I'm in the market for a GPS. Initially I thought I wanted to go with the Overland Navigator software loaded onto my netbook. I liked that this was cheaper, but I messed around with having my netbook on the dash and its just too big.

So then I got to thinking that a Garmin Oregon 450 that could provide turn-by-turn, off-highway, and hand-held functionality might be worth the higher cost. I figured $300 for the unit, $30 for a dash mount.

My question is whether you guys went ahead and bought the 24K maps DVD for another $100, or if you went with free maps aquired online?

Also, how does the maps DVD work? You need to install software on your home computer to manipulate the maps and create routes, etc., and then transfer this to your GPS?  Can the GPS hold all of the maps, or do you need to transfer over just a small area before each trip?

Thanks!

 Thanks for the reply, Alex.  I was hesitant of the SD cards because from my research it seems that you can't copy the maps from the original SD card to a larger capacity one?  Ideally, I'd be able to purchase the City Navigator maps and the 24K maps and load everything onto one large SD card so that I don't need to switch cards. Is this possible?  Thanks again.

I agree that another GPS could be had for cheap, but I think I'd rather have everything on one device if possible. I already feel like I have too many gadgets and associated USB cables, power supplies, etc. If all goes according to plan with the Oregon, I'll be able to sell the netbook.  

I sent Garmin an email asking if the City Navigator and 24K maps, as well as other custom data (routes, 3rd party maps, etc.) can be stored on one SD card. I'll let you know what they say.

Honest to goodness if you are just looking for in-car navigation automotive type GPS would work better. Bigger, better resolution screen, spoken street names, real-time traffic, lane assist, etc. Pretty much all Garmin on-road units will accept and display those topo maps as well. 

Look here for some info I posted awhile back using topo maps with NUVI 750

Street navigation with Oregon is anymore a real pain. Searching for address is much clunkier. Much, much easier to miss your exit, turn, etc since it doesn't speak street names, only beeps approaching a turn. Only real advantage of Oregon is if you need to use GPS as hand-held, geocaching, hiking, dropping it into creek, need long battery life aka hiking (it has transflective screen meaning you don't need backlight to be able to see map, daytime only of course).

BTW the topo maps have all streets/address data/POIs so you really don't need any other maps. Topo maps are really just normal road maps overlaid with foot trails, land features, contour lines, elevation points....

One advantage of SD card from Garmin if I'm not mistaken is that you can just unplug it and put into different unit while with DVD you have to register particular unit you want to use it with. Although I could be wrong.