walkie talkies with GPS built-in?

[edprush]

Do these exist yet?

I'm going to visit some hugemongous international cites with friends for the heck of it and I thought it would be good to be able to communicate and have a gps so we don't get too lost.

 

[FoBoT]

http://www.thegpsstore.com/GPS-Radios.asp

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Detail-Garmin-Rino-110-120-GPS-FRS-Radio.asp

Garmin's new Rino series integrate full function GPS receivers with FRS/GMRS radio transceivers to provide two-way communications up to 2 miles using the FRS channels and up to 5 miles using GMRS channels. These distinctive units feature the unique ability to "beam" your exact location to another Rino user within a two-mile range using the FRS spectrum. This important feature is called Peer-to-Peer Positioning. The Rino boasts GARMIN?s traditional tough, lightweight, waterproof design to handle the rigors of any outdoor adventure. And because the Rino has standard FRS capabilities, you can talk to friends or family who own conventional FRS radios.

Rino 110 in its bright yellow case, the Rino 110 offers standard FRS features like 14 channels, 38 squelch codes, and external voice activation (VOX). It also incorporates GARMIN?s powerful 12-channel GPS receiver for position accuracy of less than 10 feet when enabled to receive enhanced GPS data from the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). The Rino 110 has standard navigation features like extensive waypoint storage, TracBack technology, multiple position formats (including MGRS and Loran TD) and a built-in trip computer.

 

[edprush]

Ooops. I better be looking for something with a communication range greater than 2 miles especially in the heart of cities like Mexico City and Tokyo.

 

[FoBoT]

" up to 5 miles using GMRS channels"


if you want greater range, then you'd have to go with short wave, at which point cell phones are probably easier, so just get hand held GPS and a cell phone


<shrugs>
have a nice trip

 

[swimscubasteve]

boost loopt

 

[Bootprint]

Originally posted by: edprush
Ooops. I better be looking for something with a communication range greater than 2 miles especially in the heart of cities like Mexico City and Tokyo.

In a city the range isn't going to be very good.

 

[KayKay]

cell phones?

 

[Mill]

You'd save money and look less like a fool if you used cellphones. Just use SMS.

 

[The Stigenator]

why dont you buy two 18 mile FRS/GMRS radios and 2 hand held GPS's.. if you have to find someone , just punch in the lat/long and go find them.

 

[olds]

I thought of buying the Rhino's for our atv rides but I have to wonder how the battery life will be using it as a radio (headsets in helmets) and a GPS.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
" up to 5 miles using GMRS channels"

Do you need a license to use GMRS?

Are there cell phones that will work world-wide?

Basically I'm looking for something I can use for this vacation then sell on ebay when I'm done. I'd prefer not to need to get licensed to use it or pay long-term subscription fees.

 

[Bootprint]

Originally posted by: edprush
Ooops. I better be looking for something with a communication range greater than 2 miles especially in the heart of cities like Mexico City and Tokyo.

GMRS isn't legal in Mexico. and Japan uses different frequencies.
wiki

 

[edprush]

SMS isn't worldwide is it?

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: edprush
SMS isn't worldwide is it?

Yes.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: FoBoT
" up to 5 miles using GMRS channels"

Do you need a license to use GMRS?

Are there cell phones that will work world-wide?

Basically I'm looking for something I can use for this vacation then sell on ebay when I'm done. I'd prefer not to need to get licensed to use it or pay long-term subscription fees.

GMS cellphones work worldwide. Calls can be a little expensive so use SMS or 1 minute calls (at max).

 

[IronWing]

Rino 530s have a 5 watt transmitter in the GMRS frequencies with an advertised range of 14 miles. They are whippin expensive.

I've used the rino 120s at work since they first came out four or five years ago. On the plus side, the ability to send current location and waypoints between units is good. The interface is very easy to use and the ability to load topo maps is essential. On the downside, the screen is not as easy to read as the screen on the GPSMAP 76 series. Also, we've had a high failure rate of with the rinos. We've purchased twelve rino 120/130s and so far we've had to send back four for bad screens or bad radios. The user reviews on Amazon indicate that the rino 530s have some of the same problems.

For personal use we bought a single GPSMAP 76s with external antenna for the truck and two Midland 5 watt FRS/GMRS radios. So far this has worked well and cost less than a single rino. If we decide we need a second GPS we'll buy another GPSMAP 76s.

 

[The Stigenator]

weee.. i went to india with one of those years ago (FRS) and i was planning to go back soon with some GMRS/FRS .. back then the FRS radio helped me so much, i was able to go shopping without loosing contact with ppl.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Rino 530s have a 5 watt transmitter in the GMRS frequencies with an advertised range of 14 miles. They are whippin expensive.

I've used the rino 120s at work since they first came out four or five years ago. On the plus side, the ability to send current location and waypoints between units is good. The interface is very easy to use and the ability to load topo maps is essential. On the downside, the screen is not as easy to read as the screen on the GPSMAP 76 series. Also, we've had a high failure rate of with the rinos. We've purchased twelve rino 120/130s and so far we've had to send back four for bad screens or bad radios. The user reviews on Amazon indicate that the rino 530s have some of the same problems.

For personal use we bought a single GPSMAP 76s with external antenna for the truck and two Midland 5 watt FRS/GMRS radios. So far this has worked well and cost less than a single rino. If we decide we need a second GPS we'll buy another GPSMAP 76s.

The GPSMAP76 and Midland FRS is what I use for ATV riding.

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
I thought of buying the Rhino's for our atv rides but I have to wonder how the battery life will be using it as a radio (headsets in helmets) and a GPS.

The rinos suck batteries. Alkaline is the only way to go. NiMH die too fast. Even w/o using the radio all that much three alkaline batteries in a rino will last less than a day.

 

[edprush]

Can a GPS be used by passengers when taking commercial flights?

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: edprush
Can a GPS be used by passengers when taking commercial flights?

No, passengers can carry them onboard but may not turn them on. However since most people would think you were playing a video game...

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: ironwing

No, passengers can carry them onboard but may not turn them on. However since most people would think you were playing a video game...

...that's what I thought they would think. But will my GPS use mess with the plane's navigation system?

 

[Bootprint]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: ironwing

No, passengers can carry them onboard but may not turn them on. However since most people would think you were playing a video game...

...that's what I thought they would think. But will my GPS use mess with the plane's navigation system?

They shouldn't.

Some airlines say that you can use them, link