ok, duh, got it to work, I had to convert the files from gdb to gpx and then copied them onto the montana; I must have missed the memo on that one.

Can anyone give some advice on a non powered mount for the Montana 600, I will be fitting it to a rented CRF250L (hence non powered)
I have seen one on Amazon UK and was wondering if anyone has used one or have a better idea?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Bicyc...montana+mounts

Thanks
Wayne

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Wayne

The one in your link is the same as the power and/or speaker options models ( as per my pic in #226 above fitted inside a TT mount) except, of course, that it does not have either of those two.

I have originally made an aluminium twin plate 'sandwich' with inner coils (vibration dampening) and mounted the powered one on there as well as also attaching it to a RAM mount-
There are many mounting options but you certainly will need that bit ( or the powered one) whatever you do- as this is the 'jaw' which holds the Montana (or the same for the Monterra too if even you change satnavs!)

I would recommend you get the powered version though as it will recharge your battery saving you another job- unless you plan on only using AA disposable batteries but this would get expensive or rechargeable ones which you would still need to recharge- all a bit of a pain IMHO!

I can see of no reason why you could not fit a powered one on your rented Honda- It comes fitted with leads and has a fuse holder too- Wiring it up is very easy (one red and one black) straight to the battery and will leave no trace. Ignore other wires) I would guess 15 minutes to fit- 5 to take out.

Remember to use the locking screw once mounted. It prevent the 'jaw' from unexpectedly releasing the Montana-

I would suggest that the easiest method is a RAM mount which clamps onto the handle bars- fit tape on them before fitting if you're worried about scratching them.

Thanks for the advice
Wayne

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Got the Montana and tested it recently on trip in Swiss/French/Italian Alps. Made routes in Mapsource (before buying the Montana) imported into Basecamp and downloaded routes to the Montana.

Unfortunately it didn' t work out to well as the routes were a mix between roads and straight lines (outside roads). Done this on my Zumo without problems but the problem with the Montana is that it recalculates automatically to beginning of route and then the straight lines turns into a mess. Is there any way to avoid this, like with the Zumo were it's prompted if you want to calculate to beginning of route? Even turning off recalculation,Montana still insist on taking you to start of route...an recalculates entire route in the process

Second issue was that some of the routes had to many waypoints. My buddies Zumo just split the route but the Montana just rejected the route. Strange that 50 waypoint limitation (or whatever the liit is) in 2015, thought that would be lot higher now?

The third issue might seem like a minor issue but to me it isn't. Trying to zoom in and out was almost impossible with gloves as 9 out of 10 times the "buttons" are to small so the Montana think I want to make a new way point. More or less gave up but really want to be able to zoom in to see details when lot's of stuff going on (like in a city) and out to see the bigger picture. Any way to get around this?

So most days my premade routes didn't work and when it did, I couldn't zoom in/out making navigation difficult. Not so happy but hope there are solutions?

I am assuming it is a 600 and not a 650?

Strange that it did that with the waypoints, maybe it is full because I think it will only hold 1000

As for doing the thing with the just doing a straight line between points, mine has not done it on the Device but it did it for a bit when I was using Basecamp but cured its self after awhile.

I used mine on my trip in Thailand and Laos is it worked great using the Mapsource mapping, it would also work with my gloves on, I was however using enduro leather gloves and not the ones that give you sausage fingers

have a look at this, it might help
http://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/Montana_600_OM_EN.pdf

Wayne

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Pingvin- this may help a bit.

MONTANA 600
max user waypoints 4000
Routes 200
Tracklogs 10,000 points, 200 saved tracks
3Gb Ram
Micro sd

+ you have a pm ☺

Thanks guys, will make an effort, hopefully me and the Monata will gel after a while, done some progress

Anyone having issues with reliability of Montana's now? I really like them, great units however mine died en route to Mongolia in 2014 (completely blank screen that wouldn't re boot or reset), it was repaired under warranty though occasionally the maps hang and don't refresh now until it's switched off.

Two other friends Montana's won't charge in the cradles now including a brand new cradle though they will charge via the USB connection or run off AA batteries.

To be fair they have all had very extensive use off road (such as UK to Magadan, New Zealand, USA, Europe etc) so have been subject to a lot of vibration. They are 4 years old and well out of warranty but even so Garmin have sent me 3 new batteries FOC which is excellent service. We have all done the tape or little bit of foam around the battery mod to stop the battery vibrating.

It may just be that they are coming to the end of their useful but hard life. I'd buy one again or has anybody found a better replacement? I see Garmin are releasing the GPSMAP 276cx and many people raved about the original 276

Well 4 years old with heavy use is pretty good. My Montana was super reliable for a 9-month 26,000 mile ride from South Africa to South Korea 2015-16.

Had not a single problem with the unit despite much offroading = vibration and dust. I used the Garmin Rugged Mount (powered mount). Great solution

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HI, I had issues originally with my 650T back in 11/12, had 2 replacements under warranty. this was during my overland trip from Europe to Aus. Just a few weeks ago, after about 4 years of not much riding, the power button(rubber bit as part of waterproof case) broke apart and it was now no longer waterproof.

The switch inside still did work.

I had also been having the occasional problem with the connection being lost on the cradle mount, but could not ascertain whether that was the GPS or mount, I guess I will find out soon

I queried the replacement cost, it is now only $142AU so I sent it back, hope to get my replacement in a day or so

Edit date 13/2/17- So after a month of waiting still nothing, but after some queries were made it seems the 650T is hard to come by and they did not have any. After explaining that if I had known that prior to sending it away I would not have done so at that time, the chap offered to upgrade me to a refurbished 680T the newer version at no extra cost and they had one in stock

I took the offer and had the unit within 7 days, now I just have to relearn how to install maps on it LOL

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