Suunto X6M Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, Clinometer and PC-Interface Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a Suunto fan and I own/owned several Suunto Watches including Mosquito scuba diving computer (I like it very much although my first failed) and Observer (that I have lost when I was snowboarding). While I like the Suunto approach, here I will be rather critical in order to give Suunto and to the potential buyer an unbiased review on this watch. I will not deal with features described in the menu, but I will focus on issues I would like to see solved/improved.
I have both good and bad experience with Suunto. In all, I think they strive to push the design and reliability, which I do appreciate. I want to emphasize that X6M is an elegant watch and a significant upgrade when compared to e.g. Observer that has no PC download capabilities. Moreover, all Suunto watches I have owned were very very accurate. I certainly would recommend this watch to a friend, but I would also remind him of following things:
Cons:
Most irritating:
1.I do not understand why Suunto makes such a bad, low quality bands/strap. Even the most expensive titanium Suunto bands (Observer Titanium) are still made from silicon rubber (or similar material) with decorative titanium scales. This material wears out in year or two and breaks (that is why I lost my Observer). The X6M comes with a composite leather/rubber band that is very soft and feels great but due to very low quality of the material it breaks very quickly. Moreover, after hand wash or shower it stays wet for couple of hours. It is a shame to put such band on watch like this. I replaced it with a plastic one that I bought for $[...] from [...].
Less irritating:
1.Buttons are kind of loose and when pushed there is an occasional click, which is rather annoying. Suunto claims the watch is water resistant to 100m, but the buttons are not to be touched while submerged e.g. during snorkeling or even in shower. By my opinion, for a manufacturer who designs top of the line scuba computers such an issue is unacceptable. Some people even reported fogging after showering. I do not have such problem for now (I swim and dove in a pool to 15 ft-no problem), but after reading those Suunto lines on not touching the buttons while showering I do not feel very comfortable swimming with them.
2. Alarm has no weekday functions! Say, if I want to wake up early only on Mondays only, I have to insert the exact dates for those days. This was the same with Observer (if I remember correctly), and I just do not get why Suunto ignores the weekday alarm option. Good thing is, Suunto improved the alarm sound, which is now much louder than used to be on Observer. Alarm on Observer was a joke.

3. No count-down timer on X6M or Mosquito or Observer.
4. To me, Suunto has sometime strange logic in organizing its menu. This watch has two modes to be selected from - baro and alti. The watch then interprets the air pressure changes either as an altitude change or barometric pressure change (weather function). Since the choice affects all the calculations, it should be included in "general (main)" menu, yet it is not available there. Instead, the selection is made in each menu (compass, weather, hiking, chrono), while missing in general menu. To me this is strange.
5. The glass is stated to be mineral, but I would like to see an option of having a sapphire glass as well (Say titanium body w/ saphire glass). The glass on X6M seems to have an anti reflexive coating(I am not sure though), which is very nice I it has no scratch for now (3 months of wearing) but the mineral glass on Observer got scratched rather easily. I am hoping the X6m uses better mineral glass than the Observer.
Not irritating but improvement can be made:
1.The watch is quite heavy and if made from titanium it would be great and comfortable. Still the stainless steel material is very nicely polished and I like the look in spite of the weight.
2. The illumination works OK, but when I compare it say to Casio watches, it is much weaker and the blue light is not that homogeneous.
3. In compass mode I would offer to the user an option of choosing between rose (rotating icon) or rotating bezel. Such options is not provided.
4. X6M indicates the selected mode by a little black dot next to the mode icons located on the left from the display. The mode icons, however are not visible at night and they also cannot be illuminated. This is not a problem, but there is no reason to make the mode icons part of the display.
5. The chrono display uses strange indication of elapse time (e.g. 0.00,0 instead of clasical 0:00:0 (hours:min:sec)). I am not sure why Suunto opt for such display.
Last, the good things: X6M is just much easier to use then Observer. The menus are much more intuitive, the fifth (menu) button really helps. The PC download is easy and convenient. I like this watch and I only hope it will last long time. I am OK with replacing the plastic strap every year, but if Suunto comes with a sturdy metal band I will go for it.
Good luck!

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The Suunto X6M Watch is designed for use with any cross sport such as mountaineering, hiking or cross-country skiing. This unique watch not only measures and analyzes the surrounding environment, thereby minimizing the risks involved in traveling in unknown terrain, but it also collects and analyzes information on your performance that can help to vastly improve your training.Knowing your altitude, ascent/descent rate, compass bearing, weather trends, barometric pressure, and the degree of slopes enables you to make safe decisions, particularly when hiking in wilderness or climbing in the mountains. The Suunto X6M gives you the measurement tools you need to safely journey into the backwoods. The watch's altimeter gives you not only an accurate reading of your altitude, but it also provides your vertical speed. What's more, there's an altitude alarm, a logbook with waypoint recording, altitude difference readings, and a cumulative ascent meter. A barometer offers the sea level pressure as well as absolute pressure, a weather trend graph, temperature, and the all-important weather alarm that will warn you of upcoming changes in the conditions. The watch's alarm feature can alert you at certain altitudes to help you maintain safe climbing speed on the mountains, or warn you of an upcoming storm. Add to these outstanding features a compass and an clinometer, and you've got yourself a watch that will keep you safe under any conditions.The Suunto X6M is also ideally suited for fast sports, with advanced timing functions that enable you to record virtually an unlimited number of lap and split times of your activity. The chronometer records accurate altitude profiles with 10- or 60-second intervals for up to 200 hours. The adjustable alarm can function as an interval reminder, for instance, to remind you of regular hydration during your adventure or extended workout session. And best of all, the Suunto X6M not only records your data, but it also stores it for later analysis with the help of specially designed Windows-based software. The watch's menu-based user interface is familiar to most mobile phone users, making the watch a breeze to operate.Water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet), the Suunto X6M is designed with a rugged polished steel case and a comfortable black leather strap.

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TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (California) Review

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(More customer reviews)UPDATE 1/1/08: I just got a Mac after always previously using Windows. Great news--when I installed this 4.0 software, not only did it work fine, but it also corrected the two most serious objections I previously had with it. I now have no problems importing waypoints from my Garmin GPSmap 60CSx, and the software is now compatible with all the states I own from the previous Version 3 software. I don't know whether this is unique to Mac or whether it now works just as well with Windows, but when I did the installation, it automatically went to the National Geographic web site and downloaded a software update. I still give it 4 stars because of some of the other non-standard user interface choices, but these are easy enough to get used to. I didn't change the rest of the review, so keep this update in mind as you read it.
National Geographic topo maps are great if your understand their strengths and limitations (I have the Nevada version but they all work the same). First, don't expect to import the actual maps into a GPS receiver. These maps are raster-scanned directly from USGS 7.5' topos; GPS receivers use vector-graphic maps that are only available from your receiver's manufacturer (and they are much less detailed than NG maps). But you should never expect your GPS receiver's display to completely replace a paper map anyway. It's too small to show much detail, and if your receiver fails, you'd be out of luck. NOTE: Magellan has just introduced the Triton series, which is the first product designed to import maps from Topo!. This is a great advancement, but I haven't yet evaluated it to see how well it works.
Since these are based on USGS maps, they have the same high quality including tons of detail, but since many USGS maps are more than 10 years old, you won't necessarily get up-to-date information. Since topographic features don't ordinarily change as frequently as man-made features, you're usually OK, but keep this in mind.
These maps allow you do a lot of other things with your GPS. You can create waypoints on the computer, either by placing a marker on the map or by entering in the latitudes and longitudes of your points, then transferring them to the GPS. This is much easier than manually entering the info through your GPS user interface. You can also download tracks from your GPS receiver onto the map to see where you've been. And you can draw intended journeys directly on the map screen, then measure the distance and elevation profile of the route. The elevation profile is a bit noisy, but you get a pretty good idea of how much elevation change you'll experience on a hike. The tool you use to draw the route on the screen could benefit from an improved user interface, but with a little practice you can get pretty good at it. If you make a mistake, hold down the right mouse button to erase the error. One thing I like is that you can print out a custom paper map, and if you print using your inkjet on NG's waterproof paper, you can get a custom color map that really is waterproof. This latest edition is designed to work with USB receivers like the Garmin GPSMap 60-series. This is a tremendous advantage compared to the previous edition. BUT please note that it isn't completely compatible with the new GPSMap60CSx. It doesn't import waypoint names properly, they end up being simple numbers starting at 001. For some reason this isn't a problem with the older GPSMap60Cs.
The main objection I have is that it isn't easily compatible with the previous edition. In my case, I had the prior edition for California, and expected the California CDs to work with the new software. But for some reason they don't. So I have to leave the old edition installed for the California maps and the new one for Nevada maps. Fortunately I can use the USB capability of the Nevada software to download the California waypoints and tracks from my 60CSx. I then have to save the .tpo file, launch the old edition software and pull up the California map, then import the .tpo file. Very inconvenient, but at least there is a way to make it work. I guess they would prefer I buy a new edition of the California maps.
The only other thing to note is that they still haven't completely adopted Windows user interface conventions. For example, there are no scroll bars on the side and bottom of the map to allow you to move the map on your screen. You have to move your cursor to the edge of the map, watch for the cursor to change to an arrow, and hold down the mouse button. The direction of scroll depends on exactly where on the screen your cursor is. Another observation is that there is no EDIT menu, so I can't easily cut and paste data into other applications. But these are relatively small concerns that you can quickly adapt to. All in all this is a very valuable tool that I highly recommend.

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National Geographic's TOPO! State Series CD-ROM equips backcountry explorers with the maps they need to reach mountain peaks, secluded lakes, and every road in between. Just pop this CD-ROM into your computer, and with easy-to-use tools, you can create your routes, generate elevation profiles, and view maps and trails in 3D. You can also transfer routes and waypoints between your computer and your GPS. The State Series uses the most detailed USGS topographic maps available, showing essential landmarks and navigational aids, so you'll know where to go on your backpacking, mountain biking, kayaking, and fishing adventures.

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Garmin Geko 301 Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

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(More customer reviews)Amazingly compact, no larger than a small cell phone. Easy to operate, even though there are only five buttons. Can be configured to use different units and coordinate systems. The battery life is okay but can be as short as four hours, depending on various factors (which I wish were documented somewhere). The built-in compass and altimeter are neat, but probably not worth the additional cost over the Geko 201, especially if you have a separate compass anyway. The screen resolution is okay, but in the view that shows tracks and waypoints the labels sometimes start overlapping and get unreadable when you zoom out. Getting a signal can require anywhere from less than a minute to more than ten minutes, depending on how much time (or distance?) has passed since the device was turned off or lost the signal. Getting a signal in urban areas, in forrests or even steep mountain sides turned out to be difficult or impossible; don't know how much of an issue this is for comparable devices. Finally, the USB cable which must be purchased separately is outrageously expensive. You'd expect this kind of thing to be included, but no luck.

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The Garmin Geko 301 is one of the smallest and lightest waterproof GPS units on the market. This inexpensive unit has a sleek design and simple operating system, and it's WAAS-enabled with an accuracy of three meters or less. With its sturdy, dark gray case, the Geko 301 packs an amazing amount of functionality into its slim frame--making it a great all-around handheld GPS unit for general navigation. In addition to regular GPS features, the Geko 301 includes an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter. The compass provides bearing information while you're standing still, and the altimeter determines your precise altitude and provides a 12-hour pressure-trend tool for gauging changing weather conditions. The Garmin Geko 301 features a user-configurable trip computer with 500 user waypoints that allow up to 20 reversible routes, and an automatic track log with up to 10,000 track points and 10 savable tracks that let you retrace your path in both directions. This unit also includes external ports that allow for PC connectivity for easy uploading of software upgrades and for connection to external power. The Garmin Geko 301 has five keys located on the front of the unit for easy one-hand use that allow the user to quickly access all of the unit's functions. The Geko 301 has a 64 x 100 pixel, high-contrast display for easy viewing, and it can run for up to nine hours on only two AA batteries (not included). In addition, the Geko 301 boasts a new upcoming-turn feature that alerts the user of an upcoming turn within 15 seconds by bending the compass arrow in the direction of the next waypoint, and it also features Garmin's PanTrack and TracBack functions. Not just a regular navigational aid, the Garmin Geko 301 also includes five fun, interactive games that transform the great outdoors into a virtual board game, including the new Gekoids, which takes advantage of the electronic compass. Enjoy a good workout while chasing a virtual lizard in Geko Smak, match symbols in a grid version of Memory Race, navigate to reference points without crossing one's trail in Nibbons, and collect symbols along a path in Virtua Maze. Designed with the user in mind, this Garmin GPS unit weighs a light 3.4 ounces with batteries, and measures a pocket-sized 1.9 by 0.96 by 3.9 inches (W by D by H). The Geko 301 is waterproof to IPX7 standards, meaning it can be submerged down to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, and it's rugged enough to endure the most trying use. The Geko 301 also provides that most critical of benefits--peace of mind. With the Geko 301 you will always know where you are, where you have been, and where you are going. And since you will always know the way back home, you can concentrate on what you set out to do--explore the outdoors. What's in the Box Geko 301 GPS receiver, and manual.

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Magellan Triton 2000 Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

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(More customer reviews)Magellan, you need to get your act together. First you taunt us with the long and repeatedly delayed release of this "ultra" handheld GPS Magellan Triton 2000 Handheld Navigation System. Then you insult our intelligence with your useless, uninformed "Tech Support Staff". Finally, when the unit ships, it is only capable of displaying your location on the base map between interstate highways. Where are the street level maps? When will they be available? Useless, Bad deal. What are you guys thinking.
Tip: Call Magellan tech support BEFORE buying their product.
I'm giving mine back.

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Magellan Triton 2000 Handheld Navigation System

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Hard Carrying Case Cover for Garmin Oregon Portable/Handheld GPS Navigator 200 300 400c 400i 400t 550 550t Review

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(More customer reviews)I buy just about everything online and this is the very first review I have ever done. I ordered this case for my Oregon 400c primarily based on price. It was a gamble and unfortunately I lost. The product is of very poor quality and the zipper is worthless. I am now in the process of trying to return it and get my money back. Spare yourself the trouble and purchase another case.
Update: I have sent numerous e-mails to the vendor requesting an RMA or refund and 3 days later I have yet to receive a reply or acknowledgement from anyone. Going from bad to worse...

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Magellan eXplorist 500 Water Resistant Hiking GPS Review

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(More customer reviews)This GPS does a nice job, but getting to the point where it does that can be trying. It's a 4+, because I sense there's a little more Magellan can do in terms of ergonomics.
I guess the first thing I noticed was the screw-on USB and power adapter could go two ways, up or down. I had to look through the manual to find how to attach it, and even then what I was looking at did not turn out to be right. Oh, well. There's a sheet of paper that shows how to attach it. I guess I was not alone in this. Some say a screw-on USB is dumb or non-standard, but consider the water proof rating and a normal USB port.
Next, I have a large collection of waypoints. Since this is a new model, it didn't appear in any waypoint manager software. Eventually I could convert my old Mapsend waypoints with gpsbabel, a free program. This took time. The color really shows the waypoints.
I decided I like this GPS a lot when I got the Directroute. That's the new Mapsend, and it will route. Alas, to use DR, you have to have one of the CD's in the computer. Again, though, this is mitigated because you can upload almost 'everything' to a 256MB SD card. So, basically, I assume I don't need the CD's very often. To upload the maps is complicated. You can't just cut them and then move the files. You have to 'convert' them, a second time, and then they are easily moved to the card. I have an SD card slot in my Dell. It is very easy. But, if you didn't know to convert, it will slow you down.
On balance, the DirectRoute software is an improvement over the old Mapsend Streets. The maps are 'filtered'. I travel on a lot of backroads. While the DR shows fewer roads, it seems to be very good at showing the ones that matter. Plus, they are labeled better. The main advantage of the DR is routing, but everyone should be buying it with this in mind. I haven't done any tough routing, so check other reviews.
I think the color screen is nice. The problem with a mapping GPS is scale. If you are on a tiny road, the road shows up when the scale is very small, say .2 mile. At .2, you can't see the surrounding area, so you can't tell where you are. The color screen is better, and the scrolling is pretty smooth. A zoom out is quite quick. You can find a road with this unit, scroll up it like you are driving, and figure out where it goes. You can't ever see a minor road at a wide scale, so you end up doing this. You can place waypoints while driving up the road, but this unit routes.
The physical size small, but thick. It holds a bunch of territory with one cheap card. All of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado fit in about 70 megs. It shows a lot of roads, though it might not be up to date. Some commands are not obvious. To change the waypoint file you have to go to Preferences --> Active Setup. This did not seem obvious to me. The manual has a lot of info, but it's not easy to find a specific answer to a question. You can download it at the Magelllan site, and get a headstart.
Magellan uses a very complex file system. Some may not like it. Still, you have the internal GPS memory plus cards, and the file system makes it easy to find something. If I upload a route where the roads don't really show on the detail maps, I can put a lot of them in one file, say 200. Now I just find the waypoint file and tell the GPS to make that the active POI (it calls waypoints 'points of interest'). I really like this, because there is no limit to how many waypoints could be on a card, each neatly filed away. If I don't want waypoints cluttering the screen, I get rid of any active file of POI's.
So, Magellan did a lot with this unit, and I give them credit for it. The micro joystick is a little hard to get used to, but it really speeds entering text. It scrolls pretty well on the diagonal.
The unit is small, and pleasant to hold, at least for me. The buttons are limited in number, but getting to all the commands is easy enough.
The GPS has a learning curve, but it seems like something will be useful for a long time. Plus, with all the maps on a card, you have what you need without needing a PC. The lock is pretty good, even in the house. Magellan uses the Esc button to change pages.
Quirky, but this unit works for me.

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Outfitted with a 16-color display, a high-speed USB data port, 8 MB of built-in maps, and an additional 8 MB of usable memory, the Magellan eXplorist 500 North America includes all the tools you need to navigate throughout the U.S. and Canada whether in the car or on foot. The device is rugged and lightweight, with a waterproof, impact-resistant plastic housing that stands up to almost every adventure, including whitewater rafting and hiking. At the same time, its pocket-sized chassis, which measures a mere 2.2 by 4.7 by 1.3 inches (W x H x D), is loaded with convenient features, such as detailed, built-in maps of North American roads, parks, waterways, and airports; the ability to save five track log files, 20 routes, and 500 points of interest; and an area calculator that determines the distance between saved points of interest--an ideal function when mapping out hiking trails. Other cool and convenient add-ons include a fish/hunt function that mentions the best fishing and hunting times for a specific coordinate and a similar tool that displays the rising and setting times for the sun and moon.
Should the built-in maps and extra memory prove insufficient, users can load additional map data onto Secure Digital (SD) memory cards using Magellan's MapSend software (sold separately), which is available via CD-ROM and, in some cases, online (your computer connects to the GPS through its USB port). There's no limit to the number of cards you can use, giving users access to everything from detailed street maps to topographical layouts to lake charts showing bottom features and boat ramps. Fun seekers will also delight in the Geocache Manager, which invites individuals and families to download geocache coordinates from specific Internet sites and use them on such adventures as treasure hunts and coordinated community projects. The manager employs a PC-style file system to keep geocache navigation easy.
Adding to the simplicity are the intuitive keypad and joystick controls, along with the one-button access for particularly important features. Unlike with many GPS systems, it doesn't take an expert to start navigating right away. The full-color display also helps first-time users, as it's easier to differentiate between different map features and data.
Additional features include multilingual communication (choose from English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Portuguese, Dutch, or Norwegian); four navigation screens for viewing speed, direction, distance to destination, and more; and a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack that keeps the eXplorist 500 working for up to 17 hours. Conveniently, users needn't remove the battery to charge it; simply plug the charger directly into the receiver and it renews itself.
What's in the Box eXplorist 500 GPS, rechargeable lithium ion battery pack, warranty card, user's manual.

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Garmin Oregon 300 Portable GPS System Review

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(More customer reviews)I read some of the comments about the problems with the Oregon, but I think they were played down. I went from a 60csx to an Oregon 300.
I use my handheld gps for backpacking, day hikes, and street navigation.
Oregon pluses I noticed:
1) 3d view shows elevation even in street mode
2) shaded relief
3) touch screen
4) smaller size
5) screen lock feature is nice
6) sat initial lock is very fast and strong
6) Battery life is pretty good for a touch screen. Lithium batteries will get you about 15 hours.
Oregon negatives:
On the map screen you have the option of two fields or no fields
1)can not flip from screen to screen without exiting to the main menu and then selecting the other screen ( seems like they could just let you slide you finger left or right at the bottom of the screen to go to the next or previous screens. The do basically this on the main menu screen.
2)battery meter does not read correctly
3)car power adapter that is recommended by Garmin is not correct. I has a 90 degree turn that is the wrong way. Works but is not correct.
4)No preview of your pending turn when the system beeps to let you know a turn is coming.
5)If you are on another page other than the map page you get a beep warning that a turn is coming but no preview. You just see the page you are on at that time.
6)should you miss your turn the Oregon is sporadic regarding how fast it will correct your path. Maybe immediately maybe a few blocks, maybe never.
7)Can not manually stop, edit, or recalculate your route from the map screen, you must exit the map screen to the main menu then go to active route screen.
8)Screen is very dim. In full sunlight you can not see the screen to read it. I light cloud cover it is hard to read.
9)Not many search options. With the Garmin 60CSX you can search by almost any criteria you can think of.
10) You can not customize the Oregon much, 60csx you could customize everything.
Bottom line: If you have not had a gps before or you have had a low end unit you will like it. If you have had a high end unit like a Garmin 60csx you will be disappointed.
I returned mine and got another 60csx.

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Brunton Nomad V2 Pro Digital Compass with Barometer/Altimeter Review

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(More customer reviews)I love this tool and used it regularly on a recent motorcycle tour of Colorado. The barometer showed local atmospheric conditions and helped us with daily route planning and it was fun to use to the altimeter and see just how high we were - over 12, 000 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park. The compass came in handy on our hikes.
This is not a difficult tool to use and the displays are easy to read. It appears to be made of the usual Brunton quality. I didn't give it five stars because of the included instructions. Finding this hard to read document riddled with typos and confusing layout included with this sophisticated instrument struck me as bizarre.
Instructions aside, this is one useful gadget.

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Brunton's Nomad V2 Pro compass is the ultimate weather center/digital navigator combo. The digital dynamo offers such weather-related data as altitude, barometric pressure, and up-to-the-minute temperature readings, so you'll know whether to turn back on a hike or keep trudging along. At the same time, the device takes both compass bearings and directional readings--a must when exploring unfamiliar terrain on backpacking trips or performing a professional survey. Add in declination adjustments for regions with magnetic variation and a built-in bubble level and you have a powerful tool that excels at virtually any outdoor application.
The Nomad V2 Pro is extremely accurate regardless of the measurement, with a barometric pressure resolution of 0.02 inHg (1 mbar/hpa), an altimeter resolution of 1 foot, a compass resolution of 1 degree, and bubble level precision of +/- 2 degrees. Users will also dig the 20 altimeter memories, which are great for training purposes. Other features include temperature readings in both C and F, accumulated and maximum altitude readings, a backlit digital display that offers dual date and time readings, and two daily alarms.
The Nomad V2 Pro, which measures 3.5 by 2.3 by 0.7 inches (W x H x D), comes with a wrist/neck lanyard and is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box? Nomad V2 Pro, wrist/neck lanyard, 3-volt lithium battery, user's manual.

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Garmin Colorado 400i Portable GPS System with Preloaded U.S. Inland Lake Maps Review

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(More customer reviews)First, the pictures above are a collage from all the various base maps. This unit can not show the 3D images and has little detail.
First impressions after one day of use. The screen is good and the back-light makes it very readable at night. Fine without the back-light in the day. The menu wheel/push button/rockers are easy to use, After a few minutes of use. It's just a case of pressing one of the menu buttons and selecting the appropriate item. Normally the wheel is the zoom control.
Calibrating the compass and altimeter was easy. And easy to find. All the setup seemed easy.
The geocaching works well with the built in compass.
I checked the navigation marks on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH. They seemed right, from memory, but the map detail is inadequate to be certain. They certainly don't show the whole picture, they miss shoal detail which is absolutely essential if anyone were going to trust this as their main navigation.
In general the built in map is poor. It has little detail, few roads, few geographical features. Not enough detail in the lakes to know for sure that you are looking at the right islands.
The supplied CD shows even less detail than the preloaded base map. Useless. It's just a questionable tool for managing trips and waypoints, it says. They really should have supplied a better map with a $600 GPS. I expect they hope to rip-off the early adopters and then include the topo maps as a package later.
The geocaching site allows you to transfer direct to the connected GPS, including the descriptions if you paid the subscription to the site. Useful. But it would be a lot more useful if the map was any good.
All in all, good product badly let down by bad maps. If the maps had been any use I'd have given it 4 or 5 stars. But what's the use of a GPS that can't tell you where the there you are at is on a map?
While the GPS is made in Taiwan the case and all else that I ordered with it, all Garmin, are made in China.

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With the state-of-the-art 3D elevation perspective and preloaded topographic map data of the U.S., the rugged Colorado 400t is the perfect companion for your outdoor adventures. It gives you all the tools you need for serious climbing, hiking or hunting.

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BGT-31: Genie BGT-31 Waterproof Sport Bluetooth GPS Data Logger with SD Expansion Slot Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this for cycling and kayaking, and love it.
I've been pleasantly surprised how easy it has been to use multiple functions; the interface is surprisingly mature for such a gadget.
It easily and automatically logs tracks in internal memory and/or SD card at rates up to 1/sec, or after you've traveled a given distance. You can download tracks in google earth format and show grandma where you kayaked, then forgot to turn it off and drove home, and then had your son strap it on his bike for a ride: [...]
Trip odometer/speedometer functions are good. The "speed genie" shows your speeds automatically when you exceed a certain amount, so you don't even have to set it to the right mode before taking off -- just turn it on and it will both track and show your speed.
Battery life is excellent; using it an hour or so most days, I can go for weeks without worrying about charging.
I've even used it in the car by uploading routes from google maps using the supplied software and setting it to beep at me when I approach my turns. (Now, if only it had different beeps for right and left turns...)

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Genie BGT-31 is a professional data logger packed with the latest technology. It features SiRF III chipset for best reception and accuracy. The included high capacity battery can provide up to 30 hours continuous usage (backlit off) or 46 hours in lower power mode. The large backlit LCD screen provides various useful information without using a computer. The rugged and waterproof design is perfect for sport and outdoor use. BGT-31 also includes Bluetooth function to use as a real time navigation device when paired with Bluetooth enabled PDA, SmartPhone or laptop with mapping software installed.

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Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Waterproof Handheld GPS Unit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Do not purchase from this "storefront" (sedative3145), the seller untruthfully claims to have this item (Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Waterproof Handheld GPS Unit (GPSUnit w/Topo US 2008)) in stock. I received no communication at all from sedative3145, Amazon had to cancel my order. In order to get the equipment in time, I had to reorder it thru Amazon, costing me an additional $47.


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The GPSMAP 60CSx is an upgrade of the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS, one of Garmin's most popular GPS models used for outdoor and marine applications. Equipped with a removable microSD card, you can easily swap out your detailed mapping data. Located inside the waterproof battery compartment, you can access the microSD card slot to load map data and transfer your routes and waypoints via the 60CSx's USB connection. Considered the de-facto standard handheld GPS among serious outdoor enthusiasts, each 60CSx is shipped with a blank 64 MB microSD card. You can also purchase new microSD cards that are pre-loaded with Garmin MapSource Topo and inland lake maps, Garmin BlueChart marine cartography, and Garmin City Navigator street maps. Features An improved, highly sensitive GPS receiver that can acquire satellites faster than ever and can help you track your location in challenging conditions, such as thick forests or tall buildings. Barometric altimeter for exceptionally accurate elevation data. Electronic compass that can display a precise heading even when you are motionless. IPX7 waterproof, rugged case can withstand an accidental dunk in the water and still perform. Large, color TFT display makes viewing the screen easy, day or night. Built-in Americas autoroute basemap, including highways, exits and tide data, gives you automatic, turn-by-turn directions. Specifications 160 x 240 color active matrix TFT display Waypoints: 1000 Routes: 50 Built-in celestial tables Geocaching mode Area calculation Outdoor GPS games Dual integrated built-in speakers Interfaces: USB and Serial Battery life: approximately 18 hours (typical) Includes 64 MB MicroSD card Belt clip USB cable MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD Lanyard Owner's Manual Quick Start Guide Warranty Brochure Dimensions: 6.1"H x 1.3"D x 2.4"W Display dimensions: 2.2"H x 1.5"W Weight: 7.5 oz with batteries Warranty: one year parts and labor Model Number: 010-00422-00

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Lowrance Endura Out&Back Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not sure what was up with the first reviewer, but he is mistaken. This is a great unit! I bought it to replace a Garmin Venture HC for Geocaching and Waymarking ( see [...] ). Very accurate, easy to use as I have yet to even look at the included documentation or the full blown manual online. Went Geocaching today and being able to go paperless is amazing... I love the touchscreen! This is NOT for street navigation so look elsewhere if that's what you need. This is for hiking, hunting, geocaching, waymarking, etc.

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Endura Out & Back

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Lowrance Endura Safari 2.7-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)GPS units are used for multiple types of applications and in different ways. I bought this unit a few months ago for paperless geocaching, and I use a MacBook Pro (Mac OS 10.6). Let me explain the unit's pros and cons in this context.
Pros
* Very nice, modern interface and menuing system (obviously a subjective comment)
* Ability to use either the touch screen interface or the buttons
* The built-in compass means I don't have to walk to tell what direction I am pointed in
Cons
* Doesn't provide driving directions to a cache (the PN-40 does, a unit I used to use)
* Detailed topo data is about $100 extra, on a micro SD card. To my surprise, this card does not allow turn-by-turn directions either (that's another micro SD card).
* Updating the firmware requires yet another micro SD card
* The unit does not reliably mount on my Mac's desktop as a drive
While not perfect, I really liked the unit overall, until I got frustrated with the unit's inconsistency of mounting to the desktop (my last Con). This is critical as I need to load pocket queries and get my log notes. I returned the unit to Lowrance to be repaired, and after one month I just got it back, which isn't a terrible wait, but unfortunately the unit still does not mount on my desktop. So for my use, in my situation, the unit is providing only a fraction of the functionality it should.
My guess is that if you have a PC, you'll likely like this unit much more for paperless geocaching. But if you have a Mac, well, good luck!

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Lowrance's Safari is a versatile handheld GPS navigator that's ready for any outdoor adventure. It features advanced mapping and guidance with a 3D compass and barometric altimeter, an intuitive touchscreen interface and quick-access physical buttons, dedicated outdoor features and a large range of mapping options on microSD cards or web download.

Touch Screen Endura provides the easiest and most intuitive operation using touch screen menus, recenter map using touch and drag, and scroll down through lists with just the touch of a finger.

Physical Buttons Endura provides quick access to all primary functions using gloves in harsh weather or rugged conditions. The two most important buttons on the device are the Menu and Pages buttons below the screen. The Menu button will always take you to the Main Menu of Endura. The Pages button allows you to rotate through the primary information pages on the device.

On-Board Mapping Safari contains advanced AccuTerra on-board mapping with 500ft topographic contours, land use shading, primary and secondary NAVTEQ road network, lakes and rivers, and 200,000 key outdoor points-of-interest such as campgrounds and gas stations.

Mark waypoints using any of over 190 assorted outdoor icons, and use the trip computer to record trails, map elevation changes, and share online or with your friends.

GPX Trail Files One of the most intriguing features of the Endura GPS family is the ability to use and create GPX files. Shared GPX trail, waypoint and geocaching content is readily available on the internet from free or subscription web sites without needing file conversion.You can also save your own trails and waypoints as GPX files with your GPS and share those adventures on the web, through email or view on Google Earth.

Paperless Geocaching Geocaching is a high-tech, outdoor treasure hunt where adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices search for hidden containers--called geocaches--and then share their finds and experiences online. It has become so popular that there are almost 1 Million geocaches hidden worldwide. Safari capabilities include:

Loading GPX or LOC cache files on the GPS
Displaying every detail needed including cache size, terrain difficulty, description and hints
Easy and effective navigation to each cache location
Filter the geocache list based on size, cache type, terrain and difficulty

microSD Slot The Safari boasts a microSD expansion slot, supporting up to 32GB of additional storage for trails, geocaches, waypoints, pictures, etc.

Photo/Video Viewing The on-board Photo Viewer and Video Player is compatible with standard file formats for digital cameras, trail cameras, etc. using microSD cards with SD adapter.

MP3 Playback Take some tunes with you and enjoy using the MP3 player.
What's in the Box Lowrance Safari GPS Receiver, USB Cable, User's Manual

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Garmin Hard carrying case Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This carry case for the Garmin Oregon GPS is too big and bulky to use. It looks like it was designed for the Colorado model and they just applied it to the Oregon model. Sure it works, but it is way to tall. It could be an inch shorter. The Oregon mounts inside via an attach strap and velcro which puts it at the far bottom end with an inch of dead space at the top. Also, it is way too thick (2.25"), as it has to be to accomodate that big attach clip and velcro inside. And the attach strap on the outside (velcro) to attach to your pants belt, well it is backwards. To use it, leave the velcro attached and unhook your belt from your pant loops and thread it through the case loop. The case does have a quality carabiner attached and is quality made. And it is made, so when you open the case, when it is on your belt, it opens 90 degrees with support straps so the GPS can be read at belt level without taking it out of the case. I will get a smaller beltloop type soft case like a Caselogic or similar to tot my Oregon with me.

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Protect your Garmin® Colorado® from scuffs and scrapes with this hard carry case.

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DeLorme Earthmate PN Series Power Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I received a new Delorme PN-40 for Christmas (thanks, Santa!) and immediately ordered this travel kit from Amazon. While waiting on the order I used both Energizer "Industrial" alkaline batteries (one set, lasted probably 12+ hours but I didn't time it) Ray-o-vac el-cheapo batteries (lasted about 8 or so hours, again, didn't time it). But I usually use a GPS receiver while geocaching, and I'm very often in a vehicle, on an ATV, or on a bicycle. My truck and the ATV have 12V power points, so why not use them for power?
[Edit: corrected mAh comments]
When I got the kit I immediately installed the batteries, plugged in the 110V charger, and let it sit overnight. The next morning I unplugged it and turned it on, seeing 4 green bars. Unfortunately, this had dropped to 2 yellow bars within 20 minutes, so I start checking things out. That's when I notice that the battery was only rated at 1400mAh, which is on the small side, but still should be adequate. An average rated alkaline battery can have a much higher mAh rating, and high capacity batteries can have well over 2000mAh. So possibly the battery capacity bar is based on the highest capacity battery, so even when fully charged it's slightly over half of maximum.
This was disappointing, and worth a deduct of 2 stars (from the battery life rating), but I could deal with it. I always keep several spare AA batteries to feed my flashlight and headlamp, so I'd just throw a couple extra batteries in the pack if I needed more than extended outings.
About three days after getting the kit I go on an extended geocaching outing. A little less than 300 miles driving with about 8 miles walking/biking over 26 stops. Maybe 8 hours in-vehicle and 7 hours out. While driving, the receiver was always plugged into a 12V power point. I assumed the battery would last me all day; any amount discharged while walking SHOULD have been recharged while driving to the next destination. Wrong. About 1/2 through the trip, I got a low battery warning while walking (meaning it was down to 1 bar). About 3/4 through the trip, I got a critical battery warning while walking and the receiver shut off. I replaced with a pair of alkalines from my pack and kept walking. Back at the truck I kept it turned off and let it charge to the next stop. I had enough power to last for one geocache, then it shut off again. It turns out that just because it's plugged it, the receiver is running on external power, and the battery type is set to "rechargeable", that doesn't mean the batteries are actually getting charged. They aren't running down, but they aren't filling up either. I had to work a bit to make sure the status said "charging", usually requiring shutting the unit down and re-starting. This is a more serious problem. I would have deducted far more than 1 star from the "convenience" rating, but I feel this is more of a receiver problem than of a battery/charger problem.
Ultimately, though, this is a good purchase and worth the money. It's much cheaper than buying each item individually, and if you use it a lot, it's much cheaper than buying lots of alkalines to throw away.
Pros:
- allows the use of external power while driving, even if using alkaline batteries
- reduces waste having to throw away dead batteries
Cons:
- low capacity battery
- battery sometimes doesn't charge when the receiver is running and plugged into the 12V adapter

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The PN-Series Power Kit provides a complete Lithium-Ion rechargeable power solution for the Earthmate GPS PN-Series device

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SPOT Personal Tracker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Please ignore the comments about Globalstar service below, he has no clue about this product. Globalstar is having problems with its duplex service S-band amplifiers which only affects two-way traffic. I should know I have a Globalstar satellite phone. SPOT uses the L-Band uplink (simplex modem) which is used to track trucks etc. this network is running at full efficiency. I have this product and it works better than my expectations. About this product: it is not a personal locator beacon and if you wish to use this solely for emergencies, I would recommend another product. A true personal locator beacon because it works in all conditions and all-terrain (I also own one by ACR). SPOT needs to have an uninterrupted view to the satellite. In other words in heavy canopy this product does not work very well but in broken canopy or in the open this product works great (samething is true with my handheld GPS). I use this product to communicate with family and friends on my progress when backpacking, biking, or just out and about. I do use this product in heavy canopy areas and send a signal when I cross a road or powerline crossing. I still carry my personal locator beacon for real emergencies but this product helps in non-emergency situations. For more operational details you can download the manual at www.findmespot.com
My cell phone doesn't work when I'm away from cell towers or underwater while scuba diving nor in caves. Similarly SPOT will not work if it cannot contact the satellite. As with all communication devices, they all have limits and parameters that they operate in. You should know this before buying any product like this.

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Give your loved ones full peace of mind when you're on the mountain with the Spot Satellite Messenger. Whether you're just checking in, allowing others to track your progress, or calling for help, Spot gives you a vital line of communication with friends and family when you want it, and emergency assistance when and where you need it. Spot employs a GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, then sends its location to the recipient of your choice, complete with a link to Google Maps and a pre-programmed message. Unlike personal locator beacons, however, Spot does more than just call for help. The SpotChecking feature, for example, lets you notify your SpotTeam--the friends and family you've chosen as your contacts--and tell them all is well, notify them of your location, or save waypoints so you can review your route at a later date. You can also activate the SpotCasting feature to let friends and family follow your progress in real time (every 10 minutes). Anyone with access to your account information can log on and view your route, complete with virtual views provided by Google Maps. SpotCasting is a terrific feature for mountain climbers looking to celebrate their accomplishments with their loved ones.
The most important feature, however, is Spot's ability to call 911 in the event of a life-threatening or other critical emergency. Once activated, Spot will acquire your exact coordinates from the GPS network, and then send that location along with a distress message to a GEOS International Emergency Response Center every five minutes until cancelled. The Emergency Response Center will then notify the appropriate emergency responders based on your location and personal information. Responders may include local police, the highway patrol, the Coast Guard, an embassy or consulate, or other emergency response and search-and-rescue teams. Even if Spot can't acquire its location from the GPS network, it will still attempt to send a distress signal--without your exact location--to the Emergency Response Center, which will still notify your emergency contacts of the signal and continue to monitor the network for further messages.
Spot works around the world, including in virtually all of the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia, and portions of South America, Northern Africa, and Northeastern Asia. And provided you're in a good coverage area, Spot offers a 99 percent probability of sending a successful message within 20 minutes. As a result, Spot is ideal for anyone with a taste for outdoor adventures, including boaters, kayakers, sailboarders, archaeologists, skiers, climbers, pilots, business travelers, snowshoers, and just about anyone else.
Spot requires two AA lithium batteries, with a battery life of up to one year in standby mode, 14 days in SpotCasting mode, or 7 days in 911 mode. And thanks to the water-resistant housing (safe in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes), you needn't worry about using Spot in adverse conditions. Spot measures a compact 2.75 by 4.38 by 1.5 inches (W x H x D), weighs 7.37 ounces, and carries a one-year limited warranty.
Communication Functions:
Alert 9-1-1 dispatches emergency responders to an exact location
Ask for Help sends a request for help to friends and family with your location
Check In lets contacts know where you are and that you are okay
Track Progress sends and saves your location and allows others to track your progress using Google Maps

Battery Life:
Power ON, unused: Approximately 1 year
SPOT casting continuous tracking mode: Approximately 14 days
9-1-1 mode: Up to 7 consecutive days
HELP mode: up to 1900 messages
SPOT check OK up to 1900 messages

Specifications:
Weight: 7 ounces
Waterproof to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
Operating Temperature: -40ºF to +185ºF
Operating Altitude: -300 feet to +21,300 feet
Humidity and Salt Fog Rated

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DeLorme Earthmate PN Series Carrying Case Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Used it sheep hunting in MT. Attaches easily and securely to backback strap - good there. Case is too tight though, hard to get GPS out. Forget about using the battery storage built in - if you do, you can' get the GPS out of the case. I ended up tying a short loop of cord throuh the top loop of the GPS to be able to quickly extract the unit from the case. Other issue with hunting is the large velcro secured flap that covers and stows the GPS. It's LOUD when opening - I'm considering modifying it with a snap-lock buckle. Really, you don't need the velcro strap - the unit fits snug enough not to need it.

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Designed exclusively for the Earthmate PN receivers. Protects receiver, provides easy access

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