Garmin Oregon 400t

[JimmyLyding]

Anyone have one of these? I have seen rumblings that it only takes proprietary software, and does not accept data loaded from other sources (like HAZ). Anyone know?

[joebartels]

I have one. It's a piece of crap. Then again you might want another opinion cause what I like everybody hates.

You don't need HAZ maps with the 400t as it has Fisher Price topographical maps built in. The only one I have loaded is the routes layer which is a tiny file compared to the rest. If you leave the map on display it eats at least two sets of batteries in one day. It's harder than hell to read in sunlight (umm kinda where you need it most...), I fricken hate it. When the batteries die, it doesn't let you know. Or at least if it does I can't hear it. I can't tell the difference half the time between what a loaded route is and the active route. I seriously have no clue where I've been until I get home and download it and view it on TOPO! or HAZ.

I do like how you can move a map fast.
For the touch screen the trick is to never use your finger tip, just use the edge of your fingernail.
It loads stuff from HAZ fine.

[azdesertfather]

Joe's comments about the Oregon are much the same with the Colorado 400t, which I have had for a while now. Same map layout, and as far as the unit itself, mostly the same good's and bad's.

I don't mind the maps so much...they're not the best but they're better than most I've seen inside GPS units. But it totally bites that the thing is a battery hog. When I did our hike today (which was just under 9 hours) I finished off the pair of batteries that were in it within 15 minutes. Then I put in a brand new set of Sony AA's and about 1.5 hours before getting back to the car, THOSE batteries died. I literally can't expect to get more than 7 hours out of a set of AA's in this thing.

And Joe's issue with the Oregon is also true with the Colorado...the Colorado does warn you (if you happen to look at the screen) that beeps are going to be turned off as the batteries are almost dead (like the beeps are what drains the battery, NOT the screen!!). Once that screen comes up, however, it's going to putz out on you at any time with NO further warning. Whatta pain.

The Colorado doesn't have a touch screen, but as I compared the two I really didn't think that was a helpful option. The scroll wheel on the Colorado is pretty nice, and the screen is glass which feels more sturdy.

At this point, I'd still choose the Colorado over anything else I've seen however. The antenna is about the best of any one I've used so far.

[aa7jc]

If you leave the map on display it eats at least two sets of batteries in one day.

Boy, that is a show stopper!
So, how is battery life without the " map on display "?
I have never even given any thought to the battery life with respect to the map being on the display.. I once left my 60CSX on for 22 hours solid but I dont know if the map was not on display plus I was not moving. I generally leave the big sized stats on display without the backlight when I am out marching around and I toggle back and forth to the map screen from time to time. I certainly get a good solid two FULL days of hiking out of a fresh set of AA batteries.

[aa7jc]

I certainly get a good solid two FULL days of hiking out of a fresh set of AA batteries.

I should mention that is with my 60CSx

[joebartels]

Once I realized that I'd been leaving it on the menu screen. Now it appears to get the twenty some rated hours. I'm probably a little touchy on it since I unknowingly lost data on the Mother Lode.

I believe I can cure my frustration with the Fisher Price map simply by turning it off and uploading Steve's files instead.

[Sredfield]

Mine is the 76CSX and the battery life is exceptional, 2-3 full days of hiking or more sometimes, but I've got Lithium batteries in it and understand they may be a little too "hot' for it, as the Garmin support folks said, so will probably go back to the cheaper kind when these give out. Have to say the satellite reception and "lock" is great as well, it found a couple from down in Buckskin Gulch, the same number as an aviation model (260?) did, then in Paria as soon as we got out of the real tight slots, it picked up enough to track. Didn't do so well in the little canyon going up to Wrather Arch, but did track it most of the way.

[big_load]

I certainly get a good solid two FULL days of hiking out of a fresh set of AA batteries.

I should mention that is with my 60CSx

Yes, that model is one of the best on the market for power efficiency.

[JimmyLyding]

My mom just bought a 400t, and guess who gets to set it up. I'll get back to this forum in a few weeks when I figure it out

[nonot]

I believe I can cure my frustration with the Fisher Price map simply by turning it off and uploading Steve's files instead.

I'm glad someone actually uses them besides me!

For comparison my Vista HCx gets about 16-24 hours per set of 2 AA's. I have a beep programmed for low power, but usually don't hear it because it's in my pocket. I keep an eye on it when it's on it's last battery bar and start checking it every 15 minutes or so.

[chumley]

I was just reading about the new Oregon 500t which includes a 3.2MP camera that geotags photos to the location they are photographed at. But apparently besides the camera its basically the same as the 400 series. So despite looking really, really cool, I'm guessing it has the same problems mentioned above.

[azdesertfather]

Once I realized that I'd been leaving it on the menu screen. Now it appears to get the twenty some rated hours. I'm probably a little touchy on it since I unknowingly lost data on the Mother Lode.

I believe I can cure my frustration with the Fisher Price map simply by turning it off and uploading Steve's files instead.

Joe, have you tried lithium batteries in it yet? I'm wondering if those would last longer. I haven't tried it yet, just realized that that was an option. Here's a blurb from the Colorado 400t manual:

Important Information Concerning
Battery Usage
Garmin recommends the use of premium batteries
in the Colorado for optimal performance and
maximum battery life. Premium alkaline cells,
NiMH rechargeable cells less than one-year old with
a capacity greater than or equal to 2500 mAh, and
Lithium cells provide the best performance. Certain
settings on the Colorado can also shorten battery life.
Heavy use of the backlight, 3D view mode, and Track
Up mode will diminish battery life.

[azdesertfather]

I think I'll start a new thread on this GPS battery life issue, as it will probably be looked for by people for years to come!
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=4049

Anyone have any idea how much turning off WAAS will effect things?

dave

[big_load]

Turning off WAAS helps a little. I can't quantify it, though. I typically get 30 hours from my 60CS (not the newer CSx) with compass, barometric altimeter, and WAAS turned off.

[JimmyLyding]

Just uploaded the routes onto the GPS. Thank you nonot!!!! I don't see all of the routes, and I don't know why. Is it because not all are from Garmin units?

[joebartels]

Probably more along the lines of...

Member contributed GPS Routes Updated: 2008-08-20

Are you using the built in Topo or nonot's assembly?

[JimmyLyding]

I'm using both. I uploaded the Topo, but there were no routes. Then I figured it out (I think), and unzipped/uploaded the routes to the unit.