From our email newsletter today:
We will begin selling two new PN-Series GPS models in mid-October. The PN-40 has already been announced, but we are announcing the PN-40se – a select edition GPS to be produced in limited quantities and available exclusively direct from DeLorme.
The PN-40se is exactly the same as the PN-40 in every way except it will ship with 8-GB of internal Flash memory (versus the 1-GB on the regular model), and will retail for $499.95 as opposed to $399.95 for the regular model. Having extra internal memory will allow you to quickly transfer more detailed maps and imagery to the internal memory without needing to manage your SD cards to the extent you may be doing now with the PN-20. Both models are terrific choices and offer a fast new dual-core processor and GPS chipset.
We are anticipating very high demand and potential shortages for components for both models so we encourage you to sign up now to be notified about either or both models. We anticipate taking pre-orders in early October and will contact those people who have asked to be notified here in the order they sign up. Those at the head of the line will be contacted via email first.
[Edit -Sign-up now closed]
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Can someone please describe the internal vs. external memory management? How more difficult is it to manage the maps on a SD card? I was assuming that I’d simply could transfer maps to the SD card with a SD reader, or via the GPS device. Thanks.
I’ve been fielding this question quite a bit since we announced the se model. Here are some bullets from one of my posts on Geocaching.com… In the end, your assumption is correct; you’ll still be able to transfer maps to your SD card. Here are the notes on why and how I will be using my se device… when I finally get my hands on one of these coveted models!
-I’ve run several tests to see which is faster and while I am pleased with how quickly the SD card is accessed with the new PN-40 configuration, there is still a slight edge when the data is stored on the internal memory. It’s very slight but enough so that I store all of my “must have” maps on my internal memory.
-I currently have the Topo USA maps for Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont stored on the 1GB internal… that’s as much of New England as I can fit. The rest of my aerial and USGS maps are stored on my 8GB SD card. My plan once I get one of the highly coveted se models (only two in-house so far) is to store all of the Topo USA data for New England and New York on the internal memory and then use the remaining storage to put the entire state of Maine in USGS (buy the DVD for $50 if you want to do this… gives you a back-up and saves you all the download effort) and as much of the state’s high res aerial imagery as I can fit.
-I will still use my 8GB SD card to store all the maps for special trips and anything that won’t fit on the internal 8GB.
-A key issue is growth… with all of my critical data stored on the internal memory I’m free to swap my SD cards out should I have a special set of maps on one card and a different set on another.
I hope this helps with your question about internal vs. external memory management, thank you for your comment.
Chip Noble
DeLorme
I want to buy one of these for use over in Iraq. Will I be able to get access to maps, topo and aerials of Iraq and middle east? Also, is there any way I can get one that has a more subdued color, like ACU green? What color is the backlight?
Our pro-sales group can talk with you about our XMap software and the ability to load MrSID and GeoTIFF files if they are available to you. You can also register scanned maps and save those for use with your PN-Series device. Unfortunately the 20 and 40 are only available in yellow and orange respectively, I’m afraid you’ll have to modify the color on your device on your own. The backlight is a white light and has an intensity control. When I’m driving I turn it almost off so as to cut down on the intensity. We’ve had one beta tester report using the device to light her way out of the woods when her headlamp failed. I hope this helps with your GPS search, good luck!
Chip Noble
DeLorme
Will 8GB be the largest size SD card that the PN-40 7 PN-40se read or will it be capable of reading the 16GB SDHC cards?
All of the PN-Series devices are capable of loading up to 32 GB SD cards. I’m not sure if we actually tested until we found a failure… I haven’t seen a SD card bigger than 32 GB yet! I have seen one of our QA testers running around with a 32 GB card that had the entire US in detailed Topo USA maps. It was very exciting!
Thanks for the comment.
Chip Noble
DeLorme
What is the battery life for the new PN-40?
OK, so as a loyal Delorme customer for over 10 years, when you came out with the PN-20 (6 mos ago) I stood up and bought one. Slow screen rewrite and poor graphics, but it works. Now you come out with a much more new & improved model at almost the same price.
Is this punishment for those of us who bought the PN-20 when it first came out??
Howabout some sort of trade-in/Trade-up deal on the PN-20??
Hello,
I am interested in the 40se model. How tough is the unit? Is it water proof? What is the operating temperature range?
Also, has anyone seen a comparison of this unit vs. the new Oregon 400t?
- Roger
Tim Jones: Our marketing director has posted to our forum with information about our pricing for the PN-40. We are not punishing PN-20 owners; rather we’ve gone with the most competitive pricing we can afford for existing and new DeLorme customers. Check out his post for more details:
http://forum.delorme.com/viewtopic.php?t=15660
Roger Huston: Our Earthmate PN-Series devices are very tough, designed for the rough and tumble challenges we know our customers are going to put them through. We’ve had devices go through all kinds of punishment and keep working… I’ve seen some battle scars and recommend a screen protector to deal with scratches to the display but in general we’re very confident in our ruggedized PN devices. We have to be since our director of technology enjoys roughing them up to see if he can’t force a power interrupt or other failure. Check out the video clip at the bottom of this post from Brian, our training coordinator, when he was mountain biking in Utah during Outdoor Retailer…
http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/14/pn-40-at-outdoor-retailer-show/
The device is waterproof to the IPX7 standard of 3 feet for 30 minutes. I just recorded video in the stream beside my house yesterday showing the device performing without interruption while submerged. Keep in mind that GPS signals don’t penetrate water more than a foot or so… I was pleased to see the 3-D Fix come back instantly when I took the device out of the water.
We have a wide operating temperature range. I can’t find the PN-40 numbers but they are comparable with the PN-20 and those numbers are here:
• Operating temperature range -20 ºC to +75 ºC
• Storage temperature range -55 ºC to +100 ºC
http://www.delorme.com/PN20/images/DeLorme_Earthmate_GPS_PN20_Manual.pdf
The technology director I mentioned earlier has put his device through a heat test in his oven and freezing test using dry ice. Extreme at first but valuable when you consider the dash board temperatures in the south-west and the outdoor activities in the north. The PN-20 has been to the South Pole with arctic explorer John Huston and the PN-40 will go with him to the North Pole in ’09.
http://blog.delorme.com/2008/08/05/delorme-to-sponsor-north-pole-%e2%80%9809-expedition/
The PN-40 hasn’t released yet so you won’t see very many reviews. Check out this link from GPSReview.Net, they have a beta unit and have been posted some information…
http://www.gpsreview.net/delorme-pn-40/
You can also learn a lot from the DeLorme forum, lots of our beta testers have been sharing their experience with the device there.
http://forum.delorme.com/viewforum.php?f=131
Thank you both for your comments, I hope these links help.
Chip Noble
DeLorme
Why would the signup close?
In this electronic age it should be nearly unlimited.
Just got a PN-20 and I am very IMPRESSED! Much better value and accessories included than garmin. I even like the interface and buttons better! GREAT JOB EARTHMATE. Will recommend to others.
Question: It came with 3 DVDs for all three USA regions. What size card will hold everything and still have some room left over? Has anyone ever loaded a PN-20 with every map and sat/aero photos or will it slow down the more I add?? or should i get 3 different cards and swap them as I travel?