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Customer Reviews and Ratings for Garmin Montana 600 |
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94% of our reviewers recommend this item.
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Rob
Edmonton
May 11, 2012
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NICE UNIT
Pros: big screen, very customizable, rugged
Cons: expensive, no internal speaker per se
I bought the Montana primarily for use in my Polaris Rzr UTV. I bought a RAM mount to allow me to use it in the Rzr or move it to my vehicles. I also purchased the City Navigator and Backroad Alberta maps. I really like the "profiles" that you can set up in the Montana. My "automotive" profile automatically switches to the City Nav maps and uses the Nuvi-style display. I can quickly switch to my "ATV" profile and automatically go to the Backroads maps with different detail levels selected.
The screen on the Montana is very good. Being older I appreciate the larger size and I'm willing to compromise on the size/weight. The touch screen works very well but perhaps not quite as nice as an iPhone screen. It also works with gloves on which is a plus in the Rzr.
The Montana won't give spoken directions through its internal speaker, just beeps. I bought a powered AMPS rugged mount (with my RAM) which is very secure. You still need to plug in earbuds or an external speaker to hear the turn-by-turn directions if you want them, otherwise just listen to the beeps.
You can load many different maps onto the Montana simultaneously and just select the one(s) you want to display. I used an 8 GB micro-SD card and with City Nav, Backroads Alberta and Ibycus Topo Canada I think I'm only using less than 4 GB total (the Montana has 2 or 3 GB internal memory too).
Overall the Montana is highly customizable, rugged and very capable GPS. If you want a large screen display and you're into recording tracks and routes and sending data back and forth to Basecamp then this may be the unit for you. I've had it several weeks now and I'm quite happy with it.
Recommend? YES
8 viewers found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
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Rocky
Hailey, ID
May 9, 2012
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MONTANA 600
Pros: every feature
Cons: complex menus
Glad I waited nearly a year before jumping into the future! My Montana has been totally trouble free, first with 3.90 firmware and now with 4.03 Beta. What a screen! Quite an upgrade from a 76C, so fast and powerful. But it still does pretty much everything I was so used to doing on the 76C.
The learning curve, however, for someone who has used Garmins since 1996 (with the old pushbutton technology and using MapSource for uploading), is quite steep, particularly if you want to take advantage of the unit's power and flexibility. GPS City's videos are a must see, and I got a huge amount of tips from ADVRider.
I feel up to speed on the menus and features after about two weeks....it has been well worth it. This is my first autorouting GPS (using CNNA 2012), and that is what I spent the most time learning. It's a whole new world.
Recommend? YES
7 viewers found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
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BobSw
Rockville, MD
May 8, 2012
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GOOD TOOL BUT BE READY FOR GARMIN PROGRAMMING
Pros: display in the sun, ruggedness, ability to import
Cons: garmin glitches and business model
Got this in April 2012 for a Super Tenere motorcycle trip around North America, plus occasional other outdoor activities. It's rugged and the screen is readable in sunlight. I have the CityNav North America micro chip in it.
I like the device, display in the sun, ruggedness, ability to import maps, touch screen, and ability to set it up how you want.
Cons: In the age of Google Maps, Garmin programming is in terminal "catch up." I have two Garmin devices and the company tries to force you to buy multiple copies of their version of maps. The human interface of Garmin RoadTrip sucks when compared to using Google Earth or Google Street Maps.
The Montana 600 will occasionally will "forget" selections in how I've configured it, changing things like North orientation, or which dashboard I selected. No "white screen of death" but it gets annoying.
To have these annoyances in a hand-held GPS at this price is something that I would have expected from a lesser company. For these reasons, I only gave the device 4 stars.
Recommend? YES
7 viewers found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
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Brian
Denver, CO
May 7, 2012
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BEAT THE HELL OUT OF IT
Pros: rouged, well made
Cons: none i can find
I mounted it to my Dirt Bike, a CRF450R and spend every weekend pounding the hell out of it, it has held up amazingly well with not even a scratch or nick. Its easy to read in direct sunlight even with UV goggles on.
Recommend? YES
7 viewers found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
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Richnewt
Kennewick, WA
May 3, 2012
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USING THE MONTANA 600
Pros: lot of information
Cons: screen too dim in daylight.
A lot of useful data with a 24k topo installed. I found the screen to be too dim though in daylight. Even on the brightest setting. I use it in the cradle connected to my motorcycle electrics, so running the battery down is not a problem. Frequently have to stop when on back country roads and zoom out and in to figure out where I am and what road I might take next.
Recommend? YES
9 viewers found this helpful.
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Rich
Spokane Wa
May 3, 2012
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MONTANA 600
Pros: screen size, usb connection in back, dual battery
Cons: none
Had a Oregon 450 before and researched the 600 so knew what I was getting. Like the rechargeable battery and usb connection out back that keeps cable out of way when mounted on ATV. Boots up faster than the 450. Minor deal is you have to switch interface from spanner to serial when going from pc using Base Camp to ATV power. It is fun discovering new features that you find useful and can use. Some complain about weight but screen size is well worth the trade off. Sure it is pricy but again screen size and features are worth the cost and unit should last for years. Had a minor question for garmin support and they emailed me back within 24 hours.
Recommend? YES
9 viewers found this helpful.
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cathy
ontario
May 2, 2012
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easy to use touch screen, accurate
Recommend? YES
8 viewers found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?
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Anon
San Marcos
Apr 21, 2012
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BEST GPS EVER
Pros: screen. menu system
Cons: wish it were thinner.
I currently own six (6) Garmin GPS units. I have owned several more over the years.
The Montana is by a wide margin, my favorite GPS unit, ever. The menu system is fabulous. The screen is fabulous. I use it in my Jeep for off-roading, and I use it other vehicles for street navigation. The "Profiles" are great for switching between off-roading and street navigation.
Recommend? YES
9 viewers found this helpful.
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Doug
Prince George, B.C.
Apr 13, 2012
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MONTANA 600
Pros: screen size, capacity, battery life
Cons: learning curve to navigate/set various options
We're in the initial stages of using this unit we've used others, such as the 76CSx, for years now, in conducting wildlife inventories / research for the government of BC. So far, this unit meets our needs very nicely. Large, visible screen very handy, particularly in a helicopter. Lots of room for waypoints, active track log and saved tracks (such as tracklogs defining areas closed to snowmobiles to protect mountain caribou). BaseCamp takes a bit of getting used to, but not a big deal. Loaded on Topo Canada V. 4 maps. Battery life, particularly with rechargeable lithium, appears excellent. Like the flexibility of battery options.
Recommend? YES
9 viewers found this helpful.
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Scott
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont
Apr 5, 2012
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MONTANA 600
Pros: screen size, touch screen.
Cons: none so far
I am very pleased with my Montana 600 especially the screen size. I bought the Montana because as I get older I was having trouble seeing what was on my Etrex screen. So far the Montana appears to be exactly what I needed.
Recommend? YES
10 viewers found this helpful.
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fwdyogi
Placerville, ca
Apr 4, 2012
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GREAT GPS
Great gps, large screen. Extremely customizable with all of the different profiles. Too bad the software is sub standard.
Recommend? YES
14 viewers found this helpful.
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Sidewinder
Montana of course
Mar 31, 2012
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LOVING IT SO FAR
Pros: bright screen, fantastic batt. life, features
Cons: a little bulky, no feather weight.
Really like the Montana 600 for the big bright screen for my old eyes and the Montana is much easier to see even in bright sunlight. Battery life is fantastic and I have only used AA lithium batteries and they just to keep going and going. The first gps I got did have a dead screen pixel but it was replaced with no problem from the place where I purchased it and glad I didn't need to send it into Garmin with a couple of weeks wait on the return of my new toy. So far it hasn't failed to turn on like some have had problems with and hope it doesn't happen to me. Pretty spendy gps and I don't need any problems with it to make ne regret my $$$ purchase. As others have mentioned it isn't all that small in size and does weight more than any other gps I have owned which will keep you from putting it in your pocket without knowing it is there.I am using the sweet mapping SD micro chip from huntinggpsmaps.com which shows 24K topo lines, private property owners names and boundries, forest service, BLM land, plus many other types of property boundries. This map chip is so useful during hunting, geocaching, and riding our atv so we don't stray onto private property. I also got the Garmin screen protector from GPS City to help keep the screen from scratches.
Recommend? YES
12 viewers found this helpful.
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Kevin
Brooklyn, NY
Mar 13, 2012
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GARMIN MONTANA 600....MY FAVORITE SO FAR...
Pros: large screen, adaptable for auto use
Cons: a little bulky
Great customization, love the large screen. A little heavier than the rest, but the features make up for the extra few ounces.
Recommend? YES
11 viewers found this helpful.
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Jeff
New Jersey
Feb 23, 2012
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GREAT PRODUCT
Pros: well built unit with a great amount of features
Cons: maps freeze rarely but a quick powercycle fixes
I recently found my self in a unique situation. I was lucky to have this device with me. Let's say I used all of its features to get myself out of a bad situation. Stuck in the middle of a marsh not knowing the best way out. I used the gps and found my way to high ground and a road home. If I had been using the gps right the first time I would have not been in the situation but I was glad to have it with me.
Recommend? YES
11 viewers found this helpful.
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Jeff
New Jersey
Feb 23, 2012
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GREAT PRODUCT
Pros: well built unit with a great amount of features
Cons: maps freeze rarely but a quick powercycle wilfixes
I recently found my self in a unique situation. I was lucky to have this device with me. Let's say I used all of its features to get myself out of a bad situation. Stuck in the middle of a marsh not knowing the best way out. I used the gps and found my way to high ground and a road home.
Recommend? YES
10 viewers found this helpful.
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Stephan
Brazil, RR, Boa Vista
Feb 21, 2012
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GARMIN MONTANA 600
Itīs a good GPS receiver. Very nice at all. Until now, just one error occured with a route in Brazilian Amazonia jungle, on a road there. It wouldnīt calculate it. But I recommend this product!
Recommend? YES
11 viewers found this helpful.
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Diggr52
New Brunswick, Canada
Feb 21, 2012
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MONTANA 600
Pros: great for geocaching and driving
Cons: can't think of any
Really good working machine for geocaching and with the different profiles and quick changeover makes it a great driving GPS as well. Accuracy under a canopy comes close to my old GPSmap76csx which unfortunately fell victim to programming software upgrades. Love the large screen and the solid feel.
Recommend? YES
12 viewers found this helpful.
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Rob
Michigan
Feb 16, 2012
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Pros: much improved screen
Cons: support software
Bought the Montana as a replacement for the Oregon I was unhappy with due to the dim, difficult to read screen. This unit has been very good, as far as visibility is concerned. Have been using it while snowmobiling and visibility has not been an issue. I did not like the convoluted method to install multiple maps with Basecamp. Many have griped about Garmin's software team so I will not pile on. I would definitely buy it again.
Recommend? YES
13 viewers found this helpful.
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Richard KTM
Williamsport. PA
Feb 7, 2012
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CAPABLE WITH LEARNING CURVE
Pros: most flexible of all hand helds
Cons: not significant, but takes a while to learn setup.
Use many GPSs in aviation, card ,motorcycle and off road. A very capable unit with great screen and options. Takes a while to get the hang of setting it up - Your videos were a tremendous help. Would buy again.
Recommend? YES
10 viewers found this helpful.
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Brian
Prince George, BC
Oct 26, 2011
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BEST OUTDOOR UNIT SO FAR
Cons: no decent cdi
This is Garmins best unit to date. It has all the features except a proper CDI (Course Deviation Indicator) like found in aviation units. This is a really good function for navigating over vast tracks of open land, water or in the air. A good CDI should show a course line and your location in relation to that course as well as the distance off course. The ability to customize the different screens is somewhat limited but better than most units. Over all the screen is a good size with good resolution. Easy to read in direct sunlight and good back-lighting.
Recommend? YES
12 viewers found this helpful.
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Peggy
Arichastlich, Argyl & Bute
Oct 14, 2011
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GOOD MULTI-PURPOSE SAT-NAV
Pros: screen size, battery life, spoken directions
Cons: sceen resolution could be better
This is my fourth Garmin GPS. This is replacing an eTrex Legend HCx which fell off my motorcycle at 60+mph. First impressions: Chunky. Big screen is nice although a little grainy (compared to my Droid Charge). Feels solid. Picks up satellite fix quickly. Menu system doesn't seem too onerous. Wish I could find a time readout with seconds.
Firmware: Came with Ver. 2.80. Went online immediately(8/18/11) and got Ver. 3.20 which seems stable enough. I expect to see frequent updates for a while. Software: With the new Basecamp software I was able to import all my old waypoints & tracks. Basecamp seems about as clunky as Mapsource. It's not the easiest to use mapping program out there but the only one that will talk to the Montana (I think) Even though I have older City Navigator DVDs for my eTrex I had to buy new software for this one. (Thumbs down to Garmin) When installing the software it notified me that there was a map update I could download, so I did. Took a long time even with my broadband connection.
I'll be taking to the UK soon for a hiking holiday after which I can comment better on it's performance. ------------------------------------------------ UPDATE: Back from 12 days driving and hiking Scotland. The Montana did all I needed it to do. Mostly it was there for navigating roundabouts and getting us to from place to place. Mounted in the suction cup mount, the voice directions were always clear (thanks to whoever pointed out where the volume control is). No routing glitches. Except for the new M80 into Glasgow that wasn't in the 2012.2 UK map set. I had been worried about the screen not being bright enough for daylight driving but was fine. The size made it easy to read at a quick glance.
Hiking, I didn't mind the size. You're sure not going to drop it in your hip pocket. A coat pocket maybe. Or a belt pouch. I tested the water resistance since it rained every time we hiked. No problems.
I also used some Eveready Ultimate lithium AA batteries rather than the rechargeable one. I wasn't sure how often I would be able to get to a charger. They lasted a long time. The first set went all day. The second set are still in it after 8 hours on the trail and a 3-4 hours of intermittent use they still show 4 bars.
Although it's pricey, I don't regret buying it, I expect to have it a long time. I have to get the adapter to put it on my motorcycle and try that out!
Recommend? YES
24 viewers found this helpful.
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eh_kay
kelowna, b.c.
Oct 2, 2011
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APPLE COMPATIBILITY
Pros: nice big screen
Cons: everytime you touch the map screen, the pin pops u
I have bought the newest of the apple desktops, but continue to have issues with my new garmin. I cannot eject the device without it saying that I have done it wrong, and might have caused damage. It continues to want to update everytime I plug it in, and then it won't let me escape because it says"exiting. Waiting for transfer to device to complete". Those of you who have MacIntoshs might want to reconside. I this product. In the field it is great. I have had it for about 6 weeks and have used it in the field maybe 3 times, and yesterday it didn't want to turn on. Batteries were charged, and I had the power cable connected too. Both means did not start the product. Eventually, it came on.
Recommend? YES
16 viewers found this helpful.
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Pat
Smithers, BC
Oct 2, 2011
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LOVED THIS GPS - BUT!
Pros: graphics, touch screen
Cons: zoom feature, user interface
I use a GPS with topographical mapping in my helicopter. I have tried two different GPS models including the Aera 500. The Montana 600 was by far the best for the topographical features that I need. There are a couple of caveats however. The zoom to feature did not seem to work on this unit. In the instructions all you have to do is turn zoom on or off. It didn't make any difference. Garmin still hasn't made the user interface on the unit and in particular on the computer an easy process. Why on the Mac do you need four programs do do what Mapsource used to do. I don't get it. Finally, the unit would not turn on after 3 weeks of use. Garmin tech support was good but in the end, they told me to send it in for service. A three week use period and I had to spend another $35 to send it back. I wonder if I will have to pay for return shipping. The service tech said it could take 2 - 3 weeks.
Recommend? NO OPINION
16 viewers found this helpful.
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Zork V
Auckland, New Zealand.
Sep 26, 2011
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OUTSTANDING GEOCACHING GPS
Pros: everything a cacher would want.
Cons: needs a caribiner holder.
The best Geocaching GPS you can buy.
Garmins software updates are top notch too.
One Happy Cacher !
Recommend? YES
26 viewers found this helpful.
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Chad
Columbus, OH
Sep 13, 2011
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BEST GPS ON THE MARKET
Pros: bright screen
Cons: somewhat bulky but you get used to it.
A great GPS for trail and the road. Amazing bright screen, easy to use, Garmin updates have been fixing the early glitches, and this GPS just continues to get better.
So far I used it for GeoCaching, Driving, Hiking, and on the water and it is by far the best GPS I've ever owned.
Also have been downloading BirdsEye maps to a 32gb micro SD card. No problem using this card in the 600.
Recommend? YES
42 viewers found this helpful.
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JAmBer
Berkeley,CA
Sep 8, 2011
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EXCELLENT HARDWARE, SOFTWARE A WORK IN PROGRESS
Pros: hardware: touchscreen, rugged, battery
Cons: software is buggy
The Montana hardware is hard to fault. The construction is rugged and hardware quality clearly evident. The screen is truly beautiful and easily readable in any light compared my Oregon. The touchscreen is also more responsive. The GPS locks quickly and is accurate. Even the compass works nicely.
Unfortunately, the software is still very much a work in progress. There are software releases almost weekly! Each one fixes a number of issues (and sometimes introduces new features) but in the process introduces a number of new bugs. Some of these "bugs" I consider to be critical to the primary function of the unit: v3.30 appears to have broken routing and constantly crashes the unit! The RS232 lines from the rugged mount are also not yet functional.
That said, the team is working hard on fixing these things and I am happy with my purchase, knowing that these wrinkles will be ironed-out in the near future.
For those of you needing an ultra-reliable unit right now, best look at an Oregon instead.
Recommend? YES
47 viewers found this helpful.
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SpanishCastleMagic
Central Florida
Aug 28, 2011
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GREAT GPS ONCE GARMIN FIXES THE SCREEN PROBLEMS
Pros: large screen, versatility, accuracy, lots more
Cons: defective screens on early mfg batches
Hands down the best handheld GPS I've owned. The large, bright screen is a real plus in bright sunlight and for those with less than perfect vision. It functions flawlessly as an automotive, recreational and geocaching GPS. Lots of internal memory as well as accommodations for up to 16GB of external memory. GPS satellite lock is rapid even after a reset or battery change. The rechargeable battery lasts a good 12 hours in the field plus it can take three AA cells and last a good long while with those. Frequent firmware revisions have fixed most of the early software bugs to be expected with brand new models.
Unfortunately, early units have a crippling defect that affected me as well as many other customers. After two weeks of heavy use, or 3-4 weeks of moderate use, the touchscreen malfunctions. In my case, pressing softkeys in the lower right hand corner of the screen will activate whatever is 3/8 inch above it and no amount of calibration will fix it. This has been reported as a hardware issue so I had to send my unit back. Supposedly, this issue has been resolved in manufacturing and people with higher serial number Montanas (28U011XXX and up) report no issues yet, so this review may be upgraded to five stars if in fact the manufacturing problem is rectified.
Recommend? YES
54 viewers found this helpful.
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Doug
Codrington, Ontario, Canada
Aug 19, 2011
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BEST GPS TO DATE
Pros: everything
Cons: i would like to see it even bigger next time
I have owned many (9) Magellan and Garmin GPS units over the past 14 years and I must say that this one is the best unit that I have ever operated. I love the way that tracks can be presented in any colour desired and the track line is easy to see, which is important to me on my ATV while bushwhacking. Its ability to be customized in every way imaginable is wonderfull. I would highly recommend this GPS for any purpose.
Recommend? YES
52 viewers found this helpful.
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DrDave
Calgary, AB
Aug 10, 2011
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MOST VERSATILE GPS
Pros: large bright screen, for auto / biking / hiking
Cons: occasional software hiccup
I have both the Canada TOPO maps, as well as City Navigator loaded on this unit and love how I can drive to my destination, pull the Montana 600 from the car mount, and I have a fully charged Hiking GPS ready to go. The touch screen is bright and the interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. I am very pleased with this GPS.
Recommend? YES
89 viewers found this helpful.
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Skagitstan
east of world famous Sedro Woolley, WA
Jul 29, 2011
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SO FAR, BEST MULTI-PURPOSE GPS I'VE SEEN
Pros: screen, multiple profiles, intuitive use
Cons: a bit bulky, but not a killer
I use my gps for hiking, on my motorcycle, and in my truck. My first unit was a 60CSx, next, an Oregon 300, and now the Montana 600. I got the 60CSx when the line was fairly stable, the Oregon when they first came out, and the same for the Montana. The Montana beats the older units easily. I was concerned about the size for hiking, but with a carabiner attached through the lanyard slot with nylon strap, it swings no worse than the Oregon. The screen is big and easy to see in almost any lighting conditions, unlike the Oregon. The firmware is a bit rough around the edges (I am on 2.6), but certainly no worse than the Oregon when it was new. No major crashes or freezes. While this doesn't speak well for Garmin's testing folks, at least there's good history that the edges will get smoothed. I like the way the profile can be set up and switched automatically based on the mount. Also like the rugged mount I got for the bike. I mostly ride on rough, unpaved forest/logging roads. So far, the unit has been immune to all the joggling and shaking.
All-in-all-, I'm very happy with the device.
Recommend? YES
110 viewers found this helpful.
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Ken
Casa Grande, Arizona
Jul 26, 2011
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GARMIN'S MONTANA 600
Pros: big screen, user friendly, water & dust proof
Cons: none! i like it as it is for my use
Having owned several Garmin GPS's over the years Garmin finally came up with a GPS that have many of the features I have desired in a Portable GPS. Love the big touch screen and more user friendly ways of toggling between various fields,etc. It is fast and responsive picking satellites and refreshing map pages. I like the idea of being able to use common AA batteries should the need arise. A big plus for me living in the bright sunshine of the Southwest you can easily view the screen, but in order to do so I had to brighten the back light quite a bit, but with auxiliary power that was no issue for me. I do a lot of off road riding and it being dust and water proof makes it the perfect set up for those occasions.
I did, however, experience some problems with the GPS powering off when I tried to set up routes. Once the route was activated and I toggled back to the menu page I would lose the right half of the screen showing time, date, etc. If I proceed to go to another one of the applications available the GPS would power off. Working with the Good Tech Folks at Garmin they could not get the issue resolved even with the most recent up dates available and requested I send the unit back to them and they would ship another new one to replace it. I can't say enough good things at Garmin's Tech Support people. All very polite wanting to help resolve the issues Iwas having. And finally dealing with GPS City and Richard my contact sales person they are the best. Richard was going to ship another GPS to replace mine no questions asked, but I said I would rather see if Garmin could resolve the issues for they need to know what is going on with a new product in the field. Thanks Richard for your offer, support and great customer service coming from GPS City. You folks are the best!
Recommend? YES
95 viewers found this helpful.
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Yale
Miami Beach
Jul 22, 2011
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NOT THE QUANTUM LEAP THEY MADE IT OUT TO BE...
Pros: sturdy
Cons: made by garmin paranoids. expensive vs competition
This is a very nice handheld GPS and it is very easy to use. Unfortunately the paranoid dweebs at Garmin won't let you transfer your existing licenses (I just bought a city nav map in May) to it. You must buy all their software all over again.
The unit is larger than it needs to be and the navigation is a bit convoluted, but if you've ever used a GPS you can figure it out quickly. It does find the birds fast and has a nice screen, but its almost the size of my 76Csx and could have been made smaller. My iPhone with the different GPS apps available, does just as well and is certainly much more ergonomic.
Recommend? NO
133 viewers found this helpful.
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Paul R
Ontario
Jul 10, 2011
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MOTORCYCLE USE
Pros: rugged, customizable
I purchased the Montana as a Zumo 550 replacement. I simply could not understand how BT and cell phone connectivity were some how "motorcycle" requirements. I much prefer a useful and readable map with decent resolution and information that is customizable. The Montana, combined with City Navigator does this. I can now see much more detail of what is around me rather than a simple magenta line against a beige background. I can see smaller roads at varying scales that I can control, meaning I can decide what detail information is available at what zoom level. I can customize my map display to look like a Nuvi or the older StreetPilot series. If anyone is think of this in a motorcycle application and does not care about using a cell phone while riding ( I still can't understand that ) then I would not hesitate in recommending the Montana. Now if only Navteq could sharpen their game and get the bugs out of their maps. Still some isolated issues where it wants to make a left turn by doing three rights. Same issue in the Zumo but at least they are back to concentrating on navigation rather than entertainment.
Recommend? YES
101 viewers found this helpful.
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Jim
Aztec, NM
Jul 7, 2011
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BELLS AND WHISTLES GPS UPDATE
Pros: large screen, geocache waypoint projection
Cons: still a few internal and software compatibilty
Update to the previous review:
Garmin DID/HAS made some improvements to the guts of the unit. Namely they have added a method to convert a geocache waypoint to a general waypoint. This is very useful in working with the waypoint and projecting waypoints, etc.. I consider this a very big improvement and worth this added review update.
Here is where it is at. Go to the list of geocaches - choose your geocache - it will take you to the map page with the go button - DO NOT press "GO", at the top press the geocache title - this takes you to the geocache description page - now, at the bottom of the page there are two or three icons, one of them being a "flag"! Press the "flag" and the Montana will save the geocache waypoint as a general waypoint!
That is all there is to it! A great and necessary improvement for geocachers! Since I could not download the owners manual because of compatability issues I had to experiment to find this feature.
AND in all of my discussions with Garmin not one person knew about this feature. It is a brand new product so I would not expect them to know everything, yet.
FYI: I have loaded over 1200 geocaches from a fifty mile radius into the Montana and it is still going strong. I have heard it will hold 5000, I am working on the proof.
The increased memory - 3GB - seems to be a very nice advantage.
I have to change my original rating for the Montana 600, upwards! Recommendation dependent on usability for the consumer and Garmin's ability to fix known defects and short comings.
Recommend? YES
124 viewers found this helpful.
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Jim
Aztec, NM
Jul 6, 2011
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BELLS AND WHISTLES GPS
Pros: larger screen
Cons: no real internal improvements over previous units
On first sight the features: large touchscreen, battery configuration, on&off road with appropriate maps, etc.. A much preferred NO camera on this model. I think Garmin is trying to "cash-in" on the geotagging gimmick. Nice bells and whistles, but not for me. I bought the Garmin Montana to locate Global Positions, namely geocaches.
On closer examination some good and bad bells and whistles as preferences will differ. Menus and setup screens to customize the unit to your liking, or at least close to your liking. Rotating screen, vertical or horizontal. Nice! But I personally do not like the touchscreen for many greasy spot and scratch prone reasons. A screen cover will help the scratches but not the grease spots!
Now to the guts of the unit. There are no real improvements to the operational guts of the unit! It operates very similar to other units including the Colorado 400t. Waypoints, tracking, geocaching, and other features in slightly different menus but they are there. Garmin did add an on-road voice direction feature when the unit is attached to an appropriate base mount and using City Navigation mapping. The idea makes this unit a good all-around unit. Now, if this idea works as good as it sounds.
As in other newer units the geocaching waypoints can not be accessed directly, you must connect the unit to a computer. Real BUMMER! General waypoints CAN be accessed, changed, or even deleted individually, but NOT geocaches.
Waypoint projection can only be accomplished with general waypoints, NOT with geocaching waypoints. Another real BUMMER. You must write down the geocache coords, then mark a waypoint, edit that waypoint to reflect the geocache, then perform a waypoint projection.
You CAN NOT transfer data, except tracks, between the unit and Garmin MapSource! The unit works only with Garmin BaseCamp! This is mainly because of added feature support. But still a BUMMER!
If you prefer MapSource, as I do, you can transfer data into BaseCamp and then copy and paste, individually, into MapSource. A real pain in the deary end. The unit has a few features that are not supported by MapSource and those will not transfer. With that said, MapSource offers a few features and abilities that BaseMap does not! MapSource and especially BaseCamp reviews are another subject. Previous model GPS units will work with MapSource!
The compass refuses to be calibrated! Garmin says this is an internal problem and they are working on it. Meanwhile I was given a completely useless task of rotating the unit indoors with no satellite connections and was told that would calibrate the compass, for now! Please restrain me from injecting a cliche here involving liquid excrement on my leg!
The touchscreen DOES NOT work when the backlight is auto-off. The first touch turns on the backlight, the second touch activates the selected "button". Odd, but workable.
Slow start-up software loading because there is more GUI software to load! But after it is loaded the unit seems to work very well. Good satellite acquisition and accurate waypoint locating.
Transfer of data between GPS units, Colorado - Montana, is tedious as it has to be done one waypoint at a time. The chirp reception and programing was hit and miss. Placing the units side-by-side they would not communicate. But moving them apart they would, sometimes. Height increased reception 10-20 ft.
I could not download the owners manual for the Garmin Montana 600 because of a compatibility issue. I also could not download the owners manual for the Chirp because of a compatibility issue. I can and have downloaded owners manuals for my other Garmin GPS units!
Garmin wants to be at the "cutting edge" but in the process they are going to leave some people out of the full support the customer is paying for!
No real upgrades or improvements to the guts except better satellite acquisition. The Larger screen is a definite PLUS! But without better working guts, as a geocacher, it is not worth the money!
When talking to a Garmin support person I mentioned the KISS principle and they drew a blank! They did not know what it was! KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid!
The purpose of a GPS unit is to locate Global Positions. If the unit lacks the ability to do this, even partially, it is substandard for the intended job. Bells and whistles are fine, sometimes great, but without the major functions they are stones around the units neck - dead weight! The Garmin Montana has a lot of bells and whistles but it has not improved on the ability to find Global Positions, namely geocache waypoint projections, compatibility with other software, access to geocache files in the unit, etc..
There are probably more idiosyncrasies and unit failings but I am only only one week into ownership of this half stone - half GPS unit! I can only hope software upgrades and updates will cure some of its shortcoming.
Recommend? NO
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(4.3/5.0 based on 38 ratings)
