Colorado vs GPSMAP 60CSx

This page compares the features, performance and usability of the Garmin Colorado 300/400t and the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. The intent of this list is to highlight only the differences. If it isn't mentioned on the list below it is assumed be the same or similar between the two units (or I made an error!).

Software

Garmin Colorado: See Versions page (Updated 9/21/09 to incorporate new 3.0 features)
GPSMAP 60CSx: 3.6

Feature Comparison Chart

Feature	Colorado	60CSx	Notes
Hardware
Unit dimensions	2.4" x 5.5" x 1.4"	2.4" x 6.1" x 1.3"
Unit weight	7.3 oz	7.5oz	w/batteries
Display size	1.53"x2.55"	1.5"x2.2"
Display resolution	240x400	160x240
High sensitivity receiver	Yes, Media Tek MTK MT3318	Yes, SiRFStarIII
Free internal memory	350MB - 300 1GB - 400t	None	Internal memory available to user. 400t uses 2.7GB for Topo2008 maps. Assumes 4GB 400t.
SD card support	8GB SDHC	4GB micro SDHC
Battery life	9-13hrs, 2700mAh NiMH	16-20hrs, 2700mAh NiMH	Numbers represent typical usage.
Direct lanyard attachment	No	Yes
Serial interface	No	Yes
General
Startup time	18 sec - 400t 12 sec - 300	8 sec	Colorado takes longer if loading gpx files for first time. Measured to first screen. Depends on maps.
Profiles	Yes	No
Personalized startup screen	Yes	Yes	Added in 3.0
Single reset control page (waypoints, tracks, altimeter)	No	Yes
Search/view all waypoints by name	No	Yes	Search by name (Spell...) supported on Colorado but no way to see the entire list by name
Multi-color satellite GPS page	No	Yes
GPS reboots on disconnect from computer	Yes	No	If Colorado is connected in Garmin Spanner mode it does not need to be turned off when disconnected.
Backlight settings saved across reboot	No	Yes
Events recorded on calendar	No	Yes
Access to GPS functions when connected to computer	Partial	Yes	In Spanner mode the Colorado can be used as an attached GPS but you can't download data and use the GPS functions at the same time like the 60csx
Auto view in odometer	Yes	No
Tone Control	No	Yes
Configurable calendar view	No	Yes	Colorado month view only. 60csx day, week, month.
Night mode/Day mode	No	Yes
Maps
Max map (img) file size	4GB	2GB
Max map segments	4000	2025
Autorouting basemap	No	Yes
Pre-installed maps coverage	300: World base + Americas, Atlantic, Pacific 400t: World base + Americas + US Topo	Americas
Relief shading/DEM	Yes, w/DEM maps	No	Colorado basemaps include course DEM, Topo 2008 has fine grained DEM.
3D view	Yes, w/Topo Maps	No	Does not work with Colorado basemaps.
Automotive map view	Yes	Yes	60csx supports a more primitive automotive view.
Number of map (img) files supported	3 (internal) 1 (SD)	1 (SD)
Accuracy rings on map page	No	Yes
Declutter map	No	Yes
Pan/zoom map in route preview mode	No	Yes
Configure zoom level where track up and north up switch	No	Yes	Colorado switches at 50m zoom, not configurable
Data fields on map page	2	4
Waypoints & POIs
Custom waypoint symbols	No	Yes
Waypoint averaging	Yes	Yes	Added in 3.0
POI name length	1023	44
POI description length	>1023	88
POI category name length	14	17
Delete waypoint by symbol	No	Yes
Search/view waypoints by symbol	No	Yes
Proximity alarms	Yes	Yes	Colorado has proximity alarms but does not have a separate list where you can see them (they show up under custom POIs) and the tones are not configurable.
New waypoints added to recent finds	No	Yes	Colorado will if you create waypoint from WhereTo? but not if you Mark a new waypoint.
Waypoint name/description length	32/32	14/30
Show distance between two waypoints	No	Yes	60csx allows you to change reference to an arbitrary waypoint and see how far it is from any waypoint to this new reference.
Tracks
Trackpoints in active tracklog	10000	10000
Data saved in active tracklog	coords, elev, temp, time, sensor	coords, elev, time
Saved tracklogs	>180 @ 10000 TPs each	20 @ 500 points each	Colorado's saved tracks are managed in gpx files not internal memory.
Number of saved tracklogs visible on map at same time	1	20
Data compressed in saved tracklogs	No	Yes, elev, time	60csx removes trackpoints and elevation and timestamp from saved tracks. 60csx archived tracks are not compressed.
Tracback	Yes, primitive	Yes	Colorado tracback feature added in 2.54 does not create intermediate waypoints, it navigates along the track which doesn't work as well.
Auto archive tracklog	Yes, file per 5000 TPs	Yes, file per day	Colorado cannot create a file per day, but archive tracklog contains track segment per session (power on->off)
Auto archive track storage	20 files @ 5000 points/ea	limited by SD card
Change track color	No	Yes
Routing
Detour route	Yes	No
Recalculate route	No	Yes
Prompted guidance mode (off-road vs autoroute)	No	Yes	Colorado achieves this using profiles but much less efficiently.
Indication of upcoming cross street	No	Yes
Prompted off route recalculation	No	Yes
Detailed turn pop-ups visible on any page	No	Yes	Colorado has detailed turn directions but they are not visible unless you got the route planner and select the turn. 60csx can display them no matter what page is selected as you are approaching the turn.
Configure guidance text	No	Yes	60csx is when routing, always, never. Colorado is always when routing.
Compass
Dedicated compass on/off button	No	Yes	Long press on 60csx Page button
Configurable compass on/off speed setting	No	Yes	CO auto on/off speed at 10mph (16km/hr), but cannot change
Altimeter
Record barometric pressure with unit off	Yes	No	Supported on 60cs
Geocaching/Wherigo
Detailed geocache information	Yes	No	Colorado can display: GCID, name, type, container, terrain, difficulty, coordinates, description, hints and logs directly from GPX file
Number of geocaches	2000	1000	60csx supports up to 1000 waypoints and geocaches, Colorado supports 1000 waypoints plus 2000 geocaches.
Ability to add geocaches	No	Yes	Geocaches are waypoints on 60csx
Ability to save geocaches after they have been found	No	Yes	Colorado does not give you the ability save found/marked geocaches in current.gpx
Mark cache DNF, needs maintenance	Yes	No
Fieldnote support	Yes	No
Wherigo Player	Yes	No
Misc
USB tracking	Yes	Yes	60csx supports nRoute, PVT (used with Ozi & Global Mapper) and Spanner (NMEA to PVT/USB) Colorado only supports tracking over optional USB/Serial cable and Spanner
Alarm clock	Yes	No	Supported on 60cs
Jumpmaster	No	Yes
Tide graph Bluecharts	No	Yes
View tide data/graph by date	No	Yes
Screen capture button	Yes	No	Can be done with 60csx using xImage
Outdoor temperature	Yes	No	Colorado supports outdoor temp but it is nearly useless as it almost always reads high, especially in cold temps.
Picture viewer	Yes, jpg	No
Background images	Yes	No
Wireless data transfer	Yes	No
Heart rate monitor support	Yes	No
Cadence sensor	Yes	No
Games	No	Yes

User interface observations

Colorado is based heavily on the Rock'n Roller scroll and press. 60csx uses the rocker pad. In general I find the Rock'n Roller (RnR) easier and more precise than the 60csx.
Text input on the Colorado is cumbersome and time consuming using the RnR.
Context sensitive setup options are almost non-existent on the Colorado pages. Setup changes always require going to Shortcuts and scrolling to Setup.
No shortcut to get to Setup (double Menu press on the 60csx)
Left handed use of the power button is hard with the Colorado (antenna is in the way)
Colorado buttons are up top vs. down bottom on the 60csx. Personally I find the Colorado easier to use one-handed.

Display readability

This controversial topic has generated much discussion on the Groundspeak forums. Below are my observations as a 60cs user, but your experience may vary depending on what you are used to.

In general I find the Colorado's display harder to read than the 60csx with two exceptions:

Under battery power in dark or dim ambient conditions, with the backlight turned up the Colorado is bright and very readable.
Attached to the automotive DC supply with the backlight turned up the Colorado is absolutely brilliant and very readable. The max brightness attached to a DC power source is much higher than the max brightness running under battery power.

In almost all other conditions I find the Colorado screen harder to read than the 60csx. This can be attributed to several factors.

High resolution screens are darker because of pixel density. This requires use of more backlighting which drains battery.
The color schemes and map colors on the Colorado are darker than the 60csx. When using City Nav maps (which are light colored on the Colorado) I notice a dramatic improvement from when I'm using Topo2008 where dark green is the primary color.
The CO screen seems to reflect more under bright light than the 60csx. Under very bright (direct sunlight) ambient conditions I find myself constantly turning the unit to eliminate reflections that don't seem to occur on the 60csx (or to a lesser extent).

In summary I think most people who are used to a 60cs(x) will feel the Colorado is worse, a quick scan of the forums will show that. Whether Garmin can improve this by allowing the backlight to be adjusted higher (like when it is running from a DC source) or provide some different color schemes and map colors remains to be seen.