Jump to content

jws2go

+Premium Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    53

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by jws2go

    Garmin Colorado FAQ and Issues List

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    <rant on>

     

    Twolpert,

    Can you get that image on a 60csx?

     

    Not to pick on you, but some of the complaints on the Colorado/Oregon series are really borderline trivial. No wonder people are scared off from them. My 400T is working just dandy, I've not run into an issue w/ reading information (paperless) and don't find the writing (paperless) any less onerous than on other gps devices. But come on people, aside from feature requests, or major technical glitches, the Colorado/Oregon series are pretty damned good and cutting edge devices that so far no other manufacturer has come close to duplicating.

     

    If you've got a 60csx (the reference gps) and don't mind not having the notes embedded in the device, then by all means hold on for a while, the 500 or 600 Turbo will be out shortly no doubt. If you've got an older device and/or hate paper caching, search for the best price and grab yourself a Colorado/Oregon unit, check it out, return/replace if necessary, or use it and I think you'll enjoy it. I know I am.

     

    There are very few things in life that are perfect. The first PCs sucked, the first cell phones were bricks, the first cars were slower than horses and most of today's cars don't support mp3 players - but they are/were all good solid performing solutions or they were repaired/replaced/returned and people moved on.

     

    Time to move on people. Or go back to horse and buggy, and bring a compass along with you next time you go out for a cache.

    <rant off>

     

    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!

    Colorado Barometer not recording data during Power Off

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Here is my question to Garmin Tech Support (I wanted to keep it specific and short):

     

    Subject:

    Barometer Pressure Trend Data

    Message Body:

    What is the frequency at which the Colorado 400t samples

    barometric/ambient pressure data? How is that data displayed? Is the

    actual data point sampled plotted on the graphic display, or is a trend

    line calculated using the current and previous sample values and then

    plotted on the screen?

     

    ;) Here is the response I received from the Tech:

     

    Thank you for contacting Garmin International.

     

    There is not a specific frequency that barometric pressure is measured,

    it just measures the pressure changes to show a change in elevation.

    The pressure is relative to the current conditions, which is why they

    unit will sometimes need to be calibrated.

     

    As for the data display, the unit shows a graph for either pressure and

    elevation plots and tracks and saves the elevation in the track log.

     

    With Best Regards,

    (Contact info and Techie name removed to protect his identity)

    That really clears everything up!

    Colorado Barometer not recording data during Power Off

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    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!

    Colorado Barometer not recording data during Power Off

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Just out of curiosity, is the Colorado supposed to plot dynamic data or show pressure trends? They are two entirely different methods of displaying the data. What is advertised and described in the Colorado Owner's Manual is 'pressure trending'...this indicates to me that I should not see dynamic data but a calculated trend line either steady, rising, or falling.

     

    Looking at the Owner's manual for the 60Csx I notice that it refers to 'viewing the pressure plot' or, a record of changes in barometric pressure over time. This is different than viewing a pressure trend. So, if I'm correct this just highlights another difference between the Colorado and the 60Csx. Perhaps someone from Garmin could chime in and let us know.

     

    On a side note, Garmin has this to say about the differences between Ambient and Barometric pressure:

     

    Ambient pressure is a sensor reading from the unit. Normalized/barometer pressure is the unit's best estimate of locally reported sea-level pressure for your location. This estimated pressure does not compensate for humidity or temperature.

     

    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.

    Colorado Barometer not recording data during Power Off

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    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?

     

    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!

    Colorado Barometer not recording data during Power Off

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Is it just that the unit does record a reading every 15 minutes, but when you turn it on that it does not graph it?

    Perhaps the data exists but the graphing is what's not working. There might be a way to download the data and import it into excel or something.

    But of course who's going to have a laptop with them up in the mountains.

    If they 'advertise' a feature and that feature does not work then they are exactly like Magellan corp as described on my web page. http://ray.jerome.jobs.googlepages.com/majormagellanproblem

    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..

    Colorado Barometer not recording data during Power Off

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    The joke about Magellan designers was a real knee slapper! :laughing:

     

    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.

    Colorado Barometer not recording data during Power Off

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Let me get this straight.

     

    You have a GPS and you keep it in your cars glove compartment. You want to know your altitude during the 16 hours your car is sitting in your driveway every night?

     

    Of you do not use your GPS for 2 weeks and it's sitting on your desk, you want to know the altitude of your house every second or whatever interval that the barometer records a point?

     

    I think you are misreading the intent of SAVE ALWAYS, and interpreting it as ALWAYS ON. For that you have to have your GPS ON.

     

    I for one wouldn't want the massive battery drain that a sensor uses to constantly discharge my battery even when I'm not using my GPS.

     

    P.S. And suppose that you are driving all over the mountains and you have your GPS off, if you are like me you do not have your GPS on all the time. In this situation, if the barometer is supposed to record points while it is off, you have absolutely no idea what that graph is of, since your altitude is all over the place. I would say that Garmin should record a coordinate every second when the GPS is OFF too, but that and the barometer thing is rediculous. Keep your GPS on if you want to record something on your GPS.

     

    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.

    Colorado Barometer not recording data during Power Off

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    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"

    DeLorme Earthmate PN-20 owners?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

     

    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.

    Delorme PN-40

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    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.

×
×
  • Create New...