Garmin Montana Series GPS Comparison

Written by GPS Central
Wednesday, July 7, 2021 — 0 Comments

Here’s How the Montana Models are Different

The Montana series are large, dual-orientation touchscreen GPS navigators good for hunting, hiking, boating, ATV and other outdoor adventures.

The new Garmin Montana 700 series was released in August 2020, and the 710 series in 2024 and features rugged military-grade construction, TopoActive maps, direct-to-device downloads of BirdsEye Satellite Imagery* and dog tracking.

The Montana 700i, 750i, 710i and 760i also adds two-way messaging via the global Iridium satellite network (subscription required). If you are looking for a smaller, lighter device that also accepts AA batteries on the fly, consider the Montana 610 or 680 (discontinued).

If you are looking for a larger screen, preloaded TopoActive maps, Expedition mode for an ultra-low-power GPS reference, consider the Montana 700 or 710.

For two-way satellite communication capabilities, the Montana 700i and 750i (with 8MP camera) are your choices.

*Click here for instructions on how to install BirdsEye Satellite Imagery

Product	Montana 700	Montana 710	Montana 700i	Montana 710i	Montana 750i	Montana 760i	Montana 680 discontinued
General
Unit Dimensions	3.4″ x 7.2″ x 1.3″ (8.76 x 18.30 x 3.27 cm)	3.4" x 7.2" x 1.3" (8.76 x 18.30 x 3.27 cm)	3.4″ x 7.2″ x 1.3″ (8.76 x 18.30 x 3.27 cm)	3.4" x 7.2" x 1.3" (8.76 x 18.30 x 3.27 cm)	3.4″ x 7.2″ x 1.3″ (8.76 x 18.30 x 3.27 cm)	3.4" x 7.2" x 1.3" (8.76 x 18.30 x 3.27 cm)	3.4″ x 7.2″ x 1.3″ (8.76 x 18.30 x 3.27 cm)
Touchscreen	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Display Size	2.55″W x 4.25″H (6.48 x 10.80 cm); 5″ diag (12.70 cm)	2.55"W x 4.25"H (6.48 x 10.80 cm); 5" diag (12.70 cm)	2.55″W x 4.25″H (6.48 x 10.80 cm); 5″ diag (12.70 cm)	2.55"W x 4.25"H (6.48 x 10.80 cm); 5" diag (12.70 cm)	2.55″W x 4.25″H (6.48 x 10.80 cm); 5″ diag (12.70 cm)	2.55"W x 4.25"H (6.48 x 10.80 cm); 5" diag (12.70 cm)	2″W x 3.5″H (5.06 x 8.93 cm); 4″ diag (10.2 cm)
Display Resolution	480 x 800 pixels	480 x 800 pixels	480 x 800 pixels	480 x 800 pixels	480 x 800 pixels	480 x 800 pixels	272 x 480 pixels
Display Type	WVGA transflective, dual orientation; sunlight readable	WVGA transflective, dual orientation	WVGA transflective, dual orientation; sunlight readable	WVGA transflective, dual orientation	WVGA transflective, dual orientation; sunlight readable	WVGA transflective, dual orientation	bright, transflective 65k color TFT, dual-orientation touchscreen; sunlight readable
Weight	14.0 oz (397 g) with included lithium-ion battery pack	14.5 oz (410 g) with included lithium-ion battery pack	14.5 oz (410 g) with included lithium-ion battery pack	14.5 oz (410 g) with included lithium-ion battery pack	14.5 oz (410 g) with included lithium-ion battery pack	14.5 oz (410 g) with included lithium-ion battery pack	10.2 oz (289 g) with included lithium-ion battery pack; 11.7 oz (333 g) with 3 AA batteries (not included)
Battery	rechargeable lithium-ion (included) or 3 AA batteries (not included); lithium recommended	rechargeable lithium-ion (included)	rechargeable lithium-ion (included)	rechargeable lithium-ion (included)	rechargeable lithium-ion (included)	rechargeable lithium-ion (included)	rechargeable lithium-ion (included) or 3 AA batteries (not included); NiMH or Lithium recommended
Battery life	GPS Mode: up to 18 hours Expedition Mode: up to 330 hours	GPS Mode: up to 24 hours Expedition Mode: up to 440 hours Powered Off: up to 1 year Note – Battery life estimates are with full sky view and can be significantly impacted by obstructions or tree cover.	GPS Mode: up to 18 hours GPS Mode, 10 min Tracking: up to 18 hours Expedition Mode: up to 330 hours Expedition Mode, 30 min Tracking: up to 300 hours	GPS Mode: up to 24 hours GPS Mode with a text message or location sent every 10 minutes: up to 24 hours Expedition Mode: up to 440 hours Expedition Mode with a text message or location sent every 30 minutes: up to 400 hours Powered Off: up to 1 year Note – Battery life estimates are with full sky view and can be significantly impacted by obstructions or tree cover.	GPS Mode: up to 18 hours GPS Mode, 10 min Tracking: up to 18 hours Expedition Mode: up to 330 hours Expedition Mode, 30 min Tracking: up to 300 hours	GPS Mode: up to 24 hours GPS Mode with a text message or location sent every 10 minutes: up to 24 hours Expedition Mode: up to 440 hours Expedition Mode with a text message or location sent every 30 minutes: up to 400 hours Powered Off: up to 1 year Note – Battery life estimates are with full sky view and can be significantly impacted by obstructions or tree cover.	up to 16 hours (lithium-ion); up to 22 hours (AA batteries)
Waterproof	✅ (IPX 7)	✅ (IPX 7)	✅ (IPX 7)	✅ (IPX 7)	✅ (IPX 7)	✅ (IPX 7)	✅ (IPX 7)
MIL-STD-810	✅ (Thermal, Shock, Water, Vibe)	✅ (Thermal, Shock, Water, Vibe)	✅ (Thermal, Shock, Water, Vibe)	✅ (Thermal, Shock, Water, Vibe)	✅ (Thermal, Shock, Water, Vibe)	✅ (Thermal, Shock, Water, Vibe)	❌
Interface	high-speed USB and NMEA 0183 compatible	USB Type-C	high-speed USB and NMEA 0183 compatible	high-speed micro USB-C	high-speed USB and NMEA 0183 compatible	high-speed micro USB-C	high-speed USB and NMEA 0183 compatible
Memory/History	16 GB (user space varies based on included mapping)	32 GB (user space varies based on included mapping)	16 GB (user space varies based on included mapping)	32 GB (user space varies based on included mapping)	16 GB (user space varies based on included mapping)	32 GB (user space varies based on included mapping)	4 GB
Maps & Memory
Basemap	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Ability to add maps	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Preloaded maps	✅ (TopoActive, by region; Federal Public Lands maps, U.S. only)	✅ (TopoActive	✅(TopoActive, by Region; City Navigator Maps, North America; Federal Public Lands Map, US only)	✅ (TopoActive	✅ (TopoActive, by Region; City Navigator Maps, North America; Federal Public Lands Map, US only)	✅ (TopoActive	❌
Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads) for outdoor activities	✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads)
Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads) for motorized vehicles	✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads)	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads)
Map Segments	15000	15000	15000	15000	15000	15000	4000
Satellite Imagery How to Install BirdsEye on Montana 700 Series	✅ (BirdsEye Direct)	✅ (direct to device)	✅(BirdsEye Direct)	✅ (direct to device)	✅ (BirdsEye Direct)	✅ (direct to device)	1 year subscription included but since has been discontinued
Includes detailed hydrographic features (coastlines, lake/river shorelines, wetlands and perennial and seasonal streams)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	no (additional mapping needed)
Includes searchable points of interests (parks, campgrounds, scenic lookouts and picnic sites)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	no (additional mapping needed)
Displays national, state and local parks, forests, and wilderness areas	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	no (additional mapping needed)
External memory storage	✅(32 GB max microSD™ card)	✅(32 GB max microSD™ card)	✅ (32 GB max microSD™ card)	✅(32 GB max microSD™ card)	✅ (32 GB max microSD™ card)	✅(32 GB max microSD™ card)	✅(32 GB max microSD™ card)
Waypoints/favorites/locations	10,000	10,000	10,000	10,000	10,000	10,000	4,000
Courses		250, 200 course points per course		250, 200 course points per course		250, 200 course points per course
Tracks	250	250	250	250	250	250	200
Navigation Track Log	20000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities	20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities	20000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities	20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities	20000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities	20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities	10,000 points, 200 saved tracks
Navigation Routes	250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing	250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing	250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing	250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing	250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing	250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing	200, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing
RINEX Logging	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Sensors
High-sensitivity receiver	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
GPS, GLONASS & Galileo	GPS, GLONASS & Galileo	GPS, GLONASS & Galileo	GPS & Galileo	GPS & Galileo	GPS & Galileo	GPS & Galileo	GPS & GLONASS
Barometric altimeter	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Electronic Compass	✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis)	✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis)	✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis)	✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis)	✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis)	✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis)	✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis)
GPS compass (while moving)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Daily Smart Features
Connect IQ™ (downloadable watch faces, data fields, widgets and apps)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Smart notifications on handheld	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Weather	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
VIRB® Remote	✅	✅	✅ (500 custom map tiles)	✅	✅ (500 custom map tiles)	✅	✅
Pairs with Garmin Connect™ Mobile	✅	✅	✅ (Geocache Live)	✅	✅ (Geocache Live)	✅	❌
Active Weather	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Compatible with Garmin Messenger app	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
LiveTrack	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Outdoor Recreation
Point-to-point navigation	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
TracBack®	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Area Calculations	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Custom POIs	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Hunt/fish calendar	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Sun and moon information	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Ballistics solver	❌	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	❌
XERO™ Locations	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Geocaching-friendly	✅ (Geocache Live)	✅ (Geocache Live)	✅ (Geocache Live)	✅ (Geocache Live)	✅ (Geocache Live)	✅ (Geocache Live)	✅
Custom maps compatible	✅(500 custom map tiles)	✅(500 custom map tiles)	✅ (500 custom map tiles)	✅(500 custom map tiles)	✅ (500 custom map tiles)	✅(500 custom map tiles)	✅ (500 custom map tiles)
Picture viewer	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Camera	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅(8 megapixel with autofocus; automatic geo-tagging)	✅(8 megapixel with autofocus; automatic geo-tagging)	✅ (8 megapixel with autofocus; automatic geo-tagging)
inReach remote widget	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌		❌
LED beacon flashlight	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
inReach Features
Dog Training	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	❌
Contacts	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Interactive SOS	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Send and receive text messages to SMS and email	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Send and Receive Text Messages to Other inReach Device	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Send and receive group messages	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅
Exchange Locations with Other inReach Device	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Mapshare Compatible with Tracking	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Virtual Keyboard for Custom Messaging	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Send Waypoints to Mapshare During Trip	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Send Route Selection to Mapshare During the Trip	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
inReach remote compatible	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌
Outdoor Applications
Compatible with Garmin Explore™ app	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Garmin Explore website compatible	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Smart switching between Wi-Fi, Cellular and Satellite with Garmin Messenger app	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Dog tracking	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	✅ (when paired to compatible dog track system)	❌
Connections
Connections Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi®, BLUETOOTH®, ANT+®	Wi-Fi®, BLUETOOTH	Wi-Fi®, BLUETOOTH®, ANT+®	Wi-Fi®, BLUETOOTH	Wi-Fi®, BLUETOOTH®, ANT+®	Wi-Fi®, BLUETOOTH	ANT+