Select your product to confirm this information applies to you
Live Geocaching on the Montana 700 Series
The Montana® 700 series outdoor handhelds offer the newer Live Geocaching feature so geocaches can be downloaded wirelessly to the handheld from Geocaching.com.
Use the information below to walk you through each step of the process.
Setting Up a Wireless Connection
First, you need to establish a wireless connection to either a Wi-Fi network, or by pairing the handheld to a compatible mobile device through the Garmin Connect™ app or the Garmin Explore™ app.
Adding a Wi-Fi Network
You can set up Wi-Fi to your Montana handheld through the Garmin Express™ program on the computer, or through the handheld itself. Going through the handheld itself makes it easier to connect to alternative Wi-Fi networks when you are not at home, such as through coffee shops or restaurants.
Setting Up Wi-Fi With Garmin Express Software
Steps for setting up Wi-Fi with Garmin Express software will vary slightly depending on whether or not you have used the Garmin Express program previously.
Adding a Wi-Fi Network With Garmin Express Software During Initial Setup
Connect the Montana to the computer.
Select Get Started or Add a Device in Garmin Express.
Select Add a Device.
Sign In or Create an Account.
Select Next (can select check box for sending anonymous data to Garmin).
Select Find Networks.
Select the desired network.
Input password (if required).
Select Save.
Select Finish.
Adding a Wi-Fi Network With Garmin Express Software After Initial Setup
Connect the Montana handheld to the computer.
Launch Garmin Express.
Select the Montana.
Select Tools & Content.
Select Utilities.
Select Sign In, then sign in to your Garmin Connect account.
Garmin Express protects the saved Wi-Fi network credentials on your Garmin Device by requiring a sign in to your Garmin Connect account before Wi-Fi networks can be configured
Select Add a Network.
Select the desired network.
Input password (if required).
Select Save.
Setting Up Wi-Fi Through the Handheld
On the handheld, select to reach the main menu.
Select Setup.
Select Wi-Fi.
Select Add Network.
If you do not see Add Network, toggle Wi-Fi on (toggle up).
Select your desired Wi-Fi network.
Enter the password if the network is secure, then select Done.
The next screen will say Connecting, then Network Added. Select OK.
The Wi-Fi network has been saved in the handheld and it will reconnect to that network when within range.
Pairing With the Garmin Connect App
Steps for pairing will vary slightly depending on whether or not you have used the Garmin Connect app previously.
In the Garmin Connect app, select Connect It after Garmin Connect finds your Montana, then follow the prompts.
If it does not display, select Browse all compatible devices and search for your model.
The Montana handheld will now be paired with the Garmin Connect app.
Pairing With the Garmin Explore App
Steps for pairing will vary slightly depending on whether or not you have used the Garmin Explore app previously.
First Time Users
Install and open the Garmin Explore app.
Allow any app permissions when prompted.
Select Create Account.
NOTE: If you already have a Garmin account or have previously used other Garmin apps, you can select Sign In (or Continue as ['username'], if prompted).
Tap Next after reading and agreeing to the EULA.
Tap Enable Cloud Storage (or Not Now).
Continue selecting Done to proceed through the information about new app features.
Select Add Device when prompted.
The app will then begin searching for devices.
On the Montana, select > Setup > Pair Phone.
NOTE: If the Montana is currently connected with another Garmin app, it may already display as Connected under Phone. If connected, skip to the next step.
In the Garmin Explore app, select Connect It and follow the prompts to complete the setup.
The Montana will now be paired with the Garmin Explore app.
Existing Garmin Explore App Users
Open the Garmin Explore app.
If prompted, read and agree to EULA, and sign in.
Select Devices.
Select either + Pair a New Device or .
The app will then begin searching for devices.
On the Montana, select > Setup > Pair Phone.
NOTE: If the Montana is currently connected with another Garmin app, it may already display as Connected under Phone. If connected, skip to the next step.
In the Garmin Explore app, select Connect It and follow the prompts to complete the setup.
The Montana will now be paired with the Garmin Explore app.
Getting Started With Geocaching Live
Once you have set up a wireless connection you can begin registering with Geocaching.com and downloading live data.
Registering With Geocaching.com
The Montana handheld needs to be registered with Geocaching.com before you can download geocaches with the Live Geocaching feature.
Select to reach the main menu.
Select Geocaching.
Select Register Device. A unique code will display on the screen.
Sign in to an existing geocaching.com account, or create a new one.
For new accounts, return to www.geo.co/garmin and sign in after creating the account.
Enter the activation code displayed on the Montana.
Select Pair Device on the computer or mobile device.
The Montana will show Retrieving Account Information, then Registration Complete.
Select Start Geocaching on the Montana handheld after the pairing is successful.
Finding a Geocache
Now that you have set up Live Geocaching, you are ready to use the Geocache tab or Map tab to find geocaches.
Current Cache will display any geocache that you are currently navigating to.
Geocache List will show a list of nearby geocaches that can be selected and downloaded.
Map will show geocaches displayed on the map. Touching will search the visible area of the map again.
If the map has not been panned, it will fetch the nearest 25 to your current location with a maximum 5 mile radius.
If the map has been panned, it will fetch the nearest 25 to the center of the screen.
Downloading Geocaches
You can also download geocaches through Live Geocaching.
Geocaching.com basic memberships allow you to download 3 geocaches, and premium memberships allow you to download unlimited geocaches (within the GPX and memory limits of the device).
Select to reach the main menu.
Select Geocaching.
Select .
Select .
Select GC Live Download.
Select either GC Code or Download Near.
NOTE: Additional locations, such as parking waypoints or further stages of a multicache, are not downloaded when using the Live Geocaching feature and would require downloading the .gpx file directly from the Geocaching.com website instead.
Uploading Geocache Logs to Geocaching.com
Whether you have a Basic or Premium geocaching.com membership, geocache logs will be uploaded to geocaching.com when the following criteria are met:
Live Geocaching is being used to log geocaches on the Montana handheld.
The Montana handheld has either a Wi-Fi connection, or a Bluetooth connection with the Garmin Connect or Garmin Explore app on a smartphone with an internet connection.
Auto Upload Logs setting is enabled on the Montana handheld.
An appropriate Log Attempt option must be selected for the geocache(s) - either Found, Did Not Find, or Needs Repair.
Enabling Auto Upload Logs
Select to reach the main menu.
Select Setup.
Select Geocaching.
Select Geocaching Live.
If necessary, select Auto Upload Logs to ensure the feature is toggled to On.
Logging Geocache Attempts
While navigating to a geocache, select to reach the main menu.
Select Geocaching.
Select Log.
Select Found, Did Not Find, Needs Repair, or Unattempted.
Select an option:
To stop logging, select Done.
To begin navigation to the geocache nearest you, select Find Next Closest.
To enter a comment about looking for the cache or about the cache itself, select Edit Comment, enter a comment, and select Done.
Removing Live Geocaching Data
You also have the option to remove live geocaching data from the device.
Select to reach the main menu.
Select Geocaching.
Select .
Select Geocaching Setup.
Select Geocaching Live.
Select Remove Live Data.
Select Yes to remove the live data from the device.
to reach the main menu.
Devices.
.
will search the visible area of the map again.
.
.