apathos

But everyone else has a straight line to the next point. Mine dropped off to nothing, then came back up when I turned it on. I had set it to save while off...

Hmm, I left mine ON for 3 hours, have the "mountain range" graph. I turned the unit off overnight (left it plugged in to computer), turned it back on about 8 hours later. All I had during the time it was off was a big ZERO. Did I set something wrong?

I don't know how well the touch screen would handle being outside, but as long as the Oregon works like the Nuvis, there is nothing to fear about the interface. Put your finger on the screen and slide it, instant pan. No arrows to hit, just slide your finger. It really is very intuitive. I agree, this is just additional models to the Colorado line. Though Garmin is a business and can do as they choose, if I had known these were coming I would not have bought my Colorado a month ago.

Just in case it's a help to others, here's what happened. When the map never showed up under my account, I called Garmin. They were very helpful, and said I had created two "MyGarmin" accounts somehow. I think what happened is I made one when I registered the GPS, and when I used the CityNav registration tool, it made me another account. When I called I told them I wanted to purchase the DVD (it's $10 for it). They then told me to go thru the prompts like I was getting the download, and that gave me an unlock key. I got the DVD in the mail about 4 days later.

Stupid double post. It's an internet conspiracy!

I just did this--only trouble was somehow I created 2 different accounts. Once I got that cleared up, I got the new key right away. Ordered the disk, and now I just need to install it.

*Smacks head* Yes, that helps immensely. I knew I could get the description from the 'options' menu, but I never saw the further 'options' menu at the description page. This would have prevented one of my DNFs, I believe. Oh well, gives me an excuse to go back out. Mapsource is on my comp at home, but if I recall right, I imported the PQ, I chose the routing tool, then clicked on caches in the order I wanted to find them. If that doesn't sound right, I'll try to duplicate it tonight and post more complete steps. Maybe I only tricked myself into thinking it was a route. I did eventually do this. Much better than going all the way thru the menu. Your FAQ was very helpful in getting my way around the unit. I have upgraded to 2.51. Many things nicer than 2.5. About the routing, once I've arrived at a stop, how do I get the unit to navigate to the next destination? Right now I have a route uploaded, if I leave the route (i.e. by using geocaching mode), it wants to start me back at the first point of the route. How do I pick up from, say, the 4th stop or so? Is there a way-that's-so-simple-i-looked-right-over-it?

I just got my 400t, and took it out for caching last weekend. I'm a new GPS user, so I hope I'm doing something wrong. And that someone can help me. I set up a route (CityNav) in Mapsource, with 7 caches in my PQ as the destinations. Starting from a friend's house, I followed the route to the 1st cache. Question: once I reach my first waypoint on a route, how do I proceed to the next waypoint? The only thing I could find to do was to remove the first waypoint from the route, which got quite tedious. I had the unit in automotive mode to drive to the next cache, but I find that I need to use geocahing mode once I get close. Do I have to keep switching profiles back and forth every time I exit/enter my car? I put 'profile change' on the shortcut list after awhile, but is there a faster way to switch profiles? In short, I spent more time trying to navigate the menus then I did actually looking for caches. I'm sure a large portion of that is just from being unfamiliar with the menu system, and that will improve over time. But am I missing something obvious about using these menus? Last, is there any way to get the hints into the Colorado, or do you only get the text of the description?

I just got a 400t and used it last weekend for driving. Compared to a Nuvi, it's not quite as handy, but does an acceptable job. If you upgrade to the latest beta firmware (no issues reported that I know of, it's very stable), you can use any mini-usb cord to power the unit--the cord from my Motorola RAZR works just fine. The "beep" letting you know a turn is coming is somewhat quiet, and there is no volume adjustment. If you're determined to use only one unit for all-purpose, the colorado will do quite well. If you want full function like a nuvi or TomTom, the Colorado will get you a lot, but not all of it. EDIT: and I found the best price to be amazon.com, with free shipping. Other places were cheaper, but not when you added shipping. If you would put a price premium on service and guaranteed return-ability, you should look at REI.

I was about to install the Beta Firmware on my 400t, when I noticed I am currently running v. 2.50, and the Beta is 2.51. I can't find any documentation on 2.50. What is the difference? --Jeff

Wonderful, thank you! It's indexing right now! Is there any advantage to using an SD card vs. the internal memory when it comes to the maps?

I just got my Colorado 400t today. This is my first GPS unit, and I can't for the life of me figure out how to get my City Navigator map into the unit. I assumed it would "install" to the unit when I installed it to my PC, but now I wonder if I'm not just supposed to save a map with the entire region I want to the unit. I tried looking for a guide to this. Is there a guide? or a kind soul willing to help a newbie? I registered and unlocked the map--it loads in Mapsource just fine. FWIW, it does NOT yet show up in mygarmin in the myMaps section. Thanks --Jeff

I think this most closely sums up my current predicament. I love the features the CO offers, but there are also features lacking, and a high rate of either broken units or bizarre behavior. Complicate this with subtly- or aggressively-biased Garmin fanboys and detractors, and mix in a little grousing from those will not be satisfied until they have the best of both units. Whether you personally like the CO or hate it, I am frustrated. I was all set a month ago to get a 60CSx, until I found out about the CO. Now I don't know what to do. Just like bmirak said, I could spend $500 - $600 on the 400t (plus maps and accessories) and maybe Garmin fixes things and adds features, maybe not. Or I get the 60CSx, $280 - $350 (plus maps and accessories, GSAK, a PDA and software for paperless, etc.), and then risk finding out that in 2 months Garmin is going to transform the CO into the geocacher's dream, and I could've had it for $200 more. I use forums and other resources available to me for one major reason--to prevent buyer's remorse. With the mixed bag I'm reading about on the forums here, I'm not yet comfortable purchasing my first-ever GPS unit that will have to last me 3 - 5 years. This is where the consumer appreciates transparency on the part of the company he is looking to support. I'm just not ready to give Garmin my money until I know which way this is going to end up.

I've been trying to read up on batteries--it seems many people have a preference for Eneloops from Sanyo. Amazon.com has a TODAY ONLY deal on this kit. Is this a good enough deal to get? Or is the Maha/LaCrosse charger a better unit? Buy it or skip it?

Will those of us waiting on the brink to purchase a 300/400t get an analytical update at 11? Thanks

Sports Authority (at least in my area) has dumped the 'outdoors' sections almost entirely. Have gone fully sports, almost no hunting. They had 3 GPS units when i was there, all a brand I hadn't heard of. Gander Mountain is the only place around that had any, but there prices are not competitive. To even SEE a Garmin Colorado in person, and touch its smooth exterior, I had to drive 45 minutes to Bass Pro, and all they had was the 300i. To see a 400 t I had to drive an hour-and-fifteen to the nearest REI. It's not all that fun living in an area that put all its eggs into the manufacturing basket...

Ditto. The Aiken SC Walmart had the Legend HCx but it was $233..... and they won't price match their website price according to the clerk. Holy cow - I have 4 Wal-Marts within 20 minutes of my house, and NONE of them carry handheld GPS units. So far I've only been able to find ONE store in my entire county that sells handheld GPS units, and their selection was fairly small.

I'm just waiting to see what the next update brings before I pull the trigger. If they resolve some of the big items, I'll bite on a 300. Otherwise, it'll be a 60CSx. But I really think I'll be ending up with a 300. Garmin has too much to lose to drop this ball. Was that enough cliches?

This is exactly what I was concerned about. I guess I will await further details. Thanks for the update.

My point is this: if they have found reason to no longer ship these units, that would be because of hardware issues, not firmware (which can be fixed remotely). If by waiting 2 months I could get a unit that has this already taken care of, I would prefer to do that than deal with the hassle of returning a defective unit, or even possibly dealing with a recall. I understand that sometimes something just goes wrong, and might have to be replaced. But if, hypothetically, 30% of all these units have some kind of hardware issue, I'd prefer to wait. A report that says Garmin has stopped shipping these units most certainly gives me pause, and I wish I had more information about it.

So what was the resolution? Refund? Or are they going to send you one when they resume shipping? I am also curious to know if they have stopped shipping the Colorado's entirely. I'm looking to purchase one and deal with the firmware upgrades. But if there is a hardware issue, no dice.

FYI, others have reported that site to be fraudulent.

I'm looking to get a Colorado unit fairly soon. It will be my first GPS unit. I will be using it for driving directions occasionally, and geocaching often (hopefully). Is it advisable to get the 400t and the city navigator map only? Or should I get the 300 with both maps separate? I am from SE Michigan,which is relatively flat--will a Topo map be of any real use to me? I hate tobother, but if so, how? I just don't see it. I have heard that you cannot use the Colorado series for auto-navigation unless you use City navigator--is this correct? Finally, is it better to get the maps on DVD, or SD cards? I have seen some recommend DVD so you can use it on the computer, but what are the advantages to that?

Ok, I need help. I've gotten a TON of info from these forums (man, you guys know your stuff). My problem now is info overload. I just need some help sorting stuff out. My family and I have gone caching twice with a borrowed GPS unit (Nuvi 350), and my wife LOVED it. I fully expected her to be frustrated lugging the kids around, but she loved every moment. So she's buying one for my birthday, but she (knowing how picky I am) wants me to get it. So I come to you, the forum-dwellers. What do you recommend? For our purposes, this GPS unit will be used 80% for caching, 15% for driving, and 5% for non-caching hiking. At this point, the only units I'm considering are the Vista HCx, the 60CSx, and the Colorado 400t. I am not a bleeding edge kinda guy--I'm willing to wait a year to make sure all the major kinks are worked out. So I'm really not even looking at the 400t unless it has some amazo-stuff that will outweigh all the issues I'm reading about it in this forum. What are the major differences between the 60CSx and the Vista HCx then? I know they are tried-and-true. I'd like a simple-enough interface, ruggedness (to endure my kids, not the outdoors), long battery life, easy-to-read screen, y'know, usability. In the absolutely ideal setup, what else would I need to get for this? I just spent 20 minutes reading about maps and now I'm confused. Is the map that comes with either of these good enough? Should I really get another map, and if so which one(s) and why? 500 words or less please. What other software to go caching? I read a lot about GSAK, I'll look into it more. Is there any other software that I should consider? Any accessories? Do they come with car chargers? Is a lanyard recommended? I know the people here put a lot of effort into getting info out and organizing it, so I appreciate the time to answer my questions. Even if you want to point me to other posts that deal with these things, that's fine--I just had a hard time sorting this info for my use. Basically, what would your ideal total setup be if your concern was to get the stuff you could really use, then hack away at the cost later? I'm so looking forward to getting out there and tracking them down! EDIT: What about the Colorado 300? Is that preferable?

2 quick questions: If you look for a cache, and do not find it, but you are convinced it was due to your error, not the owner's error is it common courtesy to log the DNF and say why, or would that usually be frowned upon? Feel free to post pertinenet links for the newb. Similarly, if you do only part of a multi-stage cache due to time constraints, do cache owners want to know that/have me log it as a DNF or something, or do you just log it when you do finish it? Second, if you find a cache and it has some baubles, some nicer stuff, and also some team cards/team coins, or other items of significance not placed there by the owner, are they all fair game, or is it generally considered rude to take the items others have left? 2a., are there items that are 'better' to leave in caches then others? I'm not going to buy any coins/bugs yet, but barring any requests from the cache owner, what are some good things to leave? 2b., (sneaky way to get extra questions, huh?) Is it commonly expected that the items you take from a cache be somewhat similar in value/significance to the items you leave? Thanks! -apathos