GARMIN COLORADO 400T

[mountainborn]

While looking at the Garmins , we couldn't help but notice the colotado series with that large color screen.
The features on the 400T just made our mouths water ! We have read reports, compared features and checked prices. We think we want one, but they are so new. Would someone on here that is using one of the 400t's give us a first hand report ?

[lostru]

I still cant find one localy to even lay my hands on.

[mountainborn]

Found this wiki through the groundspeak forums:
http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Issues+List
Because it is a wiki ( anybody can write to it ) and it's not an "official" source of information, so, some of these "issues" may actually be non creditable ??
Geeze ! I dunno' ?? :roll:

[mountainborn]

Youtube video on the Rock N' Roller switch's cover removal & functions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSIEI9MrgP0

[relikborg]

So by reading that it seems I may be better off upgrading my 60c to a 60csx and a road model for the same price as a colorado.

[mountainborn]

We recieved a email from the gps store that our Colorado 400t was shipped today. Yep, we just went ahead and bit the bullet, for better or worse. Since we don't have the owners manual to study, we are looking for ways to get up to speed ( as much as is possible ? ) before the delivery date.
We found this page in the wiki:
http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Geocaching
Here is a brief excerp:
>
GC1.) What does the Colorado's paperless geocaching mode do for me?

Geocaching mode in the Colorado allows you to download a gpx file such as a Groundspeak pocket query (aka PQ) containing geocaches onto the Colorado. Information including the geocache name, GCID, coordinates, type, difficulty, terrain, owner, description, trackables, logs and hint are available to read on the on the Colorado.

In addition you can mark caches as found, not found or in need of maintenance while in the field. Once you return to your PC you can upload your find data (i.e. the caches, dates and type of log) to Groundspeak using the Field Note support which streamlines the process of logging your finds.

The Colorado maintains two lists of caches, the Unfound List and the Found List. Caches that get loaded into the Colorado from a gpx file are always put in the Unfound List. This is the default list you will see when selecting Shortcuts->Geocaches Once they are marked as found they are removed from this list and put on the Found List. The Found List is visible by selecting Shortcuts->Geocaches->Options->Show Found.
>
Man, oh, man ! I like the sound of that !

[mountainborn]

So by reading that it seems I may be better off upgrading my 60c to a 60csx and a road model for the same price as a colorado.
>
Because we are using a laptop & MS streets & trips, we will not replace our dated and shakey PDA with a newer one. Instead put that money towards the Colorado since it will store the same data, without going through Cachemate. Instead of carrying a PDA & a GPS to the cache we will only carry the GPS because it will contain all of the data.
These weary old eyes really enjoy the laptop's much larger screen for street navigation.
>
Here is a link to a side by side comparison, Colorado vs 60csx:
http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Colorado+vs+60csx

[HercRx]

So by reading that it seems I may be better off upgrading my 60c to a 60csx and a road model for the same price as a colorado.

I don't know much about the Colorado series but I did notice that like everything, GPSr's are getting expensive! I have a 60CSX and even though it doesn't have all the geocaching features of the Colorado, it does a great job and does have some limited geocaching features.

Another note for you...when I got my CSX in 2006 I got it from Walmart.com It was about $200 cheaper than I could find it elsewhere. I'm not overly fond of Wal-Mart but mostly what I'm saying is, shop around. There are better deals out there.

[Team Panda]

Some geocaching friends picked one up after hearing me lust after them, and have been having some problems. Of course, they're going straight from paper caching to the Colorado so the learning curve is pretty steep.

But, I went over to try and help them get it set up and going and I've got to say, there were some problems and as always, the user's manual is next to useless. I honestly don't know why they waste the money to print the manuals if they're not going to give you the information you need.

General consensus on them from everyone I've talked to who has one or has handled one is "Wait until they get the bugs worked out."

Sounds like a plan to me.

Besides, my lil ol 60CS is doing just fine for now.

[mountainborn]

UPDATE:
I powered up the Colorado after noteing that the "MY GARMIN" web site was down for a update and maintennance. What ever they did made cache downloading quick and simple. One click to select all caches on the page, then one click to send it directly to your Colorado.
I was immediately able to use my laptop and windows vista to download caches, including all of the cache page text straight to the Colorado without any form of "ripping or converting". No other programs were used. The hang up is that you can only download fifteen at a time that way. At my line speeds it took about eleven seconds to download each cache.
I havn't tried using cachemate yet. I took the caches that I had in the Colorado, the nearest to my home, they were mine, and tried to find them. So far I am using the Colorado clumbsily ( wow, is that a word ? ), and my search area is pretty wide. I look for that to change with frequent use and learning the capability of the various navigational screens. :lol:

[mountainborn]

The youtube video that hooked me on the Colorado. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Dp155zR-U&feature=related

[mountainborn]

BENBROOK LAKE WHERIGO:
An intresting and informative read about a Wherigo adventure in the Dallas / Ft. Worth metro area.
Here's the URL:
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=18d5c2dd-7e07-4dfd-a241-4b5c292097db

[mountainborn]

Eighteen months passed since I became frustrated with our Colorado 400t, and put it on the shelf to wait for improvements. This seemed logical because Garmin has such good customer service and a reputation for updating and taking care of business. I guess the last straw for me was when I got a tech represenative on the phone who became angry and flippant as I became very speciffic about functionality.
I explained to several caching friends that we would continue caching with our ageing Magellan until Garmin had a chance to get the Colorado's glitches in hand.
Garmin has improved the software and I have updated our Colorado online with the patch cord.
It now does all of the things it is supposed to ! The Colorado now meets all of my expectations. But you know how that is, we always want more from our tech toys !
I look for caching to become more fun because of the Colorado.
As I began the update process, everything responded in a prompt and logical manner and I began to like our Colorado more and more !
Thanks to all who helped with info and advice with this. I remember several of us sitting at a table at the Lake Catherine Event, and Wayne letting us use his laptop for online research on the topic.
So, have you other Colorado owners had a similar experience ? And how do I get it to load hundreds of caches at a time ?

[jclaudii]

Can't you just do a pocket query for 500 caches around whatever area your going to cache and upload them?

You might try it with gsak and see if it do what you want with the Colorado. We know gsak works great with the smaller units, and you can select exactly what you want loaded into the Colorado, but I think it has to be gsak 7.5 or higher. Just curious, does it show the simple close box open box for found and unfound caches, or does it show a puzzle logo for puzzle caches and the other geocaching.com logo's they use on it's screen? If not, you can probably do that custom so you know exactly which caches are what at a glance.

I think I read on the http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Geocaching#toc2 that is has a 200 .gpx file limit and 2000 geocache limit. So depending on the way you configure you can reach one limit before the other.

good luck and let us know if you get it to do what you want!

[mountainborn]

Right, I havn't tried that yet. So far just the "my Garmin" uploader on Garmin's web page.

[arkfiremedic]

I have the GPS in question and have basically been pleased with the ability to load 500 caches at a time and the ability for paperless caching. I have been extremely disappointed with the accuracy and do not depend on it for hiding caches (I use the old Bushnell I have for that) or searching for difficult caches. I'm still hoping updates help solve the accuracy problem. I use GSAK and have had no problem with the program and its compatibility with the GPS.

[AR-HICK]

Just a note, thegpsstore does not even have the Colorado series on it's website anymore :?:
I would like to upgrade, but I think my next gps will be another 60CSx. Don't know about the touchscreen, accuracy and the problems with software...

I could be talking about a smartphone, but a dummy like me only needs a dumb phone.
Just thinking about Christmas present for myself.

[cfd29]

Everything is gearing toward the Oregon now, the 550 and 550t seem nice, I played with one in May and it seemed pretty accurate, guess time will tell how they do in the long run, I am just waiting before I upgrade..

[BSA534]

I noticed that Dell still has the Colorado 400t for sale on its site, but they want $599 for it, so no price break there. They also have several Oregons for the same price.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Outdoor_Active_Lifestyle_GPS/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=A1643713

[drmo913]

I'm now I'm a little late to the 400t party, but I'm a retail manager by trade... busy time of year for us...

The 400t has been great for me. The reoccurring issue I've had has been the fact that it is slow to adjust from the car to the trail... but from what I've understand, all gps's have that problem from time to time.

If I had to upgrade, I would probably get the Oregon. Same paperless features with easier navigation.

My 2nd choice would be DeLorme's PN40.