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<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber1" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="76%"> I have always been a fan of gadgets, especially electronic gadgets; and handheld GPS units are at the top of my list. Over the past 10 years I’ve owned approximately 7 different units. I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the Earthmate PN-40 from DeLorme and I was quite surprised of its capabilities.
The PN-40 is born in Yarmouth, ME. Or you can use your new PN-40 and navigate to Latitude 43°48.491' North, Longitude 70°09.844' West and you will find yourself at the doorsteps of the DeLorme corporate headquarters.
I could talk about the barometric altimeter, refresh rates and dual core processor and quickly wrap this review up by giving you all the specs from DeLorme’s website but I won’t because it is my duty and pleasure to review this unit and give you an unbiased opinion on the capabilities and features of the PN-40. Besides, I like this unit and I really want to check it out.
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First Impressions
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</td> <td width="50%"> The PN-40 and Ram motorsports mount came individually packaged in one box carefully wrapped in several layers of paper. The packaging for the PN-40 was very attractive and informative teasing me to the contents inside.
Once I opened the box, I quickly installed the supplied AA batteries and turned the unit on. I read somewhere that on initiation the unit may take up to 10 minutes to acquire satellites but I timed the unit and it took a fairly quick 7 minutes to fully initialize. After that, the unit only takes less than a minute to establish enough GPS satellites to be fully ready to go!
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<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber3" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" width="101%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="76%"> The PN-40 is a palm-sized GPS with a rubberized case making this unit very rugged, however I felt like the battery cover was just a bit oversized therefore not allowing me to hold the unit with one hand and use my thumb to reach all the buttons on the unit. But this is only a minor detail for me since this unit will mostly be used in the Ram handlebar mount on my ATV.
The PN-40’s color-screen is very clear and all the pages on the unit including the map are very legible in just about any light even underwater. This palm-sized GPS only uses 2-AA batteries or Li-Ion rechargeable battery depending on which package you decide to purchase. The PN-40 is waterproof to IPX 7 standards, meaning you can dunk it under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes and it will still work. The buttons on the PN-40 give you quick access to the most commonly used functions like marking waypoints and searching for points of interest but can be difficult to press with gloved hands. But I’ve yet to find a GPS that allows me to do this. However, the buttons on the PN-40 are the largest buttons I have ever used.
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Mapping
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</td> <td width="82%"> Since the PN-40 was designed for hikers and bikers it comes with an incredible set of topographic maps via the DeLorme Topo USA software. I’ve been a fan of Topo USA well before I tried the PN-40 because it includes some of the clearest, most detailed outdoor maps available. You can transfer detailed topographic maps to the PN-40 to take on the trail, though unfortunately the process can be a bit tiresome using the slow serial-USB connection. The best and quickest way to transfer map data to the PN-40 is by using a SD Card Reader. The PN-40 comes with plenty of memory to fit detailed map coverage and you can add up to 32GB of additional memory though the SDHC slot.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber10" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="69%">Here is a screenshot of DeLorme's Topo USA. This illustration indicates the programs simplicity.</td> <td width="31%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber6" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="81%"> Once you’ve loaded detailed maps on your PN-40 you can start using it as soon as you walk out your door thanks to its ability to provide driving directions. It won’t talk to you like your Nuvi or Tom Tom but it will help you navigate to an unfamiliar trailhead. Once you’re at the trailhead you can queue up a downloaded GPS track of the trail and follow it just as you would a road.
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</td> <td width="60%"> The PN-40 also has the fairly unique ability to view satellite and aerial imagery on the GPS itself. You’ll need to download the imagery before you head out and the imagery isn’t free but it only cost about $30 a year but once you’ve loaded the images it’s like having Google Earth in the palm of your hand!
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Rider Report
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber8" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="76%"> We were preparing for a long 2 day 100 mile plus trip during the Hatfield McCoy National Trailfest event so I attached the PN-40 and Ram Mount to my wife’s 2007 Honda Rancher ATbecause it would be a good test for the PN-40. This long ride allowed me to test the unit’s battery life expectancy because we did not receive the optional 12 volt power supply cord. This cord would have been nice to have because this unit will exhaust two AA Alkaline batteries in just a matter of hours.
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</td> <td width="76%"> The PN-40 performed flawlessly during both days of the ride. The unit was able to maintain GPS contact without any interruptions in heavy cloud and tree cover. On the second day of the ride, it rained, and rained and rained and I never once dried the unit off or tried to protect it from the rain and mud just to see if the screen would fog up. But I am happy to report that the screen remained very clear even during the worst conditions.
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Conclusion
The PN-40 includes all the functions you’ve come to expect from an outdoor GPS like time, distance, speed, etc. but it also includes some helpful functions like a digital compass, barometric altimeter, and fishing and hunting functions. If you’re looking for a good all-around GPS to use in the great outdoors and you’re tired of paying for extras like detailed maps than the DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 is a good choice that won’t break the bank.
For more information or to purchase the DeLorme PN-40 GPS, you can contact them at:
DeLorme – www.delorme.com
Two DeLorme Drive
P.O. Box 298
Yarmouth, ME 04096
The PN-40 is born in Yarmouth, ME. Or you can use your new PN-40 and navigate to Latitude 43°48.491' North, Longitude 70°09.844' West and you will find yourself at the doorsteps of the DeLorme corporate headquarters.
I could talk about the barometric altimeter, refresh rates and dual core processor and quickly wrap this review up by giving you all the specs from DeLorme’s website but I won’t because it is my duty and pleasure to review this unit and give you an unbiased opinion on the capabilities and features of the PN-40. Besides, I like this unit and I really want to check it out.
</td> <td width="24%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
First Impressions
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</td> <td width="25%">
</td> <td width="50%"> The PN-40 and Ram motorsports mount came individually packaged in one box carefully wrapped in several layers of paper. The packaging for the PN-40 was very attractive and informative teasing me to the contents inside.
Once I opened the box, I quickly installed the supplied AA batteries and turned the unit on. I read somewhere that on initiation the unit may take up to 10 minutes to acquire satellites but I timed the unit and it took a fairly quick 7 minutes to fully initialize. After that, the unit only takes less than a minute to establish enough GPS satellites to be fully ready to go!
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber3" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" width="101%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="76%"> The PN-40 is a palm-sized GPS with a rubberized case making this unit very rugged, however I felt like the battery cover was just a bit oversized therefore not allowing me to hold the unit with one hand and use my thumb to reach all the buttons on the unit. But this is only a minor detail for me since this unit will mostly be used in the Ram handlebar mount on my ATV.
The PN-40’s color-screen is very clear and all the pages on the unit including the map are very legible in just about any light even underwater. This palm-sized GPS only uses 2-AA batteries or Li-Ion rechargeable battery depending on which package you decide to purchase. The PN-40 is waterproof to IPX 7 standards, meaning you can dunk it under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes and it will still work. The buttons on the PN-40 give you quick access to the most commonly used functions like marking waypoints and searching for points of interest but can be difficult to press with gloved hands. But I’ve yet to find a GPS that allows me to do this. However, the buttons on the PN-40 are the largest buttons I have ever used.
</td> <td width="26%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
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</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Mapping
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</td> <td width="82%"> Since the PN-40 was designed for hikers and bikers it comes with an incredible set of topographic maps via the DeLorme Topo USA software. I’ve been a fan of Topo USA well before I tried the PN-40 because it includes some of the clearest, most detailed outdoor maps available. You can transfer detailed topographic maps to the PN-40 to take on the trail, though unfortunately the process can be a bit tiresome using the slow serial-USB connection. The best and quickest way to transfer map data to the PN-40 is by using a SD Card Reader. The PN-40 comes with plenty of memory to fit detailed map coverage and you can add up to 32GB of additional memory though the SDHC slot.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber10" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="69%">Here is a screenshot of DeLorme's Topo USA. This illustration indicates the programs simplicity.</td> <td width="31%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber6" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="81%"> Once you’ve loaded detailed maps on your PN-40 you can start using it as soon as you walk out your door thanks to its ability to provide driving directions. It won’t talk to you like your Nuvi or Tom Tom but it will help you navigate to an unfamiliar trailhead. Once you’re at the trailhead you can queue up a downloaded GPS track of the trail and follow it just as you would a road. </td> <td width="19%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber7" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="40%">
</td> <td width="60%"> The PN-40 also has the fairly unique ability to view satellite and aerial imagery on the GPS itself. You’ll need to download the imagery before you head out and the imagery isn’t free but it only cost about $30 a year but once you’ve loaded the images it’s like having Google Earth in the palm of your hand!
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Rider Report
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber8" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="76%"> We were preparing for a long 2 day 100 mile plus trip during the Hatfield McCoy National Trailfest event so I attached the PN-40 and Ram Mount to my wife’s 2007 Honda Rancher ATbecause it would be a good test for the PN-40. This long ride allowed me to test the unit’s battery life expectancy because we did not receive the optional 12 volt power supply cord. This cord would have been nice to have because this unit will exhaust two AA Alkaline batteries in just a matter of hours.
</td> <td width="24%">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber9" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td width="24%">
</td> <td width="76%"> The PN-40 performed flawlessly during both days of the ride. The unit was able to maintain GPS contact without any interruptions in heavy cloud and tree cover. On the second day of the ride, it rained, and rained and rained and I never once dried the unit off or tried to protect it from the rain and mud just to see if the screen would fog up. But I am happy to report that the screen remained very clear even during the worst conditions.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Conclusion
The PN-40 includes all the functions you’ve come to expect from an outdoor GPS like time, distance, speed, etc. but it also includes some helpful functions like a digital compass, barometric altimeter, and fishing and hunting functions. If you’re looking for a good all-around GPS to use in the great outdoors and you’re tired of paying for extras like detailed maps than the DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 is a good choice that won’t break the bank.
For more information or to purchase the DeLorme PN-40 GPS, you can contact them at:
DeLorme – www.delorme.com
Two DeLorme Drive
P.O. Box 298
Yarmouth, ME 04096
