GPSrChive Discussion Forum

Wojtas81 wrote: Mon Feb 23, 2026 12:21 pm It can be fixed by buying another broken Montana and use it spare parts (ie. re-soldering working button from it).
I have recently bought new Montana 680t (the device only, but with original screen protector) for as little as 140 USD.

Quite contrary to you, I would not recommend a self-repair as it requires some electronic skills. The good thing about Montana is, that one could simply use the unit without the power button. As I mentioned above, it is still possible to turn ON/OFF Montana preferably and quite naturally placing it inside the active car mount or using the USB cable (beware that without the Status Page - using only default volume and brightness levels) - this method is not valid for all GPS devices, some require to switch ON the power button even when plug into the power source.
For a one day trip (up to 20-25 hours) with the power safe mode, I strongly recommend to downgrade to FW7.10, as for higher FWs it is required to use (missing) power button for waking the screen up.

You are right, old Garmins are extremaly cheap and still available. In my case, I bought my Montana 650T on OLX for as much as 80$ including active car mount and bicycle mount (working, but with dissintegrated power button); and previously GPSMap 76CSx for 40$... Now, I am also aware that, though very similar on paper, your Montana 680T is newer and significantly improved over 650T, but I bought mine mainly for using with gloves on (my Oregon 700 was many times irresponsive).

Marko wrote: Mon Feb 23, 2026 4:05 pmQuite contrary to you, I would not recommend a self-repair as it requires some electronic skills.

I have zero electronic skills and I have repaired many electronic devices. All I needed was tools + parts + YouTube videos.
Also old devices are way easier to repair than new ones.

I think that almost everyone could repair basic failures (like buttons), but not everyone wants.
All you need is basic manual skills, not electronic knowledge.

Marko wrote: Mon Feb 23, 2026 4:05 pmThe good thing about Montana is, that one could simply use the unit without the power button.

If your car fails, what will you do ? Repair it or search for info "how to use it broken down" ?

Marko wrote: Mon Feb 23, 2026 4:05 pmI bought mine mainly for using with gloves on (my Oregon 700 was many times irresponsive).

Resistive touchscreen (like Montana) will be always better than capacitive touch screen (like Oregon, Phones, Watches etc) when someone use it with gloves.

Wojtas81 wrote: Tue Feb 24, 2026 5:11 pm I think that almost everyone could repair basic failures (like buttons)

I dissagree, overheating of the motherboard might bring irreparable consequences.
Therefore, without special soldering iron, I'd rather plug in the power button hole and use it like that.

Wojtas81 wrote: Tue Feb 24, 2026 5:11 pm If your car fails, what will you do ? Repair it or search for info "how to use it broken down" ?

Believe me, many people unmount electronic parts in their old cars to make them work again.

Marko wrote: Tue Feb 24, 2026 6:35 pmI dissagree, overheating of the motherboard might bring irreparable consequences.

So you risk damaging the device which is already worthless. And it is not that easy to overheat when you are careful, and when you have watched YouTube tutorial videos.

I have done such repairs with zero prior knowledge and I haven't damaged anything. I have fixed GPSes like Garmins, Beckers, etc. in the past.