No wonder I quit reading Outdoor Life 40 years ago! Although some of those items are great, they surely are not my choices for items I just have to have! Better than nothing I guess. That pocket flare thing looks ridiculous and way, way overpriced! As for the Rino, great piece of gear but I prefer a plain GPS with some better features. Color is prefered for a map capable GPS, as long as it is sunlight legible. Oh well, everyone has an opinion <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Don't knock that Rino down until you tried it. I had the 120 version and it really was something. It was great survival tool with locator, weather radio and decent battery life. I upgraded to 60cs because I needed more detailed maps and bigger memory but lost the radio. Now the new rino combines all the stuff that GPS should have with radio. Unfortunately in order to power all that stuff they have included a rechargable battery that should last about 16 hrs. And like we all know survival situations last more that 16 hrs and not always we have a possibility of plugging into an outlet. I wish they come tot heir senses and do the AA version soon.

Not a fan of the pack choice either.

There are a number of good quality"survival" knives out there and I won't argue about the article's particular choice, why this insane interest in attaching it to a pole to form a spear? Looks like a great way to damage or loose a blade; possibly the only knife you have.
Better to fire harden the sharpen end of a pole.

I'm with you...if a "Back" pack needs wheels it must weigh too much for outdoor survival travel.

What Garmin really should do is make the Rino with a removable MicroSD memory card also. I just bought one of the brand spanking new 60Cx models and it uses the MicroSD memory. I also got the 256MB card for it. Right now the cards go up to 1GB. I bet I can load a lot of map data in that baby! It should be here Monday!
I like the radio features of the Rino but I usually have a Yeasu 530 or X7R with me when I go out, so I really have all the commo I need. Cell phone goes along until it loses the signal, which is about anywhere off a major highway. Cheers!

Actually, IMO Garmin should make all their mapping GPSes (or at least the premium models) with removable memory.

-john

Well guys you always have to hit a nerve <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />:):)

I sold rino 110 to get the 60cs... Everything was fine and dandy if I stayed within 100 miles radius of my home. Now since I'm out further I need more memory so that's where removable card comes in. Looks like I be selleing my 60cs to get the 60csx. Technology progress needs to stop.

I got lucky for a change, I had ordered a 60C and it went on backorder, then I spied the new model with the memory card so I called the dealer and they were happy to switch the order for me. Gets here on Monday, I am excited!
Sorry to run up the expenses for you, it is costly staying up with the technology! My first GPS was a Garmin 12 and look how far they have evolved in a few years! Smaller, lighter and more acurate, plus all the awesome features. I have the topo maps coming too, should be a goodtime learning the new gadget! Cheers!

Gee, that Outdoor Life popup ad caught me faster than I could triggerfinger my floating survival rifle, er mouse <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Magazines are in the economic position of financing largely by advertising. The staff receives all manner of freebies to fieldtest. I daresay few carry this stuff. I can also say when a staff writer needs to make a payment on his new RV an article showcasing those advertisers makes everyone happy. If anyone truly does wish to lash a sharp object on a stick go to www.ragweedforge.com Ragnar has honest forged spearheads from India. They aren't Sandvik Steel ( which happens to be whatever the various knifemakers at Mora buy this month) but it sure beats lashing a Swiss Army Knife <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Oh, Ragnar has never sent me a freebie for promotion or testing <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />