just bought a delorme gps pn-20...

[sweet trav]

...but the seller didn't have the original cds that came with it so, although I have some routes that the po put on it, I am not sure what I need to do to maximize the use of this unit (i.e. download software, purchase software, what else?). I'd really appreciate any help with this since I'm new to these types of gps units and delorme's site doesn't seem to offer free downloads of original software that comes with purchased gps units (or maybe I just missed it). Again, thanks for any advice and help.

Travis

PS - we have a trip to big bear planned for the beginning of august and then yosemite and lake tahoe areas in late august so I'd really like to be setup and familiar with the unit by then.

I have watched tutorials on youtube for this unit but most of the stuff in the tutorial is what I'm missing.

 

[dzzz]

You can find this at retail for about $80. Note the PN series reference.

You might also to update the firmware.

The $80 version is the new 9.0. You should be able to find 8.0 or 7.0 for less.

 

[sweet trav]

I called delorme and they told me that the 9.0 won't work for the pn-20 model, only the 8.0 (or 7.0 if I could find it). thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[BCcamp]

The PN series units work best with the Delorme Topo software, so buy Topo 8. You then use Topo 8 to select map sections to download to the PN-20. There is a bit of a learning curve with Topo 8, but selecting map sections and downloading to unit is reasonably straightforward.

You can also use Topo 8 to update the PN-20. While connected to the internet, plug the PN-20 into your computer using the USB tether (did that come with the unit?). In the Netlink tab of Topo 8, you can search for updates for your PN-20. If you have a problem with that, give Delorme technical services a shout; they are very helpful.

You can also use the PN-20 as a GPS receiver for Topo 8. Just use the USB tether while running Topo 8 and you've got a nice full featured map system that you can use for navigation. We use the PN-20 tethered to a laptop all the time and it works great. Once you get into Topo 8, you will be amazed what it can do.

 

[sweet trav]

The PN series units work best with the Delorme Topo software, so buy Topo 8. You then use Topo 8 to select map sections to download to the PN-20. There is a bit of a learning curve with Topo 8, but selecting map sections and downloading to unit is reasonably straightforward.

You can also use Topo 8 to update the PN-20. While connected to the internet, plug the PN-20 into your computer using the USB tether (did that come with the unit?). In the Netlink tab of Topo 8, you can search for updates for your PN-20. If you have a problem with that, give Delorme technical services a shout; they are very helpful.

You can also use the PN-20 as a GPS receiver for Topo 8. Just use the USB tether while running Topo 8 and you've got a nice full featured map system that you can use for navigation. We use the PN-20 tethered to a laptop all the time and it works great. Once you get into Topo 8, you will be amazed what it can do.

Thanks for that info! I purchased the 8.0 version yesterday (http://www.digital-topo-maps.com/delorme-demo.shtml) so it should be here shortly and the mount equip from ram. Hopefully I'll be able to figure it out before our august trip to yosemite and tahoe, probably going to try to get up to big bear soon to test some stuff out so hopefully that'll help. thanks again.