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Garmin Colorado FAQ and Issues List


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Given the length of some of the Colorado threads its difficult to find a lot of the information on issues, tips and tricks so I decided to compile a simple FAQ and Issues list.

 

Its crude but I'm keeping Colorado FAQ .

 

As posted elsewhere I'm keeping a Colorado Issues/Feature Request List .

 

As usual, let me know of additions, errors or omissions.

 

Once I get some more time I'll look at turning them into a wiki. If you have recommendations of good (free) wiki farms let me know. I'm looking at wikispaces.com right now and it seems like a reasonable choice but if you have first hand experience contact me through my profile.

 

GO$Rs

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Given the length of some of the Colorado threads its difficult to find a lot of the information on issues, tips and tricks so I decided to compile a simple FAQ and Issues list.

 

Its crude but I'm keeping Colorado FAQ .

 

As posted elsewhere I'm keeping a Colorado Issues/Feature Request List .

 

As usual, let me know of additions, errors or omissions.

 

Once I get some more time I'll look at turning them into a wiki. If you have recommendations of good (free) wiki farms let me know. I'm looking at wikispaces.com right now and it seems like a reasonable choice but if you have first hand experience contact me through my profile.

 

GO$Rs

 

Thanks for your hard work. This will help me in my decision making process to buy or not to buy, I'm on the fence right now.

Barefoot One & Wench

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Do you have a time frame when we might expect Garmin to do these updates?

 

Nope, I have no relationship with Garmin other than as a customer so my guess is as good as yours. I have marked the issues I've shared with Garmin in the issues list and I've sent them an earlier version of the list. But the response I got was "they'll be added to our list". The only issue that I know they've dealt with is the freeze upon reading a geocache description. They said this will be fixed in the next release.

 

I would encourage everyone to contact Garmin with those issues that matter the most to you. Feel free to send them a link to the Issues list. I'll be numbering the issues soon so it makes it a little easier to reference.

 

GO$rs

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A little note after the most recent updates:

 

NIMH's last much longer now than before. I measured 14 hrs with the backlight on high. Granted when the unit hits two bars, the backlight is reduced, one bar even further. Good power performance after the chipset update.

 

BUT, the meter reads as one "red" bar for 5 of those hours. Isn't the whole point to the battery meter to let you know when to change batteries? Now, if you look down and see a red bar you don't know whether you have a half hour or five hours of juice left. Its a simple fix (it would seem) with firmware.

 

PS: g-o-cachers, your effort in creating the lists are greatly appreciated by all. THANK YOU.

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Here's another one...

 

On previous models when you moved the pointer over a land feature (national forests, national parks, military bases, airports) it would display the name of the unit. Not any more. Great feature now lost to the new format on the colorado.

 

Add it to the list?

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Given the length of some of the Colorado threads its difficult to find a lot of the information on issues, tips and tricks so I decided to compile a simple FAQ and Issues list.

Excellent, many thanks for your efforts; they are appreciated.

 

Like yogazoo, I can confirm that the NIMH batteries in my 300, after the software update, now last longer...but still not as long as the NIMH's in my 60Cx

 

.

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Here's another one...

 

On previous models when you moved the pointer over a land feature (national forests, national parks, military bases, airports) it would display the name of the unit. Not any more. Great feature now lost to the new format on the colorado.

 

Add it to the list?

 

Unit?

 

Sorry for the confusion. In the GIS world we would call them polygons. You know, the polygons for airports and national forest boundaries. The colored area, like Indian reservations, airports, national forests, national parks. Its like a background only colored differently to represent an area. ALL the older units display the name information when the pointer is panned over top of them. Not on the Colorado though. Anyone notice that the Topo lines are not labeled anymore either?

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Man, the battery meter is acting funky! I turn the unit on and with a fresh set (NIMH) it reads dead. Restart it and they're full. Turn on the light it jumps down to half, then back up to full and back down to half again. Anyone else noticing this behavior?

Yes, mine is still doing that. The backlight (at max setting) gets dimmer in steps, as the battery meter goes down. Then it will suddenly go full bright again. And then dimmer.

 

I check to make sure my batteries fit snugly, and the contact is fine. Hopefully the problem is with the software, and not with the power delivery itself. (I don't know much about that part.)

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Here's another one I don't think I've seen mentioned: On my 60CSx and on my Nuvi 760, I can export custom POIs from GSAK and include hints and other info in the description. I can't seem to get that info to show up on the 400t. Even if I select a custom POI, I get the POI's name in a little box at the top, then a big blank screen. Any ideas on how to get the description to show up?

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And another one: The "Where to" screen has an option to let you search near the current location, a waypoint, or a recent find. However, you cannot simply pan around on the map and then search from a spot you've panned to. When you are panning on the map, the only option is "done". (Okay, the hidden option is to hold down the center button, hit option and create a waypoint; then you can search from that. Still, very kludgey.) Panning on the map should not have such limited options.

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Sorry, a couple more: "Where To -> Recent Finds" does not show waypoints you have created. (Maybe that is not technically a "find," but the 60 series does show them, and it's very useful.)

 

Also, deleting a waypoint takes approximately 450 clicks. It should be one of the options shown (along with Project Waypoint and Edit Waypoint) when you are looking at a waypoint and hit Options. Generally, Garmin needs to add a lot more shortcuts to the Options screens, rather than making you dig deep into menus. (Try deleting the current track log, for instance. Off of the Trip Computer? Nope. Gotta go into Setup.)

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Sorry, a couple more: "Where To -> Recent Finds" does not show waypoints you have created. (Maybe that is not technically a "find," but the 60 series does show them, and it's very useful.)

 

Also, deleting a waypoint takes approximately 450 clicks. It should be one of the options shown (along with Project Waypoint and Edit Waypoint) when you are looking at a waypoint and hit Options. Generally, Garmin needs to add a lot more shortcuts to the Options screens, rather than making you dig deep into menus. (Try deleting the current track log, for instance. Off of the Trip Computer? Nope. Gotta go into Setup.)

You raise some good issues. I think Garmin's QA team should take a Colorado and a 60CSx and compare them feature by feature. Any feature on the 60CSx that they can't find a match (or better) for on the Colorado is a product defect.

 

The feature set on the 60CSx wasn't thrown together haphazardly; it is the culmination of all the useful enhancements that were added to Garmin's handheld units over the years. That should be the *starting point* for the Colorado.

 

Usability issues are more subjective, but Garmin should have enough experienced users in-house to offer honest, well-reasoned criticism of the device as it is developed.

 

They've incorporated some great new ideas into the Colorado, but that's no excuse for leaving some of the *old* "great new ideas" out of the product. If they had to rush a reduced feature set out the door initially to present the product at CES, I can tolerate that. Presenting your new line at CES is critical to customer-awareness. But now that CES is behind us, let's get back to the lab and patch the holes. :D

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Sorry, a couple more: "Where To -> Recent Finds" does not show waypoints you have created. (Maybe that

is not technically a "find," but the 60 series does show them, and it's very useful.)

 

Also, deleting a waypoint takes approximately 450 clicks. It should be one of the options shown (along with

Project Waypoint and Edit Waypoint) when you are looking at a waypoint and hit Options. Generally,

Garmin needs to add a lot more shortcuts to the Options screens, rather than making you dig deep into

menus. (Try deleting the current track log, for instance. Off of the Trip Computer? Nope. Gotta go into

Setup.)

 

"Aiey matey!", so you can 'project waypoints', Good to know. I hadn't seen that mentioned, until now.

That absence would have been a deal breaker.

Is it strictly point entry, or can you use bearing and distance?

 

I did divine that it can be used to gather the info for sun/moon rise/set on a different date at another

location. That may seem sorta obscure, but I've used it to plan night hikes. Naches Loop Trail, around

Naches Peak (duh) is breathtaking, the view of Mt. Rainier, lit by the the moon rising behind you is

indescribable!

 

Norm

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A big one for me is the lack of support for custom waypoint symbols. I rely on those on my 60CSx to see what kinds of caches are near.

 

I also find that I am unable to find waypoints nearest a selected waypoint on the map, or to pan away from a selected waypoint on the map. Am I just missing how to do that, or is it really not available?

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A big one for me is the lack of support for custom waypoint symbols. I rely on those on my 60CSx to see what kinds of caches are near.

Jon, do you mean custom waypoint symbols or custom POI symbols? The latter do work, so at least you have that as a workaround. (I've gone to using only custom POIs for caches because I don't want all my user waypoints used up with caches.)

 

I also find that I am unable to find waypoints nearest a selected waypoint on the map, or to pan away from a selected waypoint on the map. Am I just missing how to do that, or is it really not available?

You can do the first one. Hit Where To, then Options, Search Near... and then select A Waypoint, and go in and select the one you want to search from.

 

You can do the latter, panning away from a selected waypoint. Panning only works from the "Map" screen (the one showing your current location). The crippled panning is a big problem.

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"Aiey matey!", so you can 'project waypoints', Good to know. I hadn't seen that mentioned, until now.

That absence would have been a deal breaker.

Is it strictly point entry, or can you use bearing and distance?

Bearing and distance (the latter can be in miles, yards, feet, kilometers or meters, with decimals) - should work fine.

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Jon, do you mean custom waypoint symbols or custom POI symbols? The latter do work, so at least you have that as a workaround. (I've gone to using only custom POIs for caches because I don't want all my user waypoints used up with caches.)

 

Custom waypoint symbols. I use my waypoints for my local caches only, and use custom POIs for everything else - home, work, trailheads, benchmarks, other caches, etc.

 

You can do the first one. Hit Where To, then Options, Search Near... and then select A Waypoint, and go in and select the one you want to search from.

 

You can do the latter, panning away from a selected waypoint. Panning only works from the "Map" screen (the one showing your current location). The crippled panning is a big problem.

 

Thank you! The crippled panning is going to be a pain, but I can live with that one better than I could if there was no solution to the first one.

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Given the length of some of the Colorado threads its difficult to find a lot of the information on issues, tips and tricks so I decided to compile a simple FAQ and Issues list.

 

Its crude but I'm keeping Colorado FAQ .

 

As posted elsewhere I'm keeping a Colorado Issues/Feature Request List .

 

As usual, let me know of additions, errors or omissions.

 

Once I get some more time I'll look at turning them into a wiki. If you have recommendations of good (free) wiki farms let me know. I'm looking at wikispaces.com right now and it seems like a reasonable choice but if you have first hand experience contact me through my profile.

 

GO$Rs

 

Great job! I'm trashing the one I started, no need to have several projects for one common goal. Keep it up!

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Great list and lots of helpful info.

 

One thing to add to your web issues or it might be GPX file issue is a GPX file from terracaching.com doesn't go to the geocaching folder. It does show up in the user waypoints but not as a geocache. Then it doesn't have any cache info as far as discripition or hints. All it has is the cords, the name of the cache and the person that placed it.

 

I haven't tried to load any caches from GSAK and need to try and load them from GSAK to see if it's just the terra part is doesn't like or if it might be a GPX file problem with the terra GPX files. I kind of thought Geocaching mode is for the "sport" not just the site. Starting to think this is a one site GPS. :blink:

 

Can anyone else able to repeat this or found a work around??

 

Thanks again.

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"Aiey matey!", so you can 'project waypoints', Good to know. I hadn't seen that mentioned, until now.

That absence would have been a deal breaker.

Is it strictly point entry, or can you use bearing and distance?

Bearing and distance (the latter can be in miles, yards, feet, kilometers or meters, with decimals) - should work fine.

I just came home from REI, I wasn't able to find a means to "project" on the 400T.

Could you spell it out? My previous receiver is an Magellan XL, so I have little experience

with Garmins. That probably doesn't matter as I suspect the Colorado is just as different

from previous receivers. Anyway I couldn't find it, and the sales assoc. hovering and asking

how it works didn't help, apparently they don't get in-services on new product, . . .Sheesh!

 

WASSless near Seattle

Norm

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"Aiey matey!", so you can 'project waypoints', Good to know. I hadn't seen that mentioned, until now.

That absence would have been a deal breaker.

Is it strictly point entry, or can you use bearing and distance?

Bearing and distance (the latter can be in miles, yards, feet, kilometers or meters, with decimals) - should work fine.

I just came home from REI, I wasn't able to find a means to "project" on the 400T.

Could you spell it out? My previous receiver is an Magellan XL, so I have little experience

with Garmins. That probably doesn't matter as I suspect the Colorado is just as different

from previous receivers. Anyway I couldn't find it, and the sales assoc. hovering and asking

how it works didn't help, apparently they don't get in-services on new product, . . .Sheesh!

 

WASSless near Seattle

Norm

 

Select a waypoint. Options->Project Waypoint.

 

GO$Rs

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Great list and lots of helpful info.

 

One thing to add to your web issues or it might be GPX file issue is a GPX file from terracaching.com doesn't go to the geocaching folder. It does show up in the user waypoints but not as a geocache. Then it doesn't have any cache info as far as discripition or hints. All it has is the cords, the name of the cache and the person that placed it.

 

I haven't tried to load any caches from GSAK and need to try and load them from GSAK to see if it's just the terra part is doesn't like or if it might be a GPX file problem with the terra GPX files. I kind of thought Geocaching mode is for the "sport" not just the site. Starting to think this is a one site GPS. :blink:

 

Can anyone else able to repeat this or found a work around??

 

Thanks again.

 

Importing a TC.com gpx file into GSAK and reexporting as a gpx file works. I'll add it to my list of Issues however!

 

GO$Rs

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This "issue" is taken from the list...

 

1/24/08: frumious: None of the time displays show seconds. Given the accuracy of GPS time many use this feature to set or calibrate other devices (i.e. a camera for georefencing photos).

 

Actually if you view the trip computer and change one of the two longer bottom data fields to "Time Of Day" you will see seconds! :blink:

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This "issue" is taken from the list...

 

1/24/08: frumious: None of the time displays show seconds. Given the accuracy of GPS time many use this feature to set or calibrate other devices (i.e. a camera for georefencing photos).

 

Actually if you view the trip computer and change one of the two longer bottom data fields to "Time Of Day" you will see seconds! :blink:

 

Nice find, I had a feeling it was in there someplace. I'm still going to leave the issue because I think the summary screen should have it but this is a nice workaround.

 

GO$Rs

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Here's another one I don't think I've seen mentioned: On my 60CSx and on my Nuvi 760, I can export custom POIs from GSAK and include hints and other info in the description. I can't seem to get that info to show up on the 400t. Even if I select a custom POI, I get the POI's name in a little box at the top, then a big blank screen. Any ideas on how to get the description to show up?

 

Got it. I added this issue, can't search from a panned location, and no waypoint delete from waypoint.

 

A couple of the others I had already noted in the issues list.

 

Thanks!

 

GO$Rs

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A big one for me is the lack of support for custom waypoint symbols. I rely on those on my 60CSx to see what kinds of caches are near.

 

I also find that I am unable to find waypoints nearest a selected waypoint on the map, or to pan away from a selected waypoint on the map. Am I just missing how to do that, or is it really not available?

 

Thanks for the reminder on the custom waypoints, that's a big one for me too. I added that and the can't pan map from a selected waypoint issue to the list.

 

GO$Rs

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Given the length of some of the Colorado threads its difficult to find a lot of the information on issues, tips and tricks so I decided to compile a simple FAQ and Issues list.

 

Its crude but I'm keeping Colorado FAQ .

 

As posted elsewhere I'm keeping a Colorado Issues/Feature Request List .

 

As usual, let me know of additions, errors or omissions.

 

Once I get some more time I'll look at turning them into a wiki. If you have recommendations of good (free) wiki farms let me know. I'm looking at wikispaces.com right now and it seems like a reasonable choice but if you have first hand experience contact me through my profile.

 

GO$Rs

 

I appreciate the compilations you have created, just wish I would have stopped by the forums before ordering my 400t.

 

My problem started before turning the unit on or reading the supplied "manual". The packaging was poor and the unit sustained considerable abrasion damage. Putting into a Bag, Bubblewrap, or Foam wrap, would have prevented all the issues. I had my wife hit up REI and exchange it for one with minimal abrasion. She went through 4 of them to choose the best. I know, a little picky, but for $600, I wanted to be the first one to scratch the unit.

 

As I am new to Garmin devices, is there another Garmin Device Manual that would be worth reading to provide assistance with Colorado until they come out with a true Manual?

 

Geo Fan

Edited by Geo Fan
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A big one for me is the lack of support for custom waypoint symbols. I rely on those on my 60CSx to see what kinds of caches are near.

 

I also find that I am unable to find waypoints nearest a selected waypoint on the map, or to pan away from a selected waypoint on the map. Am I just missing how to do that, or is it really not available?

I think that thus far the only way to do this is to load the geocaches as POIs.

 

Using the fancy, dancy GSAK macro GarminCsvPoiExport.gsk you can load caches and see gc.com cache symbols as well as see the caches on the map screen.

 

... doh, already answered!

Edited by nicolo
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I cannot remember since my Colorado is defective and had to be returned, is there a proximity setting on the Colorado. This is very handy when placing a geocache making sure you are .1 mi. away from another. Also does the proximity circle show on the map?

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Here's a couple more for the running list - seem to still exist after the 2.3 firmware upgrade:

 

- Wherigo cart "crash" - this has happened to me twice, playing the tutorial, 'play anywhere' cartridge.

 

- particular geocaches cause the unit to lock up when selecting "View Description". My current theory (not yet tested) is that caches with special characters (e.g. "&") in the name.

 

Thanks to all for all the testing, documentation, and feedback. I'm off to check out GO$Rs FAQ and Issues/feature list.

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- Wherigo cart "crash" - this has happened to me twice, playing the tutorial, 'play anywhere' cartridge.

 

- particular geocaches cause the unit to lock up when selecting "View Description". My current theory (not yet tested) is that caches with special characters (e.g. "&") in the name.

 

Thanks to all for all the testing, documentation, and feedback. I'm off to check out GO$Rs FAQ and Issues/feature list.

 

Thanks, both are covered on the issues list (it is current as of 2.3) and according to Garmin both will be fixed in the next release.

 

GO$Rs

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Great list and lots of helpful info.

 

One thing to add to your web issues or it might be GPX file issue is a GPX file from terracaching.com doesn't go to the geocaching folder. It does show up in the user waypoints but not as a geocache. Then it doesn't have any cache info as far as discripition or hints. All it has is the cords, the name of the cache and the person that placed it.

 

I haven't tried to load any caches from GSAK and need to try and load them from GSAK to see if it's just the terra part is doesn't like or if it might be a GPX file problem with the terra GPX files. I kind of thought Geocaching mode is for the "sport" not just the site. Starting to think this is a one site GPS. :P

 

Can anyone else able to repeat this or found a work around??

 

Thanks again.

 

Importing a TC.com gpx file into GSAK and reexporting as a gpx file works. I'll add it to my list of Issues however!

 

GO$Rs

 

How do you go about exporting it from GSAK. I tried to take my whole datebase of Terra's and went to file and selected export. The GPX file it created I dropped into Geocaches and they still just showed up as waypoints. Nothing in geocaching mode. Am I missing something?? Thanks for the help.

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Great list and lots of helpful info.

 

One thing to add to your web issues or it might be GPX file issue is a GPX file from terracaching.com doesn't go to the geocaching folder. It does show up in the user waypoints but not as a geocache. Then it doesn't have any cache info as far as discripition or hints. All it has is the cords, the name of the cache and the person that placed it.

 

I haven't tried to load any caches from GSAK and need to try and load them from GSAK to see if it's just the terra part is doesn't like or if it might be a GPX file problem with the terra GPX files. I kind of thought Geocaching mode is for the "sport" not just the site. Starting to think this is a one site GPS. :P

 

Can anyone else able to repeat this or found a work around??

 

Thanks again.

 

Importing a TC.com gpx file into GSAK and reexporting as a gpx file works. I'll add it to my list of Issues however!

 

GO$Rs

 

How do you go about exporting it from GSAK. I tried to take my whole datebase of Terra's and went to file and selected export. The GPX file it created I dropped into Geocaches and they still just showed up as waypoints. Nothing in geocaching mode. Am I missing something?? Thanks for the help.

 

Did you copy your gpx file into [drive]:\Garmin\GPX ?

 

GO$Rs

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I've had my 300 now for two days getting familiar with all the functions and capabilities. Can I add a Track issue to the list?

 

I have loaded a bunch of my tracks (as .gpx files copied to E:/Garmin/GPX) for Adirondack trails I've hiked. Maybe the Colorado isn't meant to be strong using tracks like my 60Cx, but I can only see a single track displayed on the map when I pan to the area to where I have many near one another.

 

I see there is no ability to change color of a track, or do anything with it in the unit, except to view the elevation profile and pick a point on line to zoom to. Shouldn't one expect to see all tracks displayed when the Show On Map is ON in the Track menu?

 

The backlight issue is a biggie too. I agree with everyone's reports of the battery level/backlight problem. Fresh batteries, NiMH, Alkaline, doesn't matter. It just isn't correct and difficult to see in the best of conditions.

 

Thanks again for the great work here! I've learned a lot by reading thru all these posts.

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I've had my 300 now for two days getting familiar with all the functions and capabilities. Can I add a Track issue to the list?

 

I have loaded a bunch of my tracks (as .gpx files copied to E:/Garmin/GPX) for Adirondack trails I've hiked. Maybe the Colorado isn't meant to be strong using tracks like my 60Cx, but I can only see a single track displayed on the map when I pan to the area to where I have many near one another.

 

Yes that seems to be an issue. I played around with tracks a bit today and there's some information I gathered at the end of this thread . I don't see a way currently to display them all at the same time. I'll add that to the list as well.

 

 

I see there is no ability to change color of a track, or do anything with it in the unit, except to view the elevation profile and pick a point on line to zoom to. Shouldn't one expect to see all tracks displayed when the Show On Map is ON in the Track menu?

 

No ability to change color or thickness as noted in the issues list.

 

GO$Rs

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