GPSrChive Discussion Forum

Hi Ok, so not only did the button cover completely disintegrate but the switch seems to have disappeared too.. possibly because I tried using something hard and pointy to try to turn the unit on or off, thinking there was something solid behind the cover and basically stabbed the thing in the heart. Still working but display is only active when on the powered mount - grey screen otherwise. Ok for using on the bike but not useful if I want to set up in shade and cool of my hotel room.
Is there a fix for this? Or is it time to get a rugged android phone and be done with it.. it IS at least 10 years old so I'm not too annoyed..and I'm not a huge fan of the display choices Garmin made either - violet/purple on grey??!! Low contrast and barely visible too much of the time. The only thing is I JUST bought the S America map but only the download so I don't even have an SD card I could sell.

You don't like the readability of the Garmin display and want to replace it with a mobile phone display?

There are kits available online to repair the power button on your device, or you could just find another used one for sale in better condition and continue using your maps.

Ah, interesting to know about the kits - the last time I enquired about this the only thing I found was people talking about bits of eraser and duct tape repairs.. However, having had a quick look it seems they are only a repair for the case - as mentioned the switch is completely gone from mine..

Yes, a rugged android cell phone is a very viable, cheaper and more flexible (back up phone) alternative to a dedicated GPS.. technology has moved on a great deal since I bought this unit in 2013 or whenever it was. I've also been disappointed at how inaccurate a lot of the mapping is on this brand new download - roads marked as dirt that have clearly been tar for at least a decade for instance.. also, in Santiago, Chile last week it was sending me the wrong way down roads that are directional according to the time of day, causing me to be late for an appointment .. G Maps doesn't do that..

GPSrChive wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2024 12:49 pmThere are kits available online to repair the power button on your device

The switch on the circuit board is very small and delicate. If it is damaged or missing, those kits that only replace the rubbery button will not help anymore...

Hi,
thought not strightforward, operating od Montana is still possibile without the actual power button.
First power must be by USB cable (might be OTG one), but then you can use the Alarm clock app for turning OFF/setting ON alarm.
Cheers!

Marko wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 6:09 am...operating od Montana is still possibile without the actual power button

Not quite. You will be unable to launch Status Page without Power Button. And without Status Page you will be unable to adjust brightness.

Wojtas81 wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 1:42 pm ...without Status Page you will be unable to adjust brightness.

Yes, ya're absolutely right! And I am sorry for not being quite precise.
Anyway, it was worth to mention this functionality of the Alarm Clock app (quite useful in this case).
Even in such dissfunctional unit, You can still use the default brightness/volume settings as well as battery safe mode (I recommend to downgrade to FW 7.10 due to touch screen lock which was implemented in the FW 7.20 - Turns display off when backlight times out to conserve battery power. Touching the screen again turns display back on.).
...
On the other hand, it's a pity that Garmin did not implement to old touchscreen handhelds a Status Page app independent from the power button... or maybe, I am unable to find one. Anybody knows the access to the Status Page (maybe even in a file directory?)? In the Oregon 700 it is possible by swiping down the Status Widget.

Marko wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 4:06 pmIn the Oregon 700 it is possible by swiping down the Status Widget.

In the Oregon 7x0 yes, but not Montana 6xx. In the Oregon you also have second button which you can assign to Status Page.
But to be honest, button failures are very rare. In the most cases only rubber fails and if you replace the rubber quickly (without trying to use the unprotected button with "something hard"), you will still be able to use your device for another several years at least.

Wojtas81 wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 5:09 pm button failures are very rare.

Hi! Keep to the topic "600 power button gone", please.

I am keeping the topic. The button has not failed, the author destroyed it by misusing the device
It can be fixed by buying another broken Montana and use it spare parts (ie. re-soldering working button from it). Or this Montana can be sold for spare parts for another buyer.

Sometimes it is not worth a hassle to repair the device, because new (or 100% working used one) can be bought very cheaply.
I have recently bought new Montana 680t (the device only, but with original screen protector) for as little as 140 USD.

If something is economically not worth repairing, just send it to trash. Pure and simple.