Scott, I suggest you invest less money in something like the Midland GXT500 as a stand alone radio. This radio operates on FRS and GMRS with 5 watts output on selected freqs. You will have to get a license, mail order, for about $80. I have a pair of these radios and could bring them in February when we take our flight. In as much as you have a 60c/cs I would not spend money for a GPS/Radio combo. My Midland's work in the 460 Mhz region as would most FRS/GMRS radios. These radios are available for $50 to $100 when you can find them. I got mine at Fry's Electronics on Thunderbird. Bob Smith WB6ODR, Team Petite Elite (watch for us in the New Years Day Rose Parade in Pasadena) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roping The Wind" To: Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 10:23 PM Subject: [Az-Geocaching] Garmin Rino 520/530 Anyone on the listserv using the Garmin Rino 520/530... I am interesting in picking up a couple and would like lots of comments and reviews on them. I of course would like to know how well the GPS functions work and how well it would work for geocaching. I dont plan to use it for geocaching, just want to know if it works as well as any other GPS for things such as geocaching (how does it compare to the 60c/cs). Also, and most importantly, am VERY interested in knowing how well the radio's work. The 520 and 530 boast 5 watts (!) of power for a range of up to 14 miles. I currently use 2 Motorola Spirit radios with 1 watt. I think they advertise a 2 mile range. But I can easily talk 10-12 miles or more with these Motorola 1 watt radios. They are VHF radios. Which I 'think' is a higher frequency than a GMRS radio. If that is so, perhaps a VHF would 'reach out' farther with 1 watt than a GMRS would with 5 watts??? Is this so? Or not? Anyone with lots of radio expertise can chime in here. I am not interested in the Rino 530 if it cant reach out at least as far as my current radios do. I also know that with line of site, I have been known to talk over 30 miles (air to air) with my 1 watt motorola radios. Will the Rino 530's do that with 5 watts?? Or are these whopping 5 watt radio's capable of much more? I dont know too much about radio's so anyone with knowledge on that can chime in too. Two of these 530's will run me almost $800. I currently have a good GPS (60C) and two good Motorola Radios. So I am only interested in the 530's if they can give me a MUCH better radio range. Radio range is most important. Its use as a GPS is secondary, but still important, since I will be using them as a GPS also. After using my 60C for 2 years, will I be dissapointed in the 530's GPS abilities? I love the idea of having the ability to track my other radio. This is a big reason for wanting the 530's as well. Anyways, I am hoping there are a few on the listserv that are using these and can give me some reviews on them. If anyone is using the 130's or less, chime in too. Curious to know how they do with their max 2 watts. Thanks! Scott Team Ropingthewind _________________________________________________________________ Stay up-to-date with your friends through the Windows Live Spaces friends list. http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?wx_action=create&wx_url=/friends.aspx&mk ____________________________________________________________ Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv@azgeocaching.com To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit: http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching Arizona's Geocaching Resource http://www.azgeocaching.com ____________________________________________________________ Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv@azgeocaching.com To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit: http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching Arizona's Geocaching Resource http://www.azgeocaching.com