A quality GPS unit can very often mean the difference between life and death. Even though I trust my land navigation skills, having a backup GPS “in case of emergency” was something I finally came around to.
So, if you are like me, I was stuck deciding between the Oregon and Montana.
Bottom Line Up Front: I dig deep in this comparison, but here’s where I end up falling:
Table of Contents
A Brief History of GPS
When it comes to GPS devices one of the first brands that will come up is Garmin. Garmin was founded in 1989 by Dr. Min Kao and Gary Burrell. Their goal was to bring Global Positioning System technology (GPS) to the consumer level in the form of navigational screen devices to help them with location and maps.
GPS technology was first used by the Department of Defense in 1973 and became fully operational in 1995. Throughout the ’80s, while GPS was still fairly new, the Department of Defense allowed it to be used by civilians. This is right around when Garmin really came into the scene and established themselves as one of if not the most trusted authorities on GPS navigation for consumer use.
Garmin has consistently been on the cutting edge when it comes to integrating GPS detailed maps into various devices.
They now offer GPS-enabled cameras and have fully dived into the more recent treat of fitness wearables (i.e. GPS smartwatches). As they continue to grow as a company and more types of GPS-enabled tech comes out, it’s clear that standard handheld GPS navigators will be relied upon by many, especially outdoor enthusiasts that need a hiking GPS and maps.
For their category of handheld GPS designed for Hiking & Handheld, there are a total of 8 different lines. Within these lines there are various individual models. This can make purchasing a GPS from Garmin a little intimidating, especially if you don’t have much experience buying a handheld GPS.
Two lines that are fairly comparable are Oregon and Montana hiking GPS. So far both lines have had a range of different models, some of which have been discontinued. Both handhelds come highly recommended, but your individual needs might make one a better choice than the other.
The Garmin Oregon GPS Line
The Garmin Oregon series consists of 3 different models:
Oregon 700
Thanks to a redesigned antenna for better satellite reception, the Oregon 700 GPS and Glonass handheld puts even more of the great outdoors at your fingertips. Whether you’re hiking, hunting, climbing, kayaking, trail riding or whatever, this rugged navigator is ready for anything.
The 700 is a great choice for someone new to the Garmin Oregon series. This handheld GPS/GLONASS device is super sensitive and offers better performance than a device with only GPS navigation. This makes the 700 ideal for explorist outdoorsmen who regularly venture into mountainous regions and needs some help with the location.
Garmin gave the 700 a new antenna design, different from the previous versions. Compared to past Oregon models, this one has improved reception. In addition to satellite navigation, the 700 also has a 3-axis compass, accelerometer, and barometric sensors.
This is a touchscreen handheld with a vibrant 3″ touch display. You can use this device in either landscape or portrait mode. The Oregon 700 also has live tracking and geocaching abilities thanks to wireless connectivity for a more accurate location. This model is compatible with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ANT+. You can also view live weather reports on the screen with Active Weather. Geocachers will also be happy to see that Geocaching Live is another compatible app.
You can purchase this model new with all the detailed maps from Garmin for around $399.99.
Oregon 750
The expanded wireless capabilities of Oregon 750 make it easier than ever to download software, receive smart notifications¹ and upload adventures to Garmin Connect. You can even share LiveTrack location data or geocache discoveries, unit-to-unit, with other compatible Garmin handheld devices.
The Oregon 750 is essentially identical to the 700, except for one major addition – a camera. The 750 has a built-in 8MP digital camera. The addition of a camera bumps up the price of this model to around $499.99.
Oregon 750t
The Oregon series is slightly smaller and more manageable as a handheld device. Of the 700 series, my top option is the 750t which features a touchscreen GPS and pre-loaded with TOP maps and an 8 megapixel camera.
Take another step up and you’ll have the Oregon 750t. The 750t combines all the functions of the 700 with the camera on the 750, plus built-in topo mapping in their data. This device comes preloaded with TOPO US 100K maps. If you live in Canada you can also select TOPO Canada Maps instead for all the detailed maps.
The 750t retails for around $549.99.
The Garmin Montana GPS Line
The Garmin Montana series consists of 4 different models:
Montana 610
Take it hiking. Take it hunting. Take it on the water. Montana 610 features a bold, color touchscreen, dual-orientation display and includes a 1-year BirdsEye Satellite imagery subscription. It also supports multiple mapping options like BlueChart g2 and TOPO U.S. 24K.
The Montana 610 is designed for multi-sport use, like hiking, hunting, and some watersports. It features all the basics you’d expect of a higher-end Garmin handheld. This device has a beautiful 4″ touchscreen display that is complete with dual-orientation and works with touchscreen-friendly gloves for the explorist who goes hiking in cold weather.
Garmin outfitted the 610 with both GPS and GLONASS navigation. It also supports different mapping apps, like BlueChart and TOPO US 24K. Additionally, the 610 has a 3-axis tilt-compensated compass and a barometric altimeter in its internal memory. As with many other Garmin GPSs, this model comes with a complimentary 1-year subscription to BirdsEYE Satellite Imagery maps.
The Montana 610 is quite versatile and fits well into many Garmin mounts (like a car or ATV mounts). You can easily use it as a car GPS to help you with the location as you can use it for thru-hiking. Another cool feature includes it being able to use both rechargeable and traditional batteries (AA or lithium-ion pack) for longer battery life.
This 610 retails for around $499.99.
Montana 610t (Camo)
Montana 610t Camo features a bold, color touchscreen, dual-orientation display and comes preloaded with TOPO U.S. 100K maps. It includes a 1-year BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription. Handheld includes 3-axis tilt-compensated compass, barometric altimeter and access to both GPS and Glonass satellites for improved positioning and typically faster fixes.
The Montana 610t only comes in a camo pattern now and is considered a step up from the 610. Similar to the Oregon series, the Montana 610t is identical to the original 610, except this model comes preloaded with TOPO US 100K maps.
The 610t retails for around $549.99.
Montana 680
Montana 680 features a dual-orientation, color touchscreen that’s glove friendly and includes a 1-year BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription. The digital camera provides high-quality images, excellent resolution and automatically geotags photos with coordinates. Handheld includes 3-axis tilt-compensated compass, barometric altimeter and access to both GPS and Glonass satellites for improved positioning and typically faster fixes.
If you really like the Montana 610, but you want the ability to take pictures, the Montana 680 is your best choice. This model has all the maps and everything that the 610 has, in addition to an 8MP camera.
This model retails for around $549.99.
Montana 680t
The Garmin Montana series is generally more bulky and durable. Of the Montana series, my favorite is the Garmin 680t which features a touchscreen interface with an 8 megapixel camera and pre-loaded with TOP maps.
Dedicated outdoor enthusiasts that want the functionality and elevation of the 610, the preloaded TOPO maps of the 610t, and the camera functionality of the 680 will find it all with the Montana 680t. This is really a total package for someone that a versatile handheld under the $600 mark.
To be precise, the Montana 680t retails for around $599.99.
Which GPS Handheld Should You Buy?
Choosing between Oregon and Montana is a little more difficult once you get into the 600 and 700 models. Previously Garmin only had GPS and GLONASS navigation in Oregon, but in the 600 Montana series, you’ll see that all of them now have both as well.
As far as TOPO maps, internal memory, and camera quality, they’re identical. You can get the same maps and the same 8MP camera on either Oregon or Montana. Both cameras take quality pictures and automatically geotag them.
Where the start to differ is with app compatibility and size. The Oregon line has expanded wireless compatibility compared to Montana. Oregon will also sync to Bluetooth and allow you to get smart notifications right to your smartphone with an app. Similarly, you’ll see notifications and call alerts on your GPS display.
Although the screen sizes differ only by 1″, Montana is noticeably larger and a bit thicker. It’s still a very handleable size, however. The slightly smaller size of Oregon is useful for putting it in your pocket, but if you regularly use your GPS out in the elements and really need maximum durability and positioning, the boost in the size of Montana makes it worth purchasing.
The Oregon series is slightly smaller and more manageable as a handheld device. Of the 700 series, my top option is the 750t which features a touchscreen GPS and pre-loaded with TOP maps and an 8 megapixel camera.
The Oregon and Montana series handheld GPS/GLONASS devices are top of the line and all have wonderful reviews backing them. Overall, both are excellent maps devices and all perform above and beyond when it comes to basic GPS navigation and positioning functions. What your decision comes down to is which features you really want, how tough you need your device to be, and how much you’re willing to invest.
The Garmin Montana series is generally more bulky and durable. Of the Montana series, my favorite is the Garmin 680t which features a touchscreen interface with an 8 megapixel camera and pre-loaded with TOP maps.
If you’re fairly tech-savvy and enjoy getting maximum use out of these types of GPS devices, Oregon is a great line to purchase from. If you aren’t a huge fan of wireless connectivity and you just want a tough easy device you don’t need to worry about if you accidentally drop it, the Montana line is a better choice to help you with the location.
Further read:
The All-Outdoors Guide team is comprised of enthusiastic experts that enjoy helping others that aspire to be better at outdoor fun. Part of that is making sure you have the right gear and information when it’s time to go out and have fun. Some of our team have accomplished amazing feats like climbing 6000 feet to the top of mountains, others have explored every dirt trail they could find and we even have some people that have backpacked solo on various continents. No matter what our readers want to learn and do, our team is here to help them accomplish those goals.