Comments on: Earthmate PN-40; When and How Much? http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/ Mapping, GPS, and GIS Technologies — We Bring Technology Down to Earth™ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:49:55 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: David http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/#comment-1396 David Wed, 13 May 2009 20:56:59 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-1396 Would love a solar charger for the PN-40. Any idea on one that will work? Cheers, David Chip Noble - Design Says: August 28, 2008 at 12:03 am | Reply David: DeLorme doesn’t currently offer a solar charger although I have seen a couple in the building and can get more info on what would be required to power our device. I think there are usually specs on a solar charger to help answer compatibility questions. Would love a solar charger for the PN-40. Any idea on one that will work?

Cheers,
David

Chip Noble – Design Says:
August 28, 2008 at 12:03 am | Reply

David: DeLorme doesn’t currently offer a solar charger although I have seen a couple in the building and can get more info on what would be required to power our device. I think there are usually specs on a solar charger to help answer compatibility questions.

]]> By: gulfquest http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/#comment-1185 gulfquest Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:12:42 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-1185 I am ready to buy the PN-40 this week. My problem is deciding between the regular and the SE. I know that more memory is always better, but I can buy a lot of SD cards for the extra $100. What would be the benefit of biting the bullet and buying the SE? We are planning a trip out west this summer and are avid geocachers/mid level hikers. While on the road I will be using the PN40 as my secondary GPS with the laptop and Streetmaps 2009. I am ready to buy the PN-40 this week. My problem is deciding between the regular and the SE. I know that more memory is always better, but I can buy a lot of SD cards for the extra $100. What would be the benefit of biting the bullet and buying the SE? We are planning a trip out west this summer and are avid geocachers/mid level hikers. While on the road I will be using the PN40 as my secondary GPS with the laptop and Streetmaps 2009.

]]> By: Mark W. http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/#comment-964 Mark W. Fri, 13 Feb 2009 04:11:15 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-964 Just received a PN-40 as a gift. Looks great with great features. May return though because it's not Mac compatible...any news before I make a trip to peruse Gander Mountain's other offerings? Just received a PN-40 as a gift. Looks great with great features. May return though because it’s not Mac compatible…any news before I make a trip to peruse Gander Mountain’s other offerings?

]]> By: Chip Noble - Design http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/#comment-552 Chip Noble - Design Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:24:30 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-552 El Guapo: Thanks for the post; I just got back from a week in California showing the device off to REI stores in the San Francisco area. I got to meet with quite a few geocachers out there too... everyone was very excited with the PN-40. To answer your questions... The PN-Series devices both support the 32 GB SDHC cards. We're very pleased with this as it opens the door to get lots of maps on the device. I've had the 800 character limit at the top of my list for some time and am excited to see a few things moving in the development group that will help us remove the limit. It won't be in the released device but will be available in a firmware update just as soon as I can get it scheduled. Not an exact date, I know... but a promise to get it as soon as possible. Caleb spoke to the updated release date... first or second week in November. If I had to guess about a DeLorme translation I'd have to say "sweet map goodness"... but then I'm a pretty serious tool myself. WayTooHumble: I hope my answers above helped. The biggest one that everyone is looking for is really not a design question. Caleb has posted the update from sales and marketing and will have to be what you all work from... Curtis Brumley: Thanks for helping out with the 32 GB note... 800 characters addressed above... mid November from CS, thank you all for being patient while we get these devices shipped out! Chip Noble DeLorme El Guapo: Thanks for the post; I just got back from a week in California showing the device off to REI stores in the San Francisco area. I got to meet with quite a few geocachers out there too… everyone was very excited with the PN-40. To answer your questions… The PN-Series devices both support the 32 GB SDHC cards. We’re very pleased with this as it opens the door to get lots of maps on the device. I’ve had the 800 character limit at the top of my list for some time and am excited to see a few things moving in the development group that will help us remove the limit. It won’t be in the released device but will be available in a firmware update just as soon as I can get it scheduled. Not an exact date, I know… but a promise to get it as soon as possible. Caleb spoke to the updated release date… first or second week in November. If I had to guess about a DeLorme translation I’d have to say “sweet map goodness”… but then I’m a pretty serious tool myself.

WayTooHumble: I hope my answers above helped. The biggest one that everyone is looking for is really not a design question. Caleb has posted the update from sales and marketing and will have to be what you all work from…

Curtis Brumley: Thanks for helping out with the 32 GB note… 800 characters addressed above… mid November from CS, thank you all for being patient while we get these devices shipped out!

Chip Noble
DeLorme

]]> By: Curtis Brumley http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/#comment-530 Curtis Brumley Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:29:39 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-530 I believe the max SD card size is 32 GB from other posts and product information. Not sure on the 800 limit. I was informed by Customer Service when calling about my order, that it has been pushed out to mid November. I believe the max SD card size is 32 GB from other posts and product information. Not sure on the 800 limit. I was informed by Customer Service when calling about my order, that it has been pushed out to mid November.

]]> By: WayTooHumble http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/#comment-524 WayTooHumble Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:32:08 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-524 Chip, Guapo asked the same questions that I was wondering. Will you answer any of them? W2H Chip,
Guapo asked the same questions that I was wondering. Will you answer any of them?

W2H

]]> By: El Guapo http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/#comment-493 El Guapo Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:10:19 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-493 Congratulations on what looks to be the result of some truly great engineering. It looks like Delorme has raised the bar. (This was supposed to be the first part of my post) Congratulations on what looks to be the result of some truly great engineering. It looks like Delorme has raised the bar.

(This was supposed to be the first part of my post)

]]> By: El Guapo http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/#comment-492 El Guapo Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:09:07 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-492 Chip - I have a couple of questions that I’m hoping you can field. *What is the highest GB SD card that the PN-40 will support (I heard it maxes at 2GB)? * Are you truly going to address the 800 character limit in a firmware update? *When is the updated release date? *Does ‘DeLorme’ really mean ‘the Lorme’ in Spanish? Thanks, El Guapo Chip – I have a couple of questions that I’m hoping you can field.
*What is the highest GB SD card that the PN-40 will support (I heard it maxes at 2GB)?
* Are you truly going to address the 800 character limit in a firmware update?
*When is the updated release date?
*Does ‘DeLorme’ really mean ‘the Lorme’ in Spanish?
Thanks,
El Guapo

]]> By: Chip Noble - Design http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/#comment-379 Chip Noble - Design Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:53:38 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-379 Scott Haigh: If your screws are broken or your SD card holder doesn't work correctly you should contact our customer service department. Using the device in the ocean can certainly cause corrosion if you don't do a fresh water rinse after your trip is finished, I would recommend that for any device that is used in salt water. As for the cracked case, our device is made of ruggedized plastic and will withstand most abuse. I've only had one unit break and that was the clear screen when I swung my bird vest into the back of the truck and hit the device against the sharp edge of a rock. I don't work in customer service but I can tell you that we are very reasonable as a company. If you think the cracked case was caused by a manufacturing problem you should contact customer service and explain that. If the crack was the result of something beyond normal wear and tear then I think the repair cost is significantly less than buying a new unit. We're trying to be fair and provide a repair service for those that need it. The PN-40 has the same form factor as the PN-20. I would encourage anyone to use the device for all of their outdoor activities and feel confident that it will weather reasonable abuse. Rinse it off if you take it in the ocean... dry it off if you are going to change the batteries... use a screen protector if you might scratch the face. I use the lanyard to tether my PN to my bird vest or bike handlebars or ski jacket pocket or fly fishing vest or even my belt loop when I'm hiking. I've dropped enough devices during testing to know they are tough... you should all secure your devices so that they don't get scratched. It also prevents you from loosing them in the water or the bushes or off a cliff if you're not careful. Another pass at your question Scott... the PN-40 is still the right device for kayaking. I've used NOAA charts and aerial imagery for several trips in Casco Bay. Rinse your device off after each use... We test for screw issues and SD card latch issues so be sure to contact customer service if you encounter any problems there... and be cautious with the device. It's ruggedized plastic but it does have limits... We want you to take advantage of the nautical features but do charge for repairs if you crack your device. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks, Chip Noble DeLorme Scott Haigh: If your screws are broken or your SD card holder doesn’t work correctly you should contact our customer service department. Using the device in the ocean can certainly cause corrosion if you don’t do a fresh water rinse after your trip is finished, I would recommend that for any device that is used in salt water. As for the cracked case, our device is made of ruggedized plastic and will withstand most abuse. I’ve only had one unit break and that was the clear screen when I swung my bird vest into the back of the truck and hit the device against the sharp edge of a rock. I don’t work in customer service but I can tell you that we are very reasonable as a company. If you think the cracked case was caused by a manufacturing problem you should contact customer service and explain that. If the crack was the result of something beyond normal wear and tear then I think the repair cost is significantly less than buying a new unit. We’re trying to be fair and provide a repair service for those that need it.

The PN-40 has the same form factor as the PN-20. I would encourage anyone to use the device for all of their outdoor activities and feel confident that it will weather reasonable abuse. Rinse it off if you take it in the ocean… dry it off if you are going to change the batteries… use a screen protector if you might scratch the face. I use the lanyard to tether my PN to my bird vest or bike handlebars or ski jacket pocket or fly fishing vest or even my belt loop when I’m hiking. I’ve dropped enough devices during testing to know they are tough… you should all secure your devices so that they don’t get scratched. It also prevents you from loosing them in the water or the bushes or off a cliff if you’re not careful.

Another pass at your question Scott… the PN-40 is still the right device for kayaking. I’ve used NOAA charts and aerial imagery for several trips in Casco Bay. Rinse your device off after each use… We test for screw issues and SD card latch issues so be sure to contact customer service if you encounter any problems there… and be cautious with the device. It’s ruggedized plastic but it does have limits… We want you to take advantage of the nautical features but do charge for repairs if you crack your device.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,

Chip Noble
DeLorme

]]> By: Scott Haigh http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/18/delorme-earthmate-pn-40-when-and-how-much/#comment-377 Scott Haigh Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:44:46 +0000 http://delormegps.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-377 Chip, In sea kayaking over the past few months with the AMC SEM group, we have had experiences with numerous handheld GPS units. The PN-20 appears to be the best for our overall use (Garmin not dealing well with high resolution charts and Magellan SW very difficult to use). Unfortunately the PN-20 unit has not physically held up well: Broken case screw bases, Rusted screws, Loose SD card holder, And a cracked case (the unit now has to reside in a waterproof bag). Your repair folks wanted over $100 for a new case. Our question is, with the new PN-40 unit have you improved / eliminated these issues? Please let us know as we would like to utilize the PN-40 and have an idea that they will hold up for us. Thanks Scott Haigh AMC SEM Chip,

In sea kayaking over the past few months with the AMC SEM group, we have had experiences with numerous handheld GPS units. The PN-20 appears to be the best for our overall use (Garmin not dealing well with high resolution charts and Magellan SW very difficult to use). Unfortunately the PN-20 unit has not physically held up well:
Broken case screw bases,
Rusted screws,
Loose SD card holder,
And a cracked case (the unit now has to reside in a waterproof bag). Your repair folks wanted over $100 for a new case.

Our question is, with the new PN-40 unit have you improved / eliminated these issues?

Please let us know as we would like to utilize the PN-40 and have an idea that they will hold up for us.

Thanks

Scott Haigh
AMC SEM

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