Garmin Rino 120 GPS Review

The Garmin Rino 120 GPS is a step up from the most basic model in this Garmin GPS radio series. It features a handheld GPS receiver combined with two-way radio communications capability on FRS and GMRS channels.

This Garmin Rino GPS has Garmin’s patented peer to peer position reporting that allows a Rino user to report and receive the position of another Garmin Rino user.

Garmin Rino 120 GPS with 2-Way Radio

The problem with the feature is the position is transmitted on the FRS channels only, and with the FRS short transmit and receive range it limits the usefulness of the function.

Garmin claims the Rino120 to be capable of transmitting and receiving voice communications at ranges up to 2 miles on FRS channels and up to 5 miles on GMRS channels.

We found the real world range to be more like a half mile on FRS channels and less than a mile on GMRS.

This Garmin Rino GPS is rated waterproof to IPX7 standards meaning it can be submerged to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes.

After our dunk test this unit worked fine until the next day. That is when we noticed the battery compartment had filled with water a ruined the batteries. Once we switched to new ones the unit worked fine. If you happen to dunk this unit make sure you empty and dry out the battery compartment immediately.

Operation of all features and access to various menus is accomplished via seven buttons: On-Off, Call, Talk, Page, Volume, Zoom, and Cursor/Clicker.

As with most Garmin gear we’ve tested the controls and menus on this Garmin Rino GPS are easy to operate and intuitive.

The Garmin Rino 120 GPS has basic navigation and communications features that include a WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, 22 radio channels, and storage capacity for 500 waypoints and 20 routes.

The unit features a 2-inch 4-level grayscale LCD screen with 160 x 160 pixel resolution. It weighs in at 8.5 ounces and carries a one-year warranty.

It also has a trip computer with speed, time, and distance tracking, plus sun and fishing tables.

Additional features found in this Garmin Rino are a base map of the Americas, a rudimentary voice scrambler, and the ability to store up to 8MB of Garmin downloadable cartography.

Garmin claims the Rino 120 has a battery life of 15 hours with 3 AA cells. We did not test long enough to challenge this claim but did use the unit for several hours both talking and navigating with no problems.

The Garmin Rino 120 GPS case measures 4.5-inches high, 2.3-inches wide, and 1.6-inches deep. Antennas molded into the top of the unit add another 2.5-inches to the overall height. We found the Rino 120 fit nicely in hand.

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