Garmin 62/64 or Montana 600?

[Mad Cow]

Rob

Montana for me.

They are likely to start appearing more second hand in the near future as Garmin have now brought out the next generation Monterra.

The Garmin Rugged mount is great and there is a small screw to lock the GPS into it (but I rarely use it - it's on my 990).

I got mine from Adventurespec

http://www.adventure-spec.com/default/g ... a-601.html

However you also need the Ram Mount stuff to attach the mount to the bike!

I get mine from Ram-Mount UK

http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/components-r ... kopnded247

You need an AMPS adaptor plate:

http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/2-x-17-adapt ... 8_286.html

Then whatever length arm you want and a bike mount, I use the one that replaces one of the handlebar clamp bolts

http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/1-ball-motor ... 8_286.html

A much cheaper alternative is Ram Mount's own Montana Mount (only just over a tenner) no power but the Montana batteries will easily last all day especially if you run the screen brightness at abut 60% and you can always replace the rechargeable battery with three AA batteries to extend the life on the trail. I use one of these on the EXC

http://www.ram-mount.co.uk/garmin-monta ... 9_659.html

[Rob 110]

thanks Tony
i presume you can just run a 12v micro USB cigarette power cable?

think i'd prefer to have it snug to the handlebar, so its less accident prone

[Oop North John]

i presume you can just run a 12v micro USB cigarette power cable?

You'll degrade the waterproofness doing it that way.

I use one of these on my DL650:

http://www.bykebitz.co.uk/motorcycle-sa ... mount.html

and also one of theirs that fits onto the handlebar mounting points, which is less bouncy IYSWIM.

[Mad Cow]

thanks Tony
i presume you can just run a 12v micro USB cigarette power cable?

I tried this when out green laning with a friend in Hampshire in the Land Rover the other month as I don't yet have a mount in that for the Montana, unfortunately I couldn't use the GPS when it was charging via the mini USB, all I got is a blank screen with a USB symbol on it

I had been using on batteries, which lasted well. I used it as a Sat Nav on the way down to Portsmouth (a very long trip due to traffic). I then did a recce of the lanes in the afternoon. Stupidly I forgot the mains charger to recharge it overnight but it kept going until well after lunch the next day before the battery went and I discovered the problem with the usb cable, so had to buy some AA batteries in a petrol station. A set of lithium AAs will last 22 hours apparently.

think i'd prefer to have it snug to the handlebar, so its less accident prone

If you want it to sit close to the handlebar, you can get the bicycle mount, which is the rugged mount with a handlebar clamp on the back but no power connection.

My rugged mount is pretty flat to the handlebars as I run a short 2" arm on the Ram mount and run it virtually parallel to the bar.

[GB]

thanks Tony
i presume you can just run a 12v micro USB cigarette power cable?

I tried this when out green laning with a friend in Hampshire in the Land Rover the other month as I don't yet have a mount in that for the Montana, unfortunately I couldn't use the GPS when it was charging via the mini USB, all I got is a blank screen with a USB symbol on it

I had been using on batteries, which lasted well. I used it as a Sat Nav on the way down to Portsmouth (a very long trip due to traffic). I then did a recce of the lanes in the afternoon. Stupidly I forgot the mains charger to recharge it overnight but it kept going until well after lunch the next day before the battery went and I discovered the problem with the usb cable, so had to buy some AA batteries in a petrol station. A set of lithium AAs will last 22 hours apparently.

Mr nutty cow, you can change that setting to spanner then you get the choice of USB or charge.

[catcitrus]

I had a charge only problem with my Montana 600 with the normal USB cable supplied--but if you buy the proper Garmin car charger (cig socket), turn it on first and then plug the charger in it will work as normal and charge--but one problem to watch is that if you are bashing the SH1t out of it on the trail and the 12V supply is lost (vibration) then the Garmin will ask whether you want to carry on on battery or shut down--and if you don't notice it it will shut down. I run mine on a RAM mount but inside a waterproof case lined with foam--the touch screen still works fine.
CB

[Rob 110]

thanks good replies
if the spanner setting works, i wont need this http://www.adventure-spec.com/default/p ... n-gps.html which seems to sort that issue

[~ACP~]

There have been cases of the unit failing if using the Micro USB port to power the unit in harsh conditions. Like Tramp says, read the thread on ADV for evidence. The vibration kills the port.
I would stick to batteries or buy the powered Rugged Mount...

My Montana has been great BTW, however I've just smashed the screen and it's fubar'd (Garmin will however swap the unit for an "as new" one for £120 :unsure: )
It does take a lot of getting used to though, not the most intuitive one out there. I found that taking it out on a trip when someone else was driving and pressing all the buttons was the best familiarisation.

[Rob 110]

Montana came today, new £230 inc OS 1:50k


OMG its fekin great! nice easy touchscreen, but you all knew that


thanks for replies, i like it so much i'm going to mount it

[Brads]

They are the nuts aren`t they ? lol

I have the OS landranger maps on mine on Micro s/d, but managed to fit the whole of Europe city nav onto the unit by deleting all the language options bar English. The other languages take up a hell of a space.

Started using the Nuvi screen in anger yesterday and its superb