Colorado 400t question...

[+klauberi]

I just got my new Colorado 400t and I just can't figure out how to input coordinates to create a waypoint. Does anyone know how to do this?

[+twolpert]

I just got my new Colorado 400t and I just can't figure out how to input coordinates to create a waypoint. Does anyone know how to do this?

Create a waypoint at your current location by holding down the RnR button. Edit the resulting waypoint to set the coordinates, description, etc. Yes, it's backhanded.

[+randyrucker]

The Garmin 305 does the same thing. For some reason Garmin only gave it the ability to modify points already in the unit. As far as I know you cannot enter lat/log into the unit and nav to that point. One has to save a point first then modify the coords. Another giant step sideways.

[+CacheARRRS]

The Garmin 305 does the same thing. For some reason Garmin only gave it the ability to modify points already in the unit. As far as I know you cannot enter lat/log into the unit and nav to that point. One has to save a point first then modify the coords. Another giant step sideways.

 

That's how I do it with my legend too. Mark a point, then edit the lat/long.

[+GeorgieB]

Yeah, that problem reared it's head in an embarassing way last weekend.

 

I was out with my wife and two friends, showing off my new 400t. We navigated to a local multi-cache where the first coordinates put us in the parking lot. The hint told of the first of the multi-cache with coordinates given. I could not figure out how to enter those and we spent a bunch of time with me punching buttons and then using the 400t to try to walk to the given location. We failed.

 

You gotta love the documentation that came with the unit. Where-o-where is the "Dummy's Guide to the Garmin Colorado 400t"?. Perhaps that request could be added to the 400t FAQ and feature request page.

 

grrrrr!

[+g-o-cashers]

It's already there in the waypoints section of the FAQ. Questions W2 and W3.

 

GO$Rs

[+Red90]

The Garmin 305 does the same thing. For some reason Garmin only gave it the ability to modify points already in the unit. As far as I know you cannot enter lat/log into the unit and nav to that point. One has to save a point first then modify the coords. Another giant step sideways.

 

Ummm, this is exactly the same way every Garmin unit works.

[Wintertime]

As far as I know you cannot enter lat/log into the unit and nav to that point. One has to save a point first then modify the coords.

Ummm, this is exactly the same way every Garmin unit works.

I first encountered this procedure on a friend's Garmin GPS V. I have a GPS III+, and when I tried to show him how to bring up the New Waypoint option from the Waypoints menu, it wasn't there! He had to go get the user manual, at which point we discovered that the only way to input coordinates is to create a waypoint at your current location, then edit it. (Or edit an existing waypoint.)

 

In actuality, the two processes are the same. When I choose New Waypoint, the initial coordinates are my current location. Then I go and change them to the desired coordinates of the new waypoint. But I think that looking for a New Waypoint option is more intuitive, so it's too bad that Garmin eliminated that option.

 

Patty

[+g-o-cashers]

The old Garmin GPS12's were the same way as the GPSIII+. They had a "new waypoint" option that brought up a screen where you could enter coordinates. I adjusted when I got my 60cs which works like the CO.

 

GO$Rs

[+GeorgieB]

The Garmin 305 does the same thing. For some reason Garmin only gave it the ability to modify points already in the unit. As far as I know you cannot enter lat/log into the unit and nav to that point. One has to save a point first then modify the coords. Another giant step sideways.

 

Ummm, this is exactly the same way every Garmin unit works.

 

Ummm, yes, But some of us were using Magellans before. Inputting coordinates should be one of the first things in the manual. And again, the manual that comes with the 400 is pathetic.

 

JMHO.

[+GeorgieB]

It's already there in the waypoints section of the FAQ. Questions W2 and W3.

 

GO$Rs

 

That's where I eventually found it. Perhaps the Garmin documentation people will look at the FAQ's and use those inputs if they ever decide to publish a better user manual.

[+klauberi]

A big thanks to everyone who replied...I agree that Garmin units (especially the higher end ones) should have the ability to input coords. I also have a Nuvi 360 and I can input coords into that real easy. Good hunting to everyone.

[+infiniteMPG]

That's where I eventually found it. Perhaps the Garmin documentation people will look at the FAQ's and use those inputs if they ever decide to publish a better user manual.

When we first started using out xTrex for geocaching, we didn't have a clue how to enter a waypoint so we walked and saw which way the numbers were changing until we went in the right direction for the right distance. We made a few finds that way, too. Once we found how to mark a waypoint and then edit the coords to head straight towards something we were agasp with wonder! Now with the MAP60C and City Navigator we just tool down the roads and do our geocaching and wonder what else we'll stumble across that our GPSr can do.... maybe we should RTFM sometime

[+GeorgieB]

That's where I eventually found it. Perhaps the Garmin documentation people will look at the FAQ's and use those inputs if they ever decide to publish a better user manual.

Now with the MAP60C and City Navigator we just tool down the roads and do our geocaching and wonder what else we'll stumble across that our GPSr can do.... maybe we should RTFM sometime

 

If ever a real manual is ever published I would certainly "RTFM". But, the current "User Manual" for the 400 would make a great "Quick Start"; a detailed reference would be a great help.

 

I realize that documentation always lags the hardware/software. My background is large computer hardware/software engineering for a large, large company (I'm retired). Our customers demanded, and got up-to-date documentation delivered WITH the product. Right now we're reduced to reading 16+ pages of FAQ's to find out what the 400 is capable of. One would think that Garmin would make an effort to highlight all the hidden-and-hard-to-find features if for nothing else than to boost sales.

 

I remain disappointed with the documentation.

Edited April 8, 2008 by GeorgieB