[boboso]

Trying to decide between these two models:
Garmins
Colorado 400t or 600Csx

Wife (CFO) has given me the "go get your father's day gift" green light and I have decided I need a GPS for hiking, biking, 4 wheeling, etc. I do a lot of outdoors activities all over the US, so I need topo, streets, guidance, and way points as well as trail maps etc. We get decent employee discount at work for Garmin (though some Amazon deals can be cheaper) and I need to know which would be a better choice. Money is not the object, but it does leave some over for other goodies...

Help...

 

[DominicG]

I don't have experience with either of those Garmins. But i can tell you they have good customer service


My Nuvi 350 quit on me a couple weeks ago, 366 days old. Called up, sent it in, and they are sending me a new one.

 

[Fjamming]

Boboso, I really liked the 400T on paper. However, I just can't justify getting one knowing next year this time it might be 2/3 or 1/2 the price of what it is now. As a hiking GPS it might not work very well. I heard they go through batteries very very quickly. There were several reviews on this unit. It looks very promising though it still has some bugs.

 

[boboso]

Boboso, I really liked the 400T on paper. However, I just can't justify getting one knowing next year this time it might be 2/3 or 1/2 the price of what it is now. As a hiking GPS it might not work very well. I heard they go through batteries very very quickly. There were several reviews on this unit. It looks very promising though it still has some bugs.

Thats kinda my problem... I want this able and used primarly for hiking, and 4-wheeling etc. So carrying a load a batteries (solar I got as well) is not in my best interest. The 300 and 400 look great, feel great, have the majority of new bugs worked out, but I still hesitate to drop the coin. The 600Csx can be had for alomost $200 less... nothing but praise and Gear of the Year in 2006. The estimates I heard on battery life was 10 hours for the Colorado (due to the backlight) and approx 15 on the 600. I have got to find a place I can play with them both as most local places in OC do not have working ones or no signal in the stores. I'm off to REI tomorrow as well...

 

[Hanselhoff]

careful at REI, inever leave empty handed. and of course its something i really dont need.

 

[boboso]

careful at REI, inever leave empty handed. and of course its something i really dont need.

Yeah, trust me I know... and I got a $200 gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket. I wont leave with a GPS from there however as their prices are quite a bit higher than others. At least they may have them so I can at least see it and ask some base questions.

 

[Fjamming]

Bob, have you considered one of the Nuvi with topo maps loaded? They are very portable.

 

[boboso]

Bob, have you considered one of the Nuvi with topo maps loaded? They are very portable.

Problem is waypointing, and I will be using on longer hikes and route planning / mapping. I ended up getting a Colorado 300 with City Nav and full Topo maps on DVD (for Mac). If the unit sucks, as some reviews have stated, then it goes back for a 60Csx. I got to use one at REI and found the Colorado a bit faster, easier to use (intuitive) that the 60Csx. The only item missing was the trackback feature (breadcrumbs), though you can track your route. Weirdest feeling was to walk out of REI with no purchase as their prices for GPS were way high. Felt bad as the sales rep helped out a lot by coming outside to see the unit in sunlight, and try the unit himself. He must have spent 30 minutes with me. Guess I'll have to go back tomorrow and spend some Bush money to make up for it.

Many reviewer hated this unit, however most of the issues seem to have been fixed in the last update. Garmin seems to be known for standing by their product and supporting it. Heard they were delayed with this unit due to push to get it out, and their software development with Mac/Apple. I had no issues with the unit and was routing within 2 minutes using it...

Getting a cheap Nuvi as well for the wife

 

[Fjamming]

Very true about waypoints...