Originally Posted by Steve B.

Not aware that Garmin GPS units that have BT capability require it for setup or use. Wahoo, Yes, you need a smartphone and functioning BT to get the units operational, but every Garmin I've used has been stand-alone and never required BT or a smartphone to make the unit functional. BT is needed if you want to port data up to Garmin Connect or to Strava/RWGPS and don't want to use a WiFi connection (which my 1000 can do), or want to easily get a course loaded onto the unit.

What Garmin that you've used actually requires BT ?.

And as note, I may be an oddity, but have had luck with BT functionality on my 1000, although BT is one of the big complaints about a lot of Garmins.