US Rinos in Canada

[+TeamTripleD]

I'm looking to pick up a Rino 120 from the US (US version). I live in Canada. I don't know much about them (gift for my husband), but I know that there are differences between what is allowed in each country.

1. Can I ship the US version into Canada legally?

2. Will it work properly once it is here?

Help! I want to get this sorted out before Christmas. Thanks!

[+ThePropers]

I am not aware of what's allowed in Canada vs. the US, but I know the GPS will work fine there.

Edited October 26, 2006 by ThePropers

[+Renegade Knight]

Per the Garmin website the issue is that Canada only allows the transmitter to be 2watts vs 5watt in the USA. The impact is range. The US versions have a longer range (and probably less battery life.)

 

What I don't know is if there is a "canada" setting that would make the US Rino Canada legal or not.

[ossumguywill]

I believe the rino only broadcasts at 1.5 watts. I am not sure if FRS is legal or used in canada.

[GreatCanadian]

I believe the rino only broadcasts at 1.5 watts. I am not sure if FRS is legal or used in canada.

 

I am not 100% sure, but am SOMEWHAT sure that the band has been lifted and you can now use the rino series gps's at their full capability in canada just as you can in the us. I'll see if I can find where i read that and come back with the link.

 

From what I can tell, FRS is legal, it was GMRS that was restricted. This from the Garmin website:

 

We are pleased to announce that the FCC has granted Garmin a waiver that will allow the Rino series units to send position data on GMRS channels. In addition, Industry Canada has established a license-free GMRS service. Canadian Rino units will now allow users access to GMRS channels. Position sending/polling will also be allowed on Canadian GMRS channels. These new capabilities are available with a simple software update obtained free of charge from the Garmin Web site.

Edited October 26, 2006 by GreatCanadian

[QuigleyJones]

I'm looking to pick up a Rino 120 from the US (US version). I live in Canada. I don't know much about them (gift for my husband), but I know that there are differences between what is allowed in each country.

1. Can I ship the US version into Canada legally?

2. Will it work properly once it is here?

Help! I want to get this sorted out before Christmas. Thanks!

1 so long as you pay the duties, if any apply, then its legal. (its just not legal to sell them here)

2 will work just fine

3(what you should ask) can I be fined your using more than 2watts? Dont know but probably can be, but its not likely to happen.

[+The Jester]

I bought a Canadian Rino 120 some time back. One of the new software upgrades activated the GMRS circuits (it was a software restriction that made them different). So now they can be used in Canada without restrictions.

[Vlad]

all canadian rinos are limited by garmin to either 1watt (110, 120, 130) or 2watt (520, 530) output power. legally in canada all frs/gmrs type radios defined as consumer (this would include garmin's rinos) are mandated to be a maximum of 2watt output power and based on this garmin estimate 8kms of practical range (which is grossly overexaggerated).

 

if you bring US rinos into canada they will work perfectly well in all ways.

 

they are illegal to use however due to their 5watt output power. also if you had any issue with the units and sent them back to the US for repair it is uncertain whether garmin would be able to ship them back to you across the border as they would then be "breaking the law"...

 

there is a canadian warranty depot but i am unsure if they will cover US purchased units under warranty (after warranty likely no issue) in canada - you might want to check with them first - their name is raytech and i believe they are in quebec city or montreal?