Thread: Approach G5 --> Oregon 200

I agree with the title change Caty. Flashing G5 [or x00] with the full x50 fw without knowing the x50 PCB P/N would be foolhardy and in any case because of the hardware limitations of the Approach G5 there would be little if any advantage, even if that conversion did work the safer way is retaining HWID and using x50 fw_all.bin combined with the x00 or even G5 boot.bin [success with hybrid fw is highly unlikely given the relative difference in size of the x00/G5 and x50 bin files, even without in-depth compare]. About the only possible potential feature is maybe Photo Navigation enabling i suppose. The G5 can never be more than an Oregon 200 in all probability simply because of its very basic hw, it doesn't even have MNEA 0183 capability, there's no electronic compass or barometric altimeter hw on board either so many features of the higher models physically cannot be enabled.

So the title should be --> Oregon 200 because essentially a G5 can never be converted to any x50 or even a 300 for that matter.

Angelo, what does the start-up screen now show as to Model identification? As to the tut, yes the whole idea is for lay users who lack the skills and/or courage to muddle thru without a 'step-by-step' guide. This should include all the basic precautions possible of course including NV region backup. You could link the tut post in Post #1 or just add it as an edit into the starting post if you like.

Congratulations mate, nice find.

I agree with you, Neil, for the reasons stated, but I'm not sure that the hardware is exactly the same as the Oregon 200, despite having never handled this model. What gives is to know which belongs to the same family of Oregons 200/300/400, not only for PCB P/N, but by the hardware ID 374 ... a bit old. By the lack of electronic compass and barometer, the system fw may have classified Approach as Oregon 200, since it is the only model of the family who do not have these items of hardware. The Approach has differences, the most noticeable is the internal memory: 963 MB (1,009,778,688 bytes) while the Oregon 200 has only 24 MB and the other Oregons 850 MB, which is a good hint that can be a castrated brother a superior model. I get that he is very fast, has very good screen visibility, great satellite reception and accuracy. In fact I liked it so much that I intend to keep it, despite not having compass and barometer.
I've had an Oregon 550 (whose screen was bad of view) and an Oregon 450 of the latest series, with good visibility screen (similar to that Approach), evidence that may not be exactly the hardware of Oregon 200. In addition, Approach was originally an expensive device and destined for a demanding public (golf players), so I think unlikely that Garmin has just changed the system of cheaper model of Oregon line to sell expensive for a public “refined”. Anyway on the start-up screen show as Oregon 200 Model identification, but do not know if this is the final clue. I do not intend to internally handle this unit, but soon I will buy another and disassemble and check the inside. Surely the best way to clarify our doubts. If you or someone you know that a website with pictures of the inside of some Oregon model would be great to be able to compare.