How to Select a GPS for Snowmobiles
Selecting the proper GPS snowmobile unit can make the difference
between an enjoyable snowmobile trail ride and a frustrating day on the
trail.
Here is how a Garmin Rino GPS unit can add fun and safety to your trail
ride.
- You will have the added feeling of always
knowing your exact location. You are never lost and always know the
direction to your next destination.
- The 2way radio (walkie-talkie) feature keeps
you in contact with other snowmobilers in your group. Some units
(Garmin Rino
GPS 530HCx) can display locations of other Garmin Rino GPS units in
your group.
- The rugged, easy to use design of the Garmin
Rino GPS unit makes it a joy to use.
Let’s take a better look at what to
look for in a good GPS
snowmobile unit.
1.
Good GPS snowmobile units have preloaded topographic (topo) maps with
the capacity to add additional more detailed maps. These GPS topo maps
are a great help to any one venturing out into the wilderness. The
ability to find access roads, existing trails and avoid obstacles is
invaluable to anyone traveling in remote areas.
Hiking clubs, snowmobile clubs, ATV clubs and other organizations have
built thousands of miles of off road primitive trails. These trails
make it easier to get in to wilderness areas and easier to get lost.
Some organizations offer downloadable GPS hiking maps and snowmobile
GPS trail maps for handheld GPS systems equipped with additional
microSD slots.
2. Part of the snowmobile trail riding experience is sharing
the
adventure with good friends. Staying in contact with your friends
during your trail ride adds to the pleasure. A 2way radio and helmet
speaker accessory will heighten your experience.
3. The difference between off road Sat Nav GPS and
conventional street GPS systems lies in the physical properties of the
device itself. GPS snowmobile units must work under adverse conditions
and must cater to the user’s unique situation. In this case,
a frigid winter environment.
Things to address when selecting a GPS snowmobile unit or ATV
Sat Nav GPS:
- Glove-friendly touchscreen
- left-handed controls makes it easy to operate
- High brightness, sunlight-readable,
UV-resistant display
- Suitable mount compatible with your vehicle
- Dual functionality ATV and automotive mount for
riding or driving
- In helmet voice commands
- Sturdy, waterproof, fuel-resistant and able to
withstand the elements
Protect your investment with a Custom Screen Protector for your New GPS!
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What Garmin has to say about their Garmin Rino
530HCx GPS
Know exactly where you are at all times with the Garmin Rino 530HCx
GPS, featuring the precision of high-sensitivity GPS. This waterproof
FRS / GMRS radio plus GPS navigator adds a barometric altimeter,
electronic compass and NOAA weather radio to the popular features of
the Rino 520HCx 5 watts of transmit power, a microSD card slot and a
brilliant color display) along with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, so
you'll never be lost again. The Garmin Rino 530HCx GPS also offers a
unique Position Reporting feature, which 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 the Rino is a standard FRS
/ GMRS radio, you can use it to communicate with any other conventional
FRS / GMRS radios in the area as well. It boasts a whopping 5 watts of
transmit power (GMRS), which lets you contact others from up to 14
miles away (line of sight).
Garmin Rino 530HCx GPS:
- High-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver
- Built-in quad helix receiving antenna
- Built-in basemap with automatic routing
capabilities
- Receives on 7 NOAA weather channels and detects
weather alert tones
- Electronic compass displays accurate heading
while standing still
- Barometric sensor with automatic pressure trend
recording
- Elevation computer:
- Current elevation
- Ascent/descent rate
- Minimum and maximum elevation
- Total ascent and descent
- Average and maximum ascent and descent rate
- MicroSD card slot for optional Garmin map data
- Fully compatible with MapSource products
- Transmit power using FRS frequency: 0.5 watt
(up to 2 mile range)
- Transmit power using GMRS frequency: 5 watts
(up to 14 mile range)
- Channels: 7 FRS, 15 GMRS and 8 GMRS repeater
- Sends and receives GPS location information
from other Rino
- 38 sub-audible squelch codes per transmission
channel, for semi-private radio communications
- 10 call and ring tones, 4 roger tones
- Vibration mode for silent call alert
- Send and receive short text notes
- External voice activation (VOX)
- External temperature reporting
- Display: 1.7"(H) x 1.3"(W); 256-color
transflective TFT (220 x 176 pixels)
- Battery life: 14 hours (typical use)
- Garmin Rino 530HCx GPS is water-resistant;
submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- 1000 autoroute waypoints, 500 with name,
graphic symbol and notes; 50 reversible routes
- 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved
tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions
- Keep track of up to 50 Rino contacts
- TracBack feature lets you retrace the path of
up to 20 contacts
- Quick View feature lets you quickly center all
contact locations on the map
- Proximity alarm alerts you if a contact moves
out of a specified distance radius or if you are within a specified
distance of a waypoint
- Trip computer provides odometer, stopped time,
moving average, overall average, total time, max speed and more
- Position formats include Lat/Lon, UTM, Loran
TDs, Maidenhead, MGRS and user grid
- Built-in celestial tables for best times to
fish and hunt, plus sun and moon calculations
- Other features: alarm, calculator, calendar,
clock, lap timer, stopwatch, games
- Includes these accessories:
- Wrist strap
- Belt clip
- Lithium-ion battery pack and charger
- USB cable
- MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager
- AC adapter
- Owner's manual
- Quick start guide
Be safe; along with your normal survival gear, carry extra batteries
and map & compass. Any electronic device can malfunction and
satellite tracking is weather sensitive and may be marginal in remote
areas.
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