+Mitragorz Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) I've been using the Garmin Colorado since I started caching in 2010. I'm actually on my second unit. The first one had the common "loosening" of the USB plug, after a couple of years, so I picked up another. I'm probably 3 years or so into the newer one, and it's just starting to show the same problem. The problem is, I LOVE the Colorado. My finacee has had an Oregon since Christmas (a gift from yours-truly), but from the little experience I have with it, I wasn't really that into it. Maybe it's just from five years of using the same device. I can pick up a used Colorado on eBay from $100 or less. But being that the model hasn't been made for a while, the units are more likely to have the same USB issue, sooner rather than later. A refurb Oregon 600 (don't need the camera or maps) would run $270. Who's gone from the Colorado to the Oregon, and how did you like it? How was it getting used to the new interface? I know the best way for me to know if I'd like it or not would be to actually use my fiancee's device but, to be honest, we cache in spurts, and it could be weeks before we hit the trails again. Edited June 17, 2015 by Mitragorz Quote Link to comment
+Red90 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I'm with you. The Colorado is the nicest handheld Garmin has produced. The rock and roller for managing the device is fantastic and the geocaching screens are better than newer models. If it had the newer firmware, it would be perfect. I have a 64S now as well, but it is not as functional other than the newer software features. You can replace the USB port. Not a huge job. I did a writeup on here. I've found they are just a bit loose over time and they still work as long as you use a genuine Garmin cable and bit of pressure. Now when you talk Oregon....there are two completely different Oregons. The 4xx series and the 6xx series. These are night and day different. Quote Link to comment
+on4bam Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Who's gone from the Colorado to the Oregon, and how did you like it? How was it getting used to the new interface? I have. My Colorado even still works as new but the "rock 'n' roller" (common problem) broke so I got an Oregon 600. It's excellent to go caching and the touchscreen way of entering stuff is a lot easier than on the Colorado. Also, using GSAK + garminexport macro I get exactly the behavior I want with the WP's of multi's being exported as POI's. It worked like that on the Colorado too BTW. Map generating is faster than the Colorado and the screen (although the Colorado also had a good readable screen) is excellent. Should I have to rate both units I'd give the Colorado 8/10 and the Oregon 600 a 9.5/10. Only minus is that it's easy to accidentally change settings by having the unit on a lanyard around your neck but that's what the user definable key's are for (screen lock). Quote Link to comment
+Mitragorz Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 Red... I'd be looking at the basic 600. I've read some how-to's on repairing the plug, but see they require soldering. I can weld with no problem, but I'm terrible with an iron and solder. On4bam... I've never had a problem with the wheel, but I've read about it. The only issue I have with mine is that'l its a little stiff when turning it. Not as smooth as it used to be. Quote Link to comment
+Red90 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Red... I'd be looking at the basic 600. I've read some how-to's on repairing the plug, but see they require soldering. I can weld with no problem, but I'm terrible with an iron and solder. On4bam... I've never had a problem with the wheel, but I've read about it. The only issue I have with mine is that'l its a little stiff when turning it. Not as smooth as it used to be. No soldering required. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=288085&st=0&p=5474305&fromsearch=1entry5474305 Really, I think 90% of the time you just need to bend the USB port a bit to get the tension back with the plug. They just made the out of the connector a bit weak and it stretched out. If the wheel is stiff it probably needs to be cleaned. It is meant to pop in and out for cleaning. Quote Link to comment
+Mitragorz Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 Thanks for that link. I had actually read that thread early on in my research. On my unit, the metal "sleeve" slides in and out a bit. I don't recall it doing that in the past. I guess it'd be worth prying the connectors a bit to try to make a better contact, before I start taking the thing apart. When you say bend the USB port, that's what you're talking about, right? The little piece in the middle of the silver sleeve? I have taken the wheel apart before, and I found that the rubber seal (or whatever it is) had bound up a bit. I fixed that and gave it a good cleaning, and it helped. Still a little stiff, but definitely functional! Quote Link to comment
+Red90 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 When you say bend the USB port, that's what you're talking about, right? The little piece in the middle of the silver sleeve? There are two things you can do. One is to bend the middle piece (with the contacts on it) in the direction of the contacts to put more pressure on the plug. The other is to squeeze the outer sleeve piece in a bit to clamp a bit on the plug. Quote Link to comment
+Red90 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 The problem with replacing it, would be finding the part. Other than possibly Garmin, I don;t know if anyone stock the parts for these any more. Quote Link to comment
+andyakashrek Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Soldering in a new part or sourcing a replacement connector shouldn't be too difficult, find a local ham radio operator or radio repair shop I'm sure that they could sort the problem. Quote Link to comment
MtnHermit Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Colo 300 > Oregon 450 here. I use the track feature a lot and was always annoyed by the Colo tracks any color you want so long as it's black. Too many other black objects on a map. I sold my Colo for $100 and I've had no OR 600 lust. Do like the OR small organic size compared to that antenna protrusion on the Colo. As to accuracy, I'd have to give the edge to the OR. Battery life the same. Been using the geotagged photo feature of the OR lately, don't remember the Colo having that feature. Seeing a photo in map context is cool although the OR 450 murders the photo compared to a P&S camera. Quote Link to comment
+Walts Hunting Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Had a Colorado but moved on to the 450 for the touch screen and never looked back. Then on to 550 and montana. Since I do 99%of my caching on foot or bike the size didn't bother me but I would never go back to a non touchscreen Quote Link to comment
+Mitragorz Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 Thanks for the insight, guys. Walt, how did you like the size of the Montana vs the Oregon? I think the MT would be but a little bulky for me as a dedicated caching unit. Quote Link to comment
+Walts Hunting Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 It is big and if my caching style was more urban and not all hiking and biking I would probably have a different opinion but mounted to my bike size doens't matter except big makes it easier to see and touch when moving. Hiking the size seems fine. Since my hikes tend to be in the longer range (at least 3 hours) I alwyas have a camelback to attach it to. When I do shorter hikes and it is attached to my belt the bouncing does get annoying. So if your style isn't like that then the Oregon series would be better. At this point I don't ever see me changing and I have had it replaced twice (once under warranty when I dropped it in the lake for to long) and another after I had it for a few years and broke the screen when it dropped face down on the point of a rock (no luck that time). Onthe occassions when i do drive it is mounted until I get out. Quote Link to comment
+dmit Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 as to the rock-n-roller wheel, I'm quite surprised that they are not available on ebay etc. when mine was bad I emailed the customer support and got a reply that I'd have to call to order as they don't take credit cards online, from the email: You can order a pack of 6 Rock and Roller knob's for $4 USD. There would also be a shipping charge of $8.00. If you would like to look elsewhere for this part, the part number is: 011-01745-00 when I called to order and went through the 1/2 hour on hold etc. I was asked the sn of my unit, the rep told me the history of my 400t, how long I'd had it etc. I gave him the part no. from the email, any way to end this long story, the rep said "those are quite cheap, I'll send you 1" and in 3-4 days it showed up in a first class envelope. Quote Link to comment
+Mitragorz Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 The Colorado finally gave out... The USB port simply broke and is too loose to use. Oh well... I picked up a Montana. Man this thing is big (and heavy!). Thanks for all the help! Quote Link to comment
+Mitragorz Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 I just wanted to update the thread after having used the Montana for teh past few months. I love the thing. It's big and a little heavier, but It seems well-built and the interface is very intuitive. Entering stages when doing multis is a lot easier than it was on the Colorado. I do miss the Colorado, but the Montana is a great unit. Quote Link to comment
+Mineral2 Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Why'd you choose the Montana over the Oregon? Similar interface, but smaller and lighter, though I guess not by too much. Quote Link to comment
+Mitragorz Posted October 5, 2015 Author Share Posted October 5, 2015 I liked the big screen of the Montana. My fiancee has the Oregon, and I just felt the screen was too cluttered. It's perfect for her little hands, though! Quote Link to comment
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