ryguyMN
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Posts posted by ryguyMN
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I am with DocDitto. I didn't expect that when I bought my Colorado in January that it would be the last Garmin ever developed, so none of this bothers me at all. If you buy a laptop today or a big screen TV today, it is obsolete tomorrow... that is the way technology works! I have cached since January with my Colorado, and like others, have experienced the evolution and steady improvement of the software while finding over 400 caches with it. I have never expected it to be perfect, but it is much better than what I had before and it is continuously improving. I applaud Garmin for getting an even newer and better GPSr on the market, and I trust that they will continue to take care of the progressive improvement of my Colorado in the process. Heck, they still even have an occasional update for my wife's c330, and it is several years obsolete. Keep 'em coming, Garmin, and thanks for being at the cutting edge! I LOVE my Colorado, and at this point would not even consider trading it for the Oregon!
Of course everything is obsolete tomorrow, but people are missing the point. The products Garmin is releasing are problematic and they are ignoring these issues to focus on the Oregon. Yes, new products will take precedence, but the problem is that it's too soon for the Oregon. The market doesn't need a new receiver every 6 months, especially with an economic downturn. They are crazy to think it will be a success. Geez, what happened to common sense and sound judgement?
Laptops makers put out BIOS updates and new drivers are still developed long after the computer hits the market. TVs are TVs, they either work or they don't. There aren't a lot of software bugs associated with it. Hell, I would as far to say the Colorado was abandoned BEFORE it hit the store shelves and Garmin rushed it to stores looking to make a buck. The Colorado should have never been released and rather have become vaporware.
Another question I have is who's to say Garmin will ever put out another update for Colorado? They seem to be pretty quiet if you ask me on future updates while they are off trying to perfect the Garmin Puerto Rico, coming in 2015. People have a right to be legitimately concerned. I'm not going to be some kind of lemming who buys every new product Garmin puts out. I hope the Oregon and every future product is a catastrophic failure, so the marketing and R&D teams can get off the crack they are smoking.
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What a bunch of s**t! F U Garmin! Magellan hasn't been great in support, but they wouldn't pull this kind of crap! Might have to consider a legit class action suit. First handheld GPS I buy from Garmin and it's a lame duck...arrggghhh.
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We can only hope this is a sign that Magellan is going to support older/legacy products, perhaps with a firmware update to fix the WAAS issue??? Pretty please!
Ryan
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is it me, or is this the final version of the Colorado beta models...
LOL! I think your right! Like every company, I know there are always new products on the horizon, but it almost feels like Colorado owners were pre-release testers for the Oregon looking at the timeframe products were released and firmware updates available. Shouldn't Garmin at least compensate us for doing beta testing and quality control (feedback that will be ignored anyway)? HA!
Ryan
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When your paying $650 MSRP for the Oregon 400t, you should be entitled to the highest detailed topo available. It is a slick looking unit, but how will the software be after numerous problems reported by Colorado users who have yet to see a non-beta update? You can have the hardware, but if the software isn't up to snuff, it's not going to matter. I still want to see what Garmin can do with the Colorados before even considering a Oregon.
Ryan
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If you don't have any issues with the unit and is working up to your expectations, you might be better off holding onto it! WAAS will improve accuracy to within 3 meters, but other than that, your unit won't be much more accurate than newer units. With advances in technology, newer units will allow for better coverage under dense foliage and will be quicker at acquiring GPS signals. It all depends on what features are important to you.
Ryan
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Very interesting....curious to see how this compares with Topo 3D. It will be nice to have some current maps for eXplorist. Why the regions though and not make the whole US available? Geez, I feel like I have a thousand bucks worth of software preloaded on the Colorado 400t! HA! Anyway, thumbs up to Magellan nonetheless.
Ryan
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First the slow firmware upgrades to the CO, and now this? I am so glad I stuck with the 60csx. The Colorado is far from perfect but Garmin is already moving on! It seems like Garmin is tossing reliability under the bus just to stay on the cutting edge.
Also, won't the touch screen decrease battery life even more? Will the screen smudge? Will the screen work with a protector? Just seems like a whole new set of complications, to me.
I couldn't agree more. Why doesn't Garmin fix the problems people are having before moving on to new models? How about waiting for a product to at least mature before moving on? I don't understand Garmin's current business strategy, but in a weakening economy, the target audience is going to be less likely to shell out USD$400 or $500 every year for new units just for something that maybe works or fixes what was broken on previous models. Trying to squeeze every dime out of your customers isn't going to work in this day and age. Garmin is starting to follow Magellan's slippery slope of releasing products then never supporting them. Also, there is a point where a company can have so many different models that it becomes difficult to tell the difference between them all and that the market just gets too saturated and products are abondoned just because there are too many products to support. That's my rant for the day.
Ryan
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About 5 days ago I upgraded my Colorado from 2.51beta to 2.54beta. Since then I've had a problem which has got worse every day and now the unit is unusable, but I don't see why the software should be involved (if it were, I'd have expected it to go wrong suddenly, not gradually).
First I noticed that the satellite strength bars were much lower than before - in a wide open space they'd only be 1/4 the possible height. Then I only had 4 or 5 small bars when I ought to be able to have 10 or 12 visible satellites. Yesterday it took 20 minutes to lock on, but then I had full-sized bars and 3m accuracy for the rest of the day. Today I haven't been able to get a signal at all except that for a brief moment I got a 1/8 height white bar on one satellite. It's as if I'm indoors.
I've done a full "user data clear" of the unit (power-up with both buttons on) but that didn't help.
Any ideas? I really don't want to have to send it in, especially as I'm sure that after 3 days in the mail it will probably work like a charm just long enough to fool the support engineers.
Thanks
Nick
Have you tried checking your batteries?
Ryan
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You should look at the Garmin nuvi line. The c3xx series is very close to being discontinued. The nuvi 2xx line has some great models. Also, the nuvi 350, although a little bit older technology, is a great all around unit.
Yes, the nuvi 350 is one of the more popular models in the nuvi line due to its performance. The Street Pilots are old technology at this point.
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That's why it's BETA, you're taking a risk that there are bugs, some of which could be fatal. While it's beta, it's good to know Garmin is still working on improving the unit.
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Can't go wrong with the 350 at all. I think they can be had for around $200 these days. I've had mine for about a year and a half, and it's never given me any problem and it's very easy to use! If you are thinking the 350, you might want to go after the 255, which is the 350 successor in spirit. The new nuvi models sport HotFix technology which is supposed to get you a quicker lock onto satellites. Combined with tweaks to the user interface such as an indicator at the top left of the screen telling you what your next turn is, speed limit display, and the ability to use photo navigation, it's worth looking into if any of these features matter to you.
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I have a "City Navigator North America" DVD labeled "Version 8.00". Is this the predecessor to "City Navigator NT North America, Version 2008"? If so, then to get to the latest version I would need to buy "Version 2008" and then upgrade to "Verison 2009"?
Yes, v.8 is the predecessor to v.2008. Garmin began using years starting with 2008 (2007 release). You should be able to buy the 2009 update and apply it directly over v.8.
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Hi everyone,
I would appreciate some advice on my Magellan GPS handheld.
I purchased a Magellan Triton 200 North America two months ago since it was on sale: I was looking for a GPS unit for geocaching and didn't want one that was too expensive. Unfortunately, I was fooled by the sale
... for a shopper that usually check up on items before making a large purchase, this one must have fooled me good ... I only wished I was a smarter shopper two months ago 
The problem I have with the Magellan is that it is unable to load detailed maps of Canada. If I was living in the States, then this unit does not have any issues: it really is a great unit (in terms of signal reception) but not for a Canadian GPS user.
Last time I checked, Canada was a part of North America ... and no where on the package did it suggest that this Magellan was not going to load any detailed maps of Canada. Without detailed maps for the GPS unit, it technically renders the device as quite useless for me ... now it is just an extremely expensive digital compass.
All jokes aside, I am attempting to save this GPS handheld and tried many things:
- I've searched online the Magellan website for software that could provide detailed maps of Canada (unfortunately, none are compatible with the Magellan Triton series)
- Tried converting Garmin detailed maps into Magellan compatible formats, but not successful ... error messages pop up
- I've spoke to the customer service reps and all of them said that "it is impossible to load detailed maps of Canada on the Triton" ... so then I question why the company would sell them in Canada and label it as the North America series ... I get silence and then eventually a hang up.
So I figured that if there isn't any available maps to load from the Magellan site, then perhaps searching for a map file (.imi extension) of Toronto roads & features that I can upload via VantagePoint (the only software compatible with this unit).
Again, no luck.
I am posting this forum topic since I was advised that if I have a GPS issue, then this forum may have the answers. I am new to the Groundspeak Forums, but am optimistic that someone can save my GPS from being a dud.
It's not impossible to geocache without detailed maps (I've tried before): but it is definitely more difficult since you have to do a lot of background research in advance of the area. Without detailed maps, the cacher is unaware of where the roads are and where a pond/river may start (which can be a problem). Currently, I am using a Garmin that I borrow from a fellow geocacher: after using the Garmin, I am in awe over it ... especially since it works!
Enough of this "Why did I purchase a Magellan" rant: if you read this far, then I appreciate it.
I'm still determined to save the Magellan ... I'm open to any suggestions or advice.
Thanks,
~ prastost (the fool who got tricked by the Magellan sale)
Umm.....get a Garmin and save yourself the trouble of jumping through two dozen hoops!
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I am using Energizer 2500mah rechargeables in my Colorado and I have no battery issues. Lasts me quite a long time!
I use the same batteries and they work well. The only issue is that they seem to lose their charge quickly while sitting idle.
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It’s been well over two months since Garmin issued beta software to address the most egregious faults of its half-baked Colorado model. Increasingly it looks as if the Colorado is “THE PRODUCT THAT GARMIN FORGOT”. Unfortunately, consumers are finding it difficult to forget that they misguidedly forked out a sizeable chunk of money for this ill-conceived unit. To my mind, after this debacle Garmin is no longer worthy of consumers’ and shareholders’ support. I’m now putting my money on the new GPS iPhone running third-party caching software and housed in a tough waterproof OtterBox. Goodbye Garmin!
As far as Colorado firmware goes, the current version is very functional and stable. Sure there are tweaks here and there that can be done, but at this stage it's more advanced than some of the latest competitor's products out there *cough* Triton *cough* that experience lockups and inaccurate readings in data fields. With Garmin's superb product support history, they will only improve on the Colorado. It's not time to give up on it yet! Be proud you have one!
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Hi Dale,
I want to be sure I'm downloading the version that has all of Florida. May I have that info please?
Thank you so much
Need more info. What brand and model receiver are you using?
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Hmmm...reading this thread got me thinking. Would be possible to update a SporTrak with this firmware since the Explorist 210 is most similar to the SporTrak? Anyone try it before?
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What has really steamed my shorts about Magellan is no support for once-loyal fans. The formally excellent SporTrak series, though discontinued, could have seen a firmware update simply to update the WAAS satellites. Nope.
Then I start researching a hack to fix and discover not only the next generation not receiving WAAS, but the latest as well. Apparently, it's getting fixed while other companies have long since had it fixed.
I mean how hard would it have been to go in and change a very few numbers to get the units to pick up the proper satellites? Sure, business strategy probably was "buy a new GPS." I'm the type that keeps something for a long time if it works. The SporTrak worked great until last year. Now, eh. Better than nothing I suppose, but for the same money or little more I can get something that kicks sand in it's face. Only, it doesn't have a Magellan logo on it.
So, Magellan's strategy of "buy a new GPS" translates into "go with a better company." I say, "Okay." My next one is a Garmin.
You nailed it! Instead of fixing the problems for current/older models, Magellan puts out a new model that may contain fix(es) and to get people to plop down $150 - 200 for essentially a firmware update. If buyers are willing to do that, more power to Magellan, but I'm sure as hell not biting on this marketing "strategy".
I have a perfectly, good SporTrak which no longer receives WAAS. It was a very accurate and functioning unit and my experience with it sold me on the Magellan line. It's a shame what has become of this company in a span of five years.
One other point: It's nice to known that Garmin's engineers are smart enough not to hardcode WAAS satellites to the firmware to allow for flexiblity in sat changes.
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Magellan has a clue, just no desire to support WAAS on any handheld GPS except the Triton. I know that people that recently bought Explorers and complained that they falsely advertised were given the option to swap them for a Triton. People who have had theirs for a while may be give a discount which does not even meet what you can buy them for on line or at Costco.
Tech support says that NO model supports WAAS, which would mean Triton too! They don't even know their own products!!!
If you compared a group of monkeys and Magellan, there would be more similarities than differences! I'm sorry, but that the biggest bunch of BS that Bismuth was given from a tech support group ever.
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OK, I have had a Magellan eXplorist 500 LE for about one year. It has been reliable and accurate until about three weeks ago when I attempted to update the firmware and, in the process, lost the WAAS capability. I wish I had checked the forum first.
My eXplorist 500 used to commonly report 7-10 feet accuracy and now hovers around 16-26.
I spent quite a bit of time on the phone with the Magellan tech guy and he tells me that they no longer make ANY GPSrs that are WAAS enabled and that none of the other manufacturers do either. The guy said that the government had "turned it off".
Yesterday I found this thread in the forum which explains what happened to my eXplorist. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=185052
What is the truth about WAAS service availability? Is it really no longer available in new GPSrs?
I complained long enough that the Magellan guy offered me a free Triton 400 on trade in. But he said it won't have WAAS capability either.
The Magellan tech person is feeding you a line of garbage. They are truly becoming more clueless as each day passes. Unbelievable. No wonder why Magellan won't fix the WAAS issue, they are uninformed with changes to WAAS. It's not the government shutting them off, but rather WAAS being transmitted on new sats. Until Magellan comes to their senses, we will never get a fix.
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I am using Energizer 2500mAh now. Is this a good battery? What do you suggest?
Thanks
This is what I use for my Colorado and seem to have good life. Since I just got this GPS a week ago, and due to variation in the amount of backlighting among different users, I can't really comment on the number of hours you will get. Like others have mentioned, it depends how you cycle the initial charges.
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....and look foward to future firmware updates!
that does not mean you absolutely love the C
Sure, the Colorado has got it's quirks and is by no means perfect...yet, but I like what Garmin is attempting here, and it is still fairly "polished" with firmware v. 2.40.
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Here's my mini-review:
I just got my Colorado 400t this week despite the issues that others are reporting on this board. On the initial power up after inserting 2500 mAh NiMH batteries, the unit seemed to boot up in a reasonable time and picked up strong signals indoors. Navigating around with the various shortcuts as Garmin calls them, the Colorado seems to combine the best of Garmin's product lines. As a user of Magellans in the past, the Colorado features the functions of the explorist 600. With the navigation profile and a copy of City Nav maps, the unit behaves like a mini-nuvi. The Colorado also takes the heart rate monitor from the fitness products and incorporates it here.
One of the first things I did was turn on WAAS from the menu. Not sure why this was off to begin with since there are few if any disadvantages I've experienced with WAAS. Nonetheless, I was able to gain an accuracy in the 10-12 foot range while indoors! My location on the map seemed reasonable using neighborhood roads as a reference point.
From an engineering standpoint, the Colorado feels like a solid unit. The back cover is very secure when the latch is locked into place. The only drawback here is that it takes a little effort to pull the latch up when changing batteries or inserting an SD card. I would also like to see the back cover be more flush when locked into place with the rest of the casing for extra security and piece of mind that the insides won't get wet when it rains. The navigation wheel feels smooth when rolling and doesn't posess jerkiness. I found moving the wheel counter-clockwise to be the most natural feel. Buttons were easy to access with my thumb in the same hand. The joystick on the wheel took a little bit to get used to, but became easier to use than the joystick found on the Magellan eXplorists which at times felt unresponsive.
I bought the Colorado to eventually phase out my now obsolete Magellan units and I found the Colorado to be superior in every way except for the menu system which I have to give the nod to Magellan here. Navigating through the menus on the Colorado to find shortcuts seems too cumbersome and needs to be simplified a bit. But overall, I am very impressed with it and look foward to future firmware updates!
... for a shopper that usually check up on items before making a large purchase, this one must have fooled me good ... I only wished I was a smarter shopper two months ago 
Last time I checked, Canada was a part of North America ... and no where on the package did it suggest that this Magellan was not going to load any detailed maps of Canada. 
First Impressions of City Navigator NT 2009!
in GPS technology and devices
Posted
Are you reporting the errors to Garmin or Navteq? You should be going through Navteq if you want to be heard.