New Garmin Montana

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by RAZR

$150 more for 0.5 gb. and i already have a TOPO 100K disc. and i definitely don't need a camera on my GPS.


get a larger microSD card.

It's not 0.5 gig more. It's more like 4 gig more, but the Topo maps take up most of the space.

And for $40 more for the camera model, it doesn't make sense to cheap out. It takes decent geotagged pictures which are waypoints you can navigate back to, and share wirelessly to others with similar modern Garmin units like the Oregon, Dakota, 62/78 etc. And the camera's waterproof too, so to me that's a bargain.

[Bill Murray]

Originally Posted by Gerg

After reading MANY pages I'm wondering...

If you had it to do over again, would you buy the Montana?

Yes.

Some reasons why I like the Montana:
1. Support for tracks, in addition to routes. With tracks, you have no more worries about the GPSr unexpectedly recalculating your routes.
2. Configurable. With Profiles and Shortcuts, you can customize the display and set up functions that you use the most.
3. Battery. You can use the Garmin battery pack and when the power runs out, you can insert three AA batteries and get more use.
4. Built-in camera (on the Montana 650). It's an inexpensive add-on. No more worries if you go for a ride and forget your DSLR.
5. Fast boot-up (compared to the Zumo 550 I previously used).
6. Multiple map sets. You can keep CNNA, OSM, Topo maps, all available and switch to whatever map set you need at the time.
7. Garmin Rugged Mount. It is a great mount, and not very expensive.

My Montana gave me a few problems when I first purchased it (a few of which were probably user-created problems) and when I ran a Beta firmware version during an extended trip (something to be expected when running Beta software). Lately, it has been stable and reliable.

You have a knowledgeable Montana community here who are always willing to answer your questions.

The Montana is a great GPSr. Just be sure to do your homework so you can be certain it will suit your needs.

[Bonerov]

After a few more back and forth emails with various support folks, I finally have a replacement AMPS Rugged Mount on the way. Of course, I just bought one from another inmate a few days ago. Oh well, a spare is never a bad thing. Here is the most recent email from Garmin, received today:

Dear Aaron XXXXXX,

Thank you for the copy of the sales receipt. I have created a replacement order. Please allow 3-5 business days for shipping.

Your order number is 50389645.

*You will not need to send the old one back.

Please let me know if there is anything further I can assist you with.


With Best Regards,

Zac B
Product Support Specialist
Outdoor/Fitness Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-440-8280 (fax) Att: Zac B, Associate #5723
www.garmin.com

[Drif10]

Pulled the pin. Replaces my much loved 478.

You better be right, Mike.


At gpscentral, it was ten bucks cheaper for the 650 vice the 600, so I went with that. Amps mount, car mount, and CNLM.

Arrives tomorrow.


Big thread here. Gonna try updating/maploading from my macbook instead of my old pc laptop. Anyone got a link to do's/don'ts for this?

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Drif10

Pulled the pin. Replaces my much loved 478.

You better be right, Mike.

Would I lie to you? No wait, don't answer that.

You're going to love that, Jim.

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Drif10

Big thread here. Gonna try updating/maploading from my macbook instead of my old pc laptop. Anyone got a link to do's/don'ts for this?

You're going to be using MapInstall, no matter which platform you're on. Make sure you've got the latest version. Here's the Mac version site. I think there are tutorial videos accessible through the help files.

[atlas cached]

Originally Posted by Drif10

Pulled the pin. Replaces my much loved 478.

You better be right, Mike.


At gpscentral, it was ten bucks cheaper for the 650 vice the 600, so I went with that. Amps mount, car mount, and CNLM.

Arrives tomorrow.


Big thread here. Gonna try updating/maploading from my macbook instead of my old pc laptop. Anyone got a link to do's/don'ts for this?

Read these FAQ's, and check out the Maps and Firmware Update information.

Information for Mac users is present for installing maps, and firmware updates can be done via WebUpdater or manually, also explained in detail with download links :)

ENJOY your new Garmin Montana!

[Drif10]

Just spent the last while downloading and installing all the software needed for my macbook. Damn, whole whack of crap when you do it all at once.

Got that all done so that when the unit shows today, I can get right on the firmware update, then the CNLM install. Still gotta pull the waypoints off my 478, do that while it's uploading the maps to the montana. Install the bike mount then, too.


Gadget whores of the world... start your engines...

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Drif10

...then the CNLM install.

You bought both separately, right? City Navigator North America, then the Lifetime Maps component?

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by Drif10

Just spent the last while downloading and installing all the software needed for my macbook. Damn, whole whack of crap when you do it all at once.

Got that all done so that when the unit shows today, I can get right on the firmware update, then the CNLM install. Still gotta pull the waypoints off my 478, do that while it's uploading the maps to the montana. Install the bike mount then, too.


Gadget whores of the world... start your engines...

You can pull all the data down from your old device to your hard drive with Basecamp. Read/watch the tutorials about how data is organized first.

[atlas cached]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

You bought both separately, right? City Navigator North America, then the Lifetime Maps component?

Excellent point.

You must first purchase and install City Navigator, THEN apply the CN Life Time Update to your device, two separate transactions.

[Drif10]

Originally Posted by atlas cached

Excellent point.

You must first purchase and install City Navigator, THEN apply the CN Life Time Update to your device, two separate transactions.

Gpscentral had a deal on. 30 off the dvd plus the LM coupon.

[Drif10]

Around 1800 est you may feel a disturbance in the Force as I try to get this all sorted.

[BergDonk]

I just ordered a 600 to replace my 60csx and hopefully, my Magellan XL. I normally use the both together, the 60CSX for navigating, and the XL for its big screen and clear and quality topo maps, and also its more or less unlimited track point logging.

I'm doing my homework, I found this thread, and Emmbeedee's guide, but maybe stand by for some questions anyway

Merry Christmas

[DockingPilot]

Originally Posted by Bill Murray

Yes.

Some reasons why I like the Montana:
1. Support for tracks, in addition to routes. With tracks, you have no more worries about the GPSr unexpectedly recalculating your routes.

Will the Montana do this ?