Has anyone had any experience using the 'GARMIN RINO GPS series'?

I've just ordered the Garmin 110 GPS.

In case anyone is wondering what im talking about...it is a handheld compact waterproof GPS that is also a radio. It has VOX voice activated and handsfree functions as well as PTT functions. It also shows your location and location of anyone else using the garmin rino gps. I thought this would be good for big bay crossings and big downwind kiting trips.

No the model I am definately looking at is the Garmin RINO 110. It is the base model GPS/Handheld radio. I know you can buy them off the net brand new for $USD99.00

I am not too worried about the UHF band and it conflicting with the police. Should I be really worried? what are the odds that Im gonna get busted for using them? It's not like you'll be chit chatting the whole time kitesurfing lol.

Hi Alby

You are completely right. I should have mentioned that I ordered a pair. I relised this and thought what the hell! I got to have 2 of them to get real value out of them. I wouldn't just be using them for kitesurfing applications they could be used for fishing/camping/kayaking etc.

I have used the sealed mobile in a bag thing before and still think it's a really good idea.

Anyway thanks for that.

You might have already heard this, but Garmin's "waterproof" is not really the same thing as a kiter's waterproof. I've had a to do some repairs to a few Garmins that got wet already, including a Rhino. A plastic bag will probably be a good idea.

You're probably fine with the police frequency thing, but be careful if you do hear one out there. Canada used to have the same problem - the FRS radios (the Rhinos are FRS) from the USA used the same frequency as the RCMP cops in Canada. Some American came over, and got all abusive on his radio when the cops told him to stop broadcasting - he ended up spending his Canadian holiday in jail. :)
In the end the cops in Canada just upgraded their radios, and now FRS is cool in Canada.

I use the Rhinos for work out in the jungle - they work pretty good, but we already managed to smash one, and we've never actually used the position reporting features - we just use em as radio's and gps's in one.

I'm thinking of buying a garmin gecko or something small that'll fit in a pack better, and when I'm kiting miles offshore I use a marine radio so I can talk to my chase boat, and any other boat if I need to.

I use Aquapak for my mobile and various other items. They work well and should do the job.

i've found having the unit strapped to your upper sholder/arm or even attached to upper part of your chest on a wetsuit is good. It's easier for being able to speak and hear your buddies and doesn't get exposed to as much impact.

Jan,

Pop into Airborne we are using both styles of Aquapacs and have both for sale they both have advantages. I generaly use the round the neck model which is smaller, cheaper, doesn't get in the way but you can't read it while kiting.

When Ian Y did his run to Pt Gregory we both had Garmin 201 with the same locations marked so we knew where to meet up. So he had to be able to read it while kiting so used the round the arm model. I think he had his mobile round the neck down the wetsuit.

I always take my mobile if doing a down winder, no problems around the neck and down the wetty.

Ian Grose

Thanks Bribie Rob but the rescue advantage of using the Garmin RINOs wasn't a real big reason for using them.

I was thinking they would be good for getting coaching with someone spotting or just general communication with your buddies while you downwind trips to make the kiting experience more social and fun. This is just to name a few of the options the RINOs give. At the end of the day it'd be fun just to see how many km's you clocked and what the average and fastest speed were and compare.