Garmin Colorado 400t Handheld GPS Unit with U.S. Topographic Preloaded Maps
by Garmin
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List Price: Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Colorado 400t Handheld GPS Unit with U.S. Topographic Preloaded Maps
Customer Review: Colorado 400T
Summary: 3 Stars
The screen is easy to view, and I have gotten used to the wheel and the use of it to navigate through the options, but there are a couple of issues that I have run into that are frustrating. The maps, as loaded from the factory, seem to be off by several hundred yards. Not a problem in my front yard, perhaps, but a problem in the field certainly. A call to the people at Garmin was received rather coldly and unsympathetically - "the map is off but the unit is working properly" was the outcome. Well, fine that the unit is working, but it shows me in a different spot than where I am. Apparently, according to the gentleman I spoke with, this is Okay. The other problem is the power supply - It goes through batteries aggressivly...and in the field, for instance, for a week in Alaska there is no way to carry enough batteries to meet the power requirements for this little unit. Every once in a while, the unit seems to freeze up and the screen goes black with no ability to restart with the buttons, and the batteries have to be removed and reinserted, but that may be related to the power issue. Would I buy it again? It is a vast improvement over my old, and now defunct, Magellan unit, but I might look around a little more and try to get my hands on some of the other comparable units for a better comparison before committing to this unit.Customer Review: Horrible design--do not buy
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased one of these for use in my kayak. This unit is designed so that the first step to replacing the batteries is to remove the clip with the carabiner. Now it isn't attached to anything. Sliding off the rubber back became increasingly difficult (its not effectively watertight.) GPS units burn through batteries, even lithium batteries-so they have to be replaced frequently.. On a calm day in Santa Monica Bay in my very stable kayak (I could nap) I needed to change batteries.
Trying to slide the rubber battery cover off it slipped from my hands went over the side and sank out of sight. This is not butterfingers this is lousy design. If I can't change batteries on the water the unit is worthless.
I previously had a Garmin 76CS which corroded and stopped working after 2-3 years-- also not effectively water tight. (btw I've had the same waterproof VHS Marine band radio for over four years no problem and I use my iPod in a plastic case, and non-waterproof digital cameras and video).
No more Garmin units for me. This one seems designed to cause this type of mishap.
Also the altimeter was never accurate enough and the compass was always off. Not magnetic to true north off; if it wasn't absolutely flat and hadn't been recently calibrated, west is east and east is south.
Customer Review: Not a user freindly interface
Summary: 2 Stars
Using this thing is like using a puzzle. The user interface is horrible. Sure it tracks where you are fine within 150ft and gives you nifty elevation plots (with less than accurate numbers despite setting it up each time from a known elevation)but it's user interface to plan a trip and insert waypoints and manage a trip are horrible. Using the software is a cumbersome confusion of function keys that have no explanationa nd the help function for the software might as well be in another language. If you want to set up a new waypoint out on the trail away from your computer it'll take a good 10 minutes just to find the location if you're more than a few miles away. maybe my hard times are from thsi being my first GPS device but overall I have more trouble setting it up to map a route than I get joy from using it. If it had the option to run a dumbed down or more basic operation interface through the software that would eb great. I'm sure the software that comes with it now is grewat for those already familiar with GPS devices for the most part but for me the software is the enigma to setup and use fully. The device takes a long time to draw maps and eats a set of energizer NiMH rechargable batteries in 6hrs if I'm checking the thing a couple times an hour for a couple minutes.Customer Review: Excellent Device, 4 Stars
This is an excellent tool for navigating. However, here are my complaints, and the reason that I returned it, and got the tried and true 60csx instead. It does come with pre-loaded topo maps, but there 100k which does'nt do much for you in the backcountry ( you really want 24k) which you have to buy seperately anyway. No big deal, there cheap enough now that it's not a problem. My biggest concern was that this model has been discontinued, and when you go to the update page, there's a warning that the update is not backed up by Garmin, (use at your own risk). They still can service this model, but for how long will they have all the parts? And I've heard that all the parts are the same, but, I'm not sure about that. My biggest concern, or dis-like is that the screen is not sun light readable. You have to use the backlight to really see anything cleary (unlike the 60 series) and it just did'nt feel very comfortable in the hand, a little bulky, and seemingly fragile. The 60 series, though lacking some of the goodies, is tried and true. It's the #1 Choice of everyone I know who really uses there GPS. Garmin just came out with a brand new edition of the 60 series with all the goodies, but I'll wait until they work out the bugs. For now, I'm sticking with this.Customer Review: Garmin Colorado 400t GPS
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent GPS. I use it exclusively for hiking even though it can be used for car navigation. It is easy to use and the "Rock n Roll" control button enables all controls with just one hand (somewhat similar to the iPod). Even when stored in a case on my back pack belt it receives satellite signals clearly. It has a built in compass, records stop time and average hiking speed, and can record hundreds of waypoints. I also like the route planner feature. The only downside is that it "eats" regular alkaline batteries. I purchased rechargeable batteries (make sure the amperage meets the standard recommended by Garmin) for short hikes (less than 5 hours). For long hikes, I recommend Lithium batteries. Even though not rechargeable they last about 7 times longer than regular batteries ensuring that the GPS will continue to operate without battery changes during extended treks. It comes with a 1:100,000 Topo map of the U.S. which is pretty good; however, I bought a 1:24,000 Topo of California/Nevada which provides much more detail and is loaded on the GPS via a flash memory card. This is the first GPS I have ever had and now that I have used it on several hikes in California, I will never be without it in the field.