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| Garmin Rino 530HCX High-Sensitivity Color Mapping Handheld GPS and 14-Mile FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio | 
 enlarge | Brand: Garmin
Category: CE
List Price: $535.70
Buy New: $349.99
You Save: $185.71 (35%)
New (52) Used (1)
Avg. Customer Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 745
Color: Silver/ Grey
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Native Resolution: 176 x 220
Battery: 1 lithium-ion battery pack
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 2.3 x 7.5 x 1.8
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: Rino 530HCx
Model: Rino 530HCx
UPC: 753759066857
EAN: 0753759066857
ASIN: B000QJNC78
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 15 | | NEXT » |
 Great Upgrade to the base 530 version! May 17, 2008
I wish I had waited 6 months last time when I bought the base Rino 530 - that was not expandable. For $20 I was able to get a 2 GB memory card that goes into this one and can hold every map I could ever need.
Now with 2 units I can keep track and keep in touch with other members of our party when we are out enjoying nature!
Excellent Handheld GPS February 13, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have had this GPS now for about 2 months. Primarily purchased it for use with backpacking although I have now been geocaching with it as well. The screen is easy to see and controls are fairly straightforward. The added radio works well (although to use GMRS, you need a FCC license) and picks up NOAA weather easily. You can create your own topo maps for this GPS, not the easiest to do, but gives you the most freedom. I have loaded a few topos I've made myself into the GPS. Connection to a computer is simple. Battery works well, lasts ~14hours before giving out. I have used the optional alkaline (NiMH) pack and gotten about 10 hours with it. Note that this does not include transmitting on the radio. The really neat option is being able to transmit your position and reading in other RINO positions which I have done.
One drawback is indeed the documentation. You will learn to use it the most just by using it and using the guide as a starting point.
Overall, good GPS with lots of options.
One of the best handheld GPS in the market February 4, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have spent a lot of time researching handheld GPSs and I think that the Rino 530 is by far one of the best in the market. It is very durable and accurate. I had enter a benchmark as a waypoint and I was standing on the benchmark and it said I was within 2 feet of the way point. For a handheld GPS this is scary accurate. With all its features, and its accuracy it is the most bang for your buck.
The thing that was the most impressive is the battery life. I kept it on for almost 30 hours and it only used up about 40% of its battery, and it was not a idle on, but using the GPS and radio constantly. Too many features to elabrorate on each one of them. But for serious hikers and Geocachers this is a great tool.
battery life info January 30, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Just received this unit -- arrived quickly from Amazon, as usual. Display is bright, controls simple to use, sensitivity of gps receiver is excellent (I can get reception in my basement, although I have lost signal inside my local, small-town, one-room grocery store). I have an older Garmin which is working fine, but I purchased this one for the added benefit of the radio capability, in case of emergency in wilderness while treking with my 9 and 12 year old daughters.
With a fully charged, brand new rechargable battery as supplied with the unit, I got 40 hours of continuous use. I turned off the radio during all but 1 hour of this time but had the WAAS enabled. During this time, I took it with me while I ran errands, took 2 short day hikes, and went to work, but did not carry it on my person around the home. With 4 brand new, high quality brand name AA batteries (using the separately purchased alkaline battery pack), I got 19 hours of continuous use under similar conditions. After reading Hinch's book on GPS use, I did turn off the WAAS after about 8 hours into this trial. I did not have the radio on at all during the alkaline battery trial, although I did "fiddle" with the pages and settings more often than the rechargable trial (was reading the Hinch book simultaneous with the alkaline trial, so I tried a couple of the tasks in the book during this time).
The base map supplied with the unit provides minimal street information and (as with any map from any source) some inaccuracies. Lists our grade school parking lot as "Black Partridge Park" -- which is actually a very large prairie/forest preserve located just outside of our little town.
Be aware: you cannot load any map onto this unit except those specifically provided/sold by Garmin. To my knowledge, this is true for all gps units; the units with mapping features will only accept those from the manufacturer of the receiver. You can, however, download waypoints generated from other mapping software programs.
Have not tested the radio capability in the wild, but I see others have reported 5 mile range under typical wilderness conditions. The discrepancy between this irl range and the 14 miles listed on specs (which is always the maximum obtainable under totally optimal conditions) is entirely par for 2 way radio range estimates. If you plan to use the GMRS radio frequencies, you will need an FCC license. No training or test required; just an $85 fee. Easy to obtain online.
BTW: highly recommend Stephen Hinch book, Outdoor Navigation With GPS. I've been a basic-feature gps user for several years, but wanted a better understanding of the more advanced features and the jargon.
I can't believe this thing, it's too cool January 20, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This thing is too cool. My wife purchased the Rino530 for Christmas and it wouldn't do what I needed. Amazon was great about the return. They said it may take a couple of weeks but I had return credit in four days.
I got the Rino530HCX so that I could load topo and street maps on it. I had a little trouble to begin with loading the map but Garmin's support was great. They haven't outsourced it to India and there wasn't any problem understanding them. The problem that I had was because I had an unlock code for the 530 that I traded in. The Garmin rep had to get permission from a supervisor and called me back instead of putting me on hold. She was right on the money and I have no trouble with the new unlock code.
The only map that I have had a chance to use is the City Navigator. I work for the Dallas Fire Department and the GPS on our equipment is all but useless. The Rino is great. It's easy to use and so far accurate. I was driving down a street that I've known as a kid. The Rino called it's name as Bryan but I just knew I was on Beltline. I mean I've been driving this street since the 60's. I looked over at a street sign and sure enough I was on Bryan. It warns you by beeping when you get close to a turn and it double beeps when you are there. The screen is easy to read both day and night and it has an automatic zoom feature that enlarges the map when you need it.
I have been very impressed with this unit and can't wait to get it on the trail. I'm sure it will take a long time to learn everything it can do but it is a huge help already.
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