DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle

Comments about DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle:

DeLorme has broken from the herd by offering a "Serious Tool" for GPS enthusiasts. While some other units strip out functionality, DeLorme has targeted heavy users with a unit that offers exceptional processor speed, high memory capacity, and outstanding map availability.

As a geocacher, I am pleased to see the inclusion of geocache hints and descriptions in the comment field.

The unit comes with map disks that provide 100k topo map coverage of the country, plus routable street maps and POIs. Better yet, these are viewed in a hybrid layer so I don't have to switch between maps. For a small annual fee, additional maps can be downloaded, such as USGS Quads, NOAA charts and Hi-Res Aerial images. All maps can be configured to automatically switch at different zoom levels, a major convenience.

While the screen is on the small side (about the size of an Etrex unit), it is clear and very bright in direct sunlight. Graphics are clear, but some fonts are a bit faint, something I expect DeLorme to address in future firmware updates.

The included TopoUSA software is very versatile and offers much functionality not seen in other waypoint management programs. This extra functionality comes with a slightly longer learning curve that other programs I have used (you may actually have to read the manual on this one), but the end result is the ability to load and display data the way you want to see it.

The unit sports a dual core processor and the latest in chipsets for fast map redraws and fast, accurate satellite acquisition. Sitting indoors at my desk the unit was displaying my position without the wandering seen in other units.

I highly recommend this unit for geocachers, hikers, backpackers, and any other navigation enthusiasts.

Comments about DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle:

I've used this GPS for 3 months as a beta tester out in the woods and mapping bike trails in Colorado. I've used GPS and mapping software since 1998, and this is awesome.
This is the most powerful outdoor GPS available.
The combination of detailed vector TOPO, Aerial imagery, Nautical charts that can be overlayed with your own data and contour lines is unbeatable. This unit is much more responsive than the earlier PN20 that I have used since it came out. It includes a 3 Axis compass and barometer as well as faster processor than the earlier tool.
The aerial imagery w/contour lines allowed me to pick my way thru forests by allowing me to pick out continous old logging cuts from those that dead end, allowing me to avoid climbing over seemingly endless dead-falls.
It is the only device I've seen that allows me display all 1200 miles of trails I've mapped without going back to the PC to change data.
Maps are always out of date - You can make your own with the GPS & software they provide.

Comments about DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle:

Just bought my DeLorme PN-40 from my local REI. Some observations:1) I noticed that there is a [$] rebate from DeLorme for purchases made by December 31, 2008 from its list of vendors including REI, and I filled mine out and will send it in tomorrow.2) The DeLorme unit works perfectly. No freezes, no crashes, no slowness. That was what made me decide not to buy another brand's best handheld GPS — all the dozens of negative user reviews and pro reviews about that brand's many problems. Another brand's GPS's shaded relief maps from Nat Geo seemed attractive, but that unit’s reliability is described as being terrible.3) The DeLorme unit offers many different maps and aerial photos. I downloaded the TOPO 7 maps for my area, the USGS 7.5 minute 24K maps for trails I hike, and aerial photos of the same trails. Then I was blown away by seeing the result on my PN-40: For a series of trails in my area, I was impressed with the pretty good TOPO 7 maps, and then when I zoomed in the downloaded USGS 24K map layer appeared, and when I zoomed in again the color aerial image appeared — WOW! That is absolutely amazing, and it all happened perfectly with no more effort than pushing the zoom button. Then, when I thought that I might want to zoom in without having the aerial photo layer appear, I discovered very quickly that the Imagery can be turned off, revealing just the TOPO 7 map, which can be zoomed in. How neat is that?!!! DeLorme obviously is basing its decisions on functionality on what people who actually use handheld GPS devices for hiking, hunting, biking, etc. — its own employees and people like us — say is needed. I laughed when I read a review in an outdoors magazine yesterday of the another brand's GPS being able to record sound and play music with an earplug — these are not what users really need. We need a GPS device that actually works and has good to great maps with mapping options — and that is exactly what DeLorme offers with the PN-40.4) I did find the map software a bit difficult to use at first, but I eventually figured it out after a few hours. This is my first GPS device, so my learning curve was a bit bigger than what other folks will experience. Part of my difficulty, aside from my lack of experience, is due to the fact that the PN-40 offers so many options with maps — this is a real handheld GPS device, not a child’s toy. DeLorme does have a Tips and Tricks page on its website.5) This screen is very high quality but a bit small. I knew that before I bought it, so no complaints. The PN-40’s speed makes it possible to pan and zoom very quickly, however, and that speed makes up for the screen size.6) I am convinced that based on the DeLorme PN-40’s reliability, speed, and mapping options, I made the best purchase available. I appreciate it when a company makes a well-made product. I am pleased!

Comments about DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle:

I've only had this a few days but so far it has worked extremely well. I have had no problem getting an accurate signal when outdoors and the built in compass is a great feature. It was very easy to track a route, follow it back and then upload that route back to my computer. I was also able to get it to compute routes for travelling by road and follow those, but since the unit does not have a voice you have to listen for beeps to know when to turn.I really like that the unit includes the Topo USA software and detailed maps. From what I've seen so far the maps seem to show all roads but not all trails. You can also download USGA quads and arial or satelite photography from Delorme - all you want for [$] a year which is a great feature because you can select the areas you want and have several different kinds of map at your fingertips. It took a while for me to understand how the Topo USA software works and how to download the quads from Delorme and install them on my PN-40 but once I figured it out I could transfer maps quickly. So far I am very happy with this GPS unit.

Comments about DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle:

I pre-purchase the PN-40 and anxiously waited over six weeks for it to be released. This was not my first GPS. but finally one unit that could do everything road, topo, satellite imagining. The very idea was so cool.
When I got the unit home everything was going real smooth the PN-40 was small, light, very fast and easy to read.
Reality bites! I had a 32GB sd card waiting. Couldn’t get it to read, updated the units firmware. That didn’t do it. Went out and got a 16GB card, OK that worked.
Installed Topo 7 on my two year old computer. That’s when my trouble really started or maybe my age was showing (I’m 50) I could not use that program, could not transfer files to the PN-40. Yes, called Delorme customer service they helped me feel like I was 85.
After some six hours of frustration over a week I retuned finally my returned the unit to my local friendly REI store.
I may be a Nerd but I'm not a Geek!

Comments about DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle:

I was hesitant to purchase a new GPS unit because my Magellan eXplorist 210 has served me well for 4 years, (as long as I had a map in hand to show me the real details like contour lines) I have taken it in the Rockies on 10 day back country trips, and mountain bike rides in the bad lands, and 300+ road rides. It was ok for most basic navigation, never really did the job. The PN-40 does.

I read the negative reviews first and was a bit nervous about the usb connection issue, but I figured if I could work out the junk software that came from Magellan and all of it's in compatible file formats this should be fine. One reviewer said he could not get the unit to be recognized by his computer. Well this was helpful to me when first loading the detail maps to the SD card. What he did not do was use the PN-40's menu to select which memory location to communicate with via usb. The default it to just power up the unit, no transfer setting. What I like is the simple way you can add more storage to the unit by adding larger SD cards. It's great, since it uses standard size sd cards and not the micro sd like the Garmin does. It also uses the whole sd card space, not limited to 1 gig. I will be going on a 2 week trip and I'm planning on hiking about 5 hours a day. So I'm hoping to get 2 days or a day and 1/2 for a set of batteries. I will let you know.

Comments about DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle:

I was really initially impressed with this unit reading reviews.

However, when i took the unit home it would not be recognized by USB. I tried countless different ways to connect it. On top of that it would lock up and become unresponsive and when i would take the batteries out and put them back it it would not power up. It took 5-10 battery pulls to get the unit to decide it wanted to turn on.
Finally I tried to update the firmware. It locked up twice on the firmware update requiring once again the battery pull 5-10 times. After that it finally updated the firmware! Hooray now i am getting somewhere!

After updating the firmware i was able to upload the maps to it! Now i go to start playing with the device, Locked up again... back to the battery pull technique. by this time i am 6 hours into this unit and still have not aquired any sattelite fixes as it wont run. now my battery life is low and almost depleted. time for another set of batteries.

That was the last straw. Im taking it back for the 60csx. Thats to bad as i was really excited about all the mapping features this unit has. Maybe sometime in the future i will try again.

maybe i just had a bad unit who knows.

Comments about DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle:

I pruchased this product after returning a Garmin oregon 400t. With the exception of the screen size this unit beats the garmin in all respects. I can read the display in bright sunshine and it is much more accurate. I love the Topo software that you can get for this unit...I found it easy to use and upload. It took me a try or two to figure out how to set courses for driving of for backpacking, because different activities have a different initial setup. Also as far as the maps go I have found them to be quite extensive... they even have my local corner stores name and every other POI in my area on the map at the 1/4 mile scale. I have not yet used the arial photos available from delorme, but I am sure that will work well too. I have used the unit a few times and probably have a little over eight hours on the batteries and they still have a charge. I know that some have had problems, but I have yet to find any real complaints about the unit. Bottom line is that this is a great unit.

Comments about DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle:

I'm having the same issues as a previous reviewer. I just cannot get the maps to load. I took a look at Delorme's site and there is updated firmware and it looks like it addresses several download issues. Unfortunately, I can't load the firmware update either. I noticed the update instructions say to use an SD card reader instead of the unit if there are problems with downloading the firmware. (Sounds like I'm not the only one with this issue.) However, I don't have one and I'm not in the mood to get one. If you really want this unit, don't lose hope. Give it a try with your computer, but be sure and get it from REI, just in case...

Comments about DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS Bundle:

I use this for paperless geocaching as well as hiking, kayaking, and even getting around town and it is far superior to the older model Garmin I had before. I was just reading some of the other reviews here and think the USB issue is probably something wrong on the customer's laptop, not the GPS. I could not be happier with my purchase.