Garmin Rino 530HCx review

The Garmin Rino 530HCx is a handheld GPS that includes a two-way radio, and the ability to track another Rino user on your screen. Updating the Rino 530, the HCx model adds a high-sensitivity chipset and a micro-SD card slot for adding topo or highway maps (which must be purchased separately). The Rino has a bright, sunlight-readable screen, and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated at up to 14 hours.

Like the Rino 530, the HCx has a five-watt transmitter, with a range of up to 14 miles. It also includes a barometric altimeter, electronic compass and seven-channel weather receiver, three features that you lose when you drop down to the Rino 520HCx.

Compare prices on the Garmin Rino 530HCx

Before we get to the reviews, here's what Amazon has to say about the Garmin Rino 530HCx:

"Hit the trail in confidence with the Garmin Rino 530HCx, which combines a two-way FRS/GMRS radio with a high-sensitivity GPS navigator. The waterproof unit offers 22 channels and 5 watts of transmit power, so you can contact friends or rescue crews from up to 14 miles away (line of sight) over GMRS channels or up to 2 miles over FRS channels. The high-sensitivity GPS receiver, meanwhile, locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover..."

More Garmin Rino 530HCx reviews

• GPS Lodge has posted a great, detailed review of the Rino 530HCx.
• The first consumer-authored Garmin Rino 530HCx review has been posted at GPSNow.
• And a consumer-written Garmin Rino 530HCx review has been posted at Amazon too.
• About.com reviews the Garmin Rino 530HCx, giving it a 4 out of 5 star rating.
• A mini-Garmin Rino 530HCx review thread is going on at Groundspeak.
• I'll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some...

Other Garmin Rino 530HCx resources

• A PDF version of the Garmin Rino 530 HCx owners manual.
• Compare different models using this Garmin Rino comparison tool.
• There is an active Yahoo Rino discussion group.

Compare prices on the Garmin Rino 530HCx at these merchants:

• Find the low price on a Garmin Rino 530HCx at GPS Now, where shipping is free on orders over $399. Order by 5 p.m. Central Time for same day shipment.
• Check the current Garmin Rino 530HCx price at Amazon.
• Find a great deal on the Garmin Rino 530HCx Expandable Color GPS-Enabled 2-Way Radio at TigerGPS.
• Check out the price of a Garmin Rino 530HCx GPS/Two-Way Radio at REI.com.
• Get the Garmin Rino 530HCx for an amazing price on eBay.

From the official Garmin Rino 530HCx web page:

Know exactly where you are at all times with Rino 530HCx and the precision of high-sensitivity GPS. This waterproof FRS/GMRS radio plus GPS navigator adds a barometric altimeter, electronic compass and NOAA weather radio in addition to the popular features of the Rino 520HCx — 5 watts of transmit power, a microSD card slot, brilliant color display and a high-sensitivity GPS receiver — so you’ll never be lost again.

Pinpoint Your Position

With its high-sensitivity GPS receiver, Rino 530HCx locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons. The advantage is clear — whether you’re in deep woods or just near tall buildings and trees, you can count on Rino 530HCx to help you find your way when you need it the most.

Find Your Friends

Like the rest of the Rino series, Rino 530HCx offers a unique Position Reporting feature. Position Reporting lets you send your exact location to other Rino users in your group so that everyone can see your position on the map page. And, because Rino is a standard FRS/GMRS radio, you can use it to communicate with any other conventional FRS/GMRS radio around.

Transmit with Power

Rino 530HCx boasts a whopping 5 watts of transmit power (GMRS), which lets you contact others from up to 14 miles away (line of sight). In Canada, you can transmit at 2 watts over GMRS with a range of up to 8 miles.

Other Rino 530HCx features:

• Barometric altimeter pinpoints your precise elevation.
• Electronic compass tells you what direction you’re headed, even when you're standing still.
• Bold color TFT display makes it easy to see and navigate to family or friends at an amusement park, lake or other outdoor group activity.
• microSD card slot accepts preloaded MapSource® data cards with detailed maps.
• Automatic routing and turn-by-turn directions with alert tones let you find an address or point of interest and drive there (with optional MapSource map data).
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 14 hours of outdoor use.

Recommended accessories:

• Garmin TOPO U.S. 2008
• Eneloop rechargeable batteries
• invisibleSHIELD screen protector
• SanDisk 2 GB MicroSD card

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• Our GPS reviews
• Top ten GPS