Garmin Rino 110 5-Mile 12-Channel FRS/GMRS Waterproof Two-Way Radio and GPS Receiver

Garmin Rino 110 5-Mile 12-Channel FRS/GMRS Waterproof Two-Way Radio and GPS Receiver Review

Garmin Rino 110 5-Mile 12-Channel FRS/GMRS Waterproof Two-Way Radio and GPS Receiver Feature

• Combination two-way radio and GPS receiver
• Radio specs: 14 FRS channels for 2-mile range, 7 GMRS channels for 5 mile range, 38 subcodes per channel, hands-free VOX,
• GPS specs: 12-channel, WAAS-enabled receiver, up to 500 waypoints, trip computer with speed tracking
• Beam location to another Rino user within a two-mile range using the FRS spectrum
• Waterproof construction, includes lanyard and belt clip

Amazon.com Review Imagine a cross between a walkie talkie and a Star Trek communicator, that's the best way to understand the Garmin's Rino 110. Not just a powerful GPS receiver, this two-way radio can even track your friends and transmit your location to others. These innovative features and low price makes it ideal whether hiking, hunting, playing paintball or just checking up on your kids.

100 meters: Accuracy of the original GPS system, which was subject to accuracy degradation under the government-imposed Selective Availability (SA) program. 15 meters: Typical GPS position accuracy without SA. 3-5 meters: Typical differential GPS (DGPS) position accuracy. Less than 3 meters: Typical WAAS position accuracy.

About the size of a small cordless phone, the bright-yellow and black Rino 110 has two fixed antennas coming out of the top. One antenna lets you talk at up to two miles using 14 FRS (Family Radio Service) channels. It also can communicate across 8 GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels, offering up to 5 miles of range, though this requires an FCC license.

The other antenna offers the advanced WAAS-enabled GPS tracking you'd expect from Garmin (see chart at right). Using the large 160 x 160 pixel backlit display you can save up to 20 different routes and 500 waypoints in the unit's 1 MB of memory. Plus, in addition to the built-in cities database, you can even upload maps from Garmin's Points of Interest CD with an optional adapter.

The fun really starts when you combine these two features. The Rino can transmit its location to others at up to two miles and track up to 50 contacts simultaneously. So, for instance, you can display a map on the screen with the names and locations of all of your friends, or select a friend and have the Rino guide you to their location.

The Rino's graphical interface makes it easy to control its myriad functions with a 5-way cursor, similar to those found on laptop keyboards, which lets you move quickly across the menu screens. This waterproof device runs on 3 AAA batteries.

Once you use the Rino 110, it's hard to imagine purchasing a two-way radio without GPS functionality, the two features go so well together. --Ken Feinstein

Pros:

• Two-way radio with GPS functions
• FRS and GMRS support
• Waterproof
• Large backlit display

Cons:

• 1 MB memory not upgradeable

Garmin Rino 110 GPS / FRS / GMRS. The Rino 110 is a GPS-enabled handheld that integrates radio functionality to provide 2-way communications. It's waterproof, can send communications up to 2 miles using FRS channels, 5 miles using GMRS channels, and can "beam" your exact location to another Rino user using "position reporting." And because the Rino 110 had standard FRS / GMRS capabilities, you can talk to friends or family who own conventional FRS / GMRS radios. Get the specs: WAAS-enabled GPS receiver; 22 communication channels: 1-14 FRS, 15-22 GMRS; 38 sub-audible squelch codes per transmission channel for privacy; Transmission distance of up to 2 miles using FRS, up to 5 miles with GMRS (using GMRS frequency in the U.S. requires a FCC license); External voice activation (VOX); Ergonomic design for one-handed operation, with call, press-to-talk (PTT) and page mode buttons on the side, power / backlighting button on top, and volume and zoom buttons in front; Unique 5-way cursor for channel selection and volume adjustment in FRS / GMRS mode, and quick map planning, entering and selecting functions in GPS mode; Built-in worldwide city point database, with 1 MB of internal memory for downloading additional points-of-interest data from a MapSource "Points of Interest" CD Also includes wrist strap, belt clip, user's guide and quick reference guide. Order Today! Garmin Rino 110 GPS / FRS / GMRS