin Adventures, part of the Garmin online outdoor community.

Other handy features include TracBack that gets you back to your starting point the same way you came. You can share waypoint and track info with others (using compatible Garmin handheld devices) via convenient unit-to-unit transfers. It supports multiple mapping options, including Garmin BlueChart g2 HD (for water navigation), as well as Garmin City Navigator NT or Tracks4Africa mapping for turn-by-turn driving directions. It also comes with an IPX7 waterproof rating, world basemap, 4 GB onboard memory (expandable up to 32 GB) and rechargeable NiMH battery pack. – (c) 2016 NavWorld

Garmin Oregon 750 features at a glance