The Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS is our best waterproof gps pick, and it scored 87 out of 100 in our testing.
A big-screen touchscreen GPS that shines for vehicles and mapping, at the cost of bulk and rain quirks.
A 5 inch glove-friendly touchscreen handheld built for on and off-road routing, with the clearest, largest display in this group.
Now:
We tested it head to head against the other top handheld GPS units, and below we break down how it did on Reception, Ease of Use, Display Quality, Speed, Weight and Size, Versatility, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Table of Contents
Best Waterproof GPS
Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS
- Display: 5 in color touchscreen
- Battery: internal, up to 18 hr GPS
- Weight: about 14.4 oz
- GNSS: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
- Water rating: IPX7, MIL-STD-810
- Sensors: altimeter, 3-axis compass
- Mapping: routable TopoActive
Bottom Line : A big-screen touchscreen GPS that shines for vehicles and mapping, at the cost of bulk and rain quirks.
Pros
- Large, bright, sharp 5 inch touchscreen
- Routable on-road and off-road maps
- Glove-friendly capacitive display
- Flexible mounting for vehicles
Cons
- Heavy and bulky at 14.4 oz
- Touchscreen struggles in heavy rain
- Overkill for simple foot hikes
Our Verdict: Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS
A big-screen touchscreen GPS that shines for vehicles and mapping, at the cost of bulk and rain quirks.
A 5 inch glove-friendly touchscreen handheld built for on and off-road routing, with the clearest, largest display in this group.
What's the bottom line?
A 5 inch color touchscreen, 50 percent larger than earlier Montana models.
Bright, sharp and easy to read in direct sun at any brightness setting.
The screen is a joy for reading maps and routing the truck down forest roads. It is a brick to carry on foot and the touchscreen got fussy the one day it really rained on me.
Shaun, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Large, bright, sharp 5 inch touchscreen
- Routable on-road and off-road maps
- Glove-friendly capacitive display
- Flexible mounting for vehicles
Reasons to avoid:
- Heavy and bulky at 14.4 oz
- Touchscreen struggles in heavy rain
- Overkill for simple foot hikes
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS scored 87 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on display quality and weakest on weight and size.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Reception
Multi-GNSS with GPS, GLONASS and Galileo, but not the multi-band frequencies of the 67.
Accuracy is strong for a touchscreen unit and holds up in moderate cover.
Falls short of the multi-band 67 and 66sr in the hardest canyon and canopy conditions.
| Reception | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS | 8/10 |
| Category average | 8.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 7/10 |
Ease of Use
The large capacitive touchscreen supports two-finger pinch and zoom like a phone.
Routable maps make address and road navigation simple.
But here is the catch:
Wet fingers or heavy rain can confuse the touchscreen, though a firmware rain mode helps.
| Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS | 9/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Display Quality
A 5 inch color touchscreen, 50 percent larger than earlier Montana models.
Bright, sharp and easy to read in direct sun at any brightness setting.
The best and most legible screen in this lineup by a wide margin.
| Display Quality | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS | 10/10 |
| Category average | 7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Speed
Map redraw and panning are quick thanks to the newer processor.
Satellite acquisition is fast in the open.
The large map area makes scrolling detailed topo feel smooth.
| Speed | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 8/10 |
| Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 7/10 |
Weight and Size
About 14.4 ounces, by far the heaviest and largest unit here.
Great mounted in a vehicle or on an ATV, clumsy in a pocket.
| Weight and Size | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS | 5/10 |
| Category average | 7.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Versatility
Routable road and trail maps plus BirdsEye imagery support.
Altimeter, 3-axis compass and mounting options for vehicles and bikes.
Works as an all-terrain navigator for truck, boat, ATV and foot.
| Versatility | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS | 9/10 |
| Category average | 7.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Should You Buy the Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS?
A big-screen touchscreen GPS that shines for vehicles and mapping, at the cost of bulk and rain quirks.
It is best suited to overlanders and drivers who want a big routable touchscreen.
Want to know the best part?
The big win: Large, bright, sharp 5 inch touchscreen.
The main compromise: Heavy and bulky at 14.4 oz.
We scored it 87 out of 100.
What Other Handheld GPSs Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The Garmin GPSMAP 67 Rugged Multi-Band Handheld is our best handheld gps. The most accurate button GPS Garmin sells, held back only by an aging screen resolution.
The Garmin GPSMAP 66sr Multi-Band Handheld is our best handheld gps for hunting. Multi-band accuracy in a proven button body, ideal for hunters who need a precise, rugged unit.
The Garmin eTrex 32x Handheld GPS Navigator is our best handheld gps for hiking. The eTrex 22x with a compass and altimeter added, a light AA hiking unit with sensors.
Specifications
| Display | 5 in color touchscreen |
| Battery | internal, up to 18 hr GPS |
| Weight | about 14.4 oz |
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Water rating | IPX7, MIL-STD-810 |
| Sensors | altimeter, 3-axis compass |
| Mapping | routable TopoActive |
Conclusion: Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS
After testing it against the other top handheld GPS units, the Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS earns its place as our best waterproof gps pick.
Its standout strength: Large, bright, sharp 5 inch touchscreen.
So:
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Heavy and bulky at 14.4 oz.
If you want overlanders and drivers who want a big routable touchscreen, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the Garmin Montana 700 Rugged Touchscreen GPS ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Handheld GPS guide.
