Garmin Rino 530HCx vs. Kestrel barometers?

[Chopaka81]

I am trying to reduce the gadget count of my back pack. I have been looking at updating my GPS unit (an old Magellin 2000) to something a little more current. So I figured why not go with a Garmin Rino? As I got to looking at the Garmin Rino 530HCx I see it has a barametric Altimeter. I reviewed thier online manual and I see it has an ambient barametric pressure mode.
This begs the question, how accurate is the ambient pressure sensor of the Rino compared to the Kestrel?
Garmin is claiming the barometric Altimeter accuracy is +/-10 ft.
I am thinking I can drop my $$ into one unit that will give me local pressure, GPS derived altitude, and FRS/GMRS all in one.
I see that you can purchase an optional 4xAA battery pack to operate the unit, which has a certian appeal to me.
The bottom line question is, is this a bad idea? :confused:

[Chopaka81]

-- Bump --

I am still wondering if anyone might have some feed back, good, bad, or indifferent to this inquiry?

Thanks!

[jeff 300]

sure looks nice i would like to here some reports as well

[ss7mm]

And if you do that, what are you going to use to get your temperature and wind readings? These are two very important elements to consider when going looooong. Just a thought.

[Chopaka81]

Originally Posted by ss7mm

And if you do that, what are you going to use to get your temperature and wind readings? These are two very important elements to consider when going looooong. Just a thought.

Excellent points.
I carry a mercury filled thermometer with me on my pack. Wind readings are great for where you are shooting from, but not to helpful for downrange readings.
Thanks!

[ss7mm]

To each his own but my Kestrel goes with me every time I'm hunting or shooting.

You are correct in that it only tells you what the wind speed is at your location, but without it are you going to just guess? That works o.k. for short range stuff but for the long stuff I want to know what the wind is, exactly if possible.

I also use the wind meter and its reading at my location to have a relative indication ow what the wind is doing to the vegetation, trees, leaves etc. downwind. I use the condition of the firing point vegetation and compare it to what's going on at different points out to the target location. I can compare the grass movement at the target to what it's doing at my location as well as along the line of sight. I can't take the wind meter to the target but this helps me get about as close as I can without just guessing or ignoring the wind.

Range is something we can come up with very accurately with laser rangefinders but the wind, and your ability to read it and compensate for it, can make or break you in canyon country or windy country.

Again just my way of skinning the same cat but it works for me and keeps me happy.