Garmin Rinos launch in the US

Grrrrr! Tough GPS walkie-talkies for hikers and hunters

11 May 2007 16:16 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Launched in the States by Garmin, the Rino 520HCx and Rino 530HCx are two-way radios with integrated GPS technology. The new Rinos are rugged, lightweight and waterproof (in 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes).

Building on a previous Garmin Rino product line, these units feature a high-sensitivity GPS receiver for faster acquisition, improved accuracy in challenging outdoor environments, and the addition of a microSD card slot for detailed mapping data.

"Since its inception, the Rino line has staked claim as the only integrated device that not only lets users communicate by voice, but also send and receive their exact locations", said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales.

"With the Rino 520HCx and 530HCx, we've upped the ante with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver that rapidly acquires and maintains a lock in heavy tree cover or deep canyons. The microSD memory card slot also lets users load their device with highly-detailed topo maps, road maps, or lake maps."

The Rinos boast up to a 14-mile communication range, mini-USB interface, and built-in auto-routing basemap. The Rino 530HCx has the same features as the 520HCx, plus a seven-channel weather receiver (with automatic weather alert capabilities), an electronic compass and barometric altimeter.

Certainly wins our award for "bad-ass product you would most like to have owned as a child".

The Rinos are going to be available in the States from June and cost between $450 and $500.