Power Sources

Stay Powered

The Garmin Montana sets a new standard when it comes to integrated handheld GPSr power source versatility. An industry first, the Montana offers two integral battery options to keep your device powered during remote adventures:

• While you're taking time to rest, the Montana's included thin, light weight lithium-ion battery pack can be recharged by an external power supply without removing it from the device.
• For those trips where you’re off the grid, the Montana can be powered by three AA batteries, providing additional runtime without being weighed down.

Maximizing Battery Life

The Montana 6x0 can provide up to 59 hours of power from a set of three AA batteries. Alkaline batteries loose a significant amount of their capacity as temperature decreases. Use only lithium batteries when operating the Montana in sub-zero temperatures. A fully charged Li-ion battery stored above 131ºF (55ºC) will automatically discharge to prolong battery life. If not planning to use the Montana for an extended period of time, store the device with the battery or batteries removed. Several options are available to extend battery life:

• Exit the Camera application when not taking photos
• Turn the Backlight off when not absolutely needed
• Decrease Backlight Brightness
• Reduce Backlight Timeout
• Enable Battery Save Mode
• Disable ANT+ Sensors
• Set Map Speed to Normal
• Disable the magnetic compass
• Disable WAAS/EGNOS
• Configure Altimeter - Pressure Trending for 'Save When Power On'
• Adjust Tracklog to 'Auto' or 'Off'
• Set Map Orientation to 'North Up', not 'Track Up'
• When permissible, use the Compass or Trip Computer in place of the Map when navigating

Hot Swap

On occasion, you may encounter situations where your Montana battery reserve is running low and you need to replace the batteries without rebooting the GPSr. For example, when [Setup > Altimeter > Pressure Trending > Save Always] is selected, the device displays "WARNING: Do not remove the batteries while this feature is active."

In these circumstances, a Hot Swap can be accomplished using any device with a powered USB port. On grid, this may be a home or laptop computer, the AC adapter that came with your Garmin Montana, or similar devices. Off grid, a portable computer or auxiliary power source designed to power/recharge USB enabled mobile devices should be sufficient (Our favorite off grid solutions).

Performing the Hot Swap is a quick and easy process:

• Connect external USB power source
• Allow the GPSr several seconds to register the external power source
• Remove the battery cover
• Carefully remove and replace the GPSr batteries
• Ensure replacement batteries are properly seated and oriented
• Replace the battery cover
• Remove external USB power source
• Select [Stay On] when prompted
• Check GPSr for proper function

Battery Display

The Montana battery icon reports current power information in the Status Page, Status Dashboard, Small Data Fields, and Large Data Field:

	====.===		====.===		===.====
AA Batteries		Lithium-ion		Lithium-ion		External
				Charging		Power Source

Power Options

• Multiple options are available to help keep your Garmin Montana running for as long as you are:

Lithium-ion Battery Pack
		2000mAh Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery Included with each Montana GPSr Must to be charged completely before first use When fully depleted, requires 4½ hours to recharge Can provide up to 27 hours of use Order Garmin Part Number 010-11654-03 Montana will auto-configure System Battery Type
	=/=
Rechargeable NiMH
		Most environmentally responsible solution Multiple manufacturers and capacities available Can provide >25% additional runtime compared to Garmin battery pack Amazon Basics or Panasonic eneloop pro are recommended For best results, choose LSD or Pre-Charged batteries Can provide up to 39 hours of use per charge Configure Setup | System | Battery Type for Rechargeable NiMH
Alkaline
		Most economical single use option Multiple manufacturers and capacities available Capacity is inversely proportional to the load applied For best results, reduce GPSr current consumption Will provide up to 44 hours of use Configure Setup | System | Battery Type for Alkaline
Lithium
		Provides the longest single use runtime Best solution for use in extreme temperatures Multiple manufacturers and capacities available For best results, choose 2000mAh or higher capacity Will provide up to 59 hours of use Configure Setup > System > Battery Type for Lithium
External AC
		AC Charger and International Adapter Set Included with the Montana Order Garmin Part Number 010-10723-12
External DC
		DC Vehicle Power Cable Power your Garmin Montana from any 12v power outlet Includes 1.5 amp replaceable fuse Order Garmin Part Number 010-10851-11

Power Consumption

• Garmin Montana 6x0 measured energy consumption figures:

Operating Conditions	Energy Consumption
GPS lock active GLONASS disabled Track Log Recording disabled Compass disabled WAAS/EGNOS disabled Backlight disabled ANT Sensor disabled	~120 mA
GLONASS enabled	~15 mA
WAAS/EGNOS enabled	<10 mA
Track Log Recording enabled	<10 mA
Compass set to Auto	<10 mA
ANT Sensor connected	~30 mA
chirp searching active	<10 mA
Map Page active	~80 mA
Compass Page active	~40 mA
Satellite Page active	~15 mA
Backlight 30%	~20 mA
Backlight 60%	~40 mA
Backlight 90%	~120 mA
Backlight 100%	~300 mA

Battery Test

First, a word about battery consumption testing. Outside of a precisely controlled laboratory environment, no battery test result can be absolute. In real world scenarios (where we like to use our GPSr) many variables can and will affect battery consumption rates, and therefore two seemingly identical units with identical settings and identical batteries may not exhibit identical performance.

For the purpose of these tests, a Montana 650 was adjusted for minimal operational status (Our test simulated using the GPSr primarily for tracking purposes) in an attempt to record best case scenario results. Combining this information with the power consumption chart above, one can approximate the useful lifespan for a chosen power source.

During each battery test, the following conditions were observed:

• Ambient Temperature: 80ºF
• GPS lock active
• WAAS/EGNOS disabled
• Backlight disabled
• ANT+ disabled
• Battery Save mode enabled
• Compass set to auto
• Track Log Recording enabled

At the beginning of each test, brand new or freshly charged batteries are installed, the current track log is reset, and a new track log recording is initiated at a rate of one track point per minute. During each test period, the Montana 650 is checked periodically for activity. When it is discovered the GPSr has stopped functioning, the batteries are removed, the Current.gpx track log file is imported into BaseCamp, and the total run time is recorded.

Montana 650 Battery Test Results:

 

Montana 680 Battery Test Results: