Garmin Rhino - Love it or Hate it?

[StinkyPete]

Hi everyone -

Four of my buddies and I just picked up a Garmin Rhino 750t to try out this year for Archery so that we all feel a little more comfortable splitting up during the day, and can radio each other if we need help, starting to head back in, etc.

Looking online, I've found tons of mixed reviews on them, especially if you have OnX. From what I've read, it seems like people mostly map points on OnX if they have it to keep all their points in one database, and use the Rhino for keeping track of everyone, which would likely be my use case too. I looked on the forum and didn't see any posts about how people generally like the Rhino's.

So...any opinions on the Garmin Rhinos? How are you guys using them, or are they collecting dust on shelves?

 

[LoneStar]

I used one for many years and now it's collecting dust. It is nice to have the GPS/radio all in one unit, but now I just carry my phone. There is always a limitation on range with the radios and there are areas of no cell signal, so you loose communication with both. If they work for your group then they are worth the weight. I would always wander too far off or over the next ridge for the radio to work.

 

[nobody]

How you have described it is what we do. Waypoints and navigation are done on mapping apps on the phone, and the Rinos are used to keep track of other people. We have used them since about 2009, and have no plans to stop. They’re not perfect, but it has helped us keep track of each other on new units, and helped us find each other when we get animals down alone, especially those who are directionally challenged. We especially love them on road-intensive hunts, where we all split up and drive to different areas to drive and glass. Heck, last year we used them to walk my dad into where we had a bull down on a nasty side hill in the dark. He walked right into us once we updated our position with him inside radio range.

They’re far from perfect, but they’re a great tool and we’ve used them a great deal over the years.

 

[blkqi]

If you were going to carry both a GPS and radio anyway, the Rino combines the two in a reasonable package. That said, it will chew through batteries much faster than a dedicated radio. If you spend much time in the back country the battery issue could easily become unmanageable.

If you hunt in a group and need to coordinate movements, particularly in remote areas with little to no cellular coverage, the position sharing feature can be quite valuable. For this there are no real consumer alternatives - i.e. without delving into HAM/amateur radio gear and licensing.

 

[StinkyPete]

If you're barely using the radios, but just the mapping, any rough ideas of how long the battery lasts?

A backup battery pack is pricey, so I'm thinking I may just charge it off a power bank if it runs dry? Most trips I do are 3-5 days.

 

[nobody]

If you're barely using the radios, but just the mapping, any rough ideas of how long the battery lasts?

A backup battery pack is pricey, so I'm thinking I may just charge it off a power bank if it runs dry? Most trips I do are 3-5 days.

if I have my battery on all day and use it to check in periodically but otherwise just let it hang, I’m burning about 20% battery in a day. However, there’s no way to NOT have the radio on and functional and use the map. Either everything is on and searching for signal, or nothing is.

The mapping technology in them is roughly circa 1999, FWIW. The touch screens are insensitive yet sensitive at the same time. I would NEVER use one as my primary navigation device. If you primarily want nav, use your phone.

It’s also worth mentioning that user position is not updated real time. Users need to “key up” periodically to update their position with everyone else. Maybe you know this, but I’m surprised how few people know that and how often I have to explain it.

 

[IdahoBeav]

I thought they were pretty good 10-15 years ago, but now after using OnX on my phone, It's pretty rough even looking at the screen of the Rhino.

 

[rogerdoger]

I just sold mine, as stated Onx is so much better for navigation and clarity. The rhino was also bulky and I found that it was in my pack more than in my pocket. I did keep it for a few years as a back up GPS but now I have my Inreach. They do work though and will get you in and out of the woods.

If you do save points on your rhino you can download them onto your computer and upload them into Onx.

 

[mtnbound]

Hi everyone -

Four of my buddies and I just picked up a Garmin Rhino 750t to try out this year for Archery so that we all feel a little more comfortable splitting up during the day, and can radio each other if we need help, starting to head back in, etc.

Looking online, I've found tons of mixed reviews on them, especially if you have OnX. From what I've read, it seems like people mostly map points on OnX if they have it to keep all their points in one database, and use the Rhino for keeping track of everyone, which would likely be my use case too. I looked on the forum and didn't see any posts about how people generally like the Rhino's.

So...any opinions on the Garmin Rhinos? How are you guys using them, or are they collecting dust on shelves?

I have two of them, and they are okay. They are line-of-sight for communications, so don't plan on talking to a buddy on the other side of the mountain or ridgeline. The screen is too small IMO to use for mapping when compared to a phone. Radios can be beneficial for planned check-ins, but you need to position yourself in a suitable location to maximize the chances of a radio call being heard by your buddies. Many more affordable radio options are available, but opting for a Satellite device is the best choice.