Since my girl is brand new to sledding, I've been keeping a close eye on her while we're on the trails. Needless to say, my neck is gettin a little sore :)

Since I was going to install a GPS on each sled, and run communicators, I thought I'd see about the Rino series from Garmin. I read through the website, and all the forum topics I could find, but still have a few questions:

1) The location feature is based on the FRS, which can be 2 miles line of sight. Anyone have any practical knowledge of how far the locator works in wooded areas or slightly hilly country?

2) Practical range of the GMRS radio in wooded or hilly areas? Can the GMRS radio be used at the same time as the locator feature (FRS)?

3) Ideally, I'd like to be able to see constant updates of her position on my GPS, and probably vice-versa. Can any of these units be setup for constant position reporting or constant polling within a reasonable timeframe like 10 seconds or so? In other words, hands-free with no need to poke buttons?

4) How well do these units work in -20F weather? I'm not concerned about battery life, as I'll hardwire them or use the cigarette adapters, but do the screens work in cold weather?

Thanks in advance for any info :)

Rod

I can't specifically answer your questions but I can tell you that if you purchase Rino radios in Canada .... you do NOT get the GMRS frequencies, like the American radios have..... so I wouldn't buy them in Canada. Also, only the 130 radio has the ability to poll another 130 radio (this feature isn't available on the 100 or 120).

1- I'm sure you will be fine...I'm NEVER two miles away from my dad, and even if you or her needs to reach you in an event of a trailside emergency, one another won't be more than two miles away for a while. (esp. in wooded areas or slightly hilly country) In the US, GMRS range is 5 miles.

2- In the US, yes. FRS (family radio service) can only be used in Canada. Due to government regualations, GMRS cannot be used in Canada; therefore, no.

3- In correction to konkinj, the polling feature is available on all models. This feature gets updated when you press the call or talk key, your position is sent out. However, you cannot poll a user or send your position more than once every 30 seconds. This is effective on all units. (due to FCC regulations)

4- Garmin says the unit is good to 5 degrees (which is pretty good for an LCD display) When i'm on the slopes at 0 degrees, my cell phone screen is frozen. I would reccomend buying a carrying case and wedge hand/toe warmers in the both front and back to preserve the crystal display as well as extend battery life.


I would reccomend reading the owners manual and quick start guide to ensure the unit does what you want. Also, beware, GPS units are not exactly user friendly. We get 2 RINO 120's with our new sleds. I am sure my dad won't learn how to use his. (he thinks Windows XP is complicated :)) Not saying it's difficult, but it would help to be a little techy.

Garmin RINO 120 Owners Manual/Quick Start Guide- HERE (http://www.garmin.com/products/manual.jsp?product=010-00270-02)

Just a heads up ... GMRS is coming to Canada this fall... I'm sure we'll see the GMRS RINOs in no time since from Garmin's point of view it has to be easier to just put out one unit :)

Originally posted by Droptop@Jul 19 2004, 04:24 PM
3- In correction to konkinj, the polling feature is available on all models. This feature gets updated when you press the call or talk key, your position is sent out. However, you cannot poll a user or send your position more than once every 30 seconds. This is effective on all units. (due to FCC regulations)


Nope; poling is when you key your GPS and it finds OTHER Rino 130's that are set to allow for this to happen., and only 130's can do this.
check it out here;http://www.garmin.com/products/rino130/
What the 110/120/130's all allow for is letting the indidual user to broadcast his position when keying the unit to other Rino users.... but this is not the same as poling.

Have any of you guys gotten a chance to compare the range of the 2-way radio feature of the 120 vs. the 130? I can get a good deal on a 120 and I'm wondering if I will miss the features of the 130. :bash:

Originally posted by RJO@Aug 10 2004, 09:38 PM
Just a heads up ... GMRS is coming to Canada this fall...* I'm sure we'll see the GMRS RINOs in no time since from Garmin's point of view it has to be easier to just put out one unit :)
337663


Will a software update enable the older Rino's to use GMRS?

Originally posted by Zog@Jan 13 2005, 04:26 PM
Will a software update enable the older Rino's to use GMRS?
388594


Im afraid not... its a hardware issue

I just got the update from garmin to use the gmrs.

Yup...I did the same thing last week.