DeLorme PN-40 Earthmate Handheld GPS

"I bought the PN-40 Earthmate on the advice of a friend who uses it in his job, which, among other duties, involves search and rescue. He also knows that I am technologically challenged and that I need something that is very user-friendly. Plus, the rugged design should stand up to the sort of use it will get in the field.



I am in the early stages of learning the system, but anticipate that I will be very pleased with it. An earlier type DeLorme GPS has been used by my unit for search and rescue for several years.



I also intend to use the PN-40 as an aid in training my dog. GPS units are worn by both the volunteer who lays a trail and by me as the dog follows the trail. Once overlaid, the two trails can be analyzed to see how the dog worked the scent."

"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!"

"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."

"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."

"This unit is one of the best GPS units out there. Being a Search and Rescue respondent I have used many GPS units in all kinds of environments. This unit is one of the best that I have used. The unit establishes satellite signals very quickly under a minute or less. Other units take minutes to establish satellites. Some of the things that SAR operatives look for in a GPS are: the unit to be reliable, software and signal. I have read that people are complaining about the battery life. What people have to understand that this unit has two processors and it allot more powerful. So of course it's going to use more power. I have contacted Delorme and expressed my opinion and suggested that they include a third battery compartment to increase battery life. It's a little heavier but so is carrying 24 batteries. They are going to bring it to the table. Second thing is that the software is actually one of the best around other then what we use for search and rescue. The unit floats and is waterproof down to three feet for thirty minutes and I do believe the unit succeeds that. The display is a little small but it much better than most GPS screen that I see and have used, especially in the sun. over all the unit is a great addiction to search and rescue and as long as you bring some extra batteries (which you should always do anyway) and print you out a map for backup so you can use your backup compass; yes I said backup compass another item people seem to forget and that's why we get called out batteries run dead and no replacements no backup no getting out. Over all I would recommend this unit to anyone especially SAR personnel. There are only a handful of GPS that perform to the levels that professional need them to perform to and the PN-40 is one of them."

"I use mine off in the woods, on the water and in the car w/ my laptop. Car GPS's have much bigger screens than the pn-40 but with my eyes, I need the laptop sized screen to be useful while driving. With Street Atlas USA 2009 software also by DELORME, I have all the features of a high end car GPS including talking directions but with a 15 in. screen! Ths Street Atlas software was VERY inexpensive. The TOPO 9 software that comes with the PN-40 also has the same comprehensive route planning software components and I have used both packages with great success in the car.



When attached to the USB cable, the PN-40 draws power from the USB cable, saving batteries for when I am off road. The case is rugged (but I am not tossing my GPS around to tell you if it is durable) and watertight for use in the boat. It's bright orange accents make it easy to spot, I lost my last GPS on a winter hike at night when it was dropped accidentally and not noticed immediately as missing. I am confident we would have found this unit. The full sized SD card makes insertion and removal easy for old guys with thick fingers and bad eyesight. I have a 15 gig card in mine and can hold 2/3 of the hi rez maps that come with the TOPO software but will put the 32 gig Sd card in soon and just load all my maps and images up.



The TOPO 9 software downloadable map and image resources were great for getting me navigation maps for Lake Champlain. So far the unit has been the fastest GPS I have ever used, and the ability to link satellite and aerial photography images to map layers makes it an awesome tool (Think Google Earth w/o the internet connection). Custom drawing layers, accessible via the software, render the maps totally customizable.



If you are faint of heart when it comes to software and hardware, this might not be your first choice (but it still would not be a bad choice) because all of the options make for some thoughtful choices, but if you are up for some real opportunity to optimize your maps for your specific tastes, then this feature rich hardware and software package combo is rock solid. It's performance is just amazing."

"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."

"The DeLorme PN40 incorporates a CARTESIO chipset for fast & continued lock to the satellites; as good or better than SIRF Star-III chipsets. With the comfortable non-slip grip it is great for Geocaching on the trails or city finds. Backcountry hiking is a breeze with the loaded TOPO maps for finding your way there & back! 3-DVDs are provided with "Cut-Maps" for loading an entire state's TOPO map on the included 1GB SD card. DeLorme's TOPO-USA maps work great on the computer for reviewing and pre-planing your next trip. When it comes to calculating a street route or especially changing map views is almost seemless with the new processor onboard. Having owned 7-GPS units, I've been around the block a few times and this is one great unit to stick with. For the beginner or the serious user, this is one unit you won't want to put down. Everything you need to get up and running is in the box.

Plan ahead and travel safe!"

"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."

"I initially purchased the Garmin 60CXS, but left it in the package until I read some on-line reviews. After much deliberation, I decided to try the Delorme. 2 AA batteries, loaded the initial software, one call to customer service (didn't scroll down far enough to find the USA Topo 8.0 software selection). The Topo software and the road maps are very cool. Standard SD card (upgraded to 4 GB for very litte $). This thing is awesome; I've taken several hikes, loaded my tracks into my computer's Topo, renamed waypoints, added notes, etc. It took me less than 5 minutes to select and download the satellite imagery for one of my favorite hikes. You can choose what you want to see on the GPS with 2 key strokes. I am not a software guru and have never had a GPS like this one, have had an ETrek, and an H20; Delorme has them all beat - hands down. My purchase included a small rebate and the GPS included $40 in free downloads. I thought about the touch screens, but didn't like the idea of removing gloves to make adjustments, or the chance for accidental touches."