New Garmin Montana

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by Cataract2

In terms of mounting. I have the RAM Ball and associated arms for mounting available. Someone mentioned the AMPS mount requires the RAM ball so I think I should be ok there. Along with using the AMPS I can attach a bluetooth connection to it to get directions piped to my Sena unit.

I should mention. I currently have the Garmin 78s but some of it's short comings are bugging me. Also the small screen is getting to me. I'm attracted to the Montana's large screen and many of it's features. I must ask though, what issues come with it's routing? Does it not handle doing a find and routing within the unit well or is it stupid with how it routes?

This is not a comprehensive answer, but the Montana has no "Detour" feature when following a route. By contrast, a unit like the Zumo 350 will allow you to set either a distance or a specific road to avoid and then bring you back onto the route. This is handy when you come to a bridge out or road closed.

[Cataract2]

Originally Posted by Emoto

This is not a comprehensive answer, but the Montana has no "Detour" feature when following a route. By contrast, a unit like the Zumo 350 will allow you to set either a distance or a specific road to avoid and then bring you back onto the route. This is handy when you come to a bridge out or road closed.

Sounds the same with how my GPSMAP 78s works. Least I'm use to that issue and don't find it a deal breaker. Hey, I'm on a motorcycle. Finding the alternate route is what we call an "adventure" right?

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by Cataract2

Sounds the same with how my GPSMAP 78s works. Least I'm use to that issue and don't find it a deal breaker. Hey, I'm on a motorcycle. Finding the alternate route is what we call an "adventure" right?

Right, I'm not claiming that this is a big deal, simply trying to answer the question about road navigation being less developed than a pure road unit.

Another thing is being able to search for X (gas, or food, or lodging, etc.) while navigating a route and then easily adding the found location to the existing route. I think there is a workaround to approximate this, but it is more work than on a Zumo. Again, not trying to assign any particular importance to this, that is for people to decide for themselves.

[SteveAZ]

Originally Posted by Cataract2

....I must ask though, what issues come with it's routing? Does it not handle doing a find and routing within the unit well or is it stupid with how it routes?

Stupid with how it routes isn't an inappropriate comment. I get tired of it trying to send me through half a mile of right turns when a left or U-turn will do. Other units have done much less stupid routing.

As Emoto pointed out the lack of detour function is annoying and not being able to handle multiple vias in a current goto route too. Not being able to search for POI's near a current route and not being able to search for POI's while map panning (particularly annoying to me) are also missing features that are related with routing.

If you are used to the x76C/x96C routing then there may be disappointments for you with the Montana routing. I can't speak to the 78...

[Cataract2]

Originally Posted by Emoto

Right, I'm not claiming that this is a big deal, simply trying to answer the question about road navigation being less developed than a pure road unit.

Another thing is being able to search for X (gas, or food, or lodging, etc.) while navigating a route and then easily adding the found location to the existing route. I think there is a workaround to approximate this, but it is more work than on a Zumo. Again, not trying to assign any particular importance to this, that is for people to decide for themselves.

Certainly, thank you for answering my question though. Gives me an idea of what it can do or not.

[JMartin]

Hi,

Just ordered my Montana from GPSCity, using their ADVRider coupon for the $50 savings. Thanks GPSCity!

I thought this was as good a time as any to convert from Mapsource to Basecamp and have a question. (Basecamp brings up many questions; is there a thread similar to this one where Basecamp questions are appropriate? Up to now I have just posted them in the general section of Layin Down Tracks.)

In Basecamp I can right click on a track and convert it to a route. What will happen to that route once I send it to the Montana? Will it route me, point by point, along those portions of my track that were not on any road? Or is it going to force some sort of recalculation? With my old 60Cx I only ever followed pre-built tracks and did not try to get it to route me anywhere, knowing it was futile. But Basecamp has me wondering if this will be an option with the Montana.

I know, I could just wait until it arrives, but I don' have that level of patience.

Thanks,
Jay

[DRTBYK]

Originally Posted by JMartin

Hi,

Just ordered my Montana from GPSCity, using their ADVRider coupon for the $50 savings. Thanks GPSCity!

I thought this was as good a time as any to convert from Mapsource to Basecamp and have a question. (Basecamp brings up many questions; is there a thread similar to this one where Basecamp questions are appropriate? Up to now I have just posted them in the general section of Layin Down Tracks.)

In Basecamp I can right click on a track and convert it to a route. What will happen to that route once I send it to the Montana? Will it route me, point by point, along those portions of my track that were not on any road? Or is it going to force some sort of recalculation? With my old 60Cx I only ever followed pre-built tracks and did not try to get it to route me anywhere, knowing it was futile. But Basecamp has me wondering if this will be an option with the Montana.

I know, I could just wait until it arrives, but I don' have that level of patience.

Thanks,
Jay

Some of your questions depend upon which computer OS you use; Windows or Mac. If you are a Windows user you might read over the BaseCamp for Windows Wiki. For Montana related questions you can certainly post them here.

For example, you can send any type of route to the Montana's internal storage without fear of the Montana "recalculating" it - even though it might appear to be doing just that. Just need to make sure you are using the same map in BC as you have on the Montana.

When you do convert a Track to a Route you have the option of setting how many Via Points you want in the Route. I try to use only those needed to shape my route in BaseCamp the way I want it. Once you have your Route shaped the way you want it make sure you have calculated the path one last time before transferring to the Montana. If you think you will want to edit the route on the Montana you will need to change the Activity type to Direct Route before transferring to the Montana.

The Montana routes OK. It is rather basic in it's routing features compared to some of the more street going GPS.

[bighopper]

Originally Posted by atlas cached

...And you only lost Satellite reception while on the Map screen, and you have Map Speed set to Fast, right?

Yes

[atlas cached]

Originally Posted by bighopper

Yes

...and you are running firmware 4.90?

[rpet]

^ hmm, I didn't realize that tracks could be converted to routes and stay unmolested in the Montana.

I really need to figure this thing out.

[Cataract2]

How durable is the AMPS Rugged mount for use?

[tridor]

The mount is very robust and solid. Riding tight forest roads, atv trails and highway speeds with no problem what so ever. Wouldn't ride/use gps without one.

[Albie]

Originally Posted by Cataract2

How durable is the AMPS Rugged mount for use?

Hard to find fault with it IMO.

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Cataract2

How durable is the AMPS Rugged mount for use?

The only issue I've heard of but not seen on my 4 Rugged Mounts is the Torx security locking screw being too short or becoming damaged somehow, so it stops working. The Rugged Mount can still be used even if the screw is defective, though.