Is Garmin Losing the GPS Race?

[SHANEA]

Wireless is handy if you needed to exchange tracks and waypoints between two units, but I can't think of too many instances where that would be necessary.

Uploading / downloading between PC and Unit - in case you have ever been on a trip and forgot your connection cord.     I haven't had the problem on the 60 series, but the ETREX VISTA was a bear to get to communicate with the PC.  I didn't note what communications methodology they are employing - hopefully bluetooth. 

I've always thought the ability to transmit coordinates/routes etc. via cell and blue tooth would be nice.  Upload the information from your GPS to cell phone in text format or something by blootooth.  Call you up on the cell and send the information to you.  Then, you would download from your phone to your GPS unit by bluetooth. 

[WL2]

I had an eMap and they were great units, but the new units have much to offer.  The ability to lock on to sats is so much better, the screen resolution is much better so even with a smaller screen you can see more, the battery life is much better, they use standard memory cards, and they have a lot more features (like a USB port).  I will grant you the point that they have gotten expensive, but factor inflation in and it is not that much.

[presidio]

Why does it seem like features are actually going away while prices are skyrocketing unlike other electronics markets?.

Seems to me to be the opposite....endlessly adding things that have nothing to do with navigation....mp3, LED lights, etc. that only eat up batteries and detract from the principal use.

A lot of the change actually is driven by cosmetic issues. Can't compete if you don't keep updating the cute cases, accessories and other stuff. At the core, a GPS gives you position. While color, topos and memory slots are very useful upgrades, most of the other stuff is very questionable. But, because a large segment of the buying public is entranced by the geegaws, you end up with a very expensive unit and features you probably won't use very often. Same thing afflicts cell phones. How many thousands of models of those do we need? And they keep coming.

[randell]

Wireless is handy if you needed to exchange tracks and waypoints between two units, but I can't think of too many instances where that would be necessary.

Uploading / downloading between PC and Unit

Wireless communication with  your pc would be, but the press release didn't state that ability, unless I missed something.  It just said this:

And the Colorado plays well with others, allowing for wireless exchange of tracks, waypoints and geocaches between units.

[randell]

Why does it seem like features are actually going away while prices are skyrocketing unlike other electronics markets?.

Seems to me to be the opposite....endlessly adding things that have nothing to do with navigation....mp3, LED lights, etc. that only eat up batteries and detract from the principal use.

A lot of the change actually is driven by cosmetic issues. Can't compete if you don't keep updating the cute cases, accessories and other stuff. At the core, a GPS gives you position. While color, topos and memory slots are very useful upgrades, most of the other stuff is very questionable. But, because a large segment of the buying public is entranced by the geegaws, you end up with a very expensive unit and features you probably won't use very often. Same thing afflicts cell phones. How many thousands of models of those do we need? And they keep coming.

The Garmin Colorado does not have an mp3 player or LED lights....though other units do and I agree with you.  My in-laws were making fun of me over the new year because I was shooting photos with my DSLR and hiking with my Garmin 60CSx, but when I pulled out my phone it was the boxy free phone given to me by my cell provider.  They couldn't believe I had such nice gadgets but stuck with an ancient, featureless phone. 

I told them my DSLR allowed me to take better photos than a point and shoot, my 60CSx has better reception than a cheaper gps, and my phone made phone calls perfectly.  I have no need for a crappy camera on my phone, I despise text messaging - all I want is the phone to make phone calls.  I mentioned I did use the calculator on my phone often.  None of them even realized their phone had calculators.

[badknees]

Colorado $600 - Compared to my 60CSX- $275(with current rebates etc)


 * Pre-loaded with detailed Coastal U.S. marine charts including Great Lakes, Hawaii and Alaska- I'd prefer Blue Chart, add on - cause it works with MapSource AND GPS
    * Unique ''Rock 'N' Roller'' input device - BFD
    * 65K Color TFT display- Nice but not essential
    * 240 x 400 pixels -Nice but not essential
    * 16 hours on AA batteries- below average
    * Accepts SD cards for optional downloaded maps - So does a 60CSx
    * 2-axis electronic compass - ?? Compass eats battery, CSX has compass but have no idea how many axi it has??
    * Altimeter -So does a 60CSx
    * Temperature sensor - Thermometers cost $5
    * Waterproof - So is 60CSX
    * ANT™ Communications to wirelessly exchange routes, tracks, waypoints, and geocaches between two unitsYeah right, I'll be doin' that all the time
    * Paperless Geocaching supports display of detailed geocache information - 

[Undertaker]

Good Compass $50, Map maybe $20 max, so far in 55+ years of hiking, hunting, camping, fishing and just messing around always able to find HOME. No prob with GPS, but never had batteries go out on compass or screen fail on map.

[Doc Savage]

Good Compass $50, Map maybe $20 max, so far in 55+ years of hiking, hunting, camping, fishing and just messing around always able to find HOME. No prob with GPS, but never had batteries go out on compass or screen fail on map.

I gotta agree with you there undertaker. I did however end up getting my first GPS after hiking Mount San Jacinto from the Idylwilde side. I came in to the main trail from a side trail. I was within 50 feet of the trail intersection and couldn't find the trail after searching for 2 hours. I know I was there due to a unique landmark within a few hundred yards of the trail intersection. Wasn't the first time I lost the trail that trip, very few rock cairns, no blazes and 2-3 feet of snow several places. I decided I needed to know exactly where I was and be able to plot a trail and follow it when there wasn't a decent trail to follow.

Randell,

Gotta agree with you. Love my dSLR, got my GPS, GIS software on the laptop, but all I want is a cell phone that will place a phone call. No texting here, don't need a camera (got a lot better one), just want a simple phone.

WL2,

My issue is that inflation doesn't account for the increase in price. Look at laptops. 4 years ago I bought a new laptop. Just over 1Mhz, single core 32 bit processor, 40 GB HD, 15 inch screen, CD RW. Paid about $1200 and this was a Gateway. 3 months ago got one for my daughter. 1.6MHZ, dual core 64 bit processor, 120 GB HD, 17 inch screen, DVD RW. Paid $750 and it's an HP. Much better system at almost half the price. What's happened with GPS? No major improvements, less expandability and twice the cost. Just doesn't play right.

Robert

[randell]

Good Compass $50, Map maybe $20 max, so far in 55+ years of hiking, hunting, camping, fishing and just messing around always able to find HOME. No prob with GPS, but never had batteries go out on compass or screen fail on map.

Yes, using a map and compass the old standby.  Using the GPS is just another way to get from point A to point B.  GPS is a faster way to navigate as long as you have battery power.  Always keep the map and compass in the pack, though.

[cjacob]

REI has got the deal on these... I want one....

http://www.rei.com/gearmail/gm0118_2/cm?cm_ven=email&cm_cat=gm&cm_pla=na&cm_ite=01_18_gm

[randell]

Magellan Triton handhelds have disappeared from REI stores and from the REI.com website. The problematic units were pulled, depending on who you ask, at REI's request or as a result of a Magellan recall. Since other sites are still selling them, I'm betting REI leaned on Magellan to take them back. This post from Groundspeak seems to confirm this. Reportedly, the units will be back in stock after getting a firmware upgrade.

The Triton line has been plagued by a botched introduction; units slipped out of fulfillment warehouses sans cables, and there have been significant and ongoing firmware problems.

REI has a great guarantee, so good that many people pay full retail price there just so they have the option of return, and I expect that returns on the Tritons were so high that they simply could not afford to continue carrying them. At least not until they get new firmware.

[randell]

Magellan Triton 1500 pros

* Touch screen works well for field use -- the ability to drag the map to show adjacent areas is a nice benefit.
* Well constructed hardware.
* The ability to load National Geographic TOPO! maps is the nicest feature by far.
* Can load MapSend Topo 3D maps.
* Good reception, even indoors.

Magellan Triton 1500 cons

* Even though reception is good, it's not fast. Time to first fix (TTFF) was around one minute in my tests, versus five seconds on my Garmin 60CSx.
* National Geographic TOPO! maps don't show above one mile or below 300 feet.
* The free VantagePoint software, used for transferring waypoints, etc. to the unit, needs a lot of work. There are unresolved issues with Vista  compatibility, among other things. It currently will not even recognize my Triton.
* Difficult to access map screen navigation fields without using the stylus.
* There is no trackback function.

* Multiple firmware problems (see above).
* Geocache descriptions are not shown, nor are logs.
* You can only access the main menu from the map screen.

[LandCruisers4Life]

Now you tell me.....I just picked up the Garmin 60 Csx....at a rock bottom price $ 276.00 after rebate), and now this. I will just laugh.

That's a great price, and a really nice GPS. Don't be dissapointed in your purchase.

I have had my Lowrance GlobalMap 100 for about.... 5 years now and it still works great. Granted it doesn't have the detailed maps the new ones out there have, but I use it mainly for off road travel anyway.

Garmin is a great GPS. If I were to buy another hand held GPS I'd definitely be looking at Garmin as well as whatever Lowrance has currently.

Magellan units... No way. 4 out of 6 failed regularly on operations while I was in the service, either from exposure to moisture (supposed to be water proof), or the electronics wouldn't lock satellites.