Garmin Rino 130
- 12-Channel, WAAS-Enabled GPS Receiver
- Built-In Electronic Compass, Basemap & Barometric Sensor
- 7 Noaa Weather Channels & Weather Alert
- 24 Mb Internal Memory
- Transmission Range Of Up To 2 Miles Using Frs
Product Description
The Rino 130 is the most feature-rich unit in the Rino family, with a built-in electronic compass, barometric sensor, weather receiver for seven NOAA weather channels, and 24 MBs of internal memory. This handheld radio has a built-in electronic compass to give a heading while the user is standing still, and a barometric altimeter to provide extremely accurate elevation and pressure information, which will assist users in identifying weather data. The Rino 130 provides two-way radio communication with a transmission range of up to two miles using FRS channels and up to five miles with GMRS. The integration of two-way radio and GPS enables users to transmit their position with a simple button press, allowing o… More >>
Filed under: Garmin
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
The Garmin 130 arrived at my house about 36 hours before the deer hunting opener here in Wisconsin. I ordered a DVD getting started tutorial from another web site which got me started with the basics although the 130 is a feature-packed device that will be sure to keep the most gadget inclinced occupied for quite a while, but the basic features are fairly intuitive and easy to use with two basic buttons: the “click-stick” and the page/cancel button. I don’t think the DVD tutorial was worth the money, but it’s hard to say how much harder it would have been to get started without seeing it being operated by someone on the video.
A member of my party had a Garmin 120 last fall and I was anxious to unlock the power of the position tracking capabilities during the hunting season (for both him and myself). It proved very valuable while making drives with the compatible Garmin 120 as we were able to see each other’s position in nearly real-time. It’s not quite real time because the position of your buddies only updates when they release the talk button on their radio, so when we were trying to be quiet, we just got used to frequently keying the mic without transmitting any message.
I’ve read some complaints about the Garmin 130’s radio capabilities, but I have to say it was one of my unexpected surprises with this unit. I had always borrowed a Motorola 2-way radio to use in previous seasons, so I not only stopped mooching off my buddies radios this year, but had best transmitting and receiving radio out of the group of 5 radios (and it was better than the Rino 120, too). On more than 1 occaision I had to translate for two buddies that couldn’t hear each other, but I could hear both of them and they could hear me, so I translated for them (maybe I was right in the middle of them, but I think my radio was consistently a better performer under the same conditions and ranges throughout the season).
The 120 doesn’t have as much memory and based on the comparison of the 130 and 120 in our camps this year, the satellite signal reception (affects accuracy of your position) and the radio signal strength were both better on the 130.
Other than my rifle, there’s no other gear I will rely on more during a hunting season.
Rating: 5 / 5
I have been using the Garmmin Rino 120 and 130 for two years for Boondocking Snowmobiling in Alaska, and Hunting. As for hunting my son lost his 120 in the tundra caribou hunting and I used the poll for position function and it locked on to his 120 and I used the GOTO function and it brought me right to the lost GPS. I have had no problem with the radio I think it works great, I was able to locate and communicate with other members of my hunting party when they were out of sight in a draw and at an 800 foot higher elevation and 1 mile away. The MapSource is easy to use and down load the needed maps fairly easly, and the Garmin web site is easy to download software updates. I have found the altimiter to be spot on when snowmobiling. The batteries last about 8 -10 hours depending on how much you use the radio and you get about 45 mins of time after you get the low battery warning but the radio does lose clarity and transmission strength at this time.
I find the function buttons and zoom fuction easy to use, I would diffently buy this unit again.
Rating: 5 / 5
Before i bought my Rino, my mind was made up. I was absolutly convinced i wanted so i ignored the reviews that critised the radio feature. Boy was i wrong the radio built into this unit is usless for anything more that about 250 meters. A distance you can shout over, and even then yelling will be clear to understand. Don’t get me wrong i love my rino and take it everwhere, the map featrues are amazing and the built in compass, altimeter and weather radio are so useful. I frequently set out somewhere with only my GPS and address and no map. And find it very easy to get there, using the address lookup feature. Basically i love using my rino 130, but the radio isn’t worth the extra weight, i know own a pair of motorolas FRS/GMRS which are excellent.
Rating: 3 / 5
This update might help users that were having problems with there Rino 110, 120 and 130 Radios. Peer-to-Peer and reception issues.
Garmin is 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. (…)
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought a Garmin RINO 130 specifically for a mountain climbing trip to Mt. Fuji and the altimeter, compass and go-to features failed. Even manually recalibrating the altimeter to posted altitudes proved futile because the successive readings would soon be off. I checked my RINO reading 3,000 meters to a signpost reading 2,700 meters. I re-calibrated the RINO to 2,700 meters and climbed for 30 minutes and my RINO’s new reading was 2,694 meters. The GOTO feature took me back down to the wrong rest station that I had stored on the way up. In Tokyo, the electronic compass was 180 degrees off even after recalibration.
On the island of Hokkaido, the RINO failed to find enough satellites. Either there are super secret bases on the island with GPS jammers or I passed through a wormhole to the Twilight Zone.
I hope Garmin aviation products fare better. I got a refund.
Rating: 1 / 5