Questions About MONTANA 680
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Hey Guys,
I’ve already read the specs and checked out some comparison between other devices.
Anyways, I need some clarifications from people whom had actual experience with this device.
My questions are?
1- In off road trip middle of nowhere and out of the coverage of any mobile networks,
dose it offer a map with full aerial photo that shows the terrains which helps you to find route?
2- Dose it save a route that you passed?
3- Dose it lose the signal with satellite in deep valleys or in any other cases?
4- Dose it suggest routes?Answering these questions can give me an idea how am I going to use it and if it will be useful.
Also It will help me to decide to buy or not.Thanks a lot.
Hi,
You are evaluating one of the best gps devices on the market. I have the 650 which is a version below the 680.
1. Your gps has nothing to do with mobile coverage. It connects to satelites high above the earth not any mobile network. You will need to buy the Gulf map from Garmin to get all the roads and directions properly. If you want to see actual terrain you will need to buy Birdseye View for it which is 30 usd per year. This you can download satelite images and see the terrain like google earth.
2. Routes are what you design in advance of your drive typically connected by waypoints. Tracks are the actual track that you drive and as recorded by the gps. These are all saved to the gps. You can then view, edit, share etc on your computer via Basecamp…Garmins free software.
3. Yes, if you are in a deep gorge, wadi, valley, where it is very narrow and the walls are high you most likely temporarily lose your satelite connection. It will automatically reconnect once clear again.
4. It will suggest your route when you are driving on main roads where the maps are available. However, in most offroad cases, the gps cannot suggest a route since there are technically no roads. So a good idea is to study your planned route on Birdeye view or google earth beforehand so you can get to where you are going while being aided by the gps and not being dependent on the gps.
Hopefully this helps and good luck.
:thanks: Thanks a lot Matt. That was very helpful.
Hi
No more comment to what Matt answered. You can trust his expertise 😉
I have the Montana 680 and it is a great device. This is the one I am using since it was launched in the market last year. I have added the Masarat UAE&Oman off-road maps but I find it a bit outdated. I should probably buy the update. 🙁
One one hand, the Montana is very strongly built as it is meant to be used in all situations/weather. On the other hand, the screen (touch screen) is nothing like an on-road GPS or a tablet. The overall system is not very user friendly also, which means you need to learn how to use it.
It is quite an investment when you compare it to traditional GPS and with our great marshals I hardly use it in the DO drives. B-)
But it comes very handy when I go with friends around the region.I can show you the device this Friday if you come for the drive.
Thanks Akawel,
That was very accurate description.
You made it all clear.Thanks a lot :thanks:
It’s worth also mentioning that there are some very capable phone apps available that can do a lot of what these expensive gps units do. I used MotionX on the last trip and it does a lot of what you are asking. It supports offline map downloads, the import and export of GPX files, and creation of tracks.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Thanks Stu,
Actually, I’ve Installed that app, but, couldn’t using because it requires a Bluetooth connection to sync between my smartphone and a watch, wich I don’t have.
Anyways, thanks for the advice.
quote extensive7:Thanks Stu,
Actually, I’ve Installed that app, but, couldn’t using because it requires a Bluetooth connection to sync between my smartphone and a watch, wich I don’t have.
Anyways, thanks for the advice.That’s strange. I also don’t have a watch or bluetooth active and it works fine. I run it on an old iphone that doesn’t even have a sim card!
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