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The problem is usually the cable, not the charger. There are two kinds of cables, data and power. Data cables have extra wires and if they are used with some chargers they will confuse the GPS into thinking it's connected to a computer.

This is not a Montana specific problem. It is an issue with almost all types of GPS and has been discussed at great length on many forums.

Thanks! I relentlessly located every mini usb cable I have and kept trying them until I got a good one. I finally plugged one in and it asked if I wanted to go mass storage or not. It's working! You've done me a solid Boyd!
Best regards

No, mini usb auto charger. Now that you mention, I changed to the stock charger and the garmin charger does work correctly. Sad to think for all of the mini usb auto chargers I have laying around, I will still have to go purchase a proprietary charger for this thing?

When I plug into the computer, I have the normal operating screen. When I plug power into the usb port, it shows the Garmin usb logo splash screen and am unable to turn the unit on or use the GPS. It would seem this is backwards, no?

Have you actually seen the eTrex in person? It is really tiny - something that doesn't necessarily come across when you look at pictures online. Personally I would find the screen too small to view at a distance. If possible, visit a store that stocks a variety of different models so you can actually see and hold them in person.

Took your advice and went to REI... I went to the counter to request assistance... Long story short after waiting half an hour for the person I requested to sell someone who JUST walked up a gopro I got the much coveted access to the GPS cabinet!

yes, the etrex is miniscule and lost my attention immediately. I did look at the 64 and it also has a fairly small screen and has only a slightly lower pricepoint than the Oregon or Montana.
The Montana has a much more generous screen, is resistive touch, not capacitive; so I can use the eraser side of a pencil as a pointer and it works great (no glove removal  . Found it online for only 390 and it was there the next day... Now to learn how to load and use it
First I'm going to follow the newb directions you have put up on the title page; download maps, use tutorials and such. Hopefully I won't have to newb you guys too much 

Will rain effect the Montana or Oregon?

As I said... Total newb, so far I'm thinking eTrex 20 for ATV and 4x4 use (I would think a touch screen would start doing weird things in the rain) everyone I've talked to so far say the non-touch screens are much more durable as well.

When I pick up my Garmin (I've already decided on Garmin) Do I need to buy their 24K topo or can I use other sources that may be just as accurate, less expensive or even better?

Are there GPSr's that can be used for multiple formats? i.e. aviation, nautical as well as standard land navigation?