Is it safe to buy a colorado 300 yet?

[gallet]

I haven't read much more apart from the numerous early problems and I was wondering if I should give it another 6 months or if all the hardware/firmware issues have been solved. I'm particularly concerned with any hardware issues, have these all been fixed? like the leaky case thing.

 

Does it display CN without problems any longer, I believe there was some issues with street names not showing up.

[+MountainRacer]

I've been watching the forums and some other places off-site, and from what I've seen I'm going to wait til at least Christmas. A bunch of work still needs to be done, and prices are still very high. (If that isn't a concern in your case, I envy you, but $450+ is a lot to spend when my mid-range unit still works perfectly well.)

[+storm180]

I bit the bullet last week and bought one. I was going to wait till another firmware upgrade came out but I couldn't resit the deal of getting it for 364.00 with a coupon. So I figure the firmware upgrades are coming. I also hear the newer unit have less of an issue than the ones that were bought when they were first released. I believe it was in the forum about the coords being off.

[+M.S. thebrain and Pinky]

Yes I have had mine about 3 weeks and just love it the ease of use is unbelievable the added memory and being able to access the entire cache page is wonderful . I had to purchase new map software but it was well worth it as it is much clearer than my 60 CSX. It is every bit as accurate as my old unit the only thing missing is averaging a new waypoint but that should be a easy fix down the road

Edited May 29, 2008 by M.S. thebrain and Pinky

[gallet]

Were there ever any *real* hardware issues that have been fixed or is it all firmware patches?

 

Can anyone suggest any hardware problems that they feel still need to be addressed, or are likely to be addressed.

[+Driver Carries Cache]

Yes I have had mine about 3 weeks and just love it the ease of use is unbelievable the added memory and being able to access the entire cache page is wonderful . I had to purchase new map software but it was well worth it as it is much clearer than my 60 CSX. It is every bit as accurate as my old unit the only thing missing is averaging a new waypoint but that should be a easy fix down the road

 

I'll second that! I just got my Colorado 400t the week before GeoWoodstock. In fact it found it's first cache on the way to the event. It went on (with my help ) to find over 120 caches over the weekend without a hitch. The paperless features are wonderful. No complaints yet. And I know that it was delivered with updated firmware. I have a friend who bought one right when they came out and he confirmed it. I would love to have the "average waypoint" feature back though!

 

DCC

[+MaliBooBoo]

Strictly for geocaching this is an awesome unit, however for anything else such as fieldwork or hiking it isn't quite there yet. Not being able to use the pointer arrow to get distance and bearing is a showstopper in my mind. I am patiently awaiting more updates but frankly it is taking TOO long!

[freeday]

Only the geocachers seems to be happy with the unit at this time.

 

With the current firmware i would not buy the colorado again.

i thought garmin would bring a better firmware after some months

It is taking too long for a better firmware - there might be major problems on programming the colorado we do not know.

I called my local garmin-support (not garmin-dealer) and they told me that they also are waiting for a better firmware - and do not know what's the current problem for delay or if there ever will come a better firmware.

 

So you should wait some months for buying or take an other unit.

[MtnHermit]

I suspect the firmware delays are because Garmin doesn't want to solve one problem and introduce another. To avoid this, test-test and retest. Also, they don't want to do upgrades every few weeks, too many i's and t's.

 

This is especially true given the new rock & roller interface vs. the old button push.

 

Compare Garmin's Colorado launch to Magellan's Triton launch. Just be glad you didn't buy or consider a Triton.

[yogazoo]

As the summer rolls around, and field work is just beginning, I wish I still had my old 60CSX. I'll sell you my Colorado!

 

The firmware is taking WAY too long to update which doesn't instill much confidence that the Colorado series is anywhere near Garmins priority list.

 

As far as hardware problems? Well the only hardware problem my first two units had was short battery life compared to other units with the same firmware. My third unit was not keeping time when turned off and now my fourth isn't recording barometric pressure when powered off which is not a big deal but it doesn't work as stated in manual and it bugs me. I've kind of lost faith in the whole line and will be posting my fifth unit on an auction site as soon as I get it from Garmin as a replacement for the faulty barometer one (fourth).

 

Some people are happy with it. Caches great and can make some happy. Although It's apparantly a crap shoot.

Edited May 31, 2008 by yogazoo