New Garmin Montana

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by SCflyer

Just an observation but seems like its not user friendly because it has so many options to be able to do things. I have a 478 and like it. I'm used to it but have a Montana on the way. Seems like there's alot to learn but once you get things set it works well...though my thoughts may change once I have it. Fortunately, LOTS of info and help here by those who've gone through the "start-up" phase already.

I think this is key - it doesn't appear "user friendly" until you're used to it - then it becomes "user friendly" once it's no longer intimidating.

[snooker]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

If you use BaseCamp, you don't need to install the maps on the computer. If the gps is plugged in, it should see the maps on the gps.

ok that's good to know. But in this case this is a new computer that I do want all the maps on. Also I haven't even installed maps onto the Montana yet, only on my old PC. So is there some trick to install maps onto 2 PC's? no issues with Win8 right? And why does the window say it is doing an update instead of an install?

[Smithy69]

Originally Posted by Yossarian™

Agreed; it seems like the same basic questions are asked and answered several times a week. Perhaps new-to-Montana folks should be directed to read through the wiki first. I know it was a huge help to me when I got my Montana.

Yossarian,

Please direct me to this wiki so I can research how to use my new Montana. I have no idea what to do, but need to learn how to load & share maps from my PC & friends tracks etc.

Regards, Smithy

[Drif10]

Originally Posted by Smithy69

Yossarian,

Please direct me to this wiki so I can research how to use my new Montana. I have no idea what to do, but need to learn how to load & share maps from my PC & friends tracks etc.

Regards, Smithy

http://garminmontanagpsr.wikispaces.com/

First thing I read.

Well, after wading through a bunch of this thread until I found the wiki.

[Drif10]

Originally Posted by DockingPilot

Drif10,

Is it me reading this thread wrong is is, coming from a 478, the Montana not nearly as user friendly ?

I think my map load issues are not Montana specific. Think it's a citynav 2013.30/mac issue.

Just messing around pushing buttons, I really like the ability to arrange my menus MY way.

Do not like their idea of a dashboard/map screen. Too much map display area is hogged by their idea of what the screen should be used for. In automotive mode, why the fuck do I lose the top 6th to a banner that insists on telling me the next street name? Haven't found how to nuke that yet. The 'small' data fields take damn near a quarter of the screen. Although the data fields are east to clear away, well then you lose the use of them.


As for my install issues, gonna yank my sd card and see if the install works going straight to the memory.

[DockingPilot]

Originally Posted by Drif10

. The 'small' data fields take damn near a quarter of the screen. Although the data fields are east to clear away, well then you lose the use of them.

And I take it they are not transparent ?

[atlas cached]

Originally Posted by Drif10

...why the fuck do... The 'small' data fields take damn near a quarter of the screen. Although the data fields are east to clear away, well then you lose the use of them.

Lost me here.

You appear to be complaining about the data fields taking up part of the map screen, then admit they are very simple to hide, giving more screen space to the map.

And then you complain you loose the use of the data fields when you do so?

A completely illogical argument where the only true motivation appears to be a need to complain about nothing.

[DockingPilot]

I think your misunderstanding him Atlas,
I think he means, he likes the data fields because they are valuable but why are they so large ? Eliminating them just...........well, eliminates them and renders them useless.

I'm sure he is just thinking out out and is, in his mind, comparing them to the data fields on the *76/78 series. Which are small and transparent.

[Drif10]

Originally Posted by atlas cached

Lost me here.

You appear to be complaining about the data fields taking up part of the map screen, then admit they are very simple to hide, giving more screen space to the map.

And then you complain you loose the use of the data fields when you do so?

A completely illogical argument where the only true motivation appears to be a need to complain about nothing.

It's in the execution that it fails. In other units, they had these items on screen, but didn't detract from the usable map displayed. But in this unit, the sheer size of the field blocks (which are opaque) plus the banner on top (also opaque) means that you lose half of the map displayed. That's big, especially when it's something that they've shown they can do.

It's quite understandable that you can only have a screen so big. Making efficient use of that screen is only sensible, don't you think? Since Garmin has this ability in their arsenal, it's a shame that this unit doesn't have it.


As for your final comment...


Have a nice day.

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by Drif10

It's in the execution that it fails. In other units, they had these items on screen, but didn't detract from the usable map displayed. But in this unit, the sheer size of the field blocks (which are opaque) plus the banner on top (also opaque) means that you lose half of the map displayed. That's big, especially when it's something that they've shown they can do.

It's quite understandable that you can only have a screen so big. Making efficient use of that screen is only sensible, don't you think? Since Garmin has this ability in their arsenal, it's a shame that this unit doesn't have it.


As for your final comment...


Have a nice day.

Regarding data fields being too damn big and opaque, write to Garmin CS asking for a fix. I did. It may not help, but the more times they see that request, the better chance of them doing it.

[Drif10]

Okay, learned something here.

I only had mapinstall put in CN NT 2013.30, without the memory card in it. This forced the install to the onboard memory.

And there it is, CN working nice as you please.


Now, how do I get my other maps installed on the mem card without messing with CN? If I just run mapinstall again with the card in, does anyone know if it will try to 'move' CN onto the mem card again, or just put the other map sets there?

[Drif10]

Originally Posted by Emoto

Regarding data fields being too damn big and opaque, write to Garmin CS asking for a fix. I did. It may not help, but the more times they see that request, the better chance of them doing it.

Will do for sure.

[JThompson]

Tip for the day.

After Dan posted about the little stick-on rubber nipples on his gloves, I thought why not a dot of silicone?

The first time I tried it, it lasted 6 months. So, I did it again. Just let it dry then clip off the point leaving enough to give a good bump. Works great on the touch screen.

Thanks, Dan

[Drif10]

Another difference from the 478:

You lose one level of detailed zoom. Now, the 478 was unique that way, all other garmins topped out at the same level, only the 478 went one more step. So... not a big, but a diff.

[moto-treks]

Originally Posted by SCflyer

Just an observation but seems like its not user friendly because it has so many options to be able to do things. I have a 478 and like it. I'm used to it but have a Montana on the way. Seems like there's alot to learn but once you get things set it works well...though my thoughts may change once I have it. Fortunately, LOTS of info and help here by those who've gone through the "start-up" phase already.

This thread makes it sound harder than it is. I advised a GPS newbie to buy a Montana but warned him that there is a learning curve. A few days after he picked one up he asked me what the difficult part was because he found it very easy to use Basic OOTB navigation is very straight forward. If you get into customization then you may have a few areas that you may need to "play" with until you get what you want.