Mapomatic – Applications of Mapping

Introduction.

The Garmin Colorado 300 is the fisrt GPS to support paperless geocaching. In this review we’ll look at the Garmin Colorado 300 from a geocaching perspective and compare it to a Garmin GMAP 60CSx We’ve had both units on loan from Garmin UK for the past few months.

Whats in the Box.

So what do you get for your money, at the time of writing a Colorado 300 from Amazon is £265, with the GMAP 60CSx £210.  The contents of the box for both units is roughly the same.

Design.

The Colorado moves away from the traditional Garmin user interface of a cursor keypad, and 8 function keys, all functions on the unit are now controlled using the Rock ‘n Roller™ input wheel designed to allow easy one handed operation.

Colorado 300 Design Overview

GPSMap60 Design OVerview

From the images above the differences between the units are clear.

In physical size, theres not much difference between the units.

In Use, lets go caching.

Using the Colorado for paperless caching is an absolute pleasure. To make best use of the Colorado you need to be a premium member of the main geocaching listing site geocaching.com. Then simply create a pocket query for the area you wish to go caching in, download to an SD memory card, insert the card into the bottom of the Colorado 300, and off you go.

In the field we found the GPS reception to be matched to the GPSMAP60 both in accuracy, satellites seen, with the Colorado 300 aquiring it’s initial GPS fix slightly faster than the GPSMAP60. Both units proved to be a significant improvememnt on our current GPS60 Garmin unit, not surprising really given that developments in GPS technology.

The paperless caching capabilities of the Colorado give you access to the all the details on the cache listing page, including that all important hint. Along with several of the previous logs, these often prove invaluable in giving you some guidance on those more challenging geocaches.

The size, shape and weight of the unit mean that it sits nicely in the hand, making following of that all important arrow a pleasure, where the Colorado really wins over previous GPS units from Garmin is the introduction of the  Rock ‘n Roller™ input wheel, using this input device located atop the Colorado’s clear LCD display you can easily use the same hand that you’re holding the unit in to navigate you way round the extensive menus and features of the Colorado 300 simply by rolling the wheel with an action similar to that used on a mouse wheel, or rocking the wheel in an action that can be best described as pushing a joystick. At first it does seem a little alien, but we soon got to grips with this new input device.

Perhaps the best example of the  Rock ‘n Roller™ input wheel working to best effect can be shown on the map page, previously you would have used the cursor pad on the GPSMAP to move around the map, and the ‘in’ and ‘out’ buttons to zoom the map, using the ‘enter’ key to select or mark an item on the map. Now you simply rock the input wheel up, down, left and right to move around the map pretty much as before, roll the wheel to zoom in and out, and press the wheel to select, all whilst holding the unit with the same hand that your using to navigate around the map.

 Memory Expansion.

Discussed above in the geocaching part of this review, both the Colorado and GPSMap can have additional maps, and waypoints added by way of an additional memory card, in addition the colorado can have geocaching information stored on the card. The location, and type of memory card differ between the two units.

With the Colorado, a standard full size memory card can be used, installation is under the battery cover, into a slot in the bottom of the unit, as illustrated below.

Colorado 300 Memory Installation

The GPSMap60 uses a microSD card located underneath the batteries. Again this is shown below.

GPSMap60  Memory Installation

One thing is clear, you certainly don’t want to be swapping the memory of the GPSMap60 when your out in a field, microSD cards are tiny, really tiny,  they’re smaller than a mobile phone sim card, and anyone thats ever had to remove or re-insert on of those will agree it’s not the easiest task.

The colorado makes use of the larger full size SD card,  which makes it easier to change in the a field, but not something we’d recommend doing unless you absolutely had to.

Screenshots.

Conclusion.

Would we recommend the Colorado 300 ? Thats a most definitive yes, so much so with the unit from Garmin now returned, we’ve gone out and bought one to go geocaching with.

Tech Specs.

As we mentioned just less than 3 months ago, our plan was to release updates to our Free UK Garmin OSM Maps on a regular basis, and this is the first such update.

Just like last time, we have released both the standard UK Garmin OSM Maps, and also the UK Garmin OSM Cycle Map (which highlights cycle routes more than normal roads).

Although it’s not easy to comment on what’s changed between the two maps, as that is a natural result of what the OpenStreetMap users have updated, we do know that there have been lots of mini mapping parties in and around London over the Summer improving the quality of the mapping.  One of the key things they were doing was reducing the number of unnamed roads in the city, so if nothing else, Londoners will see more road names within the data.  We also have seen a lot more POIs (Point of Interest) added to the main OSM database across the whole of the map, many of which are reflected in these new files.

Head over to our download page for more information, and the latest updates…

Although we’ve seen OS maps on other devices, such as the SatMap Active 10 before, and in software, such as the ViewRanger software for Symbian phones, Garmin are shortly to release UK OS Maps for their Garmin Colorado and Garmin Oregon GPS devices.

The OS Maps will come on a microSD card that you can slot straight into the units (although knowing Garmin you will not be able to transfer the maps to another memory card, as they use the “Secure” bit of the SD card standard to store the license to use the maps). This should not be a major problem for these devices, as they have some internal memory for storing additional POIs, and they support multiple map files on the internal memory too.

What’s different about these Garmin maps though is that as well as featuring the full visual OS maps, all the data has been included to allow you to navigate via the maps too, and POI information is included as well.

At some point, Garmin will also sell the units and maps together, but in the meantime the OS Maps will be available from November priced at £129.99.

For those who want better mapping on their GPS units, but don’t want to pay at all, then we offer the Garmin UK OSM maps (using the OpenStreetMap maps) free of charge! OpenStreetMap is still a “Work in Progress”, so not every road or footpath is covered, but the data will still enhance your GPS if you only have a very rough basemap (or no map at all), and best of all, you can help improve the map by uploading your GPS traces, and adding the missing roads and footpaths yourself.

If you are a cyclists, don’t forget we also have the OSM Cycle Map available in Garmin format.

Both downloads are available here.

Story and picture courtesy of OUTDOORSmagic.com [Via UK Gadgeteer].

We’ve finally released our Garmin maps, and would like to thank our beta testers for all their help.  Although we’re still working on providing more information on how to use these maps, it’s key we let everyone know they are now available.

Our Free maps will be updated on a regular basis, most likely every 3 months.

Probably the most important point is that we are releasing both normal Garmin OSM Maps, and also the Garmin OSM Cycle Map (which highlights cycle routes more than normal roads) today.

Head over to our new download page for more information…

Here’s the formal announcement of the Garmin Oregon. We covered much of the spec earlier in the week here, but here’s some more formal information from Garmin…

The 200 (above left) will just have the basemap, whereas the 300 (above right) has the shaded relief worldwide basemap. The 400 series adds particular US maps (just like the Colorado), so will not hit the UK. Neither the 200 or 300 have detailed maps preloaded, but both have a microSD card, as well as their internal memory for storing those additional maps.

The 300 also includes the wireless support, for the exchange of tracks, waypoints and geocaches between other Oregon units and Colorado models. It’s also equipped with a barometric altimeter and electronic compass and is compatible with Garmin’s heart-rate monitors and speed/cadence sensors (all of these features are missing on the 200, so we suspect the 300 will be the biggest seller).

Geocaching is even easier with the Oregon, which quickly downloads online information for every cache, such as location, terrain, difficulty, hints and description, so that you don’t have to take printouts with you. Oregon users can experience Wherigo™, the newest GPS-based activity from Groundspeak, the people who made geocaching a worldwide phenomenon. Wherigo (pronounced “where I go”) is a toolset for creating and completing adventure games, historical tours or other innovative activities in the real world.

With the 3″ touchscreen, we think this is going to be a big seller in the coming months. All models should be available in the US by the end of the month, although we’re still waiting to hear when they’ll be on sale in the UK.

Story courtesy of UK Gadgeteer.

The current rumours flying around the internet are that Garmin is going to release a new range of GPS devices in the next few weeks. The Oregon range will be a similar device to the Colorado range, although it will be slightly smaller, and feature a touchscreen. One colleague we recently spoke with said he was always trying to use the Colorado screen as a touchscreen, so welcomed a true touchscreen unit.

Although Garmin are usually tight lipped about new devices, it appears that somehow these devices made it onto both Amazon and Buy.com before being removed. As such, a fairly reliable spec has been obtained, and this includes:

• High sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception
• Easy to use, touchscreen interface
• microSD card slot for optional mapping and data storage
• Electronic compass, barometric altimeter, temperature sensor
• Built in 3D Basemap /Digital Elevation Model
• 3D elevation view
• Wireless exchange of user routes, tracks, waypoints, geocaches and images
• Unit dimensions: 4.5 in x 2.3 in x 1.4 in
• Display size: 3 in color, touch screen
• Pixels / H x W: 240 x 400
• Waterproof standard: IEC 60529 IPX7
• Battery type: two high capacity or lithium ion AA batteries
• Weight: 6.8 oz with batteries

The specs above are for the 200 unit, with a 300, and a range of 400 units (similar to the Colorado 400 range) will also be available in the US. Given the main difference between the Colorado 300 and 400 models is the amount of memory to fit in the included US maps on the 400 range, we suspect that again the 400 range may not make it to the UK, leaving us with the 200 and 300 though. The main missing feature from the Colorado will be the Naviwheel, which isn’t needed due to the touchscreen.

Story courtesy of the Groundspeak Geocaching.com forums (no registration required to view) [Via UK Gadgeteer]

Although not the first device people would think of to take geocaching (with devices such as the Colorado, eTrex, or the 60CSx being more common), this guide shows you how to configure some tools to allow you to go geocaching with a Garmin Nuvi.  The level of detail in the guide is wonderful, going through each step screen by screen, and even warning where certain Garmin devices can’t or don’t support certain features.  A worthwhile read for anyone considering trying paperless caching to gain ideas too.

Head here for the guide.

Here’s a picture of the contents of a box that arrived from Garmin’s UK headquarters a couple of weeks ago.

Inside, a Colorado 300 , and GPSMAP 60CSx. Over the next few days and weeks we’ll be putting both of these receivers through their paces.

As part of the reviewing procedure we’re keen to offer readers the opportunity to ask questions about aspects of either unit, we’ll also be including a side by side comparison of performance and features present.

If you’d like to contribute then please join the discussions in our forum.

GPS Review forum discussion.

As well as the UK OSM on Garmin Map we have already announced, we can now announce we will also be offering a UK OSM Cycle Map on Garmin devices. This takes the same OSM road data (although all normal roads are made slightly less prominent) and then the data on Cycle routes (NCN, LCN, etc.) is added to this, with these cycle routes given higher prominence.  As you can see on the map above, the South Downs Way (which is a cycle route) is more prominent than the A27 also in the map.

Right now, this is also only available to our beta testers as we look to ensure it’s suitable for a wide range of devices before releasing.

If you want to become a Beta Tester, please follow the instructions here, which will give you access to both maps.

The Beta testing is going well, as the above screenshot shows (screenshot from a Garmin Colorado 300 with our UK OSM on Garmin Map loaded). We’ve also started Beta testing our next project and plans are under way for other OSM / Garmin projects throughout 2008. Strangely the Colorado does not show the streetnames, although other Garmin devices do.

We’re still accepting new beta requests – more information here.