MTP Mode: cannot get into this mode

ArtyYeo over 2 years ago

I tried many different ways and my new Montana 700i cannot get into the MTP mode.

I have gone into SetUp:

Advanced Options : set it to use MTP mode

whenever I plug-in to USB, it does not go into MTP mode but will turn ON.

I have even set External Power : Charge and it did the same thing.

I have also PRESS + HOLD Power button while I plug-in USB and went beyond 30 seconds and it cannot get into MTP mode.

Any help will be appreciated.

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0 atlas_cached over 2 years ago in reply to ArtyYeo

ArtyYeo said:
Are you telling me that 700i cannot work with Macs?

No, it is the other way around, the Mac doesn't play well with whatever you connect to it.

0 twolpert over 2 years ago

I don't believe that MacOS supports MTP directly. There appear to be several free and paid third-party products which claim to fix this - to varying degrees.

I have seen several Garmin KB articles like the following. Some Garmin automotive devices connect to Macs via standard USB. Technically, Montana is a handheld. Or not. Either way, it's not listed.

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Itl8M6ARrh4gBQMHFqdqK8

According to this one, even the automotive devices have bizarre limitations. But they should work with Express.

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=nbOTEO6uuA3Fs1M7aSrGF7

Bottom line is that it IS a problem with MacOS. But that does not mean that there is not some kind of workaround from the Garmin side. Since you cannot get it connected via Express, open a support ticket.

0 ArtyYeo over 2 years ago in reply to twolpert

Thanks for the response.

I'm not totally new to the 700 series. I have previously owned a 700 and sold it. Just recently, acquired this 700i because I needed the InReach feature. And, I have been able to use my previous 700 on the Mac fine, transferring Routes from BaseCamp on the Mac to the 700 without any issues. This is not so with the new 700i.

0 ArtyYeo over 2 years ago in reply to twolpert

Moreover, I have gone over to my Windows desktop to download GarminExpress and tried to update my new 700i. It said GarminExpress does not manage this device anymore and that I need to use Garmin WebUpdater.

So, I went to search for the so-called WebUpdater and it was released in 2020 --- it is significantly older than the current GarminExpress.

Looks like the desktop software on Windows is worser shape than Mac.

Are you guys using the 700i successfully on Windows? Could you kindly let me know which desktop software you are using to update your Garmin? Is it GarminExpress or WebUpdater?

Additionally, I just bought the 24K Topo West (United States) map and I cannot even get it on the 700i because GarminExpress is broken on Mac and Windows.

May be this unit I bought is broken.

0 atlas_cached over 2 years ago in reply to ArtyYeo

Do not use WebUpdater.

Garmin Express is the only PC/Mac software currently capable of deploying updates for the Montana 7x0 series.

You can also enable Wi-Fi on the Montana 7x0 and leave it powered on and connected to an active wireless internet connection for an hour then reboot and it will likely prompt you to install the latest update at that time. If not, leave it connected to Wi-Fi for another hour and repeat until the latest update is fully downloaded.

How was the 24k Topo West map purchased?

0 ArtyYeo over 2 years ago

Contacted Customer Service and it was determined that the updater feature in BaseCamp messed up the firmware. So, they have initiated for me to return it and they will give me a new one.

LESSON learned: do NOT allow BaseCamp to do any updates to the software in your devices --- ONLY GarminExpress should be allowed to do that.

0 atlas_cached over 2 years ago in reply to ArtyYeo

That was BaseCamp for Mac, correct?

0 ArtyYeo over 2 years ago in reply to atlas_cached

Yes, that's correct. Don't count on BaseCamp to do updates to your firmware. That was the message from the Customer Support. They admitted it was a fatal flaw.

0 atlas_cached over 2 years ago in reply to ArtyYeo

Good to know.

I have seen BaseCamp firmware update messages pop up, but never have let them complete.

Lucky, I suppose!

0 ArtyYeo over 2 years ago in reply to atlas_cached

Yes, Thank God, you did not do it.

When it happened, it even severed any further communication for GarminExpress to do its job. In other words, it's irrecoverable. That's why they had to bring it back to the factory to re-do the firmware.