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Garmin Montana

Former Member over 11 years ago

I'm a long-term user of an Edge 705 and before that an Edge 305.

I'm a keen cyclist and absolutely love my 705. It's reliable and does what I want.

However, my head has been turned by the idea of a Montana. Maybe I'm tired of logging my heart rate and cadence, racing my virtual partner and worrying about power output and calories. Maybe I've done all that and actually don't need it.

There have been times that I've used the 705 in the car for navigating and following a course I've created and found that the 705 - as good as it is - is a little small.

I don't want "satnav". I want to tell the unit where I want to go, not for it to work it out for itself.

My questions are:
Is the Montana a good thing to fit on a bike and is it a worthwhile item to log my rides but use it for navigation and following a route? Does it do these things better than a 705? Is the Montana a good idea in a car?

The Montana is obviously a great bit of kit and very much suited to the walker or rambler, but is it worth spending the money if I want it on a bike and/or in a car but only occasionally go walking?

Thanks guys,
Mick.

0 mariomobiel over 11 years ago

Cycling with the Montana goes very well, it's a bit bulky but it has about all the features of your 705 including the ability to connect to ANT sensors. In the car it even performs beter than your 705, switch over to the automotive profile and your looking at the Nuvi screen, u can connect a speaker for spoken directions. I did a test a will ago with the Montana, Edge 800, FR910xt and the Fenix.

http://youtu.be/SxogE2z4uJ0

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

Thanks.

Are you saying that my Garmin HR strap and my speed/cadence unit will input their info into the Montana for download later?

Mick.

0 mariomobiel over 11 years ago

Yes, it records both, and they show on GC.

this is the data from the Montana used in the compair http://connect.garmin.com/activity/228513366
also the foot pod and Tempé sensors are supported.

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

Thanks!
This is getting better all the time!

Mick.

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

The Montana is rather large, much bigger than the Edge. I think its a bit too big to fit on your bike handlebars. Worth having a look at one somewhere, so you can get an idea of the size.

I would go for the Oregon 600 instead. It has just about all of the features of the Montana, plus is quite a bit smaller.

0 mariomobiel over 11 years ago

The Montana is rather large, much bigger than the Edge. I think its a bit too big to fit on your bike handlebars. Worth having a look at one somewhere, so you can get an idea of the size.

I would go for the Oregon 600 instead. It has just about all of the features of the Montana, plus is quite a bit smaller.

I posted a video of the Montana, so u can see it's not to big. Works great mounted on handlebars!

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

Just thought of a further question re the Montana.

If it will pair with the ANT devices, it also pairs with the Speed/Cadence unit for my 705 like you said.

Does the Montana use the wheel magnet to calculate rear wheel circumference like a 705 will do when set the "Auto Wheelsize"?
If not, does it use the wheel magnet at all?

Mick.

0 mariomobiel over 11 years ago

Wheel magnet is used for speed so u can use it also on a trainer indoors with GPS off.

0 JaVaWa over 11 years ago

No, it isn't. The Montana (and other outdoor devices that can pair with the Speed/Cadence sensor) only uses the cadence part of the sensor. Only the Edge uses both sensors.

0 mariomobiel over 11 years ago

Hmm, indeed no speed. I just tested with my Oregon 600, GPS off and no speed. Also no cadence, and with GPS on also no cadence.