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I'm not sure I understand their rationale on providing the same topo but with such a large segment difference based on their different format (i.e. DVD vs Download)  but whatever floats their boat, I'll just keep that in mind if I'm ever in the market for another Garmin map. Thanks for your feedback!

[Boyd]

Boyd, the only issue that I was bringing up with the context of my message was that I hardly think that 1500 map segments would be considered a small amount when it limited to 3500 segments to start with. I got a great deal with the DVD so that's why I went with that format but based on what you've stated I'll be sure to look at the downloads in the event I need some when traveling West. 
Indrid Cold, Thanks for the tongue in cheek reply as to the map segments, I needed a laugh this evening and I'll be sure to check this out on the next map I load from Gpsfiledepot. I want to try the trail maps that I've read about. I really appreciate the availability of maps on this site as well as the knowledgeable moderators and members. I actually got to use my Oregon for the first time this past Saturday on a 15+ mile day hike and it was a learning experience setting up photos with waypoints. Although I don't fully understand the complete purpose of setting them up other than giving me a reference as to the distance from one to the other.   
Just one more question, I know I've read it on one of your threads but not sure where. I made the mistake of doing a separate install after I did the Southeast map this morning and it seemed to overwrite the Southeast so if I want to load separate maps (since the Southeast was actually over 4gb but I eliminated some of Delaware to keep it under the 4gb limit) how should the renaming of the "gmapsupp" be done in my Garmin folder of the SD card to insure that I keep the earlier map as well as load the new one and the device will recognize them all? Is there a limit to the no. of characters as well as using spaces or caps?

The "why" has been answered twice above 

Garmin uses a very small segment size so their vector mapsets will still be usable in most of their older GPSr units.

As maps4gps said, Garmin uses small segments in the DVD products so they will be more compatible with old devices that have small amounts of memory and no card slots.

I guess as a Newbie I'm missing something but how is 1500 map segments on the Southeast DVD considered a small amount if I am limited to 3500? Also where should I look on MapInstall to locate the map segment count?

Thanks for the quick responses. I went ahead and ordered a US Topo 24K Southeast DVD's which the Garmin rep said used about 1500 map segments and I plan on adding several from this site so where can I find out the total map segments that I've loaded on the Oregon 550T. I didn't see the number in Basecamp when I was building and loading some maps last night but I definitely want to keep up with them so I don't cause any software issues for the device. I'm sure as Boyd mentioned that the 3500 limit was less the internal mapping with the pre-loaded maps. But if the pre-loaded is so small why would the Southeast DVD's be in the 1500 range as stated by Garmin? Thanks again for your informative posts.

I'm new to this forum as well as to owning a GPS device. I enjoy hiking so I finally broke down and purchased an Oregon 550T while it was on sale so I can keep up with the different trails I hike on. I've been reading all I can concerning loading maps on the micro sd card and this thread has been informative but I have a few questions:
I just got off the phone with Garmin over another issue during the firmware update and I asked about the limitation of the quantity of maps on my Oregon due to the total number of mapping segments. He stated that the total no. of maps on my device couldn't exceed 3,500 segments and that for instance the Garmin US Topo 24K Southeast DVD's had approx. 1500 segments so based on that I'm assuming that I'm pretty limited as to the total no. of maps I can load on my Oregon. He also said that no matter the no. of subdirectories or file names that I placed on the maps I still couldn't exceed the magic no. of 3500 segments. Is he correct or is there a work around that he's not aware of? I purchased and installed a 32gb card based on the max. gb's I can install on my Garmin per their FAQ. Now I'm not sure that 16 wouldn't have been plenty.  Other than maps what else would you normally load on the sd card?  If I'm really limited to the total no. of segments where can I find out the no. of map segments that each map contains so I can stay below the 3500?