DeLorme PN-40 - Unlimited 1:24,000 Topos/Satellite imagery for $30/year

[nvprospector]

All that said, I would like to try the pn-40 due to the aerial images.

Don't know if you already where aware of it but the PN-20 also does the aerial images. The PN-40 has the dual core which makes rendering them a little faster.

-Tim-

 

[BajaTaco]

Chris,

I too run a tablet and look forward to hearing more about Overland Navigator. That sounds perfect. Unlike you, I haven't had any issues with Vista and any of my bluetooth GPS units. I run an i-Blue 737 and i-Blue 757 solar powered with data logger and both have been great.

Jack

Hi Jack,

I think Overland Navigator is really going to be innovative. As a beta tester, I can only share my info with the company, but as soon as I have production software running on my machine, you can bet that I'll be publishing a review on it. Stay tuned

 

[BajaTaco]

I have both the PN-20 and PN-40 and the major differences between the two is that the PN-40 with its dual core processor makes rendering of the maps and aerial images a little faster, 1 gig of internal memory and a altimeter making elevation readings in the PN-40 more accurate.

Doesn't the PN-40 keep the position marker in the center of the screen now, so a complete screen refresh isn't required as on the PN-20 where the marker moves across the screen and the map is stationary until the marker reaches the edge of the screen?

 

[BigDaveZJ]

DeLorme's got the PN-20's on sale now for $199 too, so a little break on price.

 

[BajaTaco]

... I also have Ozi Explorer, but I'm having issues getting the PN-20 to communicate with it. I'm trying to resolve that using a serial port emulator, but no luck so far.

FYI, I finally figured out the problem: Windows Vista "User Account Control". I turned off UAC and now it works. I'll start another thread with more details.

 

[1speed]

Doesn't the PN-40 keep the position marker in the center of the screen now, so a complete screen refresh isn't required as on the PN-20 where the marker moves across the screen and the map is stationary until the marker reaches the edge of the screen?

Yes, the PN-40 does keep the marker in the middle.
I just ordered the map download package and the power kit, so I will play with it a little more in the near future.

 

[EdoHart]

I have both the PN-20 and PN-40 and the major differences between the two is that the PN-40 with its dual core processor makes rendering of the maps and aerial images a little faster, 1 gig of internal memory and a altimeter making elevation readings in the PN-40 more accurate.

Delorme really amped up the 1 gig of internal memory. This is not really that wonderful since there is no file management system to move files from the SD card to the internal ram. Also, the PN-40 is still limited by the 64 file limit that was in the PN-20. Delorme did remove the upper limits of the SDHC so it now supports 32 gigs. They do fail to tell the users of the PN-20 that the PN-20 also supports 32 gigs with the latest flash update.

I do like the PN-40 for its speed in rendering images, but I really don’t see much of a difference between the PN-20 and PN-40 in the way of overall performance. If you are getting a Delorme for the first time, do get the PN-40. If you already own a PN-20, there is really no need to upgrade unless you really want to.

Thanks. That's what I was thinking from the brochures they've sent me. If they wanted to trade I might consider it, but the PN-20 is pretty darn good and I can't justify the cost of a new GPS.

 

[Equipt]

Chris,

A quick question for you. I am becoming sold on the DeLorme software. That seems like a good choice for running on the laptop. I am wondering if you have tried hooking your laptop up to your Magellan Crossover. Any luck there? I also have a little bluetooth GPS receiver called an iTrex, and am hoping that might work too. I am running XP on my laptop still.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[BajaTaco]

Chris,

A quick question for you. I am becoming sold on the DeLorme software. That seems like a good choice for running on the laptop. I am wondering if you have tried hooking your laptop up to your Magellan Crossover. Any luck there? I also have a little bluetooth GPS receiver called an iTrex, and am hoping that might work too. I am running XP on my laptop still.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Hi Paul,

That was one of the "cons" that I listed on the Magellan Crossover in my GPS test/review article last summer. The USB output doesn't provide NMEA data for use with mapping software. As for your iTrex, it would depend on if there is a driver for it. With XP I imagine there is. Have you had a chance to try out the DeLorme Topo software yet?

 

[Equipt]

Hey Chris,

Thanks for responding. I went out last night and picked up the Western Region version of the DeLorme Topo 7. $40 on sale. Amazing value.

I loaded it up on the laptop I have, which is on the bleeding edge of prefered hardware for running this. It loaded up in good time, and seems to be working.

I dug into help menu a little to see what was involved in hooking up a GPS. I found the answer to my own question about the Magellan right there. RTFM! Sorry I didn't reply earlier.

But what I did try was my little i.trek 7 GPS bluetooth receiver. I mis-spelled it before. I linked the bluetooth to the receiver, then hit "Start GPS" and it camr right up. I was fairly deep in my house and it could still triangulate my location. Very cool.

So I know it works, but I haven't been out to use it yet. I'm heading to central Utah this weekend so I will check it out. I love the spit screen and the 3D mapping. I am sure I will like the color mapping when I figure that out.

The next thing is for me to take the time to learn the software. That could take years. Any suggestions on learning the DeLorme software a rookie such as my self?

Cheers,

 

[nvprospector]

The next thing is for me to take the time to learn the software. That could take years. Any suggestions on learning the DeLorme software a rookie such as my self?

The software is very easy to use. Just start playing with it. It should take you no time to at all to learn.

-Tim-

 

[Equipt]

Thanks. I will do that. I fooled around with it a while last night. It seems to be fairly intuitive. We'll give a a good shake down this weekend.

Cheers,

 

[BajaTaco]

Congrats Paul, I'm glad you got it working. Like Tim said, just start playing with it (and use the help files - they're good) and you'll get the hang of it. The DeLorme user forums are also a very good resource for tips and tricks. Have fun on your trip!