Garmin introduces the Montana handheld

[Boyd]

http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2011/05/the-ultimate-in-touchscreen-toughness-garmin-montana-gives-new-meaning-to-rugged-and-versatile.html

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=75228

Wow, now this is cool.... but really expensive (650t is $700, no pricing yet on the others but probably around $600 without the pre-loaded 100k topo). Dual orientation 4" screen at  480x272, dual power options and finally a handheld with a speaker so this can replace your auto gps.

[babj615]

Looks nice, but a little too rich for my blood, and I already have two units to handle all of those functions. Maybe Garmin can get those sorted out!

[Indrid Cold]

Wow, now this is cool.... but really expensive (650t is $700, no pricing yet on the others but probably around $600 without the pre-loaded 100k topo).

Montana 600 MSRP: US$549.99
Montana 650 MSRP: US$629.99

[Boyd]

You can compare the 3 models here: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=167&compareProduct=75226&compareProduct=75227&compareProduct=75228

The 600 looks like the interesting one for me. All you sacrifice appears to be the camera - you still get 3GB internal memory, card slot, barometer and compass. That is a bit unusual for Garmin - they usually cripple the lower priced model in some way, like no compass, no card slot, small memory, etc.

[Boyd]

GPSCity has put a bunch of videos on YouTube that show all the menu options. Wow, this unit is more configurable than anything Garmin has made before. Here's the map setup video: http://www.youtube.com/user/GPSCity#p/u/19/nWewFMsuDpY

Check out the video on shortcuts also - very powerful new feature there. And profiles can be automatically activated in response to events like putting the unit in a mount or plugging it into external power.

[babj615]

Boyd said "Check out the video on shortcuts also - very powerful new feature there. And profiles can be automatically activated in response to events like putting the unit in a mount or plugging it into external power."

Dang!

I WANT that for my Oregon!