Ratsneve
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Posts posted by Ratsneve
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Do you know if the Colorado or Oregon or any other GPSr memory space that appears as a virtual drive partition on the PC ever becomes fragmented? It may be that fragmentation is something that only occurs on physical drives and is not possible in non-volatile memory?
Thanks.
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Excellent info, StarBrand.
Just a shame that I can't settle for cheap stuff. Has to be one of the Oregons.
Cheers.
Confirm this with Garmin if you like because last I knew you could squeeze the information out of them if you got the right tech who had the data sheet.
For whatever reason the 400t Colorado and Oregon both end up with the largest chunk of free memory--slightly over 1 GB--then any of the others and this value has been confirmed by myself and many others with these GPSr's. All the other models have substantially less free memory. The problem was that the last time I asked Garmin to confirm free space of the 400t Colorado they were in denial that it was over 1 GB and not close to what their data sheet said at the time. I really hoped that Garmin would correct this statistic but because of constant other problems with the Colorado I never followed up on this blatent error on their part and currently if you compare units all the 400 lines just say 'yes' to having internal free memory.So, I would still recommend the Oregon 400t unless you can see where the 300 would still give you all the free memory you might need for maps outside of what you might do with the MicroSD slot. If you have no use for the base topo map you can learn exactly what file(s) it involves and move them off of the 400t and back them up for possible future need. This would give you still more free memory on the Oregon. Moving certain files off and on the Oregon does not pose any problems but DO NOT format these partitions. It appears that something else might be going on with that process that is unrecoverable so far.
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Do a hard reset. See: http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Miscellaneous#toc10
It was the first thing I did. No change. "Hard reset" only wipes out user data without prompt, but does not affect internal memory.
I suspect in formatting you may have deleted hidden file(s) that you could not have backed up--maybe? There should be a way to fully restore the Colorado / Oregon in the field if there is no hardware failure--but there isn't to date to my knowledge. There is no available disk image I'm aware of nor means of getting into the Colorado's OS.
There are too many cases of "system software missing" through no fault of the end user and I'm sure others have "accidentally" formatted their virtual memory drive/partition(s) too. (There but for you go I.)
The results of this thread could be important for all of us with Colorado and Oregon models.
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I need help going paperless. Consider me a computer idiot. So how do I start.
1.what equipment do I need?
2.When I download off a cache page what is that I'm downloading, the text for that page?
3.I really don't have a clue what to do.
Thanks for any help or leads.
1. You can buy a new GPSr that has paperless caching built into it. Garmin's Oregon comes to mind now or DeLorme's PN-40 in a couple months.
2. From the cache page when you click on download direct to GPS you are adding all the information including initial coordinates, information about the cache, and any clues the cache page includes directly to your GPSr. You can then access all this on your paperless GPSr and GO TO the initial coordinates. You can then manage in the GPSr that you found the cache or failed to find the cache. And you can download directly multiple caches too either one at a time that interest you or a whole bunch all at once.
At this point in time I am not that serious about geocaching so I only add them one at a time. I didn't need to know the file types or structure involved or use any other tools other then my PC and the Colorado's USB cable--DON'T buy the Colorado if new paperless geocaching GPSr's intrigue you--it has other serious problems. I will be using an Oregon next. Read the other infomation mentioned in this thread too but understand that there are a wide variety of ways to go paperless depending on the equipment you can afford to get--from very easy to very hard. I have only used the very easy approach and don't intend to manage thousands of caches anywhere outside of geocaching.com. Your mileage can freely vary and probably will.
3. With other devices besides your current GPS (assuming it does not do paperless geocaching) you can accomplish paperless caching but it is complicated imho. You indicated a willingness to buy equipment you might need? There are less expensive portable GPSr on the market then the Oregon. All models have tradeoffs to consider. I'm impressed with DeLorme's interest and the care they are taking before introducing the PN-40.
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Ratsneve, I think Embra's reply answered all of your questions...
We have several methods to recover with the PN-Series, the last resort being a re-run of the firmware that ships with the device and is available through our support site until a new firmware update is released.
Our device can use AA, LiIon, e2Li, and NiMH batteries. The device can charge the LiIon battery and will display a reduced backlight while charging. I don't notice because I keep my backlight set to half power anyway... This afternoon I did have to take my sunglasses off while driving with a particularly dark section of high res aerial imagery.
I use the LiIon rechargeable when I'm geocaching from a vehicle and I can use the power adapter. I'll switch to e2 Lithiums for multi-day trips when weight is a concern... besides, I still can't believe how much time you can get out of a set of e2 Lithiums. Add to that the fact that the PN-Series devices float when using the LiIon or e2Li batteries and it's a cool thing while kayaking.
I hope that answers some of your questions...
Chip Noble
Team DeLorme
Thanks Chip. You may have read that I managed a one-time exchange with Garmin for an Oregon to replace my Colorado that went belly-up on me last week? Because the Oregon currently is doing so much better then the Colorado in all respects it is unlikely I will be selling it right off the bat for a PN-40 when they come out in two months. That is today--right now. In two months who knows?
Although I am interested in the mapping differences and possibilites between GPSr's and DeLorme's PN-40 in particular to what Garmin offers my actual mapping needs are very basic. The Oregon's larger screen has got to remain 75% of the problem stopping me right now.
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Indeed it is dynamic!!! As to a mess, I've always been impressed with Garmin's base map labeling. For objects that are part of the map, I've never seen two labels one top of one-another. That's impressive programming.
Perhaps you do some/a lot of programming and are a better judge.
I suspect part of our judgment is related to screen resolution, on a eTrex it looks good. But on your CO and my Nuvi it looks busy. Here's a 60CSx screenshot from NW 24K Topos:
Doesn't look busy to me. The mapping language is now 10+ years old, I don't have 20-20 foresight, how about you?
Maybe I've grown to old and disappointed? Over the years I learned enough about programming to know I had no skill at it but that one skilled at it could do just about anything. I beta tested a number of early text adventure games for Infocom and Adventure International. My career was light aircraft and commercial satellite product assurance. I lived by-the-book and enjoyed facilitating good corrective action for a variety of customers including the military. No doubt this is one reason why I feel so disappointed in the problems the Colorado has and I perceive Garmin to have.
I don't know what you meant by the "20-20 foresight" comment, but I meant to reply some about me here and forgot.
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^^^^^ Reas Reads ^^^^^
Recently I have participated in many threads which I have thus subscribed to for email notification or because of interest. I've looked at the subscribed list of topics though and noticed that the most recent ones, even though I've just finished reading any new posts in them, still show up listed with bold icons and indication that they have new posts in them--which they don't. Below these are many older threads that have not had any recent new posts to them.
Why do these recent threads still show up as having new posts in them when they don't? Is there a little problem going on with this forum feature?
Thank you.
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I'm getting a new gps, and have narrowed it down to the oregon300 or the 60csx. My main uses will be geocaching, hiking, and biking.
I want the the touchscreen of the oregon, but am not so sure if it will do so good with caching. If anyone has an oregon can you help me understand how close it will get me to the cache?(under trees, dense canopy,ect) Oh, and can someone tell me if the oregon300,400t,200,ect get the same accuacy or are they different depending on price?? THANKS!! From what you describe wanting I would pick the Oregon. The 60CSx isn't touchscreen and doesn't do paperless geocaching (at least not as eaily as the Oregon). The 60CSx may do a notch better as far as accuracy goes BUT I doubt this loss if any will hurt you much. Others may chime in or not. It seems to me that any GPSr can have its good days and bad days depending on the GPSs constellation, terrain, trees, building, and moisture in the air. I may be wrong but I don't think you will find anyone here who will say they can walk right up to every cache with a 60CSx but can never do that with an Oregon, i.e., the Oregon's accuracy is good enough (assuming the unit is working properly). You may or may not be aware that the Oregon screen is larger then the 60CSx but it is harder to see in general because of the touchscreen and marginal backlighting. If you HAD to fall back on one or the other I think today it is a tough call and one that I won't make for you. Go see and hold and use and think about each one before you buy either. And go to a retailer who has knowledgable sales people who can help answer questions of both units. If you can't do that then hang around here for a couple weeks reading recent posts, asking more questions, and thinking.
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Direct link:
http://www.fieldandstream.com/article/Gear...Gadgets-of-2008
Found the above link on blogs.garmin.com
Congrats/Kudos to Garmin!!
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ROTFLMAO... That is so funny. They even list its price $40 over Garmin's retail price and even funnier mention the useless temperature readout. These magazine reviews are totally useless. There is nothing like a forum where all the layers of BS can be carefully peeled off of something if need be...and the Colorado certainly needs it. Field and "Dream"--no thanks.
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Anyone know the reason why the Colorado and Oregon are not as accurate/bugs as other units, i.e. 60 csx is it software, or hardware? anyone have a feel for this or have some ideas.
Why? It is speculated and perhaps only from me reading some email responses quoted here from Garmin top level management that Garmin may have been asleep at the wheel unaware of design problems from software and hardware engineering, poor beta testing and quality control, sales demands to kick 'em out the door, and technical support training and denial over many Colorado and Oregon model issues.
It is also clear today that the Oregon models have largely recovered from the quagmire they were and the Colorado models still are caught up in. I think that the Oregon has some hardware and software design advantages that have partly made the difference for its hopefully new found success. That and/or more vigorous attention and successful software updates then the Colorado has been afforded. As good as the Oregon is getting there are still software improvements/refinements desired in its features.
Regardless I still have a gut feeling that Garmin itself remains in some tormoil and isn't interested enough in our desires. Who knows what really happens to our phone and email input and there is no Garmin presence in this forum anyone is aware of.
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On the Oregon you are able to scroll both ways while editing the coordinates of a waypoint. That is not the problem. The problem is that while editing you never see the entire coordinate at a glance (From what you are writing I guess it probably is the same on the Colorado).
So here is what usually happens when I edit a waypoint:
- First I scroll to the right until I hit the first digit I like to edit
- Then I change from scrolling mode to editing mode
- After editing the digit I change back to scrolling mode and scroll to the next digit I would like to enter, ...
- Since I am not able to see the entire coordinates while doing this, I usually end up scrolling through the entire coordinates after editing them to double check whether I entered them correctly
While editing waypoints on my Gecko, however, I was able to see the entire coordinates all the time. The screen of the Gecko is at most one third of the size of the Oregons screen!
I understand now. I suppose it does suck too but I think you'll get use to it and hope this is the biggest Oregon issue you get through--and me too--except I already know of some other possible things.
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Received my new 60csx, and from there every thing went down hill first thing I did was to hook in to Garmin with USB cable to register and to down loads all up dates. well first thing the 60csx screen remained totally blank, like there was not a connection between unit and the Mac unlike my Nuvi 750 that shows you are hook up to your computer (I have a Mac) so I called Garmin and talked to the Mac tech as he was walking me thou he said try garmin updater to see if I could initiate any communication so I did. The next thing that happen was a complete wipe out of software on the unit, on the screen it said (on software) tech was not sure what happen and was unable to help after that
In thinking back when I used the up dater I hit up date first not the find device I wonder if that was what wiped all software out. I took it back got a refund and will be ordering again but not wanting a repeat I need some help what did do wrong or what did I not do ?
At first I thought the 60csx would be a way to go, but is there some thing more compatible with the mac I don't mind being on the high end of price would prefer med + range. Because of the negative stuff i've read I'm kinda staying away from the Oregon and Colorado lines.
All help will be great, Gary
Unless this Saturday is an off day I'm sure some will be around soon to advise. The 60CSx has an excellent reputation all around. What did the Garmin rep suggest doing next--returning the unit to them for repair? Is sounds like even when not connected to your Mac the 60CSx is dead to the whole world now? Even my Colorado said, "System Software Missing".
Edit your "bump" with more information. Remove the batteries and reinstall them and turn the unit on--not hooked up to anything. Does the screen come up with any text? Be confident the batteries are charged too?
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Is it just me or does editing the coordinates really suck on the Oregon?
Even on my good old Gecko I was able to see the entire coordinates at one glance when editing the location of a waypoint. On the Oregon, which has a significantly larger screen, I only see some digits of the coordinates when editing them. Especially annoying when I want to double check that I correctly entered the coordinates of the next stage... Plus I think it is unnecessarily complicated to change between editing digits and scrolling within the coordinates...
I wasn't trying to describe how to do the exact edit because I don't have my Oregon yet--maybe later next week. Are you saying that when you are editing a coordiate you cannot scroll back or forward to see the whole coordinate until after you accept the edit? I just came from a Colorado and while still editing you could "scroll" both ways to see your entire edit. I guess there will be forever different things to get use too.
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I've never owned a hand held gps so I know only what I have found online. so do you think it would be worth the wait "3-5 weeks" to get a Colorado 400t or should I just get a legend hcx today?
I'm always curious when there are no other clues why the Oregon line is passed over like this? Is it the touchscreen?
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Hi!
Can you type the cordinates manually in oregon, I can´t find it out ?
Have you learned how to create a waypoint? If you can do so and then under its options you should see 'edit waypoint' or something like that. This should bring up a whole list of things you can edit including the coordinates. Once done the waypoint will move off to its true location where you can select and then 'go to' it.
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There was a letter writing campaign to Garmin's execs recently addressing the Colorado problems. Maybe one should discover who issues and controls this IPX7 standard and inform them what has been going on? But first it might be very important to understand exactly what this standard is saying and what "waterproof" really means? At this point I'm not at all certain that it means you can deliberately dunk a unit in water although wouldn't an avid kayaker always be doing that?
I agree and I've written it before that IMO Garmin's Colorado user manual and Garmin's phone technical support often has left much to be desired. Standards are serious business and should not be joked or guessed about by any of us.
If no one can get anything definitive from Garmin, and who can now when we hardly trust anything Garmin (tech support) says, then find some other source--like this IP standard.
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I don't think RonFisk would try it unless it was in a ZipLok bag! I think what he's trying to say is, why risk it? It should be waterproof enough for gc'ing, and if you try this test and it fails, then, well, you're out a decent chunk of money.
There is down time and shipping one way to Garmin but the darn things are to a waterproof specification industry standard. It may not be to a mil spec but I don't think Garmin is going to play games with the industry waterproof standard. If it really leaks you probably should remove the batteries and dry the unit off inside asap...but wouldn't that require splitting the case? And wouldn't that void the warranty? I'll bet this is another one of those questions that has been worked out before a long long time ago in this forum? Call Garmin up and ask _exactly_ what the waterproof spec means--and share their answer here. Maybe this is one reason for the cost--to help Garmin subsidize the free to you repair costs? What if the seals are intact and you drop it in a creek for the first time six months past its 1 year warranty period. The latch is found to be defective? Hey, do GPSr's have extended warranties? Garmin? DeLorme?
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I have a GPSMAP 60CSx.
When searching for a geocache and walking towars the cache the distance to the cache will decrease but the red arrow on the compass page seems to be acting irratic.
It's a new unit...have I missed doing something ?
Thanks,
Paul
All of these electronic compasses require being recalibrated whenever batteries are changed out or you experience any erratic pointing. Have you tried the compass calibration?
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You can press in the clickstick (it's the button on the face) until a Mark Waypoint screen appears, and then edit the co-ords, name and symbol to what you want.
Thank you. Using your info I somehow realized that the screen I needed was under "Mark" on the main menu.
Interesting fact:
On page 7 of the manual it clearly tells you that you can create a waypoint in 3 different ways.
1. Press ENTER while at a location
2. create one on the Map Page.
3. Manually enter coordinates (this is what I wanted to do)
They proceed to explain how to do #1 and #2 but not #3.
I hate getting used to new electronic toys.
I agree about new electronics being a bear--especially when some features really don't work. On my Colorado I needed to create coordinates for a paperless multi geocache I was doing for the first time. Out of desperation I stumbled on just creating a dummy waypoint and editing its coordinates. I was pleased to see it disappear and reappear at the edited coordinates--I guess half-expecting not to see it move at all. As a bona fide waypoint outside of the paperless geocache I could auto-route to it too. You know, it looks sort of like all three of those methods might be describing the same method from 3 different points of view--one right near where you are at, one off somewhere else, and the third just using different wordage for the either of the other two.
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On top of that, as you mentioned above, many waited hoping for software updates that would actually _fix_ major problems long enough that return time periods expired--like REIs 30 day return.
Ummm...
What REI 30 day return policy? They don't have one. They have a 100% satisfaction guarantee which has no time limits. Did I miss something?
I thought I read 30 days...my gosh "no time limit"? That might be worth paying close to list price to get. That was a big selling point Costco had for a long time but it was abused to much. Does REI offer technical support too for its GPSr products it sells?
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The primary use would be Geo caching.
Are features like paperless geocaching, screen size and readability, and a variety of different types of maps important? You might want something you could accidentally drop and get soaking wet but will survive the fall and stay dry inside? How much receiver accuracy for the price do you think you'd like? Do you expect your GPS to take you right to the catch in all kinds of terrain and weather--no caves please? If you have a problem or question that you can't resolve in the GPSr manual how important is easily reaching technical support to you?
Your simplest solution might be to find cheap and buy it. Any GPS can be used to geocache unless it isn't portable for even a short walk.
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My colorado worked fine after the first firmware update and the paperless caching feature was a major innovation. I recently upgraded to the Oregon and could not be happier with the touchscreen. I'm excited about the PN-40 by delorme so I may get one of those also unless Garmin follows suit with a sat map handheld.
If y'all are so unhappy, return your units, go back to the 60csx, or switch brands. It's a good time to buy a 60csx as they have come down in price.......or you could go back to watching the ineptitude that is Obama.
At least do this for those of us that love Garmin: stop your incessant whining in the forums.
Not all sales sources offer a return policy. And though Garmin was willing to replace my Colorado they would not refund my money because I did not buy the CO from them. On top of that, as you mentioned above, many waited hoping for software updates that would actually _fix_ major problems long enough that return time periods expired--like REIs 30 day return. "If y'all are so unhappy, return your units..." is such an old cliché...as old and myopic as McCain.
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(For Info):
Over here in the UK, Garmin are in the middle of a large promotion in conjunction with Blacks and Milletts stores. There are promotional UK Garmin Geocoins being given out along with leaflets plugging the Garmin range of GPS devices.
One thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is the absence of the Colorado on any of this literature.
The Garmin range on the leaflets go from the eTrex H...though the Venture and Legend machines and then straight onto the Oregon...no mention of the Colorado at all
As a Colorado owner, I just hope that the Colorado isn't being ditched for the Oregon
I find it odd that a pretty new device isn't even mentioned, so hopefully the development/bug fixes aren't also being put on the back burner.
Russ
ROTFL... This reminded me of something I noticed calling Garmin recently. The telephone button 'tree' offers pressing a button for the Colorado and something else... It no longer mentions the Oregon. Is it possible someone instructed to change the phone 'tree' got mixed up and removed the Oregon instead of the Colorado?
I think whining, complaining, and questioning are effective ways sometimes that may win out in the long run and force Garmin to change its ways. Same with electing Presidents--it's better to keep your head out of the sand and participate any way you can then just coming up for air and burying it again.
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So is your CO dead? Waiting for the OR? Must wait patiently for the Oregon to arrive. So many things to try... Yes. Explained up in one of the recent lengthy messages above with more questions there.
Rather then let Garmin fix the 'system software missing' problem I worked a one-time deal to 'upgrade' to an Oregon for $40 but got them to email me a prepaid UPS label too. This will not preclude me from selling the Oregon in the future but hopefully it will give me a more 'robust' GPSr that works with several CO problems fixed or were never an issue. I'll get to see first-hand if the backlighting issues are any better or worse, how the touchscreen works with bare fingers in comfortable weather, whether it leaks, whether its accuracy is any better or not, whether it ever locks up or shuts off, whether its battery life is any better or not..., and whether I can reproduce 'system software missing' in it too? If I do the later I will try the 3rd party solution first before returning it to Garmin for repair? I've had three COs...this will be the first OR. If I have to get it fixed for any reason in the near future it is very doubtful I will do anything further but sell it on ebay with its maps and fall back on the PN-40. Personally I think Garmin should offer a one-time upgrade to the Oregon to anyone with a Colorado and refund my $40 but that will depend on just where the #$%^, if any, flies inside Garmin.
For whatever reason the 400t Colorado and Oregon both end up with the largest chunk of free memory--slightly over 1 GB--then any of the others and this value has been confirmed by myself and many others with these GPSr's. All the other models have substantially less free memory. The problem was that the last time I asked Garmin to confirm free space of the 400t Colorado they were in denial that it was over 1 GB and not close to what their data sheet said at the time. I really hoped that Garmin would correct this statistic but because of constant other problems with the Colorado I never followed up on this blatent error on their part and currently if you compare units all the 400 lines just say 'yes' to having internal free memory.
I want the the touchscreen of the oregon, but am not so sure if it will do so good with caching. If anyone has an oregon can you help me understand how close it will get me to the cache?(under trees, dense canopy,ect) Oh, and can someone tell me if the oregon300,400t,200,ect get the same accuacy or are they different depending on price?? THANKS!! 
Colorado memory restore
in GPS technology and devices
Posted · Edited by Ratsneve
Before I mention a possible fourth option the op refered to restoring "all data from a backup" didn't fix the problem but does not define whether all data included all files.
#4- detail all files you have and/or restored showing the file hierarchy exactly. Maybe someone with a Colorado can identify a missing file and/or a misplaced file? If missing and 'not to large' a means can be found to transfer it to you.