[meteorite-list] GPS

From: Mr EMan <mstreman53_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:55:36 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <775261.2282.qm_at_web55206.mail.re4.yahoo.com>

Well Mike, I am a fan of the Garmin Rino series 110/120/130 and 530/530(color) They are water proof, 5-14 mile range dual GPS and FRS/GRS radio units which can be slaved to a laptop GPS program and powered from either internal batteries or off vehicle power. You can use several map sources including Garmin's map set made for city/vehicle navigation.

You can load topos on all three and they have a built in GRS/FRS radio which allows search party members to "poll" other members and automatically import their locations dynamically into your map screen. The Rino 110 is a cheapest version which still polls but is a little under size memory capacity for topo maps but is still good for axillary members of your search party especially if they are, for instance, driving your vehicle to the far end of the search area for later link up. All units have only built-in memory--a necessity in keeping them water proof and none hold all the maps I'd like to have available at one time but you can swap them out from a Windows laptop or Mac via Parallels Widow emulator.

I have 4 units: a 130 with map capability plus weather radio, a 120 with map cap, two bright yellow 110 units plus 4 regular FRS radios so everyone in camp can keep in touch.

Most any time on eBay the 530/520c new are $300-400, the 130 and 120 are under $200 and the 110 is usually $80 or less occassionally $50! But as a dual unit for city navigation I don't think they are the best owing to lack of voice and small screen. This makes them affordable for the whole search party and preserves the polling feature which allows everyone to keep up with the location of everyone else.

One caveat is the radio side can be an issue when traveling to certain foreign locations where personal two way radios are restricted.

I am sure there are oodles of other opinions but this seems to work for me and my situations.

Elton
--- On Sun, 4/19/09, Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> What is a good dual-purpose GPS?
>
> I want something that has loaded Topo maps for
> prospecting/hiking use and can be used handheld. I'd also like the ability to dash mount the same GPS and use it for city driving. Is there a good GPS like this that doesn't cost more than $200 or so, maybe $250?
>
> I'd like to keep things simple when out boondocking and
> hunting for meteorites - so one GPS is better than two, not to mention
> less batteries and chargers.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> MikeG
Received on Sun 19 Apr 2009 02:55:36 PM PDT