GMRS with GPS

[Norseman12]

Hey all -
I'm looking to pick up a couple GMRS HT units before the Moab Pre-run. I'd like to get ones with a GPS function, but it seems like the GPS-enabled units only pass GPS info to other GPS-enabled units of the same make/model. I could be wrong about that - this is only based on my initial youtube research...

Anyway - if anybody else out there is running a GPS-enabled GMRS unit, is there a preferred make/model? I think it would be a cool function to play with when hiking/skiing/larping, etc., but if anyone else in the club has that function as well, it might make sense for me to get the same model.

 

[Hulk]

Curious what you intend to use this for. I use GMRS/FRS for communications and GAIA for all my GPS and trail tracking functions.

 

[Norseman12]

I can think of a lot of times when I would like to send precise location data to someone else when we are out of cell service. I was trying to figure out APRS, HAMMER, and stuff like that, but could never get it working on my cheap BaoFengs. If there are cheap GMRS units out there that can transmit location data without extra add-ons, that seems like a great capability. Let's say you're hiking or backcountry skiing, or even resort skiing, and you just want to tell someone where you are. Let's say nobody has cell service, so you can't message or drop a pin, but if I can reach my buddy on the radio and transmit my location, that would be cool. Sure, you could just make sure everybody has a garmin or some other way to get a grid and then pass that over the radio by voice, but it would be cool to have all that in the radio itself.

 

[Norseman12]

So maybe more to your point, I'd be using it for sending locations back and forth. There are plenty of apps with downloadable maps to keep yourself located. Another use case - let's say I'm wheeling with my girlfriend, and as I often do, leave her in the truck while I run off ahead to check something out. If we're out of cell service, we can still see each other's location via the radios.

 

[Sn0wman5280]

I’m in the Garmin Rino ecosystem for FRS/GMRS with GPS. We use the Rino 700 model. It’s the least expensive of the product line and it works well with the other models in the line. I do not believe it communicates GPS positioning with radios outside of the Rino product line. It also has a text message system that can be used with the Rino ecosystem. The FRS/GMRS transceiver works with all FMRS/GMRS radios, even privacy channels.
Pros: great for groups where you can’t always see the whole group. Ie. Wheeling, fishing, hunting, backcountry skiing, letting kids roam around a campsite…
1/2 and 5 watt operation
Accurate gps location
Polling feature to locate transceivers
Fairly rugged
Supports VOX and PTT headsets
Keep the battery topped up with a 12v charger while running the vehicle
Cons: not the lightest radios out there
Subject to standard 2way radio range limitations
The 700 model has a built in battery, so no spare battery function. The higher end models do have swappable batteries.
Not the most intuitive radio system.
Price is certainly a factor. Especially when the system requires more than 1 compatible unit.