Garmin released the successor to the Montana 700 line – the popular product series for rugged GPS navigation. Three new models have been released, the 710 as the base model, the 710i with inReach functionality , and the 760i with an in-built camera. The new name keeping the 7X0 might indicate that this is a minor product upgrade instead of a major overhaul. In this blog post we go over the main changes and will discuss if an upgrade for current 700 owners is worth it.
Related: Check out our Comprehensive Guide on Off-Road Motorcycle Navigation where we cover all topics from planning to execution.
Table of Contents
Price
The base unit of the 710 series officially sells at 650 USD, only 50 USD above the price of the 700 unit which costs 600 USD. However, Garmin currently runs a sale and therefore even sells it for a lower price and it is available for only 550 USD on the Garmin shop.
For new buyers this is clearly a sign to go for successor model. But should 700 owners upgrade to the new model? Let’s find out…
Dimensions
The form factor of the two product lines is identical at 3.6″ x 7.2″ x 1.3″ (9.19 x 18.30 x 3.27 cm), only the weight slightly differs with the 710 line weighing 0.5oz or 14 grams heavier than its predecessor. This is due to the changes to the battery, but the difference is neglectable.
Battery
The biggest changes were made to the battery capacity as well as to the charging options. The 710 line comes with an upgrades battery capacity of 4350mAh compared to the previous 3100mAh. This is supposed to give the user an extra battery life of 6h per charge and will last 24h in total.
Since the beginning of 2025 many electronic devices had to change to a USB-C charging port according to an EU legislation. So it comes as no surprise that Garmin switched to USB-C ports from the old micro USB. We like this change.
Software
Nothing much changed about the software, however the new 710 line comes with global multi continent TopoActive maps that are available for free for Montana owners. This is a neat add-on, but we will likely stick to the maps we know and are used to anyways. Check out this article to find out what is the best free map for your Montana and how to get it.
Conclusion
We like the battery upgrade and the USB-C charging option on the new Montana 710. However, we find upgrading from the 700 is not worth it at the moment, unless your device needs to be replaced or you are coming from an older model like the 6XX product line. Long-term tests will show if some of the issues with the 700 have been resolved with the new product or if they persist. Stay tuned about future updates!
