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Garmin Colorado 400t Handheld Color Mapping GPS - REVIEW

Good review. I think that most consumers, before purchasing a Colorado, would want to make sure a 60CSx wouldn't be better for them. A good comparison is at http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Colorado+vs+60csx

IMO, the Colorado is very lacking in many areas. If you have a full featured GPS, you will probably see features that you have come to expect that are not available on the Colorado.

Steve

I'd like to see some suggestions of other manufacturers GPSs. What features are available elsewhere? What may be better for backpacking?

Is this supposed to be in the G Spot? Shouldn't this be in the Editor's Roundtable forum?

James - check past articles for additional reviews, and a recent thumbs up recommendation from Alan for the Vista HCx.

I own a GPSMAP 60CSx and find it generally superior to the Colorado for backpacking, though it also is heavy and goes through batteries more quickly than the Vista. The wiki Stephen mentions is excellent.

I hope we'll get in reviews of GPS units from a few other companies - though I think Garmin still is in the lead - and we also hope to do a mapping and route planning software evaluation later this year.

- Steve

I bought the Colorado 300 & the "Garmin Topo USA 2008" software disc. This is because I wanted the greater internal memory of the 300 than the 400 pre-loaded maps series.

As soon as I called Garmin for help in loading the software they said do NOT use a SanDisc ULTRA II SD card...which, of course, I already had. (Why in Heaven's name don't they put that as a warning label on the GPS box????)

Anyway The Garmin sofware tech (as opposed to a "regular" tech) had me download a NEWER version of Topo USA into my SD card. WELL, it didn't load & now I have to do the entire 45 min. download (all the western USA) again. on the phone W/ a tech ...again, and hope it works...again.

AAAaaarrrgggghhh! Now when i call back tomorrow I'll ALSO ask for the latest firmware download. I don't care if it takes all day, I must get this resolved. I've got solo hikes and backing trips in the Nevada Spring Mountains upcoming.

As for batteries I'm using Lithium batteries for reasonable usage life. Here's hoping firmware updates DO permit longer battery life but I doubt if that is possible unless they find a way to speed things up. I'm carrying 2 spare batteries "just in case".

If Garmin offered a reasonably cheap (under $50.)microprocessor or other hardware replacement I'd probably do it just to get better battery life.

Eric

ill either replace my etrex legend C with
- a GPS allowing easy uploading of scanned maps.
- a watch size GPS that only gives coordinates but with good autonomy.

i dont really have use for anything bewteen those 2 .

There are fairly compelling rumors that Apple is going to include GPS in the next version of iPhone in June. It would very likely be a high sensitivity receiver like most high-end GPS phones today. And with third party application support coming in June, its only a matter of time before a major topo map company has topo software for the iPhone--especially if it includes GPS. Plus with 16GB (possibly 32GB in June), one could load a substantial number of high quality scanned topo maps at multiple resolutions.

Granted, these are many 'ifs,' but I personally would wait before making a major electronics purchase decision until the end of next month.

And to those who would complain about the lack of a removable battery, there are some lightweight chargers that accept 4 AAA batteries that will charge the iPhone, which could be more convenient than buying several proprietary (read: expensive) removable batteries.

the iPhone isn't ruggedized like the Garmin, but it's one of the most solidly built phones on the market thanks to the lack of physical buttons and candybar-shaped design.

You'd have your GPS, mp3/audiobook player and phone in 1 gadget.

And if the iPhone does not include GPS, the recently announced HTC Diamond will (right now the only contender to compete with the iPhone). This is also a rugged-looking phone, and there is great topo software written for it (Pocket PC).

Edited by jcarter1 on 05/22/2008 01:13:03 MDT.

I did a lot of research before replacing my GPSMap 60Cx with the Vista Hcx (excellent review of the Vista here on BPL). The Vista Hcx has the exact same feature set as the 60Csx and the signal holding ability is about the same. The fact that the Vista Hcx is lighter, has longer battery life and a brighter screen makes it the best choice for backpacking in my opinion.

I looked seriously at the Colorado but it's really aimed at the Geocaching market. I think Garmin rushed the release of the Colorado to try to keep up with Magellan's release of the Triton. Both of these company's "high end" units are a real disappointment if you are after a good backpacking GPS.

I think Garmin will eventually get the bugs out of the Colorado series but I suspect it will be a couple of more years before they get it to the point where I'd buy one for backpacking.

John - one problem with the current iPhone for field use is its built-in, non-swappable battery. I own an iPhone and enjoy it - but would find it problematic for a multi-day backpacking trip if I were using it as a GPS.

Here are some of the examples I refer to in paragraph 3. This one accepts 6 AAA batteries:


This one accepts either 2 or 4 AAA batteries:


This one accepts 4 AA batteries:



Sure, these chargers would add some weight, but consider that the Garmin 400t weights 7.5oz with batteries, whereas the current generation iPhone weighs 4.8oz, and you might end up with a lighter system. I would also argue that a AA or AAA charger would be better than a replaceable proprietary battery for thru-hikers.

I won't compare lighter Garmin GPSs because they don't offer the topo mapping feature of the 400t. Am I correct that the 400t cannot import national Geographic 24K maps like the Magellan Triton? GPS cellphones have had 24K scanned maps for years now.

Anyway, so the extended battery problem can be solved at a lighter weight (assuming iPhone v2 weighs the same and these chargers are no more than 2.7 oz). The real question, then, would be which device is more efficient. We'd have to turn off the iPhone radios and run some tests. Even if the iPhone were less efficient, if it replaces other devices you'd be carrying (mp3 player, cellphone), you'd still be lighter.

Oh, and don't forget the current gen. iPhone is $130-$230 cheaper than the Garmin, and the iPhone's screen has approx. twice the resolution.

So back on the main subject, I guess I just get a little worked up when I see Garmin touting these bulky, expensive, proprietary devices with very poor mapping ability and non-intuitive UI, when for years GPS phones have been able to do better. GPS phones were 2 years ahead of Garmin with high sensitivity receivers, 5 years ahead of the 24K topo maps, and are still ahead with the high resolution screens. You can complain that GPS phones aren't as rugged, but then neither is your cuben shelter. I say if you have to have a rugged GPS with long battery life, stick with a Garmin Geko 301. But if you want all the frills of digital color 24K topo maps, don't go spending $630 (the price of a decent laptop these days) on a uni-tasker that will be outdated as fast as a cellphone, when several cellphones have for years been doing better than even Garmin's latest model.

Edited by jcarter1 on 05/22/2008 03:54:44 MDT.

> - a GPS allowing easy uploading of scanned maps.
> - a watch size GPS that only gives coordinates but with good autonomy.
Neither is very likely imho.

A scanned map is NOT in a form which the GPS can use. It is just a jpg.

A watch is simply too small for any decent antenna or any decent battery.

Cheers

Sorry if I am taking this off track. Has anyone considered or used the weatherproof paper on the market, and printed just what they need. that seems pretty light.

John - looks like you added that via edit after I read your first post. Yes, that's a potential solution; do you know the weight of the various options you show? Do they provide instant power, or do they have to charge the internal battery, and if so, how long does that take?

Regarding cost - if you factor in the required phone contract, the iPhone is a lot more money. Also, the Vista, Colorado 300, and GPSMAP series are a good deal less than the price you quote.

Of course, the iPhone does many more things - and I'm completely in agreement on "unitaskers" versus multitaskers. I'd happily carry the iPhone as a single device if the battery and charging options are light enough, it gets a real GPS with reception and tracking that matches the newest Garmins, and it has good software that allows the same manipulation of tracks and routes as a dedicated GPS.

No doubt that is all coming - just hard to say when. It will be interesting to see what's announced next month regarding the 3G iPhone, and what starts to show up on the iTunes app store. Garmin has done some nice software for the Blackberry, and perhaps they or Tom Tom or NG or others will do the same for iPhone.

Edited by slnsf on 05/22/2008 18:18:51 MDT.

The new Garmin Forerunner 405 is a watch size GPS, but it apparently doesn't show coordinates, and the battery life would be difficult to deal with for backpacking purposes.

There is a table in the review that isn't self explanatory:

First Fix Fix at 5 min
GPS Min Acc ft Sat Acc Sat
Garmin Colorado 400t (1) 0:47 200 4 24 8
Garmin Colorado 400t (2) 3:10 140 4 30 6
Garmin eTrex Vista HCx 3:30 160 3 24 6
Garmin eTrex Venture Cx no fix no fix 0 no fix 1


Am I missing some sort of explanation for what these data represent?

Edited by alandixon on 07/29/2008 14:30:17 MDT.

I own the Colorado, and find it adequate for my needs, although I wouldn't consider myself a heavy user.

I do have a question, however. How does one take screen shots? I've been looking for that feature and simply can't seem to find it. Is it through the unit software, or the PC software (I use a Mac, and as you note the software has left tons to be desired)?

This is one of Garmin's best kept secrets. For some reason they make it hard to find on their site. It's a great little tool that allows you to take screen shots from your GPS as well as upload custom waypoint icons to your handheld unit. Ximage worked with my last couple of GPS units (including the Vista Hcx) but I've not heard whether or not it works with the Colorado (let us know).

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=545

Did a quick check on a GPS forum and the answer seems to be:

"press and hold the right soft key when you get to a screen you want to save. The screen shots get saved in [drive]:\Garmin\scrn as .bmp files"

I still don't know if xImage works with the Colorado but this sounds like a more direct method anyway.

Sorry for the late response. The table headers seem to be messed up in the review:

First Fix
. Min = minutes:seconds to first get a fix
. Acc = accuracy (ft) of of the first fix at time acquired
. Sat = number of satellites (with good communication) of the first fix at time acquired

Fix at 5 min
. Acc = accuracy (ft) of of 5 min after powering up unit
. Sat = number of satellites (with good communication)at 5 min after powering up unit

-Alan

First Fix Fix at 5 min
GPS Min Acc ft Sat Acc Sat
Garmin Colorado 400t (1) 0:47 200 4 24 8
Garmin Colorado 400t (2) 3:10 140 4 30 6
Garmin eTrex Vista HCx 3:30 160 3 24 6
Garmin eTrex Venture Cx no fix no fix 0 no fix 1