Power Sources

 

Stay Powered

Similar to its predecessor, the Montana 7x0 offers two integral battery options to keep your device powered during remote adventures. The Montana 700i/710i and 750i/760i require a Li-ion battery pack to ensure proper inReach functionality.

• The Li-ion battery pack is charged by connecting an external USB power supply to the Montana 7x0.
• The Montana 700/710 may also be powered by three AA batteries with the optional AA battery pack.

 

 

Charging the Battery

• The Montana 7x0 will charge and maintain a Li-ion battery pack while an external power source is connected.
• Place the Montana 7x0 into Standby Mode to improve battery charging performance while not using the device.
• The battery cover may feel warm to the touch during the charging process.
• Completely charging a fully depleted Li-ion battery pack can require >10 hours.
• Note: The Montana 7x0 will not charge batteries in the AA battery pack.

 

 

Maximizing Battery Life

• Alkaline batteries loose a significant amount of their capacity as temperature decreases.
• Using lithium batteries is recommended when operating the Montana 700/710 in or near sub-zero temperatures.
• If not planning to use the Montana 7x0 for an extended period of time, store the device with the battery pack removed.
• Several options exist to help extend battery life:
   
  • Turn the display off while not in use
  • Set Touch Sensitivity to 'Normal'
  • Disable or reduce Backlight Brightness
  • Reduce Backlight Timeout
  • Enable Battery Save Mode
  • Disable Bluetooth
  • Disable external Sensors
  • Set Map Speed to Normal
  • Disable the magnetic compass
  • Disable GLONASS/GALILEO
  • Disable WAAS/EGNOS
  • Configure Altimeter - Pressure Trending for 'Save When Power On'
  • Adjust Tracklog Recording Method to 'Auto'
  • Disable inReach Tracking when not necessary
  • Decrease inReach Tracking update frequency
  • Exit the Camera page when not taking photos
  • Configure Map Orientation to 'North Up' instead of 'Track Up'
  • When permissible, use the Compass or Active Route pages while navigating instead of the Map
    
    
• See also: inReach Battery Life

 

 

Hot Swap

On occasion, you may encounter situations where your Montana 7x0 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, an AC adapter with USB port, 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 simple process:

• Connect external USB power source
• Wait for the GPSr to register the external power source
• Carefully remove and replace the battery pack
• Ensure battery pack is properly seated and secure
• Remove external USB power source
• Select [Stay On] when prompted
• Verify proper GPSr function

 

 

Battery Display

• The Montana 7x0 battery icon provides information about the battery charge level, charging status, and current power source.
• Remaining battery capacity is updated dynamically based on current battery load conditions.
• A momentary reduction of indicated battery capacity may be observed while using high current draw features with AA batteries installed.
• The Status LED will flash        to alert the user when the battery charge level falls below 10% capacity.

 

Powered On

• The Montana 7x0 battery icon reports current power information in the Status Bar, Small Data Field, and Large Data Field:

Standby Mode

• The Montana 7x0 can be placed into a low power standby mode to charge the battery more quickly.
• Press and hold the power button until the battery charge page appears.
• Press and release the power button at any time to exit standby mode.

Power Options

• Multiple options are available to help keep your Montana 7x0 running for as long as you are:

Garmin Li-ion Battery Pack
		Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack Montana 7x0 will auto-configure System Battery Type Gen I 3.80V, 3100mAh, 11.78Wh Can provide 18+ hours of run time with normal GPS usage Expedition Mode can extend run time up to 330 hours Order Garmin Part Number 010-12881-05 Gen II 3.80V, 4350mAh, 16.84Wh Can provide 24+ hours of run time with normal GPS usage Expedition Mode can extend run time up to 440 hours Order Garmin Part Number 010-12881-11
	=/=	=================================================================
Garmin AA Battery Pack
		Montana 700/710 AA battery pack Power your Montana 700/710 with 3x AA batteries Batteries are not charged while in the device Not compatible with Montana 7x0i models Configure System Battery Type accordingly Order Garmin Part Number 010-12881-04
	=/=	=================================================================
NiMH
		Most environmentally responsible solution Multiple manufacturers and capacities available Amazon Basics or Panasonic eneloop pro are recommended For best results, use LSD or Pre-Charged batteries Configure [Setup > System > Battery Type] for Precharged NiMH (for precharged LSD batteries) NiMH (for non precharged batteries)
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 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 Configure [Setup > System > Battery Type] for Lithium
Universal DC
		Universal DC USB Vehicle Power Adapter Power two USB devices from any 12v power outlet Retains 12v power outlet for additional accessories Order Garmin Part Number 010-10723-17
Suction Cup Mount
		Suction Cup Mount Quick release locking mechanism AMPS compatible mounting pattern Integrated speaker for audio prompts Gen I Montana 700/700i/750i Powered by a micro-USB cable Order Garmin Part Number 010-12881-00 Gen II Montana 710/710i/760i Powered by a USB-C cable Order Garmin Part Number 010-12881-10
Rugged Mount
		Rugged Mount for Montana 7x0 Quick release locking mechanism AMPS compatible mounting pattern Integrated power/audio/data cable Order Garmin Part Number 010-12881-08

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 devices configured with identical settings while tested side by side may not provide identical results.

For the baseline test, a Montana 7x0 was configured for maximum efficiency (simulates using the GPSr primarily for tracking purposes) in an attempt to record a best case scenario result. New tests are then performed with fresh alkaline batteries installed (AA battery pack) or with different features enabled to measure their relative impact on power consumption (Li-ion battery pack). This information can then be used to help estimate approximate total available runtime based on unique individual device usage patterns.

During each test sequence, the following baseline conditions, with noted adjustments, were observed:

• Ambient Temperature: 75ºF
• GNSS: GPS Only
• WAAS/EGNOS: Disabled
• Backlight Brightness: 50%
• Backlight Timeout: 15 Seconds
• Battery Save: Enabled
• Wi-Fi: Disabled
• Bluetooth: Disabled
• Compass: Disabled
• ANT+ Sensors: Disabled
• Track Log Recording: 00:01:00
• Expedition Mode: Disabled

At the beginning of each test, a fully charged battery pack is 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 7x0 is checked periodically for activity. When it is discovered the GPSr has stopped functioning, a USB cable is connected, the Current.gpx track log file is imported into BaseCamp, and the total run time is recorded.


Montana 7x0 AA Battery Pack Test Results:

Amazon Performance Alkaline  17h 16m (Montana 700 v1660)

Amazon NiMH LSD 2000mAh  17h 40m (Montana 700 v1660)

Amazon NiMH HC LSD 2400mAh  20h 38m (Montana 700 v1660)

Energizer Ultimate Lithium Li-FeS2 3000mAh  31h 49m (Montana 700 v1650)

 
Montana 7x0 Li-ion Battery Pack (3100mAh) Test Results:

Backlight: Stays On (3100 mA  9h 25m (Montana 700 v1660)

Battery Save: Disabled (3100 mAh)  19h 51m (Montana 700 v1660)

Track Log Recording: 00:00:06 (3100 mAh)  27h 36m (Montana 700 v1660)

Baseline Test (3100 mAh)  29h 47m (Montana 700 v1660)

GPS + Galileo + WAAS/EGNOS + Compass (3100 mAh)  29h 54m (Montana 700 v1660)

Montana 7x0 Li-ion Battery Pack (4350mAh) Test Results:

Backlight: Stays On (4350 mAh)  10h 45m (Montana 700 v2270)

Battery Save: Disabled (4350 mAh)  27h 03m (Montana 700 v2270)

Track Log Recording: 00:00:06 (4350 mAh)  37h 12m (Montana 700 v2270)

GPS + Galileo + WAAS/EGNOS + Compass (4350 mAh)  38h 43m (Montana 700 v2270)

Baseline Test (4350 mAh)  40h 12m (Montana 700 v2270)