GPSrChive Discussion Forum

I was looking through the FAQ and noticed that there seems to be a note recommending that a 700+InReach Device is recommended over the 700i due to the Garmin Explore app corrupting the database.

I'm currently trying to choose between the 700 and 700i and was about to swing towards the 700i before I read the post...does anyone know if this is still an issue?

The 700 does give me more power flexibility (with AA's) so I'm trying to narrow down my choices.

Your question is actually much more involved than just the power source versatility.

What is you primary use for the Montana 7x0? Mounted to a vehicle, or carried in your... really big pockets?

I personally like to carry a dedicated inReach device for emergency use and tracking, which frees up the primary GPSr for whatever activities I want to use it for, without worrying about a reduction in battery life for the inReach device.

And yes, all of the issues that relate to the poor integration of inReach into the dedicated outdoor handheld GPSr still apply. So many times, when you think you are or are not recording a device tracklog or inReach track, the opposite will be true. If you are depending on people being able to reliably track you remotely, I would suggest a separate dedicated inReach device (wait until spring to make any decisions about which model).

I like the inReach MINI for its compact size and form factor, so each party member can have their own emergency beacon carried on their person at all times, when conditions warrant. If you carry one Do-It-All device like the Montana 7x0i, and it is mounted to your dirt bike when you are separated from it after hitting a hidden obstacle, and you can not get back to the bike, and that is where the inReach SOS button is.....

The Montana 7x0i do include CityNavigator maps with lifetime updates, if those are important to you. I don't use my Montana for that kind of navigation, but you may. You should also be aware that Garmin have disabled automotive and motorcycle navigation on the Montana 7x0 models when using any maps other than CityNavigator.

We intend to purchase a 700 as soon as they release a Multi-Band version, but who knows when, or if, that will ever happen?

Again, each persons needs are different, so only YOU can make the best decision for YOU.

Thanks - I don't mean to ask the question in any context beyond my own needs - I realize that this is not a straightforward question and highly subjective as both the 700i and the 700 are clearly extremely good units, just with different capabilities.

My primary use for the Montana will be mounted to a vehicle cradle most of the time (motorcycle) but with portable use as well ("portable" being in quotes as you mentioned

I did not know about CN being only on the 7x0i models! That is indeed a big difference...

Maybe one last question is - do you happen to know what the actual operating time of the 700 on AA's is relative to the 700 on the lithium ion battery, assuming similar/same settings and use cases?

Thanks in advance

Most of these details are displayed at the GPSrChive > Montana 7x0 > Specifications page.

Since Ohms law is constant, and we know the 7x0i units are equipped with a 3100 mAh Li-ion battery, you would have to find an AA battery with similar capacity (not sure they exist) to achieve similar results, and even then, the chemistry of the AA battery will also have an affect on actual run time as will ambient conditions, where Li-ion batteries almost always are superior.

In short, I doubt you will match or exceed the Li-ion battery performance, and since you can obtain additional battery packs for those situations where you can not recharge from an external power bank (not sure what those are, but people argue about it all the time), and with the slimmer device profile of the Li-ion battery pack, I do not see any real advantage to the AA battery option.

All just personal opinion, of course

Interesting - another thing I didn't know - is the AA battery pack thicker than the lithium ion battery pack?

If so, do you know if the AA battery pack will mount in the AMPs cradle?

Sorry for all the questions...I just don't really have a place around me that actually stocks any of this equipment!

I have a montana 750i so an AA battery does not fit my gps but as you can see in the pictures there is room for an AA battery.
The holder is made to work with all of Garmin's batteries.

gpsrchive wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 11:31 pm And yes, all of the issues that relate to the poor integration of inReach into the dedicated outdoor handheld GPSr still apply. So many times, when you think you are or are not recording a device tracklog or inReach track, the opposite will be true. If you are depending on people being able to reliably track you remotely, I would suggest a separate dedicated inReach device (wait until spring to make any decisions about which model).

What do you mean by waiting a bit.
Will garmin solve the problem with a new update?

excellent, thanks so much for the picture