That is redonkulous!
I am going to visit a GPS shop tomorrow and see if I can get any further info. Have you tried one of the GPS forums?
I was stuck between the Oregon and a new Rino, I wondered why they felt the Rino had issues when the Oregon's don't and its the same screen as far as I know. I was also going to purchase the BC/AB Backroad package but I like the idea of plotting my garmin tracks on google earth, which as far as I know can't be done with the Backroads GPS maps.
In reality not many people I ride with use Rino's either so its not has big of a selling feature.
Now a Rino with a Spot transciever...you would have my attention.
I bought a 610 in November 2011 for $350 @ Cabella here in Edmonton.
My friend rick bought the 650 for $500.
The 650 allows you to use a SD card. Uses a Lithium Ion Battery. 2 watt GMRS in Canada.
The 610 doesn't have a SD card slot. Uses 4AA batteries. 1 watt GMRS in Canada.
Both hook up to the PC using a USB cable supplied. Faster than the serial cable of my Rino130.
Both have 1.7 Gig storage onboard Memory.
I've used it for 10 sledding days and found that it is better than my rino 130.
It locks onto the satellites faster. Radio works well....so far.
My radio in my 130 crapped out and was only good for 200 yards LOS (Line of Sight)
BUT i can't transfer my tracks and waypoints from my 130 to the 610.
The 610 uses .GPX files & the 130 uses .WPT & .PLT ....not compatible on the 610/650.
Trying to figure out how to get them onto the 610 using a different interface. Anyone have any leads?????
I have so many sledding areas plotted & waypoints...kinda choked that i just can't upload them to 610.
Needed to upgrade GPS ...why i went to the 610 versus 530?
200 saved tracks on 610/650 versus 20 for 130/530.....all their Rino GPS do 10000 points.
Navigating the screens on 610 becomes easier once you become familiar with the unit.
I take my gloves off to make inputs on the touch screen. MUCH faster to input name changes to waypoints & tracks.
I kept the Rino 610 in my outer pocket of my jacket. It easily lasted all day on the 4AA batteries with some talking.
I use duracell rechargeables from Costco and happy that they do the job.
I did get 2 days of use on the same 4 batteries but with the radio turned off for both days & relatively mild outside temps.
Tracks uploads into Google Earth quick and easy....and very accurate.
So far I'm impressed but still not happy that the old 130 data isn't compatible.
I used Oziexplorer with .MAP files with the Rino 130..guess what ...not compatible with the 610/650 files
The Basecamp program that they let you download for free from the Garmin website works...but it is basic.
They have geared the basecamp program so that you will want to buy maps for it....& guess what ...
there aren't available from Garmin for Canada ......ONLY USA (so far)
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=28229
BAckroads Mapbook makes a map SD micro for BC at $175 which only works in the 650/655
So to get setup it will cost you $500 for the Rino 650 + $175 for the topo maps for BC
But the 655 with a 5Megapixel camera...you get the 100K MAP preloaded....of the -->USA for $600
You have the ability to upload maps in .KMZ format that you create on the 610/650/655
Which is what I'm doing with my 610. Its a bit of a process but do-able
Garmin | United States | Custom Maps
One more neat feature was the ability to transfer waypoints or tracks between other Rino 650/655 users
If you have a track of Boulder in revy...and your friend just bought a Rino 650 ...you can share/transfer
the track of Boulder to your friend using the ANT+ as long as you are within 3m (10feet) of each other
Other uses please pipe in if you have a Rino 6xx
Hope this helps
Cheers
Chris
Download tracks, routes and waypoints from your 130 to Mapsource. You can save tracks, routes and waypoints to a gpx format from Mapsource then import or upload to your 610.