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: not ready for prime or any other time
Summary: 1 Stars
I worked with this product extensively for two weeks on a trip to the Southwest, and it's just too buggy to be useful. Sometimes geocache logs show up; sometimes they don't. About 20% of the time, it won't even navigate to a given geocache; you have to enter the coordinates manually using the little scroll wheel. (Hardly a painless process.)
The idea of paperless geocaching is great, but the 400t just doesn't implement it in an usable way. I've already mentioned the straight out bugs in the product; the UI design is awful as well. I got a copy of the Garmin's street database to use the 400t for finding my way around; good luck! If you're navigating to a location and do pretty much anything (check out a local geocache, for example), you have to start navigating all over again -- including going through the not inconsiderable pain of entering your desired destination without a keyboard.
Garmin's documentation is pretty much nonexistent (as others have indicated) [...]
All told, this product has brought far more frustration than joy into my life. Geocaching is supposed to be fun!
Customer Review: Amazing...once you update the firmware
Summary: 4 Stars
I used to have a Garmin eTrex Vista and loved it. I used it for geocaching, driving in unfamiliar places and other stuff. I recently sold it and bought the 400t. I had read reviews talking about poor battery life, inaccurate tracking, and complex interface and was a little apprehensive about getting it. I did take the plunge and have no regrets. The first thing I did when I got it was update the firmware (2.51 right now) which has corrected just about every major and minor problem I've ever read about this unit.
It is super accurate, very easy to read, and navigation is a one hand operation thanks to that "Rock 'n' Roller" gadget on top. In fact, the only thing that really bugs me about this unit is that when the USB is plugged in, I can't use it for anything except xferring of data. That means that when plugged into a car mount and wanting to use the car power for the device, it won't function, and that just makes no sense to me what so ever. Garmin, if you're listening...this thing could be a five star product if you'd just allow the thing to be used on vehicle power!
Customer Review: Pleased
Summary: 4 Stars
I decided to get into geocaching this summer. After reading a number of reviews expressing concern about the screen's readability, both here and on other sites, I was leaning away from the 400. Fortunately, I was able to try the 400 and the 60CSx side-by-side. In direct sunlight, I found the screen on the 400 to be just a little dimmer than the 60 but still perfectly readable. I also found both units to be harder to read when standing in the shade, lots of reflection off the glass.
I've now been hiking and biking with the 400 for just under a month and absolutely love it. I like the jog wheel and find it easy and intuitive. Entering text is a bit on the slow side, but having never entered text on any other GPSr, I really don't mind.
Using 2500 mHh NiMH batteries, I typically get 5-6 hours of life, more if I remember to turn down the backlight when not in use. So certainly take extra batteries into the field if the ones in the unit aren't fresh or you plan on being gone for more than a few hours.
Overall, a great, easy to use GPSr.
Customer Review: A Great MultiPurpose GPS
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had my 400t for a couple of weeks now and have had it on several day hikes. I've also used it in the car hooked up with the car kit. Overall, I'm very pleased with my purchase. Is it perfect? No, but the last firmware update dealt with the most egregious issues and it seems to be improving all the time. The shaded topo maps are great-looking and extra features like those for geocaching are a welcome addition. The rock-and-roll controller works well when operating the unit with one hand.
I would suggest using either high-capacity (2500 mA or higher) NimH or lithium batteries for maximum battery life. In addition, make certain to set the battery type correctly. If set incorrectly, the unit may indicate low battery, even when the batteries have life left in them.
My biggest complaint is the woeful inadequacy of the manual. It is more of a quick start guide than a detailed manual. There is an online Wiki that can be helpful, but Garmin should release a much better document.
Customer Review: I would not recommend a Garmin Colorado 400t
Summary: 1 Stars
I have a Garmin 60CSx and upgraded to the Garmin Colorado 400t Handheld GPS Unit with U.S. Topographic Preloaded Maps. My preference would have been an Oregon model but I am frequently out in cold temperatures that hover in the single digits all day so a touch screen was not an option. I opted for a Colorado 400t model. I initially thought the wheel design would be an improvement over the 60CSx but after using the unit it is just a gimmick that only leads to frustration. I have found the unit operations cumbersome and less than friendly. I also have had a number of problems with the software, struggle to delete tracks that have been imported, and the screen goes white and the unit locks up. Yes the data collected up to that point is lost and if you were relying on backtracking to get home forget it. I have return to using the Garmin 60CSx; it is straight forward, reliable, and I know that it will get me home.