AllenTenn

I have also intercepted conversations at the 30+ mile range that sounded clear as a bell. I found out they're using a repeater, a 40 watt repeater is capable of that distance. I'm thinking of putting up a couple in my neck of the woods. If you hear what sounds like to be morse code every so often on a channel, it is most likely a repeater identifying itself. There are also sites on the internet you can find that keep a database of GMRS repeaters around the country, just google something like "GMRS repeater database". There is a code of conduct on how to use these repeaters you don't own, which ever website you find will have info on that too. BTW: What do you hunt in Hawaii? I don't think these individuals were using a repeater. They were obviously visitors to the islands and were using channel 7. I think it was just a perfect wave and I was facing them on the mountain with nothing in between. As far as what I hunt in Hawaii, we just closed bird season yesterday. We have turkeys, chukars, erkcls, quail, dove, pheasants, and hungarian partridge (on a private ranch). Big game mammals we have sheep, goats, mouflon, pigs, and axis deer on a couple of the islands. I have taken goats and most of the birds. I have yet been able to hunt the others, but hope to do so soon.

I have been playing with my radio during my last few hunting trips, mostly intercepting other conversations. This afternoon it was a nice clear day on the mountain. I had a clear shot to the ocean and intercepted a conversation 30+ miles away. It was as clear and crisp as if it were a block away. I didn't try to carry on a conversation, seeing that no one would want to be interrupted. (By the way, this was not a one time thing, it was all afternoon) At another place I have intercepted conversations about a mile away. This is in a construction zone. I think they are using weaker radio units. Just thought I would share my experience. In the beginning someone had asked about the distance here in Hawaii.

It's up there, in Post #7. Any idea what he means? Thanks, Tom In addition to mtzip's explanation of turning the radio function off when powering up the gps, I would add this: For those not using the radio functions of the Rino, and there are some, the radio turns on automatically during each power up., i.e. turning the unit on. From what I have seen, and others too, there is no way to disable the radio until it is manually enabled. It automatically enables after each power up. (e.g., I could foresee this presenting a problem for hunters and others who may experience unexpected feedback, interference, etc.) Again, do not fear both the radio and gps can be used simultaneously.

Again, thanks to all of you that have made this post worth it. I really wish I had this from the beginning stages of my search. Your experience and willingness to share is priceless. I have had one issue that I cannot totally resolve. A kind member has helped me but I haven't found the solution yet. I hunt in some areas that the dirt roads and trails are not listed. I am trying to put them on my map permanently but have been able to do so only by tracking points, which only 20 are allowed and those do not show up on the map unless called upon. Has anyone else had similar experiences? Any way to resolve this? When I am hunting I would like to know where my the roads are. Thanks, AllenTenn

What model Rino do you have? I got a 530HCx for Christmas. It came with a USB cable. On Garmin's website you can purchase a USB replacement cord for $14.99. I am sure you can find this in other places as well. It is listed under the accessories for the 530HCx. Under the 130 series you can purchase an adapter cable that will apparently resolve your issue. (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=810) Again, I am sure there are other sites as well. Hope this helps resolve your issue. Aloha, Allen

Okay, thanks to the relentless help of coggins I was able to make the pathway(road) I needed in Google Earth. It shows up on my Rino with some waypoints, but not to the extent I can't use it. The bad news: The road shows up only as 1 of my 20 tracks. It does not stay on the screen on my Rino. Is there a way it can become a permanent section of the map, as it appears to be on mapsource? (Thanks again Coggins!!)

Do you know how he did this? I think he zoomed in on Google Earth on the trails he wanted to travel. Then, in Mapsource, using the "Create Track" tool, he created a Track on the Topo maps. He said it was tricky matching up the two different views, but the Track he created was just about perfect. I just do this all in GE using a semi-transparent TOPO layer and export the path as a .kml This way it's easy to align the two. Here's an example of Hilo, HI. Aerial: Aerial & TOTO (Edited to add pictures.) I am a newbie at this. Is there somewhere that describes the process of this? I tried to mess with it on Google Earth, but wasn't able to do it.

I thought about this, but it is obviously time consuming. It may come to this, but I am hoping something easier comes along.

Do you know how he did this?

mitzip, Sounds like you have put this thing to the test! Unfortunately, I have not had other users to maximize the radio functions, but look forward to using them as you have mentioned. Like you, I have been unable to drain this battery. I thought i was doing pretty good yesterday. It was at about 60% when i left to go hunting. After traveling and hunting for 5 hours, continually playing with it, and leaving it on all night, I thought I had pretty well drained it. Only to plug it in for recharging and finding it still with 9% battery life. I am not sure how much more you can do to drain it in 14 hours. Thanks for your review!

yea, i have a pretty good sense of direction, but was sure messed up this day. Ended up one road over--without crossing a road--and below the truck when I was sure I was above. Again, there were two of us and the other guy is a firefighter. So, we're not just absent-minded, morons. Sense that time, I am sure to go where I know the terrain and the roads surrounding them.

I have a Rino 530 HCx and Topo 2008. I am also new to gps. Many of the roads I use to hunt on are not found on the Topo 2008 map. They are easily recognizable and available on the USGS maps. Is there any way I can add these roads to my maps on my Rino?

Well, I have finally returned to Hawaii. Unfortunately, I was unable to test the radio function in FL. Therefore, I cannot tell you all about it. My radio usage has been limited to a few bleeds of other conversations. As far as the gps unit, I am loving it. I still have a long way to go in learning all that it can do but have enjoyed it immensely. I took it on my first hunting trip yesterday. In gulches and thick cover it never lost signal. I was able to calculate how far I walked, my speed, and elevation, among many other things. It was nice having the comfort to know that I always knew where I was in relation to my truck. (Something I thought so simple until a routine hunting excursion left me completely turned around. Even with someone who knew the woods!) All in all, I am enjoying my Rino 530 HCx. My only con, is that I was hoping to use the weather radio on the mountain. I found out yesterday it doesn't catch a signal, other than an occasional bleed through.

Jeff, I have not tried the radio feature yet. I am actually visting family in TX this week and FL next week. I will probably be able to play around with the radio next week in FL; can't really in TX. I will be back in Hawaii after the first of the year. I will be able to tell more about the other then. The weather radio works good! Aloha, allen

To those interested in the Rino 530HCx: I have been playing with mine for the last few days. I am enjoying it, though I have not discovered the full potential of such a wonderful product. I am using the Topo 2008 and found it to be dead on in some situations and a off quite a bit in others (such as placing a building on a completely different side of the road). As for the battery life, I have left it on all day, playing with it sporadically, and it is still at 46% at the end of the day. Due to the interest shown in this post, if someone has a question I might could answer I will try my best. Who knows. maybe I might learn something too.

I just received one of these for Christmas. I am still learning about it. But I purchased a 2gb SanDisk card and it works fine. Maybe I just lucked out.

This thread caught my eye as a potential upgrade for me. I like almost everything except the rechargeable lithium ion battery (with only 14 hours of estimated battery life). A second battery pack is about $50. I'll stick with my NiMH rechargeables and the ability to use standard AA's, if need be. I believe they sell an adapter that holds AA batteries. I personally liked the idea of having the rechargeable battery pack. My uses allow me to be home at night so charging is not an issue. Plus, I have the ability to charge in my vehicle. For camping and some other uses, I could see your reservations. Even that would take several sets of rechargeable AA's as the use with AA's I believe is only 25-30 hours.

Jeff, I will be glad to write a review. As you can tell, I am just a 'tadpole' But I will try to pass on some information that was not afforded to me during my search. I have gained a new appreciation for the opinions of others and the forum response. I will seek to provide some of the information I wish I would have had. It may sound rather crazy, but I hunt by myself 95% of the time and will most likely not use the radio feature that much. I really liked the idea of having the weather channel though. I hunt the slopes of Mauna Kea where the weather changes rather rapidly. For about $50 more I thought it would be worth the money spent. Of course, it will be nice when I am hunting with someone with a Rino/radio. As for a place to purchase the Rino, I went through Amazon and found what I consider a good deal ($350). That was about $150 off the suggested price. I will be sure to post some information as I learn about this product. Aloha, allen

Thank you so much for your reply. I "think" I may just have one under the Christmas tree. Not sure! Just a strong hunch! (seeing that I ordered it. I will have to get in touch with you whenever I get to open it Christmas. I'll have to have the 101 walk-through. Do you have a case for yours? What kind? Thanks, Allen

Andre, I have just purchased a Rino 530HCx for Christmas. I too have a MacBook Pro. I run Parallels on mine. Unfortunately, I will not be able to tell you if it works or not for another week. If you have not found any information by that time, feel free to PM me and I will tell you what I have/have not figured out yet. Sorry, I couldn't answer you matter-of-factly. However, from what I understand Garmin is not mac ready. Aloha, allen

Andre, I have just purchased a Rino 530HCx for Christmas. I too have a MacBook Pro. I run Parallels on mine. Unfortunately, I will not be able to tell you if it works or not for another week. If you have not found any information by that time, feel free to PM me and I will tell you what I have/have not figured out yet. Sorry, I couldn't answer you matter-of-factly. However, from what I understand Garmin is not mac ready. Aloha, allen

Thanks for your insight and help with this subject. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated. I saw the harness for the SAR teams and that really prompted my search for a superior quality case. Again, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Aloha, allen If you're ever in Hilo again, you'll have to show me how to use it.

Thanks for the info!!

I am new to the GPS scene and have been researching units to use for hunting/geocaching in Hawaii. Unfortunately, I didn't find this forum until after I ordered my Rino 530HCx. I asked questions in other forums but didn't really receive much feedback. I was wondering if there were any other Rino 530hcx users out there that might tell me some of the pros and cons of the system? Anyone used theirs in Hawaii? I am also looking for a case that I can use to attach this unit to my hunting backpack. I loved the Conterra holster that was suggested to someone else. My only problem is that I already have a backpack on. Any other holster/packs that I am missing? Thanks for your response!