Garmin Rino 530HCx Portable Navigator

Ordered two of these online for Chrsitmas presents. One had issues, so went to WM to replace/return it. WM store didn't carry it and issued a refund, but then they were out of the item online and have been out ever since. This was 2 weeks before Christmas, and I had to order the same thing (at $199 price increase) from another store to meet my deadline.

I bought the Rhino on recommendation, a new one at WalMart was $60.00 cheaper than refurb units elsewhere. Used it on several scouting trips before doe season to map out boundaries of hunting area, all the trails I discovered, and all bedding areas and rubs I found. I was able to drop off and pick up every single member of my group with no wasted time or frustration. This allowed me to set up and hunt every day too. I got my 1st buck on day 1, my 2nd buck on day 2 and a large doe on day 3. Everyone else was successful too, some also for the first time. We actually cut our trip by half because we ran out of cooler space; and we were exhausted from all the processing. We all believe it was due to using the Rhino and saving a lot of time. Can't wait for them all to get their own Rhino's for the next trip and see how the proximity feature and radio works.

I am the last in my hunting party to purchase the 530HCX. Used it for the Wisconsin hunt this year, it worked great. We are in some big woods having the capability to keep track of the locations of all our hunting group is worth the cost of this GPS. I was waiting for it to get below $300, I was going to buy it last year from Walmart for this price but they raised the price for Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2010. When I saw it for under $300 this year before Thanksgiving I quickly bought it.

Ill start with what I don't like. The charger comes in three pieces. The cord, an outlet plug, and a piece that clips on the back of the radio. I'm assuming the reason for that is the ability to switch to international outlet plugs but more pieces equals higher chance something will get lost. It also doesn't like to be moved when charging or its "charging, not charging, charging, not charging" could be that's just my charger. Its not as accurate as my Garmin Summit HC. The Summit will get +/-6ft while the Rino stays around +/- 18-20ft. Everything else is great ! If you have 300.00 of disposable income and love the outdoors buy this.

I have delayed buying a GPS for a couple years waiting for a compuss, altimeter, color screen and radio in a single unit. My only disappointment is the radio does not appear to interface with the standard marine channel 72. That may be because I don't know how to use it. Keeping track of others in your group is wonderful. It was worth the wait.