Just got a Garmin Rino 120 GPS, Any tips?

[Lennyjoe]

Just got back from spending boo koo bucks on my first GPS. Got the Garmin Rino 120.

I have weighed all the options and decided that this will work out the best for me. I know alot of states do not allow radios while hunting but its gonna be used for hiking and other stuff as well.

So, any tips you guys wanna give a newbie to the GPS crowd? I am used to compass and map and have been using them for years. Mind you that they still will be in my backpack as well as the GPS but the GPS is gonna take the lead.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tierhog]

Those Rino's are really slick. We use them on our Inmate Recovery Team. (I chase escaped inmates in the Pacific Northwest) The nice feature is that if your buddy has one you can track each others location just by using the radio. If you have the only one its still nice to have as you can turn off the radio function or the GPS function if you choose. The option of FRS or GMRS is nice to, but the $75.00 license fee to use the GMRS freqs stinks. You can get the MapSource software and download Topo maps directly to the Rino. Very nice but not a lot of detail but the maps are scaleable and customizeable to some extent. I am glad you will keep your map and compass with you. Things break and batteries fail. All three will get you where you are going and back again. I personaly use the USGS maps with the NAD 27 CONUS datum set to UTM grids. Its like the military grid reference system but a slightly different scale. The 7.5 minute maps are only $4.00 a piece. Fairly reasonable. Also you can get GPS maps at most outdoor retailers. The best advise I can offer is to read the instruction booklet, then read it again. Some local colleges offer course's in GPS use, might be worth looking into. Also the unit should have come with a computer interface cable, hook it up and upgrade the software if needed. The manual should tell you how, if not the garmin web site has all the info you will need. Get a headset with boom mike if you are using it hunting (if you can where you are) that way the radio won't scare any animals away. Also if you spend a little on the mike you can use it in VOX (voice activated)mode, thats real handy when your hands are full of rifle and your sights are full of deer. Check the garmin site for accesories, lots of neat add ons.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Also the unit should have come with a computer interface cable, hook it up and upgrade the software if needed.

Roger that. Already did an upgrade on it. Easy as pie.

I have been thru the manual 4 times already and so far so good.