Hit the trail in confidence with the Garmin Rino 530HCx, which combines a two-way FRS/GMRS radio with a high-sensitivity GPS navigator. The waterproof unit offers 22 channels and 5 watts of transmit power, so you can contact friends or rescue crews from up to 14 miles away (line of sight) over GMRS channels or up to 2 miles over FRS channels. The high-sensitivity GPS receiver, meanwhile, locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover. The advantage is clear: whether you’re traipsing through thick woods or strolling near tall buildings and trees, you can count on the Rino 530HCx to help you find your way when you need it the most. The combined radio and navigator functions m [Read More...]
Buy GARMIN 010-00564-01 Rino 530HCx 2-Way Radio With GPS/FRS/GMRS at Amazon
More Portable GPS Articles
- Garmin FR60 Men’s Black Fitness Watch Bundle
- Garmin nuvi 255 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Map Updates
- Premium Hard Shell Travel Case for Garmin and TomTom GPS Navigators - to hold unit, adapters, memory cards and other accessories ***Includes Screen Protector
- IG-PSTARA: i.Trek Garmin Nuvi Sticky Mount
- Garmin 010-00658-10 Forerunner 405 with ANT+ Sport Wireless Technology
- Garmin nüvi 765/765T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic & Lifetime Map Updates
- Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer
- Garmin 010-10889-01 Forerunner 305/205 Quick Release Bike Mount Replacement
- Garmin FR60 Women’s Lilac Fitness Watch
- ARKON GN097-USB Pedestal Lighter Socket Mount with integrated Mini USB Power for Garmin
- GA-BIKE+WPCS2: Universal Motorcyle / Bike Mount with Water Resistant Case for 4.3″ or 3.5″ Screen GPS Devices from TomTom, Garmin, Magellan, Mio etc.
- Garmin zumo 660 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Motorcycle Navigator
- Garmin nüvi 1350T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic - Factory Refurbished
- RAM Mounting Systems RAM-B-149Z-GA12U Handlebar Mount for Garmin Astro 220, GPS 60, GPSMAP 60, 60C, 60CS, 60CX, 60CSx
- ChargerCity® Exclusive Vehicle Power Cable car charger for Garmin Nuvi 600 610 655 660 675 685 GPS. Item includes ChargerCity Manufacture Direct Replacement Warranty
I purchased the 530HCx about two weeks ago to use while deer hunting in East Tennessee. Everyone in our group has GPS and two-way radio to find our way around and communicate when we are in unfamilar territory. I have been searching for a device that will take care of both needs, without having to handle two seperate pieces of equipment, and the 530HCx has worked flawlessly so far.
The satellite positioning seems to be right on and positioning after start-up was quick. I used the unit to mark several deer trails, rub lines, and possible stand placements and I was able to return to those areas very easily. I used the averaging feature to fine tune the locations and was able to get within 5-7 feet of everything I marked.
Everyone in the group said that radio transmission was crystal clear, they could hear my transmissions better than anyone elses. Don’t get me wrong the Garmin in definetly a GPS first and radio second but I was very pleased with its two-way capabilities. It performed as well, if not better, than the midlands and motorolas in the group.
I also invested in TOPO US 2008 to install on the unit. I wasn’t that impressed with the TOPO map but area detail is alot better than the basemap. We make several trips to Fort Campbell every year and all roads, creeks, and even fire
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.