Considering Garmin 64S and have questions.

The map, if it's an unlocked map, should certainly be useable on your 64. You should also be able to transfer data using MapSource, although it will not be able to interact with your 64 as well as BaseCamp can.

Thanks very much for the reply. Yes the map is unlocked.
I forgot to ask. I use rechargeable AA batteries. Will they charge when installed in the 64S using the USB cable?

According to the manual, it will charge internal nickel metal hydride batteries:

http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/gpsmap64/EN-US/GUID-3...

Thanks for the link.

The manual is not clear on this! I believe they are referring to the rechargeable LiOn battery pack available for the 64s, and NOT NiMh batteries.

I tried charging NiMh batteries in my Oregon 450 with the Garmin charger and almost started a fire! Luckily, I saw the smoke and unplugged it before there was any damage to the GPS. The batteries were ruined though.

The 64s is a newer unit and may be able to charge NiMh batteries but I would check with Garmin first!

Thanks. To be safe I will continue to charge my batteries as I have done in the past.

I evolved from a 60CSx to a 64S. Great move. The 64S is a great device.

As far as the maps go, I tried using old unlocked maps from the 60CSx days and they did not work that well on the 64S. After many conversations with Garmin, I was pretty much helping them figure this out, we concluded that my old maps were just too outdated, they gave me a modern version and the newer maps worked great on the 64S.

To get the most out of the 64S and best experience, I recommend new maps.

To be able to recharge batteries installed in the 60S, you should use the Garmin battery pack that is designed for this. It depresses a switch between the two batteries that tells the device that the rechargeable batteries are installed. I highly recommend this.

The Garmin optional rechargeable battery pack for the 64S is NiMH.

See for yourself here: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/140022#accessories

I'll take a look at the Garmin battery pack. I think I'll take your advice and get new maps also.
Although the 60CSx has served me well I think the 64S will be much better. I find the 20 tracks somewhat limiting on the 60CSx. I'm always deleting and installing tracks.

The 60CSx is a fantastic device, and was a great, great GPS for many, many years. The 64 series is a good improvement. I was reluctant to make the switch because I liked the 60CSx so much, and I am glad did.

I tried to make my old maps work on the 64S, but the performance was so slow. The new maps really let the new 64S perform at a level the 60CSx just wasn't capable of.

Being able to recharge the batteries in the device is invaluable. Just plug it into power and be done, no need to fiddle around replacing batteries. Well worth it.

A trick you will learn about is how to make the 64 charge batteries. I use common 1.2V NiMH AA batteries in my 64S. But I cram little piece of cardboard between the batteries to press the switch to make the 64S charge the batteries. Been doing this for years.

Thanks again for all the info. I'm going to order the GPS unit today. Then I'll order the backroads maps for my area. I'm told it's much better than the Topo Canada map. It should work best for my application. I use the GPS mainly for navigating on my ATV. I also need to order the Ram mount cradle along with the battery pack. Will maps on a memory card in my device show in BaseCamp when hooked to my computer?

Good to know!!
I have several NiMH batteries I've been using in the 60CSx.

To view maps in Basecamp the maps need to be installed on the computer.

So no, I don't think maps on a memory card in the device will show in Basecamp.

Maps on a sd card will show when your device is attached to a computer. However often easier to copy the files to a usb stick as BaseCamp will also read the files from there, easier than plugging in your device each time. I have a usb stick permanently fitted into one of the rear ports on my desktop specifically for that purpose.

Note some maps also have an installer that will install them to your computer for BaseCamp to use, so if that's the case that's even easier.

Thanks guys. I presently use MapSource and a TOPO map to prepare and save tracks. I guess I better get more familiar with BaseCamp. I use BaseCamp for planning RV trips but not for my ATV.
I ordered the GPS yesterday. I’ll order the map, battery pack and Ram cradle shortly.

While doing research on the 64s I discovered the Montana 680. It looks very interesting. I like the bigger screen. Sometimes I have trouble reading the small screen on the 60CSx. My only concern is the touch screen on the Montana. It won't be convenient in cold weather but I rarely change the screen throughout the day anyway. Decisions, decisions!!!!!
I decided to cancel the order on the 64S until I decide.
I appreciate all the feedback.
Thanks

I have a Montana, as well as an Etrex 20. For hiking I prefer my Etrex as the Montana is too bulky, for your use it may be ideal though if you simply want it for use on an ATV.

I’ll only use it on my ATV. My 60CSx still works okay so I’ll keep it for other uses.
How do you like the Montana?

I like it, but only use it occasionally when I'm out with my local SAR team where the larger screen helps, for walking the Etrex 20 is lighter/smaller and fits better into my hand and pocket.

It sounds like the Montana maybe be a better choice for me.

I have both the montana and the 64S. I use the Montana primarily in my jeep, both for offroad and on road navigation. When I go for a ride on my dual sport bike, I find the montana to be too large so I take the 64s. All I require from the 64s when riding my bike is to record my route of travel and offer some assistance in case I get lost. Both units are fantastic. You can't go wrong with either!

I may get the 610 because I don’t really need the camera. Searching now for the best price.

I had a Montana and sold it. It was full of bugs, hardware and software. I had it replaced numerous times, reloaded the software numerous times and that didn't help. I was responsible for Garmin revising the software numerous times. I sold the Montana and got the 64S, and have been happy since. I too thought the Montana was slick, but it was bug ridden, and it's big and heavy. While I had it, the updating of software came to a halt. That indicated to me that that was as good as it was going to get, and it wasn't acceptable. I recommend staying away from the Montana.

Mine works flawlessly ... what bugs are you talking about?

That's too bad about your negative experience with the Montana. I've had 3 Montana's so far and am looking at the 680 right now. I gave the first one to my brother and upgraded to the second unit to get the camera. I upgraded to my third and current model for the topo maps. I never experienced problems with any of them.

I like the Montana and frequently use it on my bike. Like Susamb, I find the unit a bit bulky to carry so I use an Oregon for hiking.

It's interesting though since the problems you describe were exactly like the ones I had with a Monterra. After receiving 3 problematic units from Garmin, I sold it. It now appears Garmin has discontinued that model.

BTW, The Montana uses a rechargeable LiOn battery which can be replaced with 3- AA alkaline or NiMh cells. Unlike the LiOn battery, the AA NiMh batteries cannot be charged while in the unit.

I never had a problem with my 60CSx. I certainly don't want that now. I did some research and for the most part the Montana has positive reviews.
I thought the bigger screen would be nice. I see it weighs a couple of ounces more but I don't see that as an issue when it's only going to be used on my ATV. I can use my old 60CSx when not on my ATV. I'm looking at the Ram mount bundle with the power and speaker leads. I don't need the speaker hookup but it would be nice to have the unit powered while on the ATV.
I can get it now for a reasonable price so I may order it tomorrow.
Thanks everyone for your replies.

The unit would randomly shut off. Or restart on its own.

Then there were many branches of the software that just didn't work. I brought many of those to the attention of Garmin. I had a direct phone number to a contact at Garmin to work these issues. And this resulted in many, many software updates. I even pointed out misspellings in the display software. Can you imagine that?

The thing that finally made me sell it was that I simply could not trust it. When I travel, I need to be able to trust the GPS, and I couldn't trust the Montana. My 64S, that replaces the venerable 60CSx has never been a problem and I can trust it.

I originally bought the Montana for a cross country trip, and it was a disaster. I ended up resorting to the 60CSx. I bought the Montana a month or so before I left on the trip to get used to it and learn about it, but that would not prove to be a help at all.

One thing that was awesome was the OEM Garmin powered speaker mount. It made using the Montana very easy.

I wish Garmin would come up with something like that for the 64 series.

Can't recall mine ever shutting down or any other real issues. Maybe you use yours differently to me.

Sorry to hear of all your problems. Maybe you just got a lemon. I've owned several Garmin devices and never had a problem with any. Hopefully my luck will be better than yours. I'm going to order it tomorrow.
Yes the OEM powered mount looks awesome. No more charging batteries at the end of the day.

The hardware was replaced 3 times. That didn't help.

I hope by now they have the bugs worked out. The platform is outstanding, was exactly what I was looking for at the time. But in the end, the thing didn't do what it was supposed to, and I couldn't trust it.

Diesel, you give me cause for concern. I've done a fair bit of research and find most people like the Montana. The negative reviews seem to come from frustration trying to learn how to operate it properly. I'm surprised you had 3 defective units. I think I'm going to take a chance and order it today anyway. Hopefully it isn't going to be a mistake.
As I get older my vision isn't as good as it was. The larger screen will be a blessing. Hopefully all the bugs were in the earlier versions. Time will tell. Thanks.

I hope by now they have the Montana completely debugged, hardware and software.

The industrial design was fantastic and I was attracted to it for the same reasons. When it was released, I jumped on it for it was what I was looking for. Bigger screen, touchscreen, with pretty much the same functionality of the 60CSx. I worked hard with Garmin to get it to work, but in the end, there were too many bugs. Keep in mind that reviews are worthless. Some people that buy stuff like that are not inclined to admit a mistake, they will love it forever, no matter what. There are forums out there discussing the same issues I had, with users trying to find workarounds. You will definitely have to use new, modern maps with the Montana. The old mapping from the 60CSx era will not work.

I truly do hope that the bugs are worked out. If it is solid and trustworthy, it will be a great device.

I just picked it up this morning. I got the current Backroad GPS map for Ontario. I also installed it on my computer so I can use it with BaseCamp. The Backroad map has everything I need. It has all backroads, most ATV & snowmobile trails.

If the Montana works properly I'm going to love it, if not it may be in the bottom of a lake somewhere LOL. I'll keep my old unit as a backup. I'm always the trail guide so I better not get our crew lost.

I didn't buy any of the hardware to mount it yet. I'm waiting to see how I like it first. I may just get the basic Ram cradle for now and use the existing hardware I already have. Later I'll upgrade to the powered mount. I don't ride much this time of year anyway.

I hear what you say about reviews. I don't always trust them.

Thanks again everyone for you help. I'll keep you posted.