Garmin Rino-Two way Radio + GPS

[Hoosier]

Garmin Rino-Two way Radio + GPS

Anyone is using Garmin Rino? It is an integrated two radios plus GPS unit. Someone post that this unit has been used in Afghanistan.

I check Garmin website and manual though.

I would like to hear the real experience.

1. Is this unit a truly waterproof? I don’t mean an UW waterproof, but on surface within 7ft depth range.

2. It claims, “2 mile in FRS and 5mile in GMRS.” How about this range in the real world. I have used Cobra two way radio that claims 5 miles, but its actual coverage is 1~2 miles.

3. When you are located in a remote place (obviously somewhere in ocean) where a pre-downloaded map is unavailable, it still shows a direction and peer location with a GPS coordinates?

4. What model are you using? (Please see the attachment).

5. Any good source to get a good deal?

Thanks in advance,

 

[ClayJar]

Okay, I'm really not trying to be snide, but going to Geocaching.com and searching the forums there should give you *plenty* of information. As I recall it (it was quite a while ago when they were the new thing), it's a decent low-end GPS receiver with a passable FRS/GMRS radio. The Cobra is probably in the same class.

As for waterproof, isn't it IPX7? That means it can survive being submerged to one meter for 30 minutes (without button pressing). All my GPS receivers are IPX7-rated, and I toss them in a small dry bag anyway. I don't want water ingress if I press a button at the wrong time. (The little bag that the MiFlex hoses come in is about what I use.)

As for question three: Yes. (It's always at least a GPS receiver, and if you're in range of another one with that feature on, it'll show 'em. The data range may be less than the voice range.)

(I don't have one, nor do I know where one might get one for a good deal, but other geocachers can probably give some insight.)

 

[Teamcasa]

I like my Rino. As a GPS it works really well and its construction, solid. The radio however, lacks a little. All-in-all, I would buy it again.

 

[nwbobber]

I also have one. The gps works very well and the radio works as well as any other frs or gmrs of the same wattage. In the mountains where I have used mine, they don't work so well if you are down in a canyon, but they might surprise you if you are on top of a hill and your partner is also up high. I was out in rain, snow freezing in the morning 60 deg F in the afternoon and they worked flawlessly. I have the 530.
Bob