Gamin Colorado & Motorcycle Navigation.net

[TexasShadow]

I'm following the release and reviews of the new Garmin Colorado series to consider a new GPS and found a few interesting tidbits. A Google search on it will lists dozens of results on the internet.

Firstly, this forum rocks: Motorcycle-Navigation.net. Here (http://www.motorcycle-navigation.net/forum/garmin-colorado/) is a link to info on the new Garmin Colorado series.

Secondly, most of the internet reviews are based on speculation before it was released just recently. It's very interesting to read them from the variety of user perspectives: marine, trail hikers, geocatchers, off-road riding, even mappers and surveyers. Personal preferences vary but what intrigued me was the differences in opinion on the control button placement: top versus bottom. With my limited experience using the 60csx, I can see why a top placement would be benificial. However, when it's mounted on a bike, a bottom would be better so the screen is not hidden behind the hand.

Seems to be a viable candidate to consider. If anyone has one, or used one, hopefully they will give us some feedback. I'll be checking ADV and Smokey Mountain Trail Riders forums for reviews based on actual use on the roads/trails.

Addendum: Might be useful for some: Caching Now.com, resources page (http://www.cachingnow.com/Resources/tabid/2009/Default.aspx)

[CBAT]

Now all I need is a GPS. :doh:

[Quick-Silver]

I am saving my money for a Zumo 550.

I know two men who rave about it. One of them (RICK M) post to this board. He swaps his Zumo between his KLR650 and his V-Strom.

[bluedogok]

I am saving my money for a Zumo 550.

I know two men who rave about it. One of them (RICK M) post to this board. He swaps his Zumo between his KLR650 and his V-Strom.
My wife got me a GPS for Christmas, she wasn't sure which one and she got one of the Nuvi models so we took it back. I ended up getting a Zumo 450 from Amazon for $530. I didn't "need" the extra features that were on the 550. I have played with it in the car some, got the mount and wiring installed on the bike yesterday. I plan on trying it out soon.

[TexasShadow]

The model choices depends on the goals and features to match those goals. It also depends on the size of the unit and the size of the bike. The larger models are too big for a small bike like the 250cc. Models that support topo maps and a large number of waypoints would suit most off-road riders that especially ride in back country and trails.

Ideally, like Python in TN that rides on and off road all the time, two models would be preferable. One more suited to street and long-distance trips, one like the Colorado or 60 series for small dualsport or dirt bike trail and back country riding.

For me, topo map capability is a priority.

[TexasShadow]

BTW, I was told yesterday at Red River MC Trails that the entire 2,700 acres is being mapped with GPS coordinates and everything. Ultimately, maps for sections will be available to download from their website.

Very cool.

[DFW_Warrior]

It's a neat little unit, but HOLY GEEZ $600!!!!:eek2: That's wayyy out of my price range for something that I'm going to end up breaking on a dirt bike!:lol2:

[TexasShadow]

It's a neat little unit, but HOLY GEEZ $600!!!!:eek2: That's wayyy out of my price range for something that I'm going to end up breaking on a dirt bike!:lol2: Yeah, that's a pretty hefty price tag.

[Quick-Silver]

The ergonomics of the Zumos and the truck attachment and A/C adapter that comes with the 550 makes it my choice.

The point is well taken about it getting broken on a dirt bike. However, my riding will be more DS oriented.

[Janet]

Yep Elzi, you need the Colorado 400t. It has the topo maps loaded. I compared them with my 76cs and I like the looks of that Colorado. I will look at them when they come out. I have always tried to use the marine units because they are waterprof.

[Squeaky]

I don't know if topo is an option for it (I never bothered to look) but my Quest has been perfect for everything so far - big enough for the car, just right on the Strom, and still not too big for the XR. Internal battery has gobs of power, so even though it's wired on the Strom I ran it for two days on the XR with the backlight off and it was only down to half power.

So what exactly does the topo do differently than City Nav?

[TexasShadow]

So what exactly does the topo do differently than City Nav? Topographical information. ;-)

Here's an example: you can map routes and waypoints on this.....

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/lzvolk/topo_example.jpg

and load them onto the Colorado 400t (http://www.gpsnow.com/garmin_colorado_400t.htm)and get segments of the same map on the Garmin, with waypoints and tracks, and in 3-D.

Check out this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lRUyYSeUPo) for the Colorado series.

[TexasShadow]

Yep Elzi, you need the Colorado 400t. It has the topo maps loaded. I compared them with my 76cs and I like the looks of that Colorado. I will look at them when they come out. I have always tried to use the marine units because they are waterprof.The 400t is also waterproof. considering that topo map software and loading onto the 76 and 60 series is another $100 and up, the price of the Colorado is comparable with the former series. And considering the improvements with the rocker and roller, screen size, etc. I'm liking this model.

I'm betting they can be found cheaper than the current and new $599 price tag in a few months. Just like the others. I found a source for the 60csx for $350. Much less than most places want for it.

have to check one out at BassPro or Cabellas sometime soon.

[bluedogok]

I would think that since the off-road market seems to be the target of the Colorado series, I would think it is a bit more "rugged-ized" than some of the other models and when you see what some people have put the Cx series through it looks like a good unit for that use.

[DFW_Warrior]

Elzi, just a question here, but how much mapping are you going to be doing in remote places and such? I've got the topo versions on my computer and to be honest, I like City Nav much better. They list more roads and trails than in the Topo version.

So other than the 3d map thing, I don't really see a huge benefit over current GPS models other than it "looks neat". I've seen Squeaker's Quest in action and I do think that it will be my next GPS for the dirt bike as well. It's a cool little unit that can be had for cheap. Plus, I'm 99.999% sure that it can be loaded with the topo maps if you really, really wanted it to be.

[TexasShadow]

Elzi, just a question here, but how much mapping are you going to be doing in remote places and such? I've got the topo versions on my computer and to be honest, I like City Nav much better. They list more roads and trails than in the Topo version. I'm not that familiar with City Navigator except for what Steven showed me on his 270c, but that can be loaded on the Colorados, too (I think it may be already loaded; not sure).

A unit like this or even the 60csx would have been helpful when we were in TN and in the desert. I know it will be helpful on the TAT. And that kind of info won't be on City Navigator. I also like to hike. I want to be able to have something reliable that I can track my own hikes and trail/desert rides.

A friend in Canada has a Quest and he told me that topo data can't be loaded on it. Also, considering how how much Sherpie likes to lay down and have her belly scratched like she did yesterday, a unit that is as rugged as the smaller handhelds will probably be a better choice.

Also, I kinda like the geocaching options on it. I've been hatching a fun idea for dualsporting..........

[DFW_Warrior]

A friend in Canada has a Quest and he told me that topo data can't be loaded on it. Also, considering how how much Sherpie likes to lay down and have her belly scratched like she did yesterday, a unit that is as rugged as the smaller handhelds will probably be a better choice.

http://www.gpsnow.com/gmquest.htm

The sites all advertise it as being able to load topo maps so I'm not really sure. And I think Squeaker found some of them on Ebay for arond $100 so that's six trashed Quest's before I get up to the cost of a Colorado.:eek2:

I'd just take a really good look at the quest before you rule it out. Besides not looking as cool, it does almost everything the Colorado does for 1/6 the price. And you're more than welcome to come over one of these days and look at the topo maps. Or I can load part of them on my GPS for a day and bring them up to a meet and greet. But I just don't like them near as much at the City Nav software.

[Squeaky]

The Quest does not have the compass - so it's not for geocaching.
But... $159 refurbished with full warranty from Garmin.

[Quick-Silver]

Elzi, the 400t looks like a nice unit. It is probably just what you need. City Nav can be put on a card to carry with you - no biggie.

Get on Cabela's and BassPro's mailing list or go into their store and buy a pack of gum (smile) and you wil get tons of sale cards in the mail some up to 20 and 25% off. Work this with a factory rebate maybe and you can get a super deal.

Yep, this is exactly what you need.:thumb:

[DFW_Warrior]

Oops... $159, not $100... I can't remember these things after I've slept... Still... a bunch cheaper than a Colorado. And if it's only missing a compass....Linky. (http://www.thecompassstore.com/baseplate-compasses.html)

[Squeaky]

And if it's only missing a compass....Linky. (http://www.thecompassstore.com/baseplate-compasses.html)

Bill, the internal compass on a GPS receiver is different than a standard compass. For geocaching, it pinpoints the target on the compass and directs you toward it as you move. It's not just a N-S-E-W thing. It relays how close you are getting and which direction to move to get closer.

Then again, there are cheap hand-helds that will do that if it's what you need.

I have never had experience with the topo maps, but then again I'm afraid of heights so I'd much rather NOT know the altitude info. ;-)

[Gilk51]

So what exactly does the topo do differently than City Nav?

I got the topo maps first and here is what I found:

1. They are from USGS quad maps and many of these have not been updated since the late 1980s or even earlier. There are no new versions.

2. The Garmin topo maps will not auto-route. You must use a zillion waypoints to follow a decent route.

I ended up getting City Navigator almost exclusively now. However, there are still issues - we found out that Pine Mills, Texas is not in the right place on CN but correct on the topo. :doh:

[DFW Dano]

Elzi,

Try http://www.gpsdiscount.com in Oklahoma. This is where I got my 60CS.

Squeaky, my 60CS is for GeoCaching but the compass is a REAL compass, not just for GeoCaching. You have to hold the unit in a flat, horizontal position for it to work. ;-)

[TexasShadow]

I ended up getting City Navigator almost exclusively now. However, there are still issues - we found out that Pine Mills, Texas is not in the right place on CN but correct on the topo. :doh: Like most of the users of the hand helds comment, both the topos and CN complement each other.

[TexasShadow]

Elzi,

Try http://www.gpsdiscount.com in Oklahoma. This is where I got my 60CS.

Squeaky, my 60CS is for GeoCaching but the compass is a REAL compass, not just for GeoCaching. You have to hold the unit in a flat, horizontal position for it to work. ;-) Exactly. Regardless, it's always best to have an independent compass on you anyway. Any GPS can fail; a real compass won't unless you run over it or magnetic poles mysteriously disappear. ;)

The REI class was helpful in refreshing my memory on using a handheld compass (I use a middle-line Silva) and using both that compass and one of the handheld GPSs together.

The Colorado is only a candidate that I am considering at this point. The 60csx may do just as well, but considering the addition of topo map software to that, it makes the two units nearly equitable in cost.
I'll watch for reviews and discounts on both units as the year progresses.

Thanks for the link!

[Tx Rider]

The screen size on the colorado looks too small for my old eyes, though wireless sharing looks cool. If it works as well as sharing routes between other garmin units does it may not be very useful though.

I find I use street maps and topo maps both a lot when DS riding, niether are 100% accurate, both have significant data the other lacks, having both loaded helps a lot.

The fact it takes SD cards for memory is awesome, especially if it can take 8GB cards, that should be enough for the whole U.S. street and topo.

[TexasShadow]

Review (http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/01/garmin_colorado_400t_review.php).

[SirWilhelm]

Dano, I thought the compass on the 60Cs and CSx were just for finding north. But one of the local cachers showed me that when you chose a waypoint to "goto" it pops the compass into an "it's that-a-ways" mode. And as you go past the cache it is wheeling around pointing the direction the cache is from you.
I'm looking too, for something a bit better than the 60CSx. The Colorado looks neat, but when the Zumo costs as much...... I am looking for something to do geocaching, in the states and Scotland and the Colorado 300 would do, but not at $500. Has anyone used a Zumo 450 or 550, for geocaching?
That would be my negative, if you couldn't take it to the trails and find a cache or two, while prowling.
I have found the 60CSx down to almost $300 "new" on eBay. I have a refurb, but it has problems, and I am looking to replace it. I have gotten the original cost plus out of it, in caching all over West Texas, and Central Texas, and mapping St Lucia roads. It has paid for itself hands down.

Squeaky, are you going to the Texas Geocaching Challenge in March? Two of the locals are going, but neither of them are two wheelers. If you go have fun. It should be a challenge in East Texas.

Bill in San Angelo

[SirWilhelm]

I have spent the last hour drooling over the Colorado 300 and 400T. But the big difference is the 300 has to have software and the 400T is builtin topo. Since I already have topo USA I am really wanting the 300.
Oh my, I hate bling that tempts me like that.

[Quick-Silver]

, but when the Zumo costs as much...... I am looking for something to do geocaching, in the states and Scotland and the Colorado 300 would do, but not at $500. Has anyone used a Zumo 450 or 550, for geocaching?
That would be my negative, if you couldn't take it to the trails and find a cache or two, while prowling.

Bill in San Angelo

Bill here is a forum for ZUMO Geocaching (http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?board=20.0) As I understand it you can enter GPS coordinates and with the GoTo feature the ZUMO will take you there.

I am still saving for the Zumo 550 because I want to use it in my truck and on my bikes. It comes with the necessary hardware to hook up to the truck plus the hardware for the one bike. The ZUMO 450 only comes with the motorcycle hardware which means another $125 for truck hardware & connectors. I also think an A/C adapter comes with the 550, but not the 450.

The downside which I can live with is that the Zumo is not shirt pocket friendly and the user replaceable rechargeable battery is an "up to 4 hour battery life" which means I will need a couple spare fully charged batteries with me at all times when hiking. Not a problem because I don't hike all that much. In fact rarely do I hike anymore.

There is one question I still have about changing out the batteries and that is whether or not any maps or data of any kind is lost.

[DFW_Warrior]

There is one question I still have about changing out the batteries and that is whether or not any maps or data of any kind is lost.

It's never been an issue with any other Garmin GPS so I doubt that it would be an issue with their new top of the line unit.

[DFW Dano]

SirWilhelm,

You are correct as the compass that wil point in the direction of the waypoint. This is more like a direction finder and which direction the waypoint is from you.

But, the 60CS, the C stands for a compass, that when held in the horizonal position, it acts like a real compass and spins with the North indicator to the north.

I bought my 60CS when they first came out just for Geocaching. It was the first GPS that Garmin put software especially for Geocaching.

[Tx Rider]

Hmm when I used my 276c for geocaching I downloaded them as waypoints and upload them to the GPS. It just routed me to them.

It's also useable as a maarine and compass for boats and does things like tel you the tides and how you've drifted off a course you've set.

The one thing I noticed the handhelds don't seem to have is wads of track memory, I believe 10,000 points per track. It will save tracks for about a week of riding in one track, and save those tracks off on internal memory. Mine ended up with tracks for thousands of miles of riding before I finally saved them off to my PC.

[SirWilhelm]

Colorado 300 ordered, and I'll give it whirl and see how it does.
:-)

[TexasShadow]

Colorado 300 ordered, and I'll give it whirl and see how it does.
:-)

:popcorn: !

[1TallTXn]

...But, the 60CS, the C stands for a compass...

If I'm not mistaken, the C stands for color, the S gives you the compass and barometer.

The Cx model has a color screen, but lacks the compass and barometer. Same on the 76 and 60 series.

[1TallTXn]

The main reason I'm shying away from the Quest is I want to use whatever GPS I end up with when I'm backpacking, and the built-in battery on the Quest doesn't sound like a good idea.
AA's are much more backpacker friendly in that regard.

At present I'm leaning towards the 76CSx for its feature/price ratio.

[DFW Dano]

Uh.... I've got to stop having liquid lunches... :giveup: :doh: