Garmin Colorado 400t

[+T!mberwolf]

I just purchased this unit and I'm waiting for it to arrive. I wish I had thought to check out this forum before I made the purchase. I did some research and the information is a bit overwhelming to someone who is not familiar with GPS receivers. One thing is clear, not matter what one uses, there are always pros and cons. Does anyone have experience with the Colorado 400t? What has been your geocaching experience with it? Any firmware issues (when my arrives I will see what version is on it)? I know sometimes updating to certain versions can cause more issues than solve.

 

I was deciding between the Oregon & Colorado. I choose the Colorado over Oregon because of:

 

* Cost - I was able to purchase Colorado in like new condition, no cosmetic issues, includes all manuals/accessories for $162

* Complaints about Oregon's poor display in daylight, I currently use an iPhone 4 which has the same issue. It is hard to see in the daytime, a real problem in bright sunny Florida! I have to try to find shade to check data which can be annoying. I understand the display on Colorado is somewhat better for concerning this issue, hope this is right.

* No touchscreen - I love touchscreen technology, but sometimes I wear gloves while caching and must remove them to manipulate the iPhone touchscreen, again a bit annoying.

 

I am new to geocaching and have been using an iPhone 4. It does a pretty good job, but I decided to get a dedicated unit. I will still carry my phone, but felt a dedicated unit would have some advantages.

 

With the iPhone some of the disadvantages are:

* Battery life

* Accuracy - sometimes it just flakes out which I believe is related to tree cover etc.

* Durability - not waterproof and in some terrain I worry about damaging the phone, this is beside the general water/dirt issues. I also kayak and a waterproof unit would be a benefit.

* Poor display in in bright sunlight - I live in Florida so I often have to find shade/cover to view the screen

 

I'm just sitting here wondering if I should have done more research, before pulling the trigger. If you have experience with the Colorado 400t, what are your thoughts on it? Advice? Tips?

 

Thanks

[+drshmuz]

It rocks. You'll love it. You did good!

[+eusty]

It will be a lot better that a phone.

 

The Cororado is a great GPS (I've the 300) but I replaced it with the Oregon 450 which I prefer. If you want to log any field notes on the Colorado it's a real pain

 

[+T!mberwolf]

Thanks. I feel a bit better about my purchase. I know there will be a learning curve. I need to work out a system. I guess if field notes are a pain to enter on the 400, I could make a simply entry on iPhone with each find: enter GC# to bring up cache, enter brief field note w/"found it" (and I mean brief, something that simply jogs memory, 1 -5 words). Later use this saved log/field note list on phone as reference when actually posting finds on the computer. I tend to enter finds within 24hrs. In addition, I take a photo at each cache which in itself jogs the memory. I originally started posting the logs/photos from phone, but found I prefer to do it later on my computer. Also wastes less time in field. Plus can't stand the fact that one can't use keyboard in landscape orientation with the app on iPhone. So I'm thinking, load a PQ to colorado, navigate etc. with colorado, make field note entry on phone. Does this make sense? Not sure what other cachers are doing out there. Beginning to read to discussions/forum when I can.

[+StarBrand]

Make sure you get all the latest updates for the unit.

 

I love my Colorado except for its short Battery life.

[+T!mberwolf]

Make sure you get all the latest updates for the unit.

 

I love my Colorado except for its short Battery life.

 

What kind of battery life are you typically getting?

[+Styk]

For $162, no matter what, it's a good deal for starting out. I have owned a colorado 300 and probably found over a 1000 caches with it. I moved on to the oregon 450 and after placing an anti-glare screen protector on it, the display was easier to see in bright light conditions but still darker then i would have liked. I have since jumped on the montana bandwagon. being older and at the stage where i need glasses to read if print is too fine. i find the duisplay to be extremely bright and Garmin has finally brought back the night mode (color inversion after sunset for better viewing. Touch screens in the oregon and montana are resistive unlike the iPhone's capitance screen so gloves are not an issue unless they are really bulky. over all the montana is a great all around unit from car to geocaching use.

[+switchdoc]

Don't have a Colorado, but both my Wife and I have used Garmin products for years and couldn't be happier with them. I think you made a great choice!

[+StarBrand]

Make sure you get all the latest updates for the unit.

 

I love my Colorado except for its short Battery life.

 

What kind of battery life are you typically getting?

Alkalins - don't bother you might get 4 to 5 hours.

 

Hybrid NiMH - about 7 to 9 hours

 

Hi capacity NiMh - up to 10 or 11

[+T!mberwolf]

Make sure you get all the latest updates for the unit.

 

I love my Colorado except for its short Battery life.

 

What kind of battery life are you typically getting?

Alkalins - don't bother you might get 4 to 5 hours.

 

Hybrid NiMH - about 7 to 9 hours

 

Hi capacity NiMh - up to 10 or 11

 

I currently have eneloop rechargeables, 2000 mAH. Hopefully, can I can get decent time with these.

[+T!mberwolf]

For $162, no matter what, it's a good deal for starting out. I have owned a colorado 300 and probably found over a 1000 caches with it. I moved on to the oregon 450 and after placing an anti-glare screen protector on it, the display was easier to see in bright light conditions but still darker then i would have liked. I have since jumped on the montana bandwagon. being older and at the stage where i need glasses to read if print is too fine. i find the duisplay to be extremely bright and Garmin has finally brought back the night mode (color inversion after sunset for better viewing. Touch screens in the oregon and montana are resistive unlike the iPhone's capitance screen so gloves are not an issue unless they are really bulky. over all the montana is a great all around unit from car to geocaching use.

 

From what I could tell it was a good price and didn't want to pass it up; usually I would spend more time researching an item. Cost was the biggest factor in not going for the Oregon (at least $125-$150 more, used in excellent condition). I didn't want to spend a lot of money on unit, only to find out I simply don't care for it or find myself reverting back to the iPhone. I looked at the Montana, not ready to dive that deep yet. If it turns out I really like using a gpsr and find I'm using it a lot, I will invest in the best I can get. Generally, I believe you get want you pay for. I did purchase a anti-glare screen protector for the garmin, more for protection/smudge resistant. I have one on my iPhone which helps with the screen viewing issue in daylight, but not much.