GPS for search and rescue missions

Buying a hiking GPS for my son who leads search and rescue teams to
find lost hikers and downed airplanes. He is sometimes in rough
uncharted terrain. I read Mehaffey's "Important features for a hiking
GPS" and am now looking for specific purchase recommendations.

I would say:
1. Always do a search with at least one other person or more, and then
2. Something like the Garmin Rino that will transmitt the other's
Searcher(s) locations and a high powered 2 way radio to help cordinate
the search.
They are at about $330 each now - Not Cheap!! but is Safety
Cheap??
And then use the free - but best Topo Maps (for USA that is) from
www.gpsfiledepot.com

wrote:


I you can do without the topo maps, the Gisteq GMRS compatible
receivers would be cheaper :
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?topic_id=117580

Marian wrote:

Are you asking the *"RIGHT"* question?
[I hope the " showed up in *BOLD* ]

I suspect answer === no

I claim no specifically GPS experience/expertise.

You did not say what agencies your son had to coordinate with.

I suspect a more crucial specification than suspected will be is
"In what format will position data be displayed?"

When contacting another agency, you don't want to guess ...

Look at a hiking style unit; the Garmin GPSmap 60CSx and Oregon 300
are two good examples.

You may also wish to add a detailed topo map. Note that only Garmin
formast mapping can be loaded



On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:56:35 -0800 (PST), Marian