Garmin Rino GPS

Garmin Rino GPS is one of today's high quality and full featured GPS with communications capability, which users find easy and convenient to use for automobile navigation, hiking or even with recreational marine applications.

Although its user interface is a bit tedious, its overall function features get the job done. Its radio features has a low power shot range unit, which allows about a mile of range in operating a Family Radio Service (FRS).

RINO actually stands for Radio Integrated with Navigation for the Outdoors. Garmin Rino GPS is pretty much similar to the brand's eTrex Legend with a little twists and tweaks at some of the device's key features. For one thing, Rino allows two or more users, each holding this GPS device, to turn off their units and still transmit and view on the GPS screen the location of the other users who share the same radio frequency.

As a GPS with communications capability, it facilitates voice communication between Rino units and between Rino and the radios included in the FRS and GMRS radio services.

Also, for identification purposes, each Rino unit in the group can be named. It has a MY ID field that inputs its user's ID for convenient transmission of locations to and from the other Rino units. It has a key lock feature for security, 22 radio channels and 38 squelch codes are provided. This makes their location easy to track and determine.

But while its communication features are convenient and effective in hiking groups, do not expect too much from this device on the car-to-radio level because of its limited frequency and transmission capabilities.

Garmin Rino GPS's screen is a little bit larger than in Garmin Legend. Its mapping capability followed the MapSource platform, marine maps and MetroGuide maps. It also has a built in WAAS which enhances the accuracy of position measurements.

Between Rino 110 and Rino 120, 110 has no memory for loaded maps but it does have POI, track memory and waypoint route, which is similar to Garmin's non-mapping models. It is made to be waterproof; however, it is rated IPX7 which means that it can only stand up to 1 meter immersion for 30 minutes. Hence, you can't swim with it.

Just like Garmin eTrex, Rino is given the highest resolution tracklogs. It shows usual map satellites in view, present position coordinates, signal-strength bars, altitude and WAAS status.

Thanks to its trip computer, it is enabled to display maximum speed, overall average speed, moving average speed, trip odometer, odometer, off course, pointer, sunrise, sunset, time of the day, to course, vertical speed, bearing and course, current destination and many other pertinent details that describe your position.

In allowing you to input your current location, it provides you with waypoint data and other mapping data. Aside from locating areas, this gadget is also helpful in finding waypoints, addresses, cities and expressway exits and points of interests which will make your navigation schemes more accurate.

As a GPS with communications capability, Rino is given a peer-to-peer tracking capability. The users can log contacts on the FRS band and know precisely where the others are by keying up the transmitter. In seconds, his location will be determined and appear on the map screen.

The operation controls are sparse and the menu system extensive. It allows user control over hundreds of its features and settings. This means that you may have to spend time reading the manual to make the most of your Garmin Rino GPS. But all in all, the menu system is pretty logical and easy to use; just don't use it in a hurry.

Other interesting features include game modes. It comes ready with waypoint bomber, clothesline, memory race, assimilation, and desert hunt games, which make great companions while you are fishing or camping.

Its screen illumination timeout enables you to save battery power. Illuminating timeouts can be set at 15, 30, 60 to 120 and "always on" settings. It also has a built in calendar which allows you to mark the dates of your intended hikes or driving or sailing trips.

While other models are given the remarks feature, which allow them to take notes from their route experiences, Garmin Rino GPS does not carry this feature. It does not allow its users to key in waypoint names. But it is a robust mobile and compact GPS.

Its map memory is 8 megs and is not expandable. It can carry up to 20 routes with 50 waypoints in each route. Overall, you can be pretty satisfied with the function and utility features of this Garmin model.

Top

Back to Garmin GPS Navigators