Garmin Colorado 400t GPS

[Yota]

Wow this is a sexy, spendy little number. $600?

http://www.rei.com/product/754440

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7796&stc=1&d=1200679746

Anyone excited about this one?

It's pretty cool but for that price I'd like to have an FRS/GMRS radio in it like the Rino series.

Feature list:

Large, sunlight-readable screen offers crystal-clear colors and high-resolution imagery
Enjoy vibrant 3D ''walk the trail'' mapping with preloaded Topo 2008 software and Worldwide Digital Elevation Model (DEM) basemap with shaded relief
Comes with 256MB internal memory, plus an SD card slot for additional data; accepts all Garmin MapSource data cards and software
Features built-in electronic compass, altimeter and barometer
Supports Geocaching.com GPX files for complete cache description and hints
Groundspeak's Wherigo Player application comes pre-installed and includes an instructional tutorial; learn more at www.wherigo.com
Enjoy effortless sharing of waypoints, tracks, routes and geocache locations between Colorado series units with unique wireless transfer function
High-sensitivity receiver provides rapid first fix and is sensitive enough to acquire signals in urban canyons and under dense foliage
Innovative Rock-n-Roller input device provides an intuitive, user-friendly interface
Offers configurable profiles for end use: auto, marine, recreation, fitness and geocaching
Operates on two AA batteries; built-in NiMH charging via included USB or car adapter (sold separately)
Waterproof construction keeps unit functioning; meets IEC 60529 lPX7 standards (submerge 1m for 30 min.)
Compatible with Garmin heart rate monitors and GSC 10 Speed and Cadence Sensor, sold separately
JPG image viewer displays pictures stored on SD cards
WAAS-enabled (Wide Area Augmentation System) receiver delivers accuracy to 10 ft. in North America
Includes MapSource? Trip and Waypoint Manager software, PC USB interface cable, carabiner, manual and quick-start guide

[bsaunder]

I've seen some places advertising them at $425 - its definitely on my to check out list; if it seems to work well while messing with it,then I'll probably get one.

[Yota]

I wonder if that was the pimp-sweet high end model or one of the lower models ( I think I saw 3 different 'trim' levels ).

Yeah I'd be interested too, especially if it is handy for MTB use (particularly it'd have to be damn rugged).

[rmjeep]

I like it but want to highjack and ask if anyone has loaded topo on their current garmin?

[Yota]

Survey says... (http://www.rei.com/product/754440)

Not so great.

[bsaunder]

Most all of the complaints would be fixed if they updated the firmware from what I've read on other sites, or they are using very low mAh NiCd batteries which it doesn't play well with. Still would be nice if it was released without any bugs, but unfortunately there isn't a single gadget released to the public that doesn't have bugs at first.
The biggest compliant that I have seen that would worry me is that the battery compartment really isn't water proof, or even resistant. They screwed up the fit between the rear cover and the gasket so they don't have enough pressure on each other. For that reason alone I will probably wait for the rev2 of the Colorado before I think of getting one.

[Yota]

That makes sense.