Field Collaboration with a GPS

On 01.06.10, In Garmin, Hardware, by cactii

One of the things I like best about the electronics market these days is the real usability of some of the products that are coming out. When I’m talking about usability I’m not referring to the entertainment value of any particular product - I’m referring to the actual use of the electronic device to help accomplish a given task.

The Garmin Rino 530HCx is a really powerful collaborative GPS device that allows you to communicate with and view other people’s positions in real time.

Since I’m in the mining industry I see the potential in a device such as this. When I’m out in the wild looking for rocks or taking samples it’s sure be nice to have a team of people out there with me that I could communicate with without having to bring a separate radio.

But the Garmin Rino 530HCx goes way farther than voice communication with its’ position reporting function that allows you to report your position to other Rino users in the group. The position reporting feature allows Rino users to report and receive Rino user positions and display them on the handheld GPS device.

Obviously I see the potential for use in the exploration part of the mining industry but I also see how it would be useful in search and rescue operations, group hiking, hunting and many other group based activities.

If you’re used to carrying a radio to communicate with other users while you’re doing activities that require both a GPS and a radio the Rino will allow you to shed a bit of weight by combining these devices.