jmedlock

Update on my above post: I just received a replacement 400t from REI (Serial #18Z002817 which is 53 units after the 400t I returned above). I updated the firmware to the latest and so far the unit is keeping time. I didn't change any default settings, so the "pressure trending" is still set to its original value "save when power on". I'll see over the next 24-hours if the unit continues to keep time, but my previous unit would not. So it seems clear that there are hardware faults with certain units, even those that have been manufactured closely together. Final comment on the display / backlight: I really wished it was brighter since (at times) it is really difficult to read.

It's so obvious, that it's not obvious... New Mexico, of course, since it sits below pretty Colorado.

I have a problem with a 400t keeping time when turned off (Serial #18Z002764) loaded with the latest software released by Garmin on Feb 18th. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...772&st=122# I have shipped the unit back to REI and have another one on order. I didn't try the setting the unit to log air pressure.

I could be way off base with this one, but I don't think that you've allowed your unit to initially bake. If the almanac was complete and current, satellite acquistion would be much more efficient than this. While searching for satellites, did you think of choosing a new location? Once this is done, locking on is considerably easier. Not doing it on a new unit that has been sitting off, in a box, could cause acquisition to fail. This seems to be what's going on here. I've been keeping a close watch on the Colorado threads and I know about giving the unit plenty of time outside (with clear sky) to update its almanac. I left the unit outside for a full 30 minutes (it aquires satellites quickly) and over time it would start to lose them; I did this 3 times. Last night, at 9:52pm I finished doing the 3rd "alamanac" update and turned the unit off to see if it would keep time over night. When I turned the unit on this morning, it still showed 9:52pm. I might be wrong, but I do think the hardware is faulty on this particular unit.

I just received a 400t from REI yesterday and updated to the latest GPS software and firmware that Garmin released. Serial #18Z002764. I must have a bad unit: It doesn't keep time when turned off (i.e. I turned it off at 9:52pm last night, and this morning when I turned it on, it still thinks it is 9:52). It easily loses Satellites, and there is a mismatch between the "GPS accuracy" bars (shows full bars) even when the unit is searching for satellites. It's crashed several times: marking a waypoint, using the 3D view, pushing the right-softbutton in certain menus (very random; not easily reproducible). I just noticed that Alkaline batteries (with the unit set on Alkaline) last maybe 3 hours. Ah well.... back to REI.

Although this thread is about the 300, I am having similar problems with a 400t. I just received a 400t from REI yesterday and updated to the latest GPS software and firmware that Garmin released. Serial #18Z002764. I must have a bad unit: It doesn't keep time when turned off (i.e. I turned it off at 9:52pm last night, and this morning when I turned it on, it still thinks it is 9:52). It easily loses Satellites, and there is a mismatch between the "GPS accuracy" bars (shows full bars) even when the unit is searching for satellites. It's crashed several times: marking a waypoint, using the 3D view, pushing the right-softbutton in certain menus (very random; not easily reproducible). Ah well.... back to REI.

Thanks... I just ordered a PN-20 this morning from DeLorme, so will do the 30-day trial to see how it works. I plan to upgrade to the latest 1.4 firmware. I also ordered a Colorado 400t from REI. I should have both units by next week. Should be fun to see which unit I like best. I just have to be careful not to scratch them up since one (or both) will be going back.

Hey Indy, Sorry for my ignorance on this subject, but have you written (or do you know of) an online tutorial that describes how to complete each of the steps above? I wouldn't mind trying to build a topo of New Mexico while, at the same time, buying lottery tickets hoping to win the "big one" for you.

Oh man.... where's the map for New Mexico!?!? Nice job!!!

I don't geocache, but do hike quite a bit and am considering either the PN-20 or Colorado 400t. I was browsing the DeLorme Beta 1.4 forum and saw the following question that no one has answered: http://forum.delorme.com/viewtopic.php?t=13155&start=45 I have had no problems with the 1.4 Beta. My only concern is the signal acquisition time and the overall processor speed, which has been brought up many times before. Is there anything we can do for that. It's a great unit, but OMG is it slow on redraws and most other function, even page switches. I only have the necessary regionals turned on. Any help, advise would be appreciated. How about a chip update, we can install ourselves. I am wondering if anyone can answer the question about performance? It sounds like this may be the weakest point on the PN-20, and it doesn't look like the 1.4 firmware addresses this concern? Regards

I didn't see this posted elsewhere. Here is a youtube video review of the Colorado 400t from "Icenrye's Geocaching" (review starts about 8 minutes into the 16 minute video):

What? I’m sure the topo maps will be updateable just like they update the nuvi maps. And in one thread (they were talking about the "eternal" 40sec boot time ), someone renamed the pre-installed topo map on the 400t. If you can rename the file, surely it can be replaced with a newer version.

Take a look at the video of someone using the unit on the Garmin website below: http://www8.garmin.com/ces/colorado/index.html The button & roller placement + use of thumb to rotate the 'wheel' makes a lot of sense to me. Justin

From the review posted earlier: Reliable - never crashed and didn't notice any bugs during testing I have been watching the Magellan Triton roll-out and was planning to buy one a few months ago. But it is clear that Magellan has dropped the ball on the Triton release: good hardware, awful software. I've decided to buy the Garmin Colorado 400t. Not a difficult decision...

The 400t sounds awesome -- I would love more detail on the supported topo maps for this unit. Justin

I've been waiting for Triton, but the release problems have left me less than enthusiastic. Anyone have any clue what scale of TOPO maps will be used for the Garmin Colorado? I really want at least 1:24k. Thanks

Hi, We used a local 2m HAM repeater, and the SAR frequencies are all commercial VHF (155.16, 155.205, etc). I put our test document and results at the location below - it has a lot more information: http://home.beyondbb.com/jmedlock/WMSAR_Ra...est_Results.pdf We need to do more tests, but HAM and a portable SAR repeater are our best bets in our mountainous terrain. Unfortunately the HAM repeater antennae took quite a beating last weekend with 55+mph winds, so I'm not sure when that will be fixed. Let me know if you have any question. Justin

I live in the southern mountains of New Mexico and am part of an S&R team. Several people on our team are HAM-licensed (Technician) and we held a SAR/HAM radio field test a few weeks ago to test: Simplex SAR communications: normal mode of communications using state SAR frequencies. Repeater SAR communications: using a newly developed portable SAR repeater using state SAR frequencies. HAM Repeater: the USA is full of HAM repeaters, several are in our area alone. The HAM repeater provided the best communication. If anyone is interested in seeing the paper I wrote describing our tests and results, then lemme know and I'll email it. Justin

Except for the addition of the radio, the new Rhino seems to be competitive with the 60CSx, or am I wrong? There seem to be a few other differences, but the major one being that the 60CSx can store 1000 waypoints compared to 500 on the Rhino. I have been considering purchasing a 60CSx for hiking in deep forest / canyon / tree cover, but maybe now I'll take a closer look at the new Rhino. Hmmm.. however the radio coverage doesn't seem to be that great, so maybe I'll pass. Any rumors of a new 60CSx model coming out? Thanks