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Handheld GPS
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- Intuitive to use
- Loaded with features
- Best GPS receiver for geocaching and Whereigo games
- Excellent reception
- Expensive
- Omits backcountry-navigation features
Though expensive, reviewers say the Garmin Colorado 400t is a big step forward in handheld GPS receiver design -- although it's been eclipsed in reviews by the Garmin Oregon 400t (Discontinued), which has a touch-screen interface. Still, testers like the Colorado 400t's iPod-like control wheel and intuitive interface, which is so intuitive that some testers don't even need to crack the user's manual. The Colorado 400t comes loaded with a big, bright color screen, 3-D map viewing and features for geocaching . As Garmin's top-of-the-line handheld GPS, the Colorado 400t consistently gets better reviews than Magellan's flagship Triton 2000 (*Est. $445). Reviewers say the Colorado 400t has a bigger screen, smaller footprint and is easier to use than the older Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx (Discontinued). However, some reviewers recommend sticking with GPSMAP 60CSx if you'll be hiking or mountain biking in very remote areas, as they find the Colorado 400t has omitted some important backcountry navigation features.
We found extremely thorough, expert reviews of the Garmin Colorado 400t handheld GPS at both GPSMagazine.com and GPSLodge.com. The review at About.com isn't nearly as extensive, but it is based on hands-on field testing. GPSTracklog.com's review is largely based on testing of the Garmin Colorado 300 (*Est. $410), which is the same unit as the Colorado 400t minus the U.S. Geological Survey topographical maps. Several of the consumers who post reviews of the Colorado 400t at REI.com, an outdoor retail site, have extensive outdoor experience and valuable insight.
Garmin Colorado 300 Bilingual Handheld GPS Unit with North American Maps
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Garmin Oregon 400T 3-Inch Touchscreen Handheld GPS Unit with Preloaded Topographic Maps
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Magellan Triton 2000 Waterproof Hiking GPS
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| Premium Car Charger for Garmin GPS Colorado 400t + Free Stars Stripes Silicone Wristband | |
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Our Sources
Reviewer "Fletch" tests the Garmin Colorado 400t exhaustively, reviewing every feature -- from how well the unit fits in a tester's pocket to how easily it locates a geocache. Unlike other reviewers, GPSMagazine.com tests the proprietary high-sensitivity signal processor Garmin uses in the Colorado 400t to see whether it works as well as the industry-standard SiRFstar III.
Review: Garmin Colorado 400t Review, "Fletch", Jan. 4, 2008
2. GPSLodge.com
Blogger Scott Martin has used various Garmin handhelds for 10 years. His thorough test concentrates on features he thinks would make the upgrade worthwhile -- for example, from the Garmin eTrex C series or Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. He praises the unit's screen size and SD card accessibility, among other design features.
Review: Garmin Colorado 400t Full Review, Scott Martin, Mar. 30, 2008
3. About.com
Fred Zahradnik, About.com's guide to GPS devices, includes relevant testing of the Garmin Colorado 400t handheld GPS. The Colorado 400t gets the best score of the four GPS reviewed here. He praises its ease of use, particularly its menu navigation system and large screen. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Next Generation: Garmin Colorado 400t Review, Fred Zahradnik, Feb. 21, 2008
4. GPS Tracklog
Blogger Rich Owings bases his opinion of the Garmin Colorado 400t largely on his test of the Colorado 300, which lacks the Colorado 400t's U.S. topographical maps. Owings likes the Colorado for its geocaching functionality, but he doesn't recommend it for backcountry hiking or cycling because it lacks a few features he believes make it easier to navigate the wilderness.
Review: Garmin Colorado 400t Review, Rich Owings, Mar. 3, 2008
5. REI.com
Consumer reviews at REI tend to be thoughtful and full of details. Users give the Garmin Colorado 400t GPS mixed reviews; some early purchasers encountered bugs, but later purchasers say Garmin's firmware updates have solved the problems.
Review: Garmin Colorado 400t GPS, Contributors to REI.com
Handheld GPS Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Amazon.com, GPSMagazine.com…
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Garmin Oregon 550T 3-Inch Handheld GPS Navigator with 3.2MP Digital Camera (U.S. Topographic Maps)
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