New Garmin Montana

[Emmbeedee]

So today I started to get the dreaded "Loose Battery" problem. The Montana shut down probably ten times before lunch. When we stopped for lunch I found some Duct Tape and wrapped that twice around the battery and the gps did not shut down again for the rest of the day.

During the morning, in the time that the gps was shutting itself off I noticed that the battery did not have a full charge though it was on the powered mount, and the Battery symbol on the dashboard of the Montana had the little lightning icon flashing very irregularly, where it would normally flash very regularly, if all was working as it should.

Anyway, once again, Duct Tape saved the day!

[DRTBYK]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

So today I started to get the dreaded "Loose Battery" problem. The Montana shut down probably ten times before lunch. When we stopped for lunch I found some Duct Tape and wrapped that twice around the battery and the gps did not shut down again for the rest of the day.

During the morning, in the time that the gps was shutting itself off I noticed that the battery did not have a full charge though it was on the powered mount, and the Battery symbol on the dashboard of the Montana had the little lightning icon flashing very irregularly, where it would normally flash very regularly, if all was working as it should.

Anyway, once again, Duct Tape saved the day!

And the moral of the story is. . . put something on that Battery to keep it from moving!!!

Or, Duct Tape can fix anything. . .I wasn't feelin' so good last week, should've eaten a roll of Duct Tape.

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by DRTBYK

I wasn't feelin' so good last week, should've eaten a roll of Duct Tape.

Perhaps you weren't feeling well because you did eat a roll of Duct Tape as a preventative measure?

[RFlagg42]

Originally Posted by DRTBYK

And the moral of the story is. . . put something on that Battery to keep it from moving!!!

Does this issue only happen with the rechargeable battery? Any issues for those who are using AAs? Thanks.

Eric

[dvwalker]

received my old for new warranty exchange unit (28U011xxx) and rechargable battery still has the wingle room. Mr Battery, say hello to duct tape.

On a happy note, Garmin did provide one free map upgrade after the RMA transfer was complete. I didn't buy the CNNA lifetime map update so this was a nice touch.

[DRTBYK]

Originally Posted by RFlagg42

Does this issue only happen with the rechargeable battery? Any issues for those who are using AAs? Thanks.

Eric

I ran mine off-road on AA's and had no issues at all with battery movement. They are held quite snug - Remember: NO RECHARGEABLE Lithium's only NiMH!!! Don't want to burn down the house - er, Montana.

The Power Management is quite "smart" in that it will let you know what type of battery it has detected. The little battery status icon changes a bit as well. I have a pic around here somewhere I'll post.

Screenshot of the System Setup page (auto detection of battery type):





Found the Status page - it's a bit grainy since you can't "screenshot" the Status page now because of the programable button.

Cheers,

[bonzi]

Thanks to those folks here on this post for going above and beyond to help us greenhorns understand the Montana better.

I read the entire thread over the course of two days and was somewhat disapointed when finished.

If I understand correctly the SD card just pops right in the unit and the unit is good to go, the disc is loaded onto PC hard drive and then down loaded to the unit after unlocking. The disc will only work with one unit? The card with any unit? The disc I assume allows PC mapping with tracks, routes etc.

The big question is does the SD card allow you to work with the map in BC on your PC like the disc does?

Which one should I buy?

thanks for your help

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by bonzi

The big question is does the SD card allow you to work with the map in BC on your PC like the disc does?

Which one should I buy?

Yes, the SD version can be used on the computer as long as the gps with the card in it is plugged in and you're using BaseCamp.

There are valid reasons for each method, but the fact that you can move the card from one gps to another is definitely a plus. I bought a gps which included a SD card and it's great to be able to lend that card to people who visit me, rather than have to try to download local maps for them.

Of course you have to make sure you get the card back when they leave!

But most of my map products I buy on dvd...

[EmmEff]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

Yes, the SD version can be used on the computer as long as the gps with the card in it is plugged in and you're using BaseCamp.

I assume this is only true for "locked" maps. I can put TOPO Canada v4 (which is not locked) into a sparse image on my Mac and with it mounted, Basecamp will read it as a valid map. The same holds true for the same TOPO Canada v4 on an SD card inserted into an SD card reader on the same Mac.

But most of my map products I buy on dvd...

It's what I'd recommend as well...

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by EmmEff

I assume this is only true for "locked" maps. I can put TOPO Canada v4 (which is not locked) into a sparse image on my Mac and with it mounted, Basecamp will read it as a valid map. The same holds true for the same TOPO Canada v4 on an SD card inserted into an SD card reader on the same Mac.

Yeah, I should have specified "Locked SD Map Cards like North America City Navigator". AKA "Plug and Play Street Maps".

If you buy a DVD version of an unlocked mapset like Topo Canada V4, and send an img to a SD card in a compatible gps, that also can be read through BaseCamp when the gps is plugged in whether or not the map is installed on the computer.

[shu]

I'm following this thread with interest. Maybe in a year or two I'll buy a used one. Although....the price appears to be dropping already. I just saw this posted on HUBB. $468.

http://www.thedigitaloasis.com/GARMI...PS_p_7616.html

......shu

[grinns]

Originally Posted by BigDogAdventures.com

So glad I have a supply of 276C's that will last me way longer than I will last.
One of them is brand new.

No they are not for sale and I have round the clock security.

I got the Montana, not that impressed with it. The only way it will impress me is if it takes the extreme beating it will get over the year. The software isn't that great. I hear the 276c is the end all!

I honestly would have bought a zumo over it probably if I borrowed it for like a week. The screen is awsome, but the workflow is horrible. I bought the updated maps and it can't find businesses that have been there for years... That is just local.

I do like the mount, it looks cheesy but works good.

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by shu

I'm following this thread with interest. Maybe in a year or two I'll buy a used one. Although....the price appears to be dropping already. I just saw this posted on HUBB. $468.

http://www.thedigitaloasis.com/GARMI...PS_p_7616.html

......shu

Anyone ever ordered from Digital Oasis? The reason I ask is that as far as I know nobody has any Montanas in stock as the redesigned, updated one is not shipping yet, but DO says they have 4 in stock. The second one I ordered won't be in stock until November 5 according to GPSCity. And I believe GPSCity.

[Schannulleke]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

...as the redesigned, updated one is not shipping yet...

Is there e redesigned updated version of the Montana? First I read about this. More info?

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Schannulleke

Is there e redesigned updated version of the Montana? First I read about this. More info?

Not sure how else to describe it - to fix the screen calibration issues, Garmin did something to the Montana line and stopped production for a while to do so.