Garmin Rino 120 Handheld GPS Receiver

A mapping GPS receiver and a FRS / GMRS 2-way radio in a single small, rugged, waterproof (submersible) device would seem like a traveler's dream. But does it realize its potential in practical use? The short answer is "yes, for the most part."

This review will first focus on the two key functions of this device - GPS and radio, and then comment on the user interface and recommended accessories.


--- GPS -----------------------------------

First of all, a few words for folks new to GPS (global positioning): it is free and does not require any registration or subscription. It works by means of getting signals from a bunch of special satellites orbiting the Earth. Therefore, it works anywhere in the world - just don't expect it to work in your basement - or anywhere, for that matter, where most of the sky is obstructed. It will work in your car (for best results hold the device near the car's window). In practice, its accuracy ranges between 12 and 120 feet, typically 20...40 ft. Rino 120 actually tells you how accurately it is able to determine your position at any given time.

Rino 120 has a base map (i.e. a built-in permanent map) that covers the US, Canada, and South America. The map features highways and major city streets. In addition, Rino 120 has 8 MBytes of internal memory (no upgrade possible), to which you can download the additional map detail from various mapping CD's Garmin makes.

You can select geographical areas from a given CD that you can upload to the Rino 120. You can mix and match in Rino's memory different areas from different CD's at the same time. Whatever detail you upload, will enhance the base map in the area in question.

The device's 8 MBytes of memory will fit say Manhattan and some outer areas of the New York City at a high detail level (i.e. lots of info on businesses, etc., besides detailed street level maps). Less dense areas (like rural areas) take much less memory of course.

Garmin makes all sorts of map CD's available:

MetroGuide CD's (USA, Europe, ... - check their site) provide very detailed information on cities, businesses, recreation, etc. Calling them Metro guides is a clumsy move on Garmin's part marketing wise as they cover in detail the whole region including rural areas - not just metropolitan ones. These, in my opinion, are the most useful ones to get if available, for whichever area you intend to travel.

There's a World Map CD, which has coverage of the whole world, providing detail on major roads, main city streets, etc. - similar to what Rino 120's base map already has for the America's.

Then there are marine and topography (i.e. terrain) CD's for those interested in these fields.


--- RADIO ---------------------------------

Rino 120 has all the regular 1/2 watt FRS (Family Radio Service) channels (up to 2 mile range) and all the 1 watt GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels (up to 5 miles).

Radio range and sound quality wise Rino 120 is no better or worse than any other decent upper-midrange 2-way radio like the current generation Motorola's (except for their top of the line 2 watt units). Expect between 1/2 and 2/3 the advertised range in most real-world conditions.

What's unique about the Rino's is the integration between the GPS and the radio functionality, whereby one Rino can at a push of a button tell the other Rino where it is, over radio. The other Rino will display your location graphically on its map display in relation to self and name/icon (you set your name and icon in your device's settings). This is a great feature; one reservation however is that it works over FRS channels only - hence, no more than 2 miles away.

If you're in the US, you ought to file an FCC application and pay a fee to transmit on the 5 mile GMRS channels. In Canada, you ought not be using those at all - in fact, Rino 120's sold in Canada have the GMRS frequencies disabled altogether.


--- INTERFACE -----------------------------

Rino 120 sports a fairly graphically sophisticated interface that will be intuitive in a few ways to Windows and Mac users, but may be daunting to non-technical folks shying away from computers and such. If you are reading this though, you will probably do alright! :-)

The stick pointer on Rino works sort of the same way as the "pencil eraser" style pointing device on a notebook PC, although Rino's one is not as precise (nor proportional) as the better computer pointers of the sort. As a result, in the first days of use you may be e.g. inadvertently adding waypoints when in fact trying to pan the map.

The built-in routing feature on the Rino is relatively unsophisticated: the routes connect the waypoints with straight lines and do not auto-route you back on course if you get off-course despite the GPS (i.e. taking a wrong turn somewhere). However, if you use Garmin's above mentioned CD's and connect Rino 120 to your notebook as a GPS sensor, and use the notebook PC itself for navigation, you will get the much more improved routing.


--- RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES ---------------

Keyspan high speed USB-Serial adapter (part USA-19QW). Be sure to pick up the high speed kind, for reasons of compatibility (not speed). Get the latest driver on teir web site. Set the buffer size to 8 bytes (down from default 16) for smaller latency. Don't set it to zero or it won't work right with Garmin's software.

Garmin MapSource CD's (pick the applicable ones - recommend MetroGuide USA, MetroGuide Europe, WorldMap) - to download the detailed maps into the device and also, if you have a notebook PC, can be used with the Rino to navigate, using the PC's higher resolution, larger, color screen.

Garmin nylon pouch, if you want to protect your Rino(s) from cosmetic nicks and scratches while they're kicking around in your luggage.

Good quality rechargeable AA batteries (each radio takes three) - recommend 1800 mAh NiMh type.