The troubles began earlier this year equal in trying to take the Christmas in operation. And Garmin there were no serious support for almost half a year. All my "cries for help" were not at all or inadequately answered. You had the impression, at Garmin they had no practical experience on how to use the Montana optimal under different conditions. The manual is, at least for less experienced users, completely inadequate, both for the assembly of Montana at various arms as to take full advantage of the endless possibilities offered by the Montana.
For the good generous display and the solid and practical mounting you have to take into account that the Montana long to fit on any handlebar or not is to be mounted without problems and much more space than the Oregon takes. References to these restrictions or special features of the installation are nowhere to be found. In a narrower handlebar, it is almost impossible to bring Shifters, bell, battery light, bike computer with the Montana along under. This is especially true for the versatile adjustable ergonomic handlebar from Syntace VRO. In the middle of the stem between the two mounting clamps for the handlebars, there is an ideal place for the voluminous Montana. For this purpose, the fixing of Montana is unfortunately not easily adapted because the mounting screws are too long for the stem and there belching and this does not allow the install Montana in an appropriate perspective. For hobbyists ultimately not a serious problem, to cut the screw or a shorter screw to buy. Even simpler, more customer-friendly and cheaper it when Garmin mitliefern same screws suitable for mounting on various arms or replacement delivery on request would be. Garmin has repeatedly but did not respond.
This also applies to my complaint of very practical safety fastening of Montana on the handlebars for a shorter stopping the bicycle or a retreat. This works for both bicycle holders not that I had bought. Not even with a high power use. The Garmin has not at all interested in spite of several requests! The same applies to my question about an appropriate safety loop or to technical problems in the exchange of micro SD card. Is this the appropriate customer service for a high quality and not just inexpensive top product ?? Admittedly, for technically experienced and gifted all customers would be less less problematic.
The frustration with Garmin went then permanently again, I had given away my Oregon in the family and wanted to continue to share with our ADFC tours in Montana my expensively acquired Garminkarten: City Navigator Europe, Germany Topo V3; Topo Benelux, Topo France Sud Est. Despite my hint that these cards on the Montana and no longer be used on the Oregon only from me, the activation of the card for the Montana with a reference to the corresponding lower signed by me license agreements was once denied strictly! Only to my notice, this exploitation of a virtual monopoly of the Consumer and to necessary judicial review, I transfer to the Montana was "exceptional" as a last concession pledged against respective sworn commitments etc.. This re-activation process for Montana was very complicated and despite the exceptionally active time advising Garmin until today still not completed.
A top quality product with insufficient technical support (eg compared to Polar and Nokia). This takes much of its appeal to the Montana! The only possible conclusion: if Garmin does not change its policy and produces not only excellent products but also customer-friendly will, in future, inter alia, to refrain as far as possible on Garminkarten and now available extremely cheap or even free to use OpenStreetMaps.
Addendum of 21/01/2014: After more than a year now intense and regular experience with Montana at paktisch weekly biking, regular as well as tour leader, I am still enthusiastic about the device, however, significantly less of the very different quality of advice and support by Garmin. Despite the volume and weight, for me an important criterion when selecting my bike and accessories, I would buy the Motana anytime. The large and fairly well-read Dispplay allowed a far forward-looking views of the countryside or the switching of four very useful little data fields with easily changeable information, inter alia, to distances, height differences and slopes and on the timetables.
After a violent overthrow Garmin has now replaced the device quickly and without bureaucracy. A big positive surprise! For this I got my new complaint, finally !! also two new handlebar brackets. This time, even works that complete the Montana at the wheel, a very practical advantage for shorter stop by or the temporary stopping the wheel. In my repeated complaints about the non-functioning Abschließmechanismus Garmin had hitherto never once seriously react! Also matching shorter screws for mounting of Montana on my Syntace stem are included.
Had for the replacement device again all Garminkarten be rewritten with new activation code. Again a very complicated process that is difficult or impossible to cope without professional help. Some of the advice and support was knowledgeable and helpful, so I back all my Garmin may einsezten cards with some delay.
Due to the very positive year practical experience with the Montana, the quick and unbureaucratic exchange of the device, after it had been found in the gratifying helpful advice that it was necessary to return the instrument for checking, I improve my rating now but four star.
