Garmin’s Colorado series includes four handheld GPS navigation devices designed to meet the needs of those with outdoor interests including; hikers, campers, anglers, boaters, joggers and geocachers. For the rigours of outdoor use the Colorado units have a rugged metal-plated build, built-in antenna and are submersible (IPX7). They can work in a wide range of ambient temperatures - the extremities of which most individuals would not like to experience namely -4 to 158 Fahrenheit (-20 to 70 Celsius).

Accuracy is excellent at +/- 10 feet as delivered by a high sensitivity SiRF Star III WAAS enabled GPS receiver. The SiRF delivers some of the best GPS satellite acquisition times available. The units are powered by two AA batteries delivering up to 16 hours of up time.

Maps

The Garmin Colarado 400t, 400i, 400c and 300 have identical specifications apart from the pre-loaded maps. The four Colorado models have 3 GB of internal memory but with little spare available an SD card pushed in the slot at the bottom of each unit is necessary for additional maps.

Colorado 400t: provides the latest 3D elevation perspective preloaded U.S. topographic maps giving the detailed graphic representation of both cultural and natural features hikers prefer

Colorado 400i: maps offer anglers shoreline details, depth contours and boat ramps for U.S. inland lakes and navigable rivers.

Colorado 400c: is the model for boating providing map coverage for the coastal U.S. and Bahamas with BlueChart g2 coastal charts preloaded. Map detail includes includes shorelines, depth contours, navaids, harbors, marinas, port plans. There’s also lots of useful data to discover and utilize including tides and currents and real picture detail on many harbors, ports, marinas and coastal features. BlueChart g2 features a choice of new 3D mariner’s-eye-view map perspective, or the familiar 2D direct-overhead view

Colorado 300: does not come pre-loaded with any maps apart from a shaded relief (Digital Elevation Model) basemap which is also included with the 400t.

Garmin’s new Rock n Roller Wheel

A feature to fall in love with is the new scroll wheel / joystick Garmin call the rock n roller positioned at the top of the unit for thumb manipulation. Being considerate of the targeted outdoor enthusiasts market, Garmin have used the rock n roller to minimize the number of buttons populating the Colorado units. The rock n roller can be pressed in the center, pressed on the periphery or rotated using the outer edge of the wheel. Have a look at the video from Garmin below to see how these control actions translate into navigation of the interface.

Other Colorado Handheld GPS Device Features

Each Colorado models weight is reasonable at 5.9 ounces (167g) without batteries. The display is a 3 inch (7.6 cm) backlit color TFT display with a suitable 240 x 400 pixels resolution for viewing some of the fine detail maps available.

All the Colorado models come with an electronic compass for bearing information and barometric altimeter for precise altitude determination. Barometric pressure can be plotted over time for monitoring for changing weather conditions.

Fitness users have not been left out with the Colorado units able to training assistance data such as heart rate (option heart rate monitor requied), speed or candence (crank revolutions per minute).

A helpful facility is the ability to share routes, tracks, waypoints and geocaches wirelessly between suitably equipped units. Something geocachers will appreciate.

Geocachers will also appreciate being the first to experience Wherigo (”where I go”), the newest GPS-based activity from Groundspeak. Wherigo authors can build adventure games, historical tours or other GPS activities. Colorado GPS units can be used to run the Wherigo Player application for visiting physical locations, using virtual items, interacting with virtual characters and solving real world puzzles.

If you want a peek what other GPS activities may be around in the not so distant future have a read of William Gibson’s science fiction novel Spook County. Gibson wrote about the development and application of technologies such as cyberspace and virtual reality well before it hit the public consciousness. In Spook County, Gibson weaves new ideas such as virtual, locative art into the plot.

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

Visit the following Online retailer’s sites to read the first hand user reviews, check product ratings and see the prices.

Garmin Colorado 400t Handheld GPS Unit with US Topographic Preloaded Maps

Garmin Colorado 400i Handheld GPS Unit with US Inland Lakes Preloaded Maps

Garmin Colorado 400c Handheld GPS Unit with US Coastal Waters Preloaded Maps

Garmin Colorado 300 Bilingual Handheld GPS Unit with North American Maps

Garmin Colorado 400t Portable Navigator - 3 Active Matrix TFT Color LCD

Garmin Colorado 400i Portable Navigator - 3 Active Matrix TFT Color LCD

Garmin Colorado 400c Portable Navigator - 3 Active Matrix TFT Color LCD

Garmin Colorado 300 Portable Navigator - 3 Active Matrix TFT Color LCD

GARMIN Colorado 400t 3.0″ Handheld GPS Navigation

GARMIN Colorado 400i 3.0″ Handheld GPS Navigation

GARMIN Colorado 400c 3.0″ Handheld GPS Navigation

GARMIN Colorado 300 3.0″ Handheld GPS Navigation

Resources

Compare the Garmin Colorado GPS Mapping Handhelds specifications side-by-side with differences highlighted.

Colorado 300
Heart Rate Monitor Guide (PDF)
Owner’s Manual (PDF 1.39MB)
Quick Start Guide (PDF 4.36MB)

Colorado 400t
Heart Rate Monitor Guide (PDF)
Owner’s Manual (PDF 1.39MB)
Quick Start Guide (PDF 4.36MB)

Colorado 400i
Owner’s Manual (PDF 1.39MB)
Quick Start Guide (PDF 4.36MB)

Colorado 400c
Heart Rate Monitor Guide (PDF)
Owner’s Manual (PDF 1.39MB)
Quick Start Guide (PDF 4.36MB)

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Specification for Garmin Colorado 400t, 400i, 400c and 300 Handheld GPS Navigators