Garmin Montana: Hands-on With the New, Ruggedized, Multi-purpose Device

Garmin Montana GPS announced... I've had frequent requests, or rather, pleas from readers over the years looking for a true multi-purpose GPS navigation device. One that could seamlessly switch between a car, off-road vehicle, a boat, or a backpacking trip, and do all of these tasks well - without compromise.

Car GPS devices have typically been as water-vulnerable as a cell phone, and rugged handheld GPS devices have been far from ideal for in-vehicle use. Garmin has finally created the dream crossover device in the new Montana series.

The Garmin Montana GPS is an "advanced Garmin handheld featuring a ruggedized design with multiple mounting and battery options, dual-orientation screen layout options and support for a wide range of Garmin cartography," states Garmin. Highlights include the option of using the unit's built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, or three AA batteries; a built-in 5-megapixel camera, additional memory and map-loading with a microSD card, 3.5mm audio jack, and a waterproof rating.

The idea behind the Montana is to be a device that can get you to your destination like a regular dedicated car GPS using Garmin's tried and true City Navigator spoken turn-by-turn directions, then unclipping the device and taking it with you on the next leg of your trip, whether by boat, ATV, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, fishing, and more. If you need local topographic maps or lake or ocean charts, these may be purchased form Garmin and downloaded or plugged in as a microSD card.

I was fortunate to be among the few to get hands-on time with the Montana 650, and it does have a rugged and substantial feel, and a large, 4-inch touchscreen. The dual-battery-type setup is easy to use, with the AAs under an easily removed, water-tight cover. The unit readily flips between landscape and portrait screen modes, helping make it a true multi-purpose device. Only downside is that it is a bit heavy compared to other handhelds, a factor for hikers and cyclists.

Overall, this is an impressive new entry into an adventurous outdoor market segment that's been hankering for just this device. Backcountry and boating trips are usually bracketed by road trips, and the Montana, with its powered mount options, is the way to go. The Garmin Montana will come in three models beginning June 8: the 600 ($549 with basemap only), 650 ($629 with basemap and built-in 5-megapixel camera), and the 650t ($699 with 100K topo maps and 5-megapixel camera). Image ? Garmin

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Garmin Nuvi 1300 GPS Review – What You Must Know Before Buying

Garmin Nuvi 1300

Well, truth be told, the Garmin Nuvi 1300 GPS navigation device is not water proof and so not marine friendly. Interestingly that may well be all the bad new you hear about the Garmin Nuvi 1300 GPS navigational devices. You will really love the Garmin Nuvi 1300

In this Garmin Nuvi 1300 article, you will find information that primarily reflects the thinking of several people who have obtained a Garmin Nuvi 1300 GPS device. This Nuvi 1300 review will basically provide summary information of the foremost features of this Garmin GPS brand.

I assume you can name a number of GPS devices. Perhaps you have used these before. Can you say that you enormously love you GPS device? If not, then you need to get the Garmin Nuvi 1300 navigational devices which the best GPS device for less. Let me tell you all about it

The advance functions of the Garmin Nuvi 1300 makes it a pleasure to tour a new city. Get along town with a Garmin Nuvi 1300 is a breeze. In fact the Garmin Nuvi 1300's CityXplorer preference can make you navigate a new city’s public transit system quite a lot of times better than your own city. The CityXplorer feature helps you know on which part of the road to walk or drive in a city, where to catch the train, the bus and other transport services the minute you arrive. what is more? I find the Garmin Nuvi 1300 to have a wide screen but is portable enough to take along in your pocket or purse

It is interesting to note that the Garmin Nuvi 1300 is not just about navigation. It is also about economy. The Green EcoRoute feature of this Nuvi calculates the most fuel efficient route to your destination helping you save on both time and money as well as being a good environmental citizen. Additionallly It comes equiped with most of the tools we need on our travels. There is a picture viewer, currency converter, measurments converter and a calculater

One of the principal attributes of the Garmin Nuvi 1300 that is commonly talked about is the fact that the Nuvi 1300 has a wide screen (4.3 inch diagonal) display making it easy to view lots of information which is principally useful for seeing all the routes to either side of the current road

The Garmin Nuvi 1300 is convenient but with a wide screen for easy perception. In fact, with its colored 4.3? (10.92 cm) display screen it is a cool device to purchase. With it in your hand or mounted on your car, you get map details, driving direction, walking directions and places of note clearly displayed for easy viewing by you

In terms of weight, the Nuvi 1300 series GPS navigation units are also on the average 0.4 ounces lighter than the earlier models. Further, all of the units in this Garmin Nuvi 1300 series speak street names as well as vocally directing you where and how far your next turn may be

Take out the Garmin Nuvi 1300 from its package and you are literally ready to use it when you turn it on. That easy!. The the Nuvi 1300 comes with a number of maps already loaded onto it in including European, Canadian, Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, and North American maps, as well as City Navigator?. The Garmin Nuvi 1300 can be positioned on the dashboard or windshield depending upon preference, and a disc and windshield mount are included with the system’s initial packaging

So what is my take on buying the Garmin Nuvi 1300? After having used it and other Garmins, I think if you like a device that you can rely on to take you whereever it is that you want to go by giving the most excellent GPS information and exclusive of gratuitous features, then go get the Garmin Nuvi 1300

There is an inclusive Garmin Nuvi 1300 Review at a main Garmin Nuvi 1300 site. click on either of the hyperlinks to read the site

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