Is there anyone out there that has used the Garmin Rino handheld GPS/radio? I'm mostly a lake sailor, but sometimes travel to larger bodies of water that i don't always know as well as my home lake. I have been looking at the Garmin Rino and while the price is reasonable, is it going to be useful as a gps on an unfamiliar body of water(I'm trailering town to Fla next year and maybe will sail by the Keys if weather permits), or is it more of a "toy" than a tool. I already use a very inexpensive fish finder as a depth guage that works fine for me. I don't care if it has all the bells and whistles, since I'm not going very far offshore with a 21 ft boat, but it could be helpful to re-trace my lay-lines if fog or heavy weather closes in fast on us. Also, does it really work as a regular ship-shore radio to perhaps contact bridgemasters or the CG, or only other rino owners?
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I believe
the Rino is not a chartplotter. This means you will have to maintain a plot on the paper chart, but can use the Rino for Lat/Lon fixes more or less the traditional navigation technique. If you want chartplotting capability check out the Garmin units that say they are "Blue Chart" capable. You will have to buy the cd to get the appropriate chart into the handheld, but they work pretty well. I have a Garmin e-trex vista as a backup to my pc based backup, which backs up my main unit. I like the Vista since it can be used on land and I even use it on my bicycle when cruising around on land.
the Rino is not a chartplotter. This means you will have to maintain a plot on the paper chart, but can use the Rino for Lat/Lon fixes more or less the traditional navigation technique. If you want chartplotting capability check out the Garmin units that say they are "Blue Chart" capable. You will have to buy the cd to get the appropriate chart into the handheld, but they work pretty well. I have a Garmin e-trex vista as a backup to my pc based backup, which backs up my main unit. I like the Vista since it can be used on land and I even use it on my bicycle when cruising around on land.
Rino 520
I just looked at the specs on the Rino 520 at the Garmin web page and I wouldn't call it a toy (especially at almost $500 MSRP). But, note that the radio is a GMRS, not VHF, so you won't be able to contact bridges or CG on it, only other GMRS radio users. It does show it has a base map or the US and can save up to 50 reversible routes. I would think your best bet would be a handheld GPS which does what you need and a handheld VHF (if you don't already have a VHF).
I just looked at the specs on the Rino 520 at the Garmin web page and I wouldn't call it a toy (especially at almost $500 MSRP). But, note that the radio is a GMRS, not VHF, so you won't be able to contact bridges or CG on it, only other GMRS radio users. It does show it has a base map or the US and can save up to 50 reversible routes. I would think your best bet would be a handheld GPS which does what you need and a handheld VHF (if you don't already have a VHF).
GARMIN GPSMAP 76
I HAVE A NEW ( NEW !) GPSMAP76 THAT I GOT AS A BACK UP BUT NEVER USED....IT'S A DEAL TO YOU ONLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT $200 AND I CAN SHIP IT EXPRESS FOR $7.95 LET ME KNOW OFF LINE AT 1KELADI@MSN.COM
I HAVE A NEW ( NEW !) GPSMAP76 THAT I GOT AS A BACK UP BUT NEVER USED....IT'S A DEAL TO YOU ONLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT $200 AND I CAN SHIP IT EXPRESS FOR $7.95 LET ME KNOW OFF LINE AT 1KELADI@MSN.COM
Rino is a chartplotter
Sorry Tom, but you're not correct-the rino 120 is a chartplotter that uses the bluechart series of downloadable charts, as well as having FRS/GMRS radio capability. We have 2, and they work really well. the only disadvantage is that the display is small. If they are in radio range, they can transmit their location to another rino-and you can plot a course to the other unit! I would be nice if Garmin made a vhf version, but we find the frs radio to be pretty useful-when someone's ashore, or off in the dinghy. FRS is open use, no license. GMRS requires an FCC license, but has much longer range-more power. the 120 is about $200 at WM now, used to be $250. I haven't seen the 520 yet, but I'll look on the garmin site-must be a new model.
Sorry Tom, but you're not correct-the rino 120 is a chartplotter that uses the bluechart series of downloadable charts, as well as having FRS/GMRS radio capability. We have 2, and they work really well. the only disadvantage is that the display is small. If they are in radio range, they can transmit their location to another rino-and you can plot a course to the other unit! I would be nice if Garmin made a vhf version, but we find the frs radio to be pretty useful-when someone's ashore, or off in the dinghy. FRS is open use, no license. GMRS requires an FCC license, but has much longer range-more power. the 120 is about $200 at WM now, used to be $250. I haven't seen the 520 yet, but I'll look on the garmin site-must be a new model.
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