Garmin Colorado 300 Handheld GPS System
Posted by Notcot on May 4, 2010 in Handhelds & PDAs |
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When Garmin sent me the mail regarding the release of the Colorado 300, I immediately purchased off Amazon. I think I was a little too quick.
(I was to quick, since the release of software for the Colorado 300 on 17th July, this is now a good unit. Updated 20th August)
The unit was billed as the geocachers friend, able to download the GPX files directly to the unit, 1000 waypoints and the introduction of the new Groundspeak game – Whereigo.
With the first revision of the software, the unit was flakey, it would not locate the satellites first time, could not log geocaches and battery life was woeful.
The second revision of the software came out on 18th Feb and made some changes.
The on time has improved greatly, and locates the satellites pretty quickly now, about 2-3 minutes. Geocachers are now able to log the finds or not, but that is it. No other comments can be added.
One of the features is the rock’n’roller which is the main navigation and input method for the device. Inputting waypoints can be traumatic and time consuming.
I have enabled the Topo maps and had to talk to Garmin to get the unlock code, which looks good on the large screen, but the track up feature does not work yet.
I have had the Colorado next to my eTrex Venture and when heading to a waypoint, the compass needle seems to be off by a couple of degrees.
As for the Whereigo player, I have tried twice to use this in Greenwich and each time I got near one of the locations, the unit would lock up. The only way to rectify this is to take the batteries out.
I have contacted Garmin about the problems and they say wait until the next software release is out, which should fix the problems, although they are perplexed about the compass being off by a couple of degrees.
On the whole a nice looking unit, but released too soon. There is still a lot of work to be done.
(All the items that are mentioned above have been fixed in the 17th July 2008 release. If you purchase this item, make sure that it has the most recent software release, also make sure you use very good rechargeable batteries, I am currently using 2850mha batts, and I get a full days use out of the unit. I still do not use it to record my cache finds, but it holds all the other info well. – Updated 20th Aug 08)
Rating: 2 / 5
Bought Colorado 300 last month, looks good, but many problems encountered similar to other reviews. unit locked up several times requiring battery removal. Unit also turns off without warning.
On Navigation page, huge drawback is Distance to NEXT. If there are multiple waypoints entered into a route – with landmarks at each, such as path junctions or outcrops etc, NEXT means nothing, without reviewing the wawpoints on the route via several menus, to ascertain where you are in the route. My old Version 1 GPS38 tells you which waypoint you are heading for, Rock, cliff or whatever it was named as.
Entering waypoints without computer, i.e. whilst on the hill, because of a change of route etc, is very time consuming, need to modify through several menu items, such as Grid ref, then Name all on different screens.
Battery life, using both largest capacity 2600mah Duracell Rechargeable or standard Duracell Plus Alkaline is VERY poor, 3 sets in 6 hours, nowhere near the 15 hours quoted. Took back to shop, said it was a known software problem and to load the new version on Garmin Website (which was beta release, and loaded at users own risk). I found this unacceptable.
I think it has not been tested properly before mass production, and is too early to purchase until problems are sorted.
Rating: 2 / 5
I purchased one two months ago. The problems with it have included “map up” not working, the battery level indicator has a mind of it’s own, the route on the screen moves all over the place and is often just visable in only a corner of the screen. The device has habit of switching off when it feels like it, especially when changing from the map screen to the trip screen. Apart from these major problems there are a host of other minor complaints. You need to have regular trips to the gymn to make sure your wrist is fit enough to pull the battery cover off. This cover is so tightly fitting that I’m sure the top of the Colorado will become damaged in time with the effort of removing the cover. Removing the cover is a regular event as at times it is the only way of resetting the device if it locks up, as well as the regular replacement of batteries – sorry Garmin they really don’t last anywhere near as long as you say!! The base map supplied with the Colorado is virtually useless due to a lack of detail. To make the device of any practical use you will need Topo. Also be aware that the device is not compatible with Memory Map or Anquet Maps at present. To use any routes from these mapping software you have to go through a lengthy conversion process.
My impression from dealing with Garmin over the problems with my Colorado is that they are trialing the product on the public and then attempting to correct the faults. With a major updating of the software and re-engineering the case the unit could be quite useful – but my advice is don’t buy one now – there are plenty of proven alternatives on the market.
Rating: 1 / 5
Having lost my GPS60CSx in France earlier this year I decided on the Colorado as a replacement. I took this unit to Everest Base Camp and loaded it with the relevanty TOPO maps. I found that I needed several sets of batteries a day with each set lasting around three hours which meant that tracking was an expensive luxury. Also the unit would switch off for no reason. Whilst I like the large display it is dim unless you ramp up the backlight which drains the batteries. I was getting twenty hours plus out of my old 60CSx and I am condidering downgrading.
My advice is to wait and see if they improve the performance before buying.
Rating: 3 / 5
Update August 2008.
Just returned from Scotland with this unit having added the Garmin software update as of 17th July. This is now a truely excellent unit. Well done Garmin.
I bought this device to replace my garmin vista C which I have owned for 4 years and used for road travel and off road biking. If you are serious about geting out in the wilds this is a great unit of course you need to buy the TOPO mapping the base mapping with these units is always basic. I am just loadng the comlete UK TOPO onto the unit via an SD card. Great.
This is a true GPS product NOT just plug and play in-car SatNav if you only need to know how to get to Tesco and back buy a cheaper alternative. If you want to do serious stuff then buy one of these and don’t forget to read the manual.
GREAT………………..
P.S.
There are a few teething problems but Garmin will sort these out over the next couple of months no doubt. If you buy leading edge technology you have to expect the odd hicup.
BUY ONE TODAY and no I have no affilliation to Gamin whatsoever.
UPDATE June 2008.
As an update I have now had the unit a few weeks and it works great you do need to load the Garmin beta unit software from their website which works fine and solves all the power and various other problems mentioned in the other reveiws here, do this before you try to do anything else with the unit saves a lot of frustration. Also checkout the following link for loads of help and advice http://garmincolorado.wikispaces.com/Miscellaneous .It is different from the Vista C I had before and there are points you could argue are better or worse but it is always the same with any changes that are made to things that you have become accustom to.
Rich
Rating: 5 / 5