New Garmin Montana

[BergDonk]

Originally Posted by atlas cached

Tons of good information to answer all these questions available from the Montana wiki, including how to USE the Montana while connected to your computer!

Are you absolutely certain you are inserting the li-ion battery in the Montana correctly?

Thanks for this. I have previously had a look at the Wiki, and I guess I should have mentioned that too. I guess I'm just thick, but I can't find the answers to the questions that I've asked, and that's why I thought I'd try the ever helpful ADV community.

As far as using the Montana when connected to the PC, the Wiki explains how to get it to remain in USB mode which seems to have been an issue for some, but not that it can be used normally when connected to a PC. I note that Yossarian states that it can't, which is consistent with the evidence I have.

As far as fitting the battery, I did it as per the manual. Lined up the connections, put that end in first and then press the other end down. Removal is the reverse, with the non pin end being the power switch end.

FWIW this is not my first GPS device, I've been using them since about 1987.

I have got it visible in BaseCamp, and updated the firmware OK. And I can see the maps in BaseCamp OK too. I've been able to upload a couple of routes, although not tracks for some reason, but I want to sort the battery out before I get too far into it.

[atlas cached]

Originally Posted by BergDonk

Thanks for this. I have previously had a look at the Wiki, and I guess I should have mentioned that too. I guess I'm just thick, but I can't find the answers to the questions that I've asked, and that's why I thought I'd try the ever helpful ADV community.

They certainly are a very friendly and helpful bunch!

Originally Posted by BergDonk

As far as using the Montana when connected to the PC, the Wiki explains how to get it to remain in USB mode which seems to have been an issue for some, but not that it can be used normally when connected to a PC. I note that Yossarian states that it can't, which is consistent with the evidence I have.

Setup -> System -> Interface -> Garmin Spanner

When you connect your Montana via USB, it will ask if you wish to enter Mass Storage Mode.

Select 'No'.

The Montana will finish booting as if it were not connected to the computer, and you can continue to use it as such. If you have nRoute installed, it will read location information in real time from your Montana.

Very last line of the Mass Storage page in the wiki.

Originally Posted by BergDonk

As far as fitting the battery, I did it as per the manual. Lined up the connections, put that end in first and then press the other end down. Removal is the reverse, with the non pin end being the power switch end.

FWIW this is not my first GPS device, I've been using them since about 1987.

I have got it visible in BaseCamp, and updated the firmware OK. And I can see the maps in BaseCamp OK too. I've been able to upload a couple of routes, although not tracks for some reason, but I want to sort the battery out before I get too far into it.

I agree, get the battery issue resolved ASAP, then move on.

If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know.

[Yossarian™]

Originally Posted by atlas cached

Setup -> System -> Interface -> Garmin Spanner

When you connect your Montana via USB, it will ask if you wish to enter Mass Storage Mode.

Select 'No'.

Learn something every day.

Thanks!

[pizzaboy]

Anyone seen any smoking deal on a Montana 650 for today ?

[snooker]

BergDonk don't forget to troubleshoot battery problems you can also try inserting AA batteries as an experiment. While 3 AA's put out 4.5-4.8volts, I'm a bit surprised at the voltage rating on the LithiumIon being so much lower than that?

[BergDonk]

Originally Posted by snooker

BergDonk don't forget to troubleshoot battery problems you can also try inserting AA batteries as an experiment. While 3 AA's put out 4.5-4.8volts, I'm a bit surprised at the voltage rating on the LithiumIon being so much lower than that?

As I noted above, it works fine with 3 AAs and as you point out, if they are in series as seems likely, then 4.5-4.8 V. USB is supposed to be 5 V +/- 0.25V, so that's what it gets when connected to the PC, and presumably the supplied mains charger which is labelled 5 V 1 A.

The labelling on my LiIon battery pack indicates 3.7 V, 2000 mAh, 7.4 Wh. I assume the Montana's actual operating voltage must be down around 3.3-3.5 V after regulation, assuming that 3.7 V is the correct LiIon spec for the Montana.

My LiIon battery measures 3.77 V across the 2 outer pins and other lesser voltages with other pin combinations. What I don't know is why it has 4 pins, and what the voltage across the various combinations of the 4 pins should be.

If someone could measure the voltage of pins. 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 2-3, 2-4, 3-4 for me that'd be really helpful in working out if its the battery or GPS. The pin nos I've arbitrarily assigned are if you remove the battery from the GPS, stand it on its end with the pin connections up, and on the left, and 1-4 are left to right.

[BergDonk]

Originally Posted by atlas cached

They certainly are a very friendly and helpful bunch!



Setup -> System -> Interface -> Garmin Spanner

When you connect your Montana via USB, it will ask if you wish to enter Mass Storage Mode.

Select 'No'.

The Montana will finish booting as if it were not connected to the computer, and you can continue to use it as such. If you have nRoute installed, it will read location information in real time from your Montana.

Very last line of the Mass Storage page in the wiki.



I agree, get the battery issue resolved ASAP, then move on.

If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know.

When I had it connected to the PC it offered no option re the connection. I'm used to this behaviour with my Magellan Explorist XL. But I will have to experiment more, maybe it depends on the connection and boot sequence. All I have done to date is have the PC booted, connect the Montana and then turn it on. It boots straight to USB mass strorage mode without the choice. Maybe a hot conection changes this? I guess I'll find out. Its no big deal if this is the way it is, just unexpected, because the 60CSX doesn't care, and of course, it seems I should have a choice.

[atlas cached]

Originally Posted by BergDonk

When I had it connected to the PC it offered no option re the connection. I'm used to this behaviour with my Magellan Explorist XL. But I will have to experiment more, maybe it depends on the connection and boot sequence. All I have done to date is have the PC booted, connect the Montana and then turn it on. It boots straight to USB mass strorage mode without the choice. Maybe a hot conection changes this? I guess I'll find out. Its no big deal if this is the way it is, just unexpected, because the 60CSX doesn't care, and of course, it seems I should have a choice.

Third Line, same page.

[ramz]

When I had it connected to the PC it offered no option re the connection.

You have to go thru this sequence BEFORE you connect to the PC.

Setup -> System -> Interface -> Garmin Spanner

[Rocky TFS]

Originally Posted by BergDonk

As I noted above, it works fine with 3 AAs

My LiIon battery measures 3.77 V across the 2 outer pins and other lesser voltages with other pin combinations. What I don't know is why it has 4 pins, and what the voltage across the various combinations of the 4 pins should be.

See this similar thread: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...88775&page=389

If the GPS battery is anything like a cellphone battery, those center pins are for data, like state of charge, temperature, etc. If your Li measures 3.77 V across 1 and 4 it is fully charged. For some reason, that voltage is not getting into the Montana. If you were able to charge it via USB, that means that at least the battery to Montana to USB port connection is OK, meaning that the fault is internal.

Try one more thing before returning it. Whack the Li bat across the flat of your hand hard two or three times (just to show it whose boss ), insert it and THEN add two earplugs on top of it before closing the door.

You should be able to get the vendor to let you keep the (almost certainly) good battery for a spare for all your trouble.

BTW, after whacking it, if it now reads open between 1 and 4 you have found your problem unequivocably! Just don't let the vendor know about the jungle repair job.....

[ACP]

Anyone know how to stop my Montana insisting on overlaying road names onto my map that I don't want to see?
This is using GB Discoverer 50k and not in Nuvi or navigation profile and I have my other maps disabled.

As far as I can see I have all the relevant settings off but it still pops them up on there

Setup Map > Advanced Setup >

Zoom Levels >
Map Points > Off
Street Label > Off
Land Cover > Off

Text Size >
Map Points > None
Street Label > Small (no off option)
Land Cover > None

Detail > Least

Apologies if this has been covered before but it's getting annoying now...

T.I.A, Andy :)

[BergDonk]

Originally Posted by atlas cached

Third Line, same page.

Originally Posted by ramz

You have to go thru this sequence BEFORE you connect to the PC.

Setup -> System -> Interface -> Garmin Spanner

Done
Ta

[BergDonk]

Originally Posted by Rocky TFS

See this similar thread: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...88775&page=389

If the GPS battery is anything like a cellphone battery, those center pins are for data, like state of charge, temperature, etc. If your Li measures 3.77 V across 1 and 4 it is fully charged. For some reason, that voltage is not getting into the Montana. If you were able to charge it via USB, that means that at least the battery to Montana to USB port connection is OK, meaning that the fault is internal.

Try one more thing before returning it. Whack the Li bat across the flat of your hand hard two or three times (just to show it whose boss ), insert it and THEN add two earplugs on top of it before closing the door.

You should be able to get the vendor to let you keep the (almost certainly) good battery for a spare for all your trouble.

BTW, after whacking it, if it now reads open between 1 and 4 you have found your problem unequivocably! Just don't let the vendor know about the jungle repair job.....

Seems like the same issue. I scrolled throught the subsequent pages and didn't find what eventually happened. No improvements when tapping the battery. Does seem like its an internal problem.

The vendor has come back to me and suggested I didn't charge the battery first as per the manual, even though I explained I did, so I'll have to work through that and see how it evolves.

Thanks for all the help guys, appreciated

[atlas cached]

Originally Posted by BergDonk

Seems like the same issue. I scrolled throught the subsequent pages and didn't find what eventually happened. No improvements when tapping the battery. Does seem like its an internal problem.

The vendor has come back to me and suggested I didn't charge the battery first as per the manual, even though I explained I did, so I'll have to work through that and see how it evolves.

Thanks for all the help guys, appreciated

This is really a hassle.

You could call Garmin, and ask them to send you another battery, and see how that goes. If it fixes it, send them the old one back (if they request it).

If that does not fix it, you will have an extra battery for the replacement unit you get from the vendor or Garmin.

[MizzouRider]

Trying to get maps installed. Bought my 600 a month or so ago, bought CN 2013 DVD, bought a PNY micro SD card 32gb. Called Garmin this am. They walked me through installing CN, of course it needed updating. (1 hr) then downloaded mapinstall. Went thru the process of sending CN over to the Montana. When it completes (1hr 40min) I get the msg, it didn't transfer. I called Garmin. They are having me repeat the same exact process. The guy on the help line called a guy at the help desk for instructions. Now I'm sitting thru it again, making sure my laptop does not go into power saver or something. However, I have zero confidence it will turn out any different than the first time. 16% complete 1 hr 32 min remaining. It hasn't changed in a while... Argh!!