[Xastir] Might the Garmin Astro system and Rino HCx units work with Xastir?

[Jim Tolbert]

Hi, All.............

I still haven't had the opportunity to try it in our relatively flat 
land heavy forests, but the general consensus is that the Garmin Rino 
100 series  aren't worth the time and effort -- both from a lack of 
transmission power and a weakness of the GPS receiver.  The Garmin Rino 
500 series increased the transmission power -- up to 5 watts on GMRS 
channels -- but supposedly still has the weak (read: you have to be in a 
break in the forest canopy to have a chance of getting a satellite lock) 
GPS receiver.

The new Garmin Rino 500 series HCx units has the up to 5 watts on GMRS 
channels and a more sensitive GPS receiver (is it sensitive enough to 
track a searcher where they ARE???).   I have not talked to ANYONE that 
has any experience with these units.   The problem is the unit costs 
have really gone up.... $375 to $550.

In April, Garmin released a new system called the ASTRO system marketed 
to track hunting dogs.  They say base unit can track 10 "dog units".   
The Garmin website for this product is:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8576

We are really looking for a self-contained, clean, simple, lightweight 
unit to hang on the belt of a volunteer searcher..... something they do 
not have to operate.   Therefore, the idea of the Rino-type device is 
extremely attractive compared to a Tracker plus GPS plus Radio setup.

Does anyone have opinions as to whether the Garmin Astro unit might work 
with Xastir?   What questions could I ask Garmin Tech Support that would 
confirm or deny this?  Does anyone have any experience with the Rino 
520HCx or Rino 530HCx or the AStro units as stand alone systems or with 
Xastir?

I wrote to Garmin attempting to get them interested in helping our 
volunteer group, but they declined.  Does anyone know anyone in Garmin?

Many thanks in advance for the input .............. later.... jt

-- 
Jim Tolbert
Town of Sand Lake, Burnett County, WI  54893

RiverRidge at CenturyTel.net