New Garmin Montana

[Wired]

Originally Posted by rhicks

I was scratching my head last night when browsing REI's web site and noticed the 62s on sale for $279. Now I know why. The Montana 650t looks like a winner to me (or at least something I'm hopeful about).

no word on CHIRP support

Do you have a link? I'm interested, but only see them for $500.

[rhicks]

Originally Posted by Wired

Do you have a link? I'm interested, but only see them for $500.

Whoa This was for the 62s. REI had it on last night for $279 but now it's showing $399. It is scheduled to be on the anniversary sale starting Friday for $299. meh I'm holding out for a Montana 650t

[rallybug]

Originally Posted by FL_Cracker

I'm glad I waited to replace my 60Csx. The handlebar mounts are cracking.

Why do you say they're about to drop the Zumo line?

Originally Posted by Garmin

Mount your Montana on your motorcycle or ATV and take it on the road. This kit includes the mount, hardware (AMPS arm/ball socket sold separately) and a cable with bare power/audio/data wires. It also includes anti-glare screen protectors.

So, from the above, the mount is powered and audio output is from the hard-wired pigtail to the left of the photo? No mention of BT in the specs as yet. Micro SD card slot for higher res Topo maps too.

[ramz]

I pre-ordered the Montana from Big River and with expected delivery in 2 weeks, may have it in time for FMF. I'll use it to find FMF so if I'm late, you'll know how poor my navigational skills are

[FL_Cracker]

"If you are on foot, (or too broke after buying a Montana to get a Bluetooth headset equipped lid) simply plug headphones into Montana’s 3.5mm audio jack to hear the spoken prompts."

That implies that the sound comes from the main unit.

"Audio wire"? Maybe to feed into other systems>?

I was wrong. Sound comes from the base of the car mount or external speakers connected to those audio wires.

[SKINNY]

Looks like what I need to replace the 276...I wonder how long it will take before a good off-road mount is available...I'm guessing the Ram mount won't be practical due to the increased weight and size of this model...

[DRTBYK]

The Montana [with AA bat's] is only 2oz heavier than the zumo660. If you use the short arm RAM with the above "rugged" AMP mount, you should be ok - except for Moto-X type activities.

You'll probably see a TT (or other) mount for these as well.

Cheers,

[DRTBYK]

Garmin put this GPS into their On Trail segment. Yet they are marketing it's use in ALL segments: Marine, Automotive and On Trial. The unit is of very little value in either the Marine or Automotive without maps. In the On Trail segment (650t) you can pay a premium for preinstalled-limited-Topo maps (save your money and buy US TOPO 24K map Regions) that will cause you grief trying to update them.

I'd like to see Garmin actually step up and reward customers who purchase a high-end device like the Montana 650 with Free Lifetime Maps (CNNA/CNEU) or a significant discount on US TOPO 24K maps.

Unfortunately, I don't ever expect that to be the case. Garmin only has programs like that for some mid-range nuvi units.

[rhicks]

There have been more and more units coming out with lifetime map updates. I would expect a $700 device to include those lifetime updates. Too bad it doesn't. The Montana does have a motorcycle profile which is interesting. It also supports the heart rate monitor and bike cadence sensor along with CHIRP for us geocachers.

GPS City has a bunch of videos going through various modes on the 600.
http://www.youtube.com/user/GPSCity#g/u

After watching the videos I'm probably going to do a pre-order. Unless Garmin really screws the pooch on this it should be a really great unit. Boo on the lack of lifetime maps.

[rallybug]

GPSCity have also already included it in their comparisons page.

I set it up to the compare the Montana 650t to the 62ST, Zumo 550 and Zumo 660 here as three of the more popular Garmin options for motorcycles.

You can't take all that the comparison lists, as it says no to a headphone jack, but then they show a headphone jack on the Montana 600 in the videos

I'd imagine that some of the red crosses against features are due to them not being listed by Garmin yet.

It does look like an intriguing option for a GPSr though.

[PunkinHead]

Personally I don't like touch screens on a bike. It never fails that I hit a bump just as I'm trying to do something on the screen. I want buttons.

[DRTBYK]

Might as well start the PriceWatch activity.

If you are interested in the Montana and you're an AMA member, Garmin gives an 11% discount currently on the Montana 650. Discount + Tax & Shipping = $615.80 (in my case - your Tax/Shipping may be different).

Lowest price I've found so far (pre-orders) for the Montana 650 is:

Ultimate Passage @ $559.55 incl. Shipping.

Maybe an enterprising vendor will consider a "group buy price"?

P.S.

The above pricing does not include Accessories: e.g, Rugged Mount, Marine Mount, Automotive Mount, Maps, etc.

Cheers,

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by DRTBYK

Lowest price I've found so far (pre-orders) for the Montana 650 is:

Ultimate Passage @ $559.55 incl. Shipping.

Must be going down by the minute as it's now $549.56.

[DRTBYK]

Notice the "incl. Shipping" That means I added the shipping cost (~$10) to the price.

[DRTBYK]

Originally Posted by rhicks

. . .snip.

no word on CHIRP support

CHIRP support = YES.

Nice of GPSCity to post these vid's.

Cheers,