Gear Testing: February 2008 Archives
Last summer I got word of two new hand held GPS receivers that would be entering the market in late 2007/early 2008: the Magellan Triton and the Garmin Colorado.
The Triton hit the market first, and the release was a disaster. The units suffered hardware and software issues, and they have been pulled from the shelves at many outdoor retailers while Magellan works out the bugs. This disappointed me since I was really looking forward to getting one. The Triton's main selling point was the integration with National Geographic Topo, the mapping software tool of choice for many outdoor enthusiasts, including myself. This was an exciting idea for a techie and outdoors nut like me, and I overlooked the Garmin Colorado because Magellan was a no-brainer choice.
I had always intended on spending my REI dividend on the Triton, but as I heard story after story of bugs and failures from the early adopters, I started looking at the Garmin Colorado. I was able to hold one in my hand and physically try it out at a geocaching event at the beginning of February, and it was lust at first sight. The Colorado was also not without its own problems, but the majority of them were software issues and have already been addressed with regular firmware updates.
Yesterday I used my embarrassingly enormous REI dividend (side story: when I worked at REI about seven years ago I watched a guy use a $1200 dividend to fit his entire family in new ski equipment. I applied for the credit card the next day) to buy a Garmin Colorado 400t, and the extended entry contains my initial 24-hour impression, along with some snazzy screenshots. Note: Before doing anything with the Colorado I updated the firmare to version 2.40, which fixes many issues, especially with the geocaching features. If you buy a new one off the shelf, make sure to load the latest firmware to the device.
The Triton hit the market first, and the release was a disaster. The units suffered hardware and software issues, and they have been pulled from the shelves at many outdoor retailers while Magellan works out the bugs. This disappointed me since I was really looking forward to getting one. The Triton's main selling point was the integration with National Geographic Topo, the mapping software tool of choice for many outdoor enthusiasts, including myself. This was an exciting idea for a techie and outdoors nut like me, and I overlooked the Garmin Colorado because Magellan was a no-brainer choice.
I had always intended on spending my REI dividend on the Triton, but as I heard story after story of bugs and failures from the early adopters, I started looking at the Garmin Colorado. I was able to hold one in my hand and physically try it out at a geocaching event at the beginning of February, and it was lust at first sight. The Colorado was also not without its own problems, but the majority of them were software issues and have already been addressed with regular firmware updates.
Yesterday I used my embarrassingly enormous REI dividend (side story: when I worked at REI about seven years ago I watched a guy use a $1200 dividend to fit his entire family in new ski equipment. I applied for the credit card the next day) to buy a Garmin Colorado 400t, and the extended entry contains my initial 24-hour impression, along with some snazzy screenshots. Note: Before doing anything with the Colorado I updated the firmare to version 2.40, which fixes many issues, especially with the geocaching features. If you buy a new one off the shelf, make sure to load the latest firmware to the device.
Continue reading Garmin Colorado Review - First Impressions.
I finally got around to setting up the Tarptent Double Rainbow that I bought a few weeks ago. I needed to seam seal it, but in order to seam seal it there needs to be good weather since it has to sit outside for several hours. And with the relentless storms we have been getting lately, this has been an impossible task.
Today I found myself working from home since I was getting kitchen appliances installed, so I took a few minutes to set up this new palace and give it the attention it deserves. It is now ready to hit the trail!
This baby replaces my old Cloudburst, which has been a reliable and comfortable shelter for several years. After buying the regularRainbow last year for my solo backpacking, I knew that the Double would be a perfect shelter for the two of us. It's spacious, comfortable, storm-worthy, and pretty darn light weight.
Today I found myself working from home since I was getting kitchen appliances installed, so I took a few minutes to set up this new palace and give it the attention it deserves. It is now ready to hit the trail!
This baby replaces my old Cloudburst, which has been a reliable and comfortable shelter for several years. After buying the regularRainbow last year for my solo backpacking, I knew that the Double would be a perfect shelter for the two of us. It's spacious, comfortable, storm-worthy, and pretty darn light weight.
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