Which Garmin Rino model to get??

bigndn · 12-19-07, 10:19 AM

Recommend me a Rino......

Cabela's -- Garmin® Rino Series GPS/FRS/GMRS and Accessories

inthewall · 12-19-07, 10:26 AM

I have the 520. It has everything I need. You have to spend another 100 dollars for topo mapping. Other than that I like it.

bigndn · 12-19-07, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inthewall

I have the 520. It has everything I need. You have to spend another 100 dollars for topo mapping. Other than that I like it.

Anything you can't live without on that model? Anything you'd like over/above its capabilities??

The 530 is on sale for $399 at Cabela's. Can someone explain GMRS/FRS radio to me?

inthewall · 12-19-07, 11:08 AM

I think the gmrs is a high watt radio channel. You need a license. I use it without one. There is a lot of bells and whistles I dont use.

cruiserdan · 12-19-07, 05:43 PM

I'm not sure if I should move this to electronic toys or not. It sorta fits in both places.

I think I will leave it here an suggest you ask over there as well. I don't know how much the two boards cross paths.

calphi27 · 12-19-07, 07:46 PM

I have an old 120. My friend's have the new 530s. Get the 530 for the electronic compass. I have to carry a compass to make sure I am headed in the right direction. We use them for hunting, and they work great. Trust me on this one.

We mark our downed elk as waypoints which allows for us to find the animal once we have brought the backpacks in the field. We also use them to meet up during hunting. You can "find" someone, and walk right up to them without having to talk over radios.

Since we have been using them, we noticed that all of our elk are shot at the 9800ft elevation mark in our hunting area. IIRC the US military has allowed the newer gps units to be more accurate, and I think the rinos reflect this feature. Also, I think the GMRS laws were changed regarding what channels you can use, so check that out. The 530 is a great stand alone unit, but when used with friends, it becomes awesome. You can see your friends on the map, which is also a great safety feature.

My girlfriend's dad bought an etrex after I showed him my 120. His hunting buddy bought the 530. Once he saw how well the rinos worked together, he sold his etrex for the 530. As of this past weekend, three more of our hunting friends have bought the 530.

The topo maps are worth the costs, and you can split the price between friends.

bigndn · 12-19-07, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

I'm not sure if I should move this to electronic toys or not. It sorta fits in both places.

I think I will leave it here an suggest you ask over there as well. I don't know how much the two boards cross paths.

Thanks, Dan. I'll post a link over there. I put it here because I think the vast majority of Rino users will turn out to be using them for hunting/fishing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by calphi27

I have an old 120. My friend's have the new 530s. Get the 530 for the electronic compass. I have to carry a compass to make sure I am headed in the right direction. We use them for hunting, and they work great. Trust me on this one.

We mark our downed elk as waypoints which allows for us to find the animal once we have brought the backpacks in the field. We also use them to meet up during hunting. You can "find" someone, and walk right up to them without having to talk over radios.

Since we have been using them, we noticed that all of our elk are shot at the 9800ft elevation mark in our hunting area. IIRC the US military has allowed the newer gps units to be more accurate, and I think the rinos reflect this feature. Also, I think the GMRS laws were changed regarding what channels you can use, so check that out. The 530 is a great stand alone unit, but when used with friends, it becomes awesome. You can see your friends on the map, which is also a great safety feature.

My girlfriend's dad bought an etrex after I showed him my 120. His hunting buddy bought the 530. Once he saw how well the rinos worked together, he sold his etrex for the 530. As of this past weekend, three more of our hunting friends have bought the 530.

The topo maps are worth the costs, and you can split the price between friends.

Good input here. I currently have the Etrex Vista and the Motorola 5 mile talkabouts. We've all talked about going strictly to the Rino's, and my hunting pardners and I are all doing it for next season. I think I'd like to get them early and play a little.

Can you upload PLENTY of topos to the Rino 530 w/56 mB of RAM (I think)?? My Etrex will only hold about 8 topos.

calphi27 · 12-19-07, 09:14 PM

I am not sure on the amount of maps, but they have some very detailed colorado, wyoming, and montana maps on each of their units.

My gf's dad was "playing a little" with his while we were in the woods, and a nice 5x5 walked 20 yards in front of me. He was about the same distance to my left, and by the time I got his attention, the bull was gone. It had walked right in front of him too. Man did that thing stink. I didn't have a gun, or I would have blasted that beast. Two hunting buddies were using with their rinos next to each other, and when they looked up, some cows were looking right at them.

Get them early and get comfortable with all the features. You might check for after christmas sales too.

bigndn · 12-20-07, 08:11 AM

Interesting reading on GMRS from the FCC website:

FCC: Wireless Services: General Mobile Radio Service: GMRS Home

Chevinater77 · 12-20-07, 03:35 PM

I got the 130 as a gift this year, my father in law has two 120's, i have never seen the 530's in person but if you can afford it go for it! also imo check with ebay and craigslist you can find em for cheaper if you look around for a little while, I love my 130 and i uploaded all of Eastern Washington, (i dont go to the west side that much) and part of Idaho! They are fun units! if you do go for the 530's get the one with the SD slot and you can get your maps on San Disk cards and carry them with you or just bring the cards you need on your trip!

Cabela's -- Garmin® Rino 530HCX GMRS/FRS/GPS

bigndn · 12-20-07, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevinater77

I got the 130 as a gift this year, my father in law has two 120's, i have never seen the 530's in person but if you can afford it go for it! also imo check with ebay and craigslist you can find em for cheaper if you look around for a little while, I love my 130 and i uploaded all of Eastern Washington, (i dont go to the west side that much) and part of Idaho! They are fun units! if you do go for the 530's get the one with the SD slot and you can get your maps on San Disk cards and carry them with you or just bring the cards you need on your trip!

Cabela's -- Garmin® Rino 530HCX GMRS/FRS/GPS

Now that right there is one hell of an idea!!

gotmud · 06-12-08, 09:48 PM

Just thought I would put my .02 here. Just picked up a 530. One of the coolest features has got to be the ability to go from TOPO to street maps. The street map will get you to the trailhead, and then the TOPO takes over. How cool is that?

DuneCruiser21 · 09-23-08, 12:58 PM

Thanks, Chad, for the link to the FCC site... It's helpful, but the government's view on FAQs is a little down in the weeds. So, please pardon my "newbie'ness" but can one Rino owner only communicate with other Rino owners (legally, other Rino owners who are "intermediate family members") or will I be able to communicate with any other GMRS and/or FRS radio owner (which I am assuming is the case)? What about fellow off-roaders equipped with CB radios (I am guessing, no)?

Sorry if these are stupid questions but I have been a boater / VHF radio owner most of my adult life, until now. This GMRS / FRS stuff is as new to me as my FJ and off-roading experience.

chet · 09-23-08, 03:37 PM

cb is a no but GMRS and FRS you can communicate with any other radio.

bigndn · 10-20-08, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet

cb is a no but GMRS and FRS you can communicate with any other radio.

Alright. I gotta say I was very disappointed with my 530. Granted, my hunting buddies hadn't managed to get them, but that doesn't really matter in this case. I had issues with my screen going out, didn't matter if it was day/night. That always happened while trying to transmit pushing the PTT button. Additionally, it wouldn't communicate with our Motorolas beyond approx 30 yards, yet I was talking to someone with a base radio (in Missoula I think). All in all, I'm very disappointed and will be getting my $400 back. I'll stick with a decicated GPS and seperate radio for now.

T Y L E R · 10-20-09, 11:33 PM

Chad,

Did you take the 530 back in the end or did you return it for a new one? I just wonder if you got a defective unit since all the other feedback has been glowing..

Anyone else here have any further reports?

Thanks,

TY

bigndn · 10-21-09, 09:00 AM

TY, yes I did return it. I bought a set of the Motorola 28 mile handhelds and have been extremely happy. My Rino may have been defective, but since they're so expensive, my buddies couldn't buy them, so for now I'm still low-tech.

T Y L E R · 10-21-09, 08:01 PM

Low tech can be good.

Xmas came early and the

bought me the 530.

I plan to get some handhelds for our wives, and my buddy will be getting another 530. Kind of happy I waiting 15+ years to jump into the hand held GPS thang; they've come of age!

TY

T Y L E R · 10-23-09, 07:41 PM

So far I'm really enthused with the Rino 530. The only thing I wish it had is shading capabilities. I have Basecamp with Topo Canada V4 running on my mac and it's great for uploading trails etc, but it would be nice to see that shading that it displays on the 530.

Perhaps faster panning as well. Instead of zooming out, and then across. It would be nice to be zoomed way in, and then zip across all over the place looking for interesting features up close.

TY