Spooky, I've tried the jack on the Rugged Mount with iPod, MP3 player, radio and 'phone and it is too small for them all, therefore I am unsure as to what is the actual size.

well I tried the 3,5mm stereo mini-jack from a audio "Senheiser HD-25" stereo headset which I'm using with my high-end WAV-mp3-recorder, PC+laptop-output and a cheap standard helmet headset from my local bike shop and both worked without problems.
This audio extension on the rugged mount is build to be used with helmet headsets.
3,5mm is what I was reading out of the Garmin tech-spec at the time I bought it a year ago... this is the same size used on the Montana it self.
Watch out, many of this phone plugs on the market are prohibited hardware, using 2,5mm or 2,8mm plugs or wire them in another way, so you have to stick to there system and spend £$ to this specific brand of phone for instant.

as I pointed out... any iPlot or plug from a rotten Apple will not work regarding there prohibited hardware policy so non of there stuff is compatible with any normal audio kit... they want you to buy there own $$-adapter, which only convert to the normal size and wiring...

you better off paying your local bike shop a visit to get the rugged mount connected to your helmet.
anyway I sealed the audio output of my rugged mount, I don't like wires dangling about and rather got my peace while riding, rather than being nagged by a funny stupid voice... "turn right", "turn right", "you missed the motorway my friend", "turn right" I rather decide my self if I want to take the motorway or country lane... so I switched all the audio off... the routing is not that reliable either, nor always showing the shortest way... I using the Montana for a year and covered 13.000km by now with the latest maps, but do not relay on it at all... rather my common sense, compass and a good map... a GPS to me is only a welcome, convenience addition, while the Montana coming close to being useful.

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The trouble is that he was talking in philosophy, but they were listening in gibberish.

I was looking into the Montana and thought it was neat device and great for motorcycles, until I saw a video on it. In the video this fellow put the unit on a chair in direct sun lite. When it reached 87F the screen started to act up and switch modes. I'm an old Lowrance XOG user and that unit had a touch screen. The touch screen made it a bear to use with gloves and occasional would get so scrambled in layered maps, that it was useless. I learned my lesson and have never gone back to a touch screen device on a motorcycle. Hence I invested in a Delorme Earthmate PN60. While it is a small, small, small window, it still guides me and has never had an issue in 2 years now.

I have prayed to the GPS gods to deliver a 4 inch diagonal screen, IP7 water proof, with buttons and full 24K topos but no one has delivered yet.

Ill wait until the 600T price drops to $150.00 before test driving.

That was a factory problem and was fixed with all faulty models swapped out under warranty. Mine sits on my bike all day and has never had an issue like it.

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www.travellingstrom.com

That's indeed good news. Now I may consider trying one.

When it comes to Topo Maps, I found that the Lowrance installed base map was the exact maps as the "high end" topo map Delorme offers. Both were made by Info USA. My question is which topo map company does Garmin offer?

Has anyone tried the Birdseye satellite images on the Montana? I'm downloading some for Mongolia now, but wanted to see if anyone had used them and found them useful (or not)?

In a nutshell- no I haven't as I create my own using GE.

Useful? moderate to little use for me, the main issue being one of map sizes created and you will need many especially if you want a high level of detail and of many places.
I use my GE created img's as an overlay, they can be of some use but the above re:space remains- 'maps' will appear as you reach the coords automatically.

That was me testing my Montana with a screen protector. Garmin's protector tends to pull and push the screen as it gets hot, so it starts to make its own selections. I replaced that protector with a new identical one and have not had the problem since.

So if you're not getting a Montana based on that video, then you probably didn't want one in the first place. .

A good screen saver is essential ..... as is a good sunhat too !
Having felt how hot the Montana gets in sunlight, I chose to make a small 'hat' for it.
Now it runs nice and cool- I am convinced it saves damage to the electronics. Cost pennies to make.

I'd do that but I prefer to run in Portrait mode, and want to retain the flexibility to switch orientation depending on whether I'm doing mostly North/South or East/West roads.