jws2go

Doesn't the Colorado have a small magnet in the rock-n-roller wheel?

I agree with g-o-cashers. However, you do need to watch out for caches that have important clues in images instead of text. It takes some handsprings (and pre-planning) to get the relevant images onto the Colorado. You don't automatically get them when downloading the .gpx file. And even if you transfer them manually, they may or may not be useful on the tiny Colorado screen. For example, we recently attempted a cache for which all the text was in an image which looked like an old-style typewritten page. Couldn't actually read it on the Colorado, so we ended up printing it out and carrying it along. My '94 Ford didn't advertise MP3 support, so I didn't complain when a CD loaded with MP3s wouldn't fit in my cassette tape drive. My '07 Wrangler made promises, however, and I will complain (and rightly so) if it ceases to function as advertised!

I paid for a fully functioning device, and I want a fully functioning device, but I don't want to go through 6 RMAs to get there. Who pays the shipping on all these trips back to Mother Garmin?

Here is the response I received from the Tech: That really clears everything up!

The topic of the post is essentially this: Barometer doesn't plot data every 15 minutes when powered off. The reality is that it doesn't. The reality is that it's supposed to. Well said!

What would be the point, or the logic, in recording a reading every 15 minutes if the plot were going to disregard all the readings between power off and power on and just connect the outside points? Your defence of Garmin in this issue ignores the reasoning for taking 15 minute readings. If you are happy with connecting the outside points with a straight line, then enjoy. Those who want plots showing 15 minute readings have every right to complain!

I've been expecting Garmin to offer this explanation and it may be a valid one, but it doesn't satisfy all the grief for three reasons: (1) The save-on plot is explained under the same "Pressure Trending" description as save-always/power-off, and the plotting is dynamic with poiwer on; (2) the description in the book references readings every 15 minutes with save-always/power-off, but the plot does not indicate such; and (3) trending does not explain the pressure drop to zero several poeple have recorded with save-always/power-off.

Make sure you have your track log on? My understanding is that it plots a point everytime your track log records a point. Yep, track log was off. Thanks!

A new curiosity (it may be normal) reared its head today. On my drive to work this morning, with power on, the elevation plot maintained a blank screen. Maybe the power wasn't on long enough. Its only a 30 min drive in the mountains. Does anyone know how frequently the elevation plot take a reading with the power on?

Trainlove, I don't know if mine takes a reading during power-off, but if so it sure doesn't plot it when I turn it back on..

Thanks Yogazoo. I've tried 2.6 but haven't tried the calibration before shut-off. I wasn't too hopeful that would make it start plotting actual readings. I'm more interested in obtaining a reliable trend than in precision. I'll humor the techs for a while longer, though.

I can't criticize Magellan for a lack of vision. They did market a touch screen handheld way back when, and also a road/trail hybrid. They have just had trouble getting the bugs out. Wait...Garmin is having some of the same trouble. Technology is spurred on by new ideas. I do like my Colorado. I do not doubt that they will be successful in making things work soon, and then dazzle us with more gizmos in the future. In the meantime, this is the latest suggestion from Garmin Tech to remedy the non-plotting barometer in "save always" mode when the power is off: "Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I will be happy to assist you. I would recommend you to calibrate the Altimeter before you shut the unit off for the night and also update your software to 2.60. You can click the link below to download the software update for your 400T. If you have any other questions please contact us." I hope this helps someone else.

You may not have read post number 4 above; and you probably don't need a barometer at all, or want one. Others may. Some would just like to have a function work as designed.

I sent this request to Garmin: "With barometer set to save always, the plot takes a steady dive to zero overnight" Garmin Support's solution, and I quote: "Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I'll be glad to help you, make sure you do not have the barometer set to save always, as this will try to record when the unit is off as well giving you poor result sometimes." I must be misunderstanding something in the purpose of "save always"

I have several gpsrs and they all take some amount of fiddling around with. I think that's part of a learning curve. Its getting faster and easier with time.

You may see more unhappy Colorado owners if the new Oregon ends up being bug-free after all the problems we're still having with the Colorado.

Hmm...pressure from the coming release of the PN-40?

i purchased one of these three months ago. i got the bundle package that came with delorme topo maps for the entire usa. the maps were the main reason i bought it. i have found it very accurate and it can do paperless caching thru the software supplied. it will hold up to 800 characters of text, excluding logs, so the hints etc are usually available to you thru the unit, this for gpx files. the software was a little difficult for me to operate. after a while it was easy. the maps are amazing. the gps interfaces with the software and you can do a lot with that. the one thing i haven't figured out is how to download and transfer more than one cache at a time. the antenna works well. it also does street by street navigation if you desire. i know it does more but then i would have to read the manual. you will need to read the book to learn how to download and transfer files. it would be more than excellent for hiking with the topo maps. i hope this helps some. If you use pocket queries and GSAK you can get up to 500 caches each download, then push up to 1000 paperless cashes to the PN-20.

No, I wouldn't trust it in unfamiliar territory, but I like it anyway. I didn't get what I feel is my money's worth, yet, but I hope to with future updates. My big gripes are random shut-downs when initiating a change in screen, even with batteries at half capacity or better, and location error .

Wonder how the Colorado would react to the new 32GB SD cards???

Nuvi 350; Colorado 400t, 7200 Streetpilot, Delorme PN-20; Roadmate 700; and I'm now lusting for a PN-40. I have yet to own a gpsr I don't like.

How about a National Park Series?

I have a PN-20 and a 400t, and the resolution of the 20 makes up for the diff in size for my use. My only preference for the Colorado over the PN-20, when I have a preference, is in relation to processor speed. I'll definitely be on the list for a PN-40 if the speed factor is remedied. I love Delorme's topo maps.

Price???

I think Colorado owners have a right to expect a fix to the accuracy problem very soon. After all, if this had been a Magellan . . .