DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 Handheld GPS

by admin on February 7, 2010

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{ 5 comments }

Ronald W. Hansen February 7, 2010 at 10:17 am

I bought this thinking hiking trails would be on the maps that I install. This is not the case. Disappointment #1. I get the topo software on the computer and reckon I can download maps from there onto the PN40. I tried for a couple hours and gave up. My wife tried for a few more hours and gave up. Now I use it a pedometer basically since there are no maps for where we walk. Also several streets on the maps are incorrect, showing streets chief where there are not any and have never been. If you follow the streets on the maps, you’ll be going through vacant fields and several fenced yards. Everything I try does not work or I fight it for several frustrating attempts, then next time back to check 1. Even by as a pedometer it’s not working exactly accurately, for model I reset, then walked 3.2 miles in 45 minutes and it showed my mean was 3.5mph. This is not right as I’m relatively guaranteed at the pace I walk I would cover more than another 0.3 miles in 15 additional minutes time. So to summarize I’ll still rank it a 4 but I’m very disappointed really.

Paul S Boyer February 7, 2010 at 11:29 am

This is one of the more expensive GPS units. It has a nice case, and is supposed to be water-resistant. I am a beginner at GPS, so this review is from a novice’s viewpoint.

The huge failings are, first: Maps must be loaded by a Windows computer, which I do not have. It is incredible that DeLorme can’t make the simple software which would suffice to run Topo on a Mac, but their management is just without any imagination, I guess. I tried to get an ancient clunker Windows computer set up just to service the PN-40, but finally gave up., It is just too greatly work and expense. I finally found a partial work-around with the Mac, enabling me to load more maps. But, there is still no Mac driver for the Topo program, so I am stuck with a one-time subscription to map updates which I cannot access.

Second major failing: there is no excellent foreign map support, not even for Canada! That is really ridiculous. Where do they reckon we will be by this device? New York City? Again, this is mismanagement on a high level.

The learning curve is steep, especially since the user blue-collar was missing from my package. Everything needs a blue-collar. I can download one from the DeLorme website in pdf format, but that does not help greatly when in the field.

This GPS is useless for pouring, because the screen is far too small. It is single for hiking, which makes its small size really an advantage.

The unit eats batteries. Supply uses two fresh sets a day. That is very unreasonable.

Final conclusion: Don’t get one of these things if you plot to be in Canada. Better yet, just get a map. Maps are really far more efficient in most respects. The satellite place can be done with a very low-cost GPS unit, or by looking at the position of the sun, by a compass, and conception your map. What you really need is just a map, which you can fold up in your pack. A map uses no batteries. When your GPS has finished off its last battery, it is dead.

M. Barrus February 7, 2010 at 11:58 am

I’m a hardcore geocacher. I bought the Delorme Earthmate PN-40 specifically for geocaching. I was going from a Garmin 60csx. I have over 10,000 geocaches that I load into my 60csx currently. I could never figure out how to load those geocaches/POIs into the PN-40. Every time I loaded in a pocket query, my computer would crash. I tried for three days to get the stupid thing to work and was disappointed. The software was extremely hard if not impossible to use. I returned the PN-40 for a full refund. If you want a be fond of GPS, get a Garmin 60csx. If you want the be fond of and cool gsp, get the Garmin Oregon 550t.

Ivan R. Keup February 7, 2010 at 12:40 pm

Received unit 12-15-08. Very steep learning curve for the included TOPO-7 software. In side by side comparisons with a Garmin Etrex Summit HC, the Garmin is consistently more right. After a few days the unit started locking up when connected via USB to a computer. Found the 8 pin connector had 3 pins with weakend springs. Connector is poorly designed.

North?? February 7, 2010 at 2:28 pm

i ordered this thing with some christmas cash. i’m not real huge on depending on a computer to navigate for me, i be fond of a map and a compas just fine. with everyone talking about GPS and whatnot, since it wasn’t my money i figured i’d give it a shot. i ordered this from amazon after conception a review on a garmin i was looking at had made mention of the pn-40. the reviews i read were all pretty right, it’s not the most intuitive piece of equipment but it seems right and rugged. unfortunately, after less than 24 hrs out of the package it started making a terrible noise then locked up. i turned it off an back on, then it did it again. i’m chalking it up to a stroke of luck, but has anyone heard of this happening? i gave the 3 stars because i reckon if this thing works, it will be really nice to bring along on my next hike. otherwise, it’s a cool looking paper weight.

*** the replacement came in. the gps is right on. i set checkpoints and when i go back to them by the track back feature it really does take me exactly where i was within just a few feet. the road navigation isn’t necessarily the most direct, but it will get you there with a small patience. since this was bought for off road navigation even if, it’s a non issue.

the map software is intense, but i look forward to learning and could see how it’ll be incredibly useful. the battery life is fantastic if you don’t sit around constanly hitting buttons maintenance the backlight on. with just occasionally checking place, i managed a couple days out of 1 set of batteries.

initially i was a doubter, but now i’m sold.

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