Warranty replacement Montana 700i, again developed pock marked brass contacts.

I brought a 700i when they were first released in 2020 for use on my adventure bike. Knowing the rigours of offroad riding, I went to great lengths to resiliently mount the rugged mount to my nav tower, however within 8 or 9 months of ownership and probably less than 20 hours of actual use, the brass contacts on the  device had become severely pock marked, which was making the unit constantly shut down and fail to charge.

I contacted Garmin Australia and the were very conscientious in getting my issue sorted, and was asked to send my device and rugged mount away for inspection by their techs and after a week or so, I received a new 700i and rugged mount in the mail, no questions asked. Their service was outstanding.

Sadly though, this second device, replaced under warranty has now failed as well, suffering the same issue of pock marked contacts and is now not charging from the rugged mount. Unfortunately this became apparent while on a trip across the Simpson desert in May 2024, just when I needed it the most. So I had to charge it overnight from a power bank and then use a USB cable to power it while on the bike which fortunately worked ok, but I have my doubts this will be a viable long term option to power my unit while on the bike, as it compromises the integrity of the unit with water and dust.

Obviously out of warranty, I still contacted Garmin to let them know what has happened and that this is the second device thats gone pear shaped as I felt they needed to draw there attention to the fact that there is an obvious issue with the rugged mount/ brass contact interface. Weather thats caused by the rugged mount pins not functioning correctly, the brass contacts material hardness or composition, galvanic corrosion developing between the mounts pins and the contacts who knows, but theres an issue of significance there.

I was a  long time Montana 650T owner for many years prior and had zero issues with that in its rugged mount on the bike and it suffered way more punishment than my 700i's, so its infuriating that although Garmin market the 700i as 'milspec', they cant actually to a build the 700 series that matches their previous units.

 I know other riders within our broader group with Montana 700i's and they have all reported the same issues, and so the only conclusion I can draw now is that the 700i is simply NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE in regards to offroad motorcycling. I would encourage anyone thinking of upgrading from a 650 or 680T, to not waste their money and keep what theyve got, as they are a far more robust unit. 

I contacted Garmin on the 12th of June 2024 and spoke to one of their representatives to voice my frustration seeing my second  replacement unit fail as before and supplied them with the required photos and documentation and nothing. Zip. The sounds of silence.

I understand theyre not obliged to help or support me out of warranty, but at the very least it would have been nice for them to have the common courtesy of some level of communication or feedback to my quandry and for their total absence of acknowledgement in that regard, they need a bollocking.

So where to now to achieve the same level of emergency capability ? Inreach mini, Messenger, Spot X , Zeleo or similar and back to my old 650T or an iPad mini for mapping ?  I have to say Im very reluctant to reward Garmin again by buying another one of their devices. Disappointed is an understatement.

      Resiliently mounted above and beyond the supplied fittings.

  • Hello, I am sorry to hear you have not had a good experience or response with this second device. I am going to send you a private message. 

  • You keep saying this.

    why cannot Garmin actually fix the issue?

    we all know it is NOT the mount but the software/firmware conflicts.

    I’ve had an email yesterday from Garmin UK stating that the FIFTH replacement new in the box unit is now not available as Garmin have DISCONTINUED the 700i.

    Is it just me that finds it strange that a device that was working perfectly is now binned since worldwide issues that Garmin have resolutely refused to acknowledge has an issue?

    No?

    Just me?….

  • There is no indication that Garmin has discontinued the 700i. Of course, they could just be selling off existing stock.

    https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/699779

    In any case, the problem with pitted contacts is a design flaw. No matter how many times Garmin replaces it with the same design, the problem will recur with each replacement.

    I have seen forum posts indicating that there is a revised design. Which fails the same way. I don't ride, so i have no personal experience.

    There is a separate problem, not related to the mount, which causes the device to shut down randomly. At this point, Garmin appears to believe that any remaining problems are related to specific configurations. They are trying to individually contact each owner who continues to encounter the problem. As I understand it, they are trying to locate corner-case bugs specific to the configuration. I do own a 750i. I rarely use it because I hike - and it's a monster to haul around on foot. I don't know if I personally still have problems or not.

  • Garmin have stated in writing that “new in the box 700i” have been discontinued.

    Not one of the devices they have replaced has suffered from pitted contacts. None of them.

    One had the reboot issue without EVER having left the house. Started mid setup AFTER updating to 19.2. It ran perfectly out of the box on 18.* firmware.

    They have provided 3 new mounts. 2 sets of “service kits” which the new mounts already now come fitted with.

    None of it has resolved the reboot/shut down issues.

    It is categorically NOT an issue with the mount/pins. The devices will do this when the bike is not running/moving.

    I am waiting for their response today after a very long phone call with them yesterday. They have had videos of the devices randomly doing it so they know it is not anything to do with the mount/power.

  • All I can say is that Garmin is still selling the 7x0i on their web site. Yes, there are random shutdowns not related to the powered mount. This is a longstanding problem with the device. As far as I know (based mostly on forum traffic), it has not gotten worse with newer firmware. Not necessarily better, but not worse either. 

    If Garmin posts here are to be believed, you may be one of the ones affected by a configuration-related problem. Perhaps a support ticket asking about that (as opposed to requesting a new device)?

    Edited to add:  or  may be able to help with that.

  • It’s nothing to do with configuration.

    They’ve had the fourth device for two weeks back with them. Garmin have categorically stated yet again they have no new in box 700i’s as they have been discontinued. Only shipping reconditioned units held in stock for warranty.

    They have shipped a new in the box 750i instead to a. Replace the now not available 700i and b. Test a different configuration.

    At no point have I requested a replacement. I know damn well that every single issue occurred since their up date from 18.*
    They have arranged every one of the replacements “to rule out pin/bushings/configurations”

    They've been run on 18* from the box and been absolutely fine. Filmed on a timelapse for Garmin never reset. One reset whilst setting the display after the 19.3 update. That one had never left the living room!

    The rest all suffered exactly the same issues at various points from first boot up onwards.

    That's why Garmin have now swapped to the 750.

  • Hi there!

    Fetching the same issues here. German Support was....no words! Got at least after my second device, which was worse than my first, a Vibration - kit to solve the problem. Spent privat money to buy a new AMPS mount plus installation of a certified garage......same issues as before. Shuts down all the time, often even not possible to restart it. Sometimes every minute........most likely an unuseable device for a lot of money with subscription as well. 

    Sittin here, planning my next adventure on Garmin BaseCamp in Tunisia.....the Montana 700i lying next to me (not in the craddle of course) and 3 restarts in 5 min. Sry to say that, but I bought that device for safety reasons as I do a lot of adventure riding alone in the desert, but this device is more of a safety issue, no chance to relay on it at any time.....really sad that there is no statement of Garmin yet.

    Not sure what to do next, as it seems there is no solution for that issue at anytime.

    Enclosed my last convo by chat.

    [15:18:18] Markus Gselmann: Hallo, ich verwende mein Garmin 700i für die Offroad-Navigation am Motorrad in sehr entlegenen Gebieten wo ich absolut auf 100% Funktionalität des Gerätes angewiesen bin. Da ich alleine unterwegs bin ist dies meine einzige Möglichkeit Hilfe zu rufen oder Leuten Bescheid zu geben. Leider wurde ich nicht nur einmal enttäuscht und dies hätte weit schlimmer ausgehen können wenn du ohne Orientierung (und fehleneder Aufzeichnung zuvor wie sich herausstellte) inmitten einer schier unendlichen Salzwüste die Orientierung verlierst bei gefühlten 50 Grad in der Sonne!! Wie beschrieben verwende ich das Gerät am Motorrad in einer AMPS Rough Halterung.....diesbezüglich gibt es schon einige Forum-Einträge! Da ich das Gerät aber über Wochen tagtäglich in Betrieb habe und das zumeist 12h am Tag stellen sich bei mir die Auswirkungen noch wilder dar als im Forum beschrieben bei den meisten! (habe das Gerät nach letztjährigem Trip übrigens umgetauscht und dacht an ein schadhaftes Gerät - kann ja mal pa
    [15:18:19] Willkommen in unserem Garmin Live Chat. Gerne helfen wir Dir weiter. Dies ist eine automatisierte Nachricht. Wir brauchen eingangs bitte ein paar Angaben von Dir. Im Anschluss wird Dir sofort ein Kollege persönlich weiterhelfen. Solltest Du noch kein Garmin Gerät besitzen, kannst Du diese Angaben ignorieren. Gib uns bitte kurz die Seriennummer Deines Garmin Produktes durch. Nenne uns außerdem gerne die Emailadresse, die Du für Garmin nutzt. Lass uns außerdem bitte kurz wissen, wie wir Dir weiterhelfen können. Vielen Dank für Deine Mitarbeit.
    [15:19:36] Markus Gselmann: ssieren) zudem wurde auch hie Halterung von mir neu gekauft und auf meine Kosten getauscht. Schon am ersten Tag der diesjährigen Tour begann das selbe Fehlerschema wie das Jahr zuvor.
    [15:25:48] Markus Gselmann: Es beginnt meist dass die Batterie nicht mehr lädt und einen Fehler anzeigt, das Gerät started sich neu, nach dem Start sind oft die Himmelsrichtungen vertauscht, oft auch die Sprache, oftmals schaltet sich das Gerät einfach aus, zumeist einige Zeit später als es schon mit der Aufzeichnung aufgehört hat. Das Ausschalten häuft sich dann, oftmals muss jede Minute neu gestartet werden um mit der Navigation überhaupt iwie fortzufahren.....für Trackpunkte ist hier dann auch keine Zeit zwischen den Crashes. Dies ging dann oftmals soweit dass das Gerät gar nicht mehr hochkam und schon während dem Startvorgang erneut crashte und dies 100male hintereinander. Oftmals musste ich das Gerät 100-200 mal am Tag neu manuell starten. Desweiteren war es dann auch unmöglich das Gerät überhaupt noch ohne AMPS Halterung zu starten. Was das Problem etwas besserte war das Entfernen der Batterie für längere Zeit, ca 1h, so kam das Gerät zumindest wieder hoch damit ich wusste wo ich ca war.
    [15:26:25] Sebastian: Hallo Markus!
    [15:27:05] Markus Gselmann: Zu Ende hin hat es sich dann etwas gefangen und in den letzten 3 Wochen gab es nur 3 Neustarts.....jedoch fürchte ich mich davor das Gerät in dieser Weise hin weiterzu verwenden.
    [15:28:18] Markus Gselmann: Hatte den Tarif um 75€ pro Monat....gerade zuvor ausgesetzt. Aber ehrlich gesagt ist das nicht der Service für den ich bezahlt habe und bin sehr enttäuscht von dem Produkt, da wenn es funktioniert echt genial für mich erscheint!!
    [15:28:33] Markus Gselmann: Hallo Sebastian!
    [15:29:56] Sebastian: Da kann ich Dir jetzt leider nicht viel zu sagen. Allerdings muss man auch berücksichtigen, dass es keine 100%-ige Sicherheit geben kann, unabhängig was ein Gerät oder Zubehörteil auch kostet.
    [15:30:55] Markus Gselmann: Wenn es einmal am Tag passiert sage ich ja nichts, aber wenn das Gerät nicht mehr verwendbar ist ist es schlimm
    [15:33:36] Markus Gselmann: im Forum gibt es einen Lösungsansatz da Garmin das Problem gefunden hat
    [15:34:13] Sebastian: Gut, was in Foren geschrieben wird, bekommen wir ja nicht mit bzw. muss man das meistens mit Vorsicht nehmen.
    [15:34:34] Markus Gselmann: Montana 700i keeps turning off
    [15:35:02] Markus Gselmann: ist im offiziellen Forum und die Antwort kommt von Garmin selber
    [15:35:07] Markus Gselmann: Garmin-Leslie
    [15:35:32] Markus Gselmann: schau mal den Eintrag an
    [15:35:35] Sebastian: Ja wie gesagt, da lesen wir jetzt nicht mit. Das läuft auf einer separaten Schiene in USA.
    [15:35:48] Sebastian: Was möchtest Du denn jetzt genau?
    [15:36:37] Markus Gselmann: der Garmin Mensch hat einigen mit dem selben Problem per Mail die Lösung des Problems geschickt.....die hätte ich gerne auch ;)
    [15:39:11] Sebastian: Dann schick uns bitte mal den Forenbeitrag und wir schauen uns das mal an. Am besten auf die Chatzusammenfassung als Antwort.
    [15:41:42] Sebastian: Ok, das ist der "Repairkit" für die Halterung. Ich schicke Dir hier einen Auftrag für einen kostenlosen Versand.
    [15:41:53] Markus Gselmann: ich kann hier leider keinen Link einfügen
    [15:42:03] Sebastian: Brauche ich auch nicht mehr.
    [15:42:33] Sebastian: https://buy.garmin.com/de-AT/checkout/?orderToken=eyJlbmMiOiJBMTI4Q0JDLUhTMjU2IiwiYWxnIjoiQTI1NktXIiwia2lkIjoiWUU0UXhDUXoyZWs1aDZhV1lEUUJmQVcyZTZpS0xhaThaVDdoOXBzMmJhQSJ9.VUNCsofxf1ymA_rgaz6DuZqZCbC70qdEhrv5HEtkpFp-BHqhYlpi2g.PyUq-IY1M9Jl7JT8AOF5Qg.QchQq8abuq2vYqXZms36gY8Giv5UiEpAddY1UYkFs1s.qvJxxCs24mwOfZ8bpZ9TLw&v=2
    [15:42:56] Sebastian: Über den Link kannst Du den Auftrag abschließen und dann schicken wir Dir den Repairkit zu.
    [15:43:04] Sebastian: Ich hoffe, dass ich Dir heute helfen konnte. Melde Dich einfach erneut bei uns, wenn Du weitere Unterstützung brauchst.
    [15:43:04]