Free: Contests & Raffles.
The 62 series is being replaced by the 64 series, with relatively minor improvements. I've seen some very good prices on the 62s: in the low to mid $200s. That's what I would be looking for.
FYI, REI's anniversary sale for members starting May 16th has the Garmin 62stc for $249.99.
The 62st is the 62s with built in topographic maps. You can download free topo maps from several sites. If you have or are planning to get the Hunting GPS/onXmap chip, they also have topographical data built in.You could probably almost buy an onXmap chip for what you would save buying the 62s over the 62st.Both are very solid units.
650. The only complaint I have with the 650 is the need to re-calibrate after changing the batteries or battery pack.
Rider, Lojack, Bob33, and anybody else out there with knowledge, please give me some advice. I know REI now has the 62 version on sale (about $250). Here is what I want:A radio (which is compatible with everybody else in camp, mostly standard Motorola),A GPS, which shows the waypoints where I have been, but also programmable in advance,A chip function, so I can upload topo maps from vendors like onX,The function where my location is visible to my partners who have a similar unit.I would really like a color screen.I do NOT need the camera function (my iPhone does that just fine).Which one of the Rino series would be the best?
imho pd, if you want a radio get a radio. If you want a GPS get a GPS. My preference is a Motorola radio with the security headset. My preference for a GPS is the Garmin GPSMAP 62S. It will fulfill most of your requirements for a GPS unit. I prefer the tactile buttons because they work well without special gloves.
Quote from: Rider on May 17, 2014, 09:37:40 PMimho pd, if you want a radio get a radio. If you want a GPS get a GPS. My preference is a Motorola radio with the security headset. My preference for a GPS is the Garmin GPSMAP 62S. It will fulfill most of your requirements for a GPS unit. I prefer the tactile buttons because they work well without special gloves.Thanks, Rider. Here is my dilemma. The Garmin GPSMAP 62stc is currently on sale at REI for $249.93.http://www.rei.com/product/825494/garmin-gpsmap-62stc-gpsThe Garmin Rino 610 can be purchased at many websites for about $300. For example:http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=808&item=4346AA&gclid=CP2Y15TYtL4CFZNhfgodu6MAXQI currently use my iPhone for GPS---it ain't bad, but it ain't great, either. I also carry a radio---and I just can't seem to find good ones. It doesn't make any sense to me to spend more than $100 for a radio, when I could spend $300 for a GPS plus a radio. This would allow me to ditch the cheap Motorola radio, and rely on a purpose-built GPS.Your thoughts? (I have read several reviews, and it seems the GPSMAP 62stc and the Rino 610 are internally the same, the major difference being the radio feature. I would happily spend $50 for that upgrade.)
If you want a radio that talks as well as transmits location to others in your hunting party, you and your partners must all have Rinos. The 62 series does not have a radio. One significant difference between the Rinos and the 62 series is the interface: the 62 uses buttons, while the Rinos are touchscreen. I have a Rino and a 62. I have a slight preference for buttons.The Rino 610 will only transmit on 1 watt of power; the 650 and 655 can transmit on up to 5 watts. I'm not sure how much difference that makes in transmit range, but it probably makes some.I've seen the 650s on sale for a bit less than $400 from time to time. If I were getting a Rino, that's the model I would get: more powerful than the 610, and not paying for topo maps on the 655 that I already have and are better.If not, I would get a 62s for $200 on sale.
