UPDATE: Read my hands on Garmin Oregon 550t review. I’ve also posted a page for the Oregon 550.

The Garmin Oregon 550 and 550T are being announced this morning, models that were first rumored back in March. The 550 series brings several new features to the Oregon line:

• As expected, a camera (3.2 megapixels, 4x zoom, auto-focus) for snapping geotagged photos
• A tri-axial compass, so you don’t have to hold it level when navigating
• An “enhanced sunlight-readable touchscreen,” hopefuly improving one of the few negative characteristics of this high-resolution display series
• Two-precharged AA NiMH batteries and a charger are included as well!

Another interesting thing is that the camera works in portrait or landscape mode, so I’m assuming there is an acclerometer in the device. That could lead to all sorts of interesting applications.

The 550T carries an MSRP of $599.99 and includes pre-loaded 1:100,000 scale topos for the entire U.S. At $499.99, the 550 lacks detailed maps but includes a worldwide basemap and shaded relief. Product page links and (links added to start of this post) estimated availability dates are not yet available, but may be later today. I’ll update this post as soon as I get them. Both models are expected to be available in July.

Related posts:

• Garmin Oregon 400T review

REI has inadvertently leaked information on a forthcoming update to the Garmin Oregon handheld lineup — the Oregon 500 series. It's unclear whether these will be the 500 and 500t or the 550 and 550t, but it does appear that they will include a built-in camera like the Magellan Triton series. We're assuming this will give you the ability to take geotagged photos. This could help explain the $50 rebate (PDF) on the current Oregon series, which expires May 10.

For now you can file this one under rumors, but these sort of leaks nearly always turn out to be true.

Via GPSReview.net.

I just hope my wife doesn’t see this, since I finally plunked down my own money on one a couple of weeks ago, paying $600 for it!