New DeLorme Earthmate GPS PN-20 Takes Handhelds Up A Notch
02-07-2007, 07:31 AM
#1
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New DeLorme Earthmate GPS PN-20 Takes Handhelds Up A Notch
Very nice effort by DeLorme, and comes with newly revised maps included. The 3-D part with raster overlays looks impressive, but at a price per d/l after the first $100 credit covering 400 sq. km. Up to 2Gb SD slot, waterproof, what's not to like?
http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELi...minisite=10020
http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELi...minisite=10020
02-08-2007, 03:58 PM
#2
I am in the market for a GPS unit and this one is high on the list. Even the best GPS unit is of no use if the software lacks detail. As much as I love the Garmin 60cx/csx units, the standard software lacks the 1:24k detail I am looking for. Spring for the nicely detailed 1:24K "parks" map and you're still missing 95% of the areas where I go wheeling in the State of California. As a result, I've been looking at other options. As with any of the Garmin/Magellan, etc units, you are limited to their in-house software for display on the actual GPS unit.
The Windows CE-based PDAs look good because you have the flexibility to use third party maps that you tile on your own. The downside is more fussing around, the receivers are not as sensitive as the 60CSX, for example, and the units are not as rugged. Battery life can be a problem too.
The Delorme sort-of splits the difference between the PDA and the Garmins. I have the Delorme Topo Quads at home and there isn't another map product that will match it's detail, in my opinion. The fact that you can have statewide 1:24K detail on your GPS is a big deal to offroaders! The unit does not sound as user friendly as the Garmin units, but the availability of 24k quads for my entire state would make it a more useful tool to me. The fact that you can layer other data, much like ArcView, is also very appealing.
The Windows CE-based PDAs look good because you have the flexibility to use third party maps that you tile on your own. The downside is more fussing around, the receivers are not as sensitive as the 60CSX, for example, and the units are not as rugged. Battery life can be a problem too.
The Delorme sort-of splits the difference between the PDA and the Garmins. I have the Delorme Topo Quads at home and there isn't another map product that will match it's detail, in my opinion. The fact that you can have statewide 1:24K detail on your GPS is a big deal to offroaders! The unit does not sound as user friendly as the Garmin units, but the availability of 24k quads for my entire state would make it a more useful tool to me. The fact that you can layer other data, much like ArcView, is also very appealing.
02-08-2007, 11:19 PM
#3
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I've been looking for a replacement for one of my handhelds so I waited for it to come out before making a decision. I too want 1:24/25K detail and the Delorme software delivers on that. Add to it the ability to layer Raster maps, Vector maps AND sat imagery and the program is a hit. However the PN-20 falls short of a "all around" unit. I had a chance to play with one last week and my impressions are:
1)The screen is tiny, compared to the 60csx it's minuscule, about the size of a book of matches (folded) but the overall dimensions, of the unit, are about the same as the 60 sans ant. The screen is bright and the resolution is very good, just don't expect to be able to read it if dash mounted and you are trying to negotiate a trail.
2) No external ant jack. may not be a biggie, but it's a must have for me.
3) Although the new chip set seems to be as fast as the SiRF ie; cold start time was very fast, the processor for mapping is S_L_O_W. redraw times when scrolling seemed to take forever.
4) (this is the one that bugged me the most) As you move the cursor moves across the map instead of staying centered and the map moving. The map will not update until the cursor gets to the very edge of the screen and then it will redraw. Like I said the redraw is slow. You cannot see what's a head of you on the map and easily miss a turn off that is just off the edge of the screen, as the map is redrawing.
5) The pn-20 does not seem to be an auto routing unit. I didn't get a chance to explore this function as much as I would have like but may 1st impression is it isn't up to the task.
Over all is seems like a very capable unit for human powered sports. but for a dual sport unit it could be better.
1)The screen is tiny, compared to the 60csx it's minuscule, about the size of a book of matches (folded) but the overall dimensions, of the unit, are about the same as the 60 sans ant. The screen is bright and the resolution is very good, just don't expect to be able to read it if dash mounted and you are trying to negotiate a trail.
2) No external ant jack. may not be a biggie, but it's a must have for me.
3) Although the new chip set seems to be as fast as the SiRF ie; cold start time was very fast, the processor for mapping is S_L_O_W. redraw times when scrolling seemed to take forever.
4) (this is the one that bugged me the most) As you move the cursor moves across the map instead of staying centered and the map moving. The map will not update until the cursor gets to the very edge of the screen and then it will redraw. Like I said the redraw is slow. You cannot see what's a head of you on the map and easily miss a turn off that is just off the edge of the screen, as the map is redrawing.
5) The pn-20 does not seem to be an auto routing unit. I didn't get a chance to explore this function as much as I would have like but may 1st impression is it isn't up to the task.
Over all is seems like a very capable unit for human powered sports. but for a dual sport unit it could be better.
02-09-2007, 08:31 AM
#4
Wow, that was a useful post. The slow refresh times, lack of center of screen auto scroll and small screen may be deal breakers for me too. I have often wondered, does anyone make some sort of hack so you can use the Delorme 24k maps on a Garmin 60cx/csx? I would buy a Garmin with confidence if I were not limited to their low detail (for my area) maps.
Just out of curiosity, what do you think of the PDA based GPS units? The ability to run third party software and Delorme maps is appealing.
Just out of curiosity, what do you think of the PDA based GPS units? The ability to run third party software and Delorme maps is appealing.
02-09-2007, 09:28 AM
#5
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Good stuff here. I hadn't read those comments on any review site!
So, what is everyone's favorite handheld and/or automotive gps that will display DeLorme topos on a usefully sized screen?
So, what is everyone's favorite handheld and/or automotive gps that will display DeLorme topos on a usefully sized screen?
02-09-2007, 09:33 AM
#6
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my car pc... lol.
seriously tho, i dont like the hand held units. they completely lack any kind of customization.
i have a delorme bluelogger and a pda with bluetooth, thats so far the best combo ive found.
seriously tho, i dont like the hand held units. they completely lack any kind of customization.
i have a delorme bluelogger and a pda with bluetooth, thats so far the best combo ive found.
02-09-2007, 12:02 PM
#7
I am beginning to think that a PDA with a bluetooth GPS receiver is the way to go.
Arguably one of the best handhelds you can buy is the Trimble GeoXH/XT/XM units, ranging from $2,600 to $8,000. Compared to say....a Dell X51 PDA ($319) with a GlobalSat bluetooth GPS receiver ($89). Figure $100 for on-road software like TomTom or IGuidance and another $100 for good offroad/topo software and you basically have a budget Trimble XH (which I am ordering for work, BTW). Because both units run on Windows mobile, you could run the same advanced ESRI ArcPad software on the PDA that you could on the Trimble. You will not get the rugged Trimble case and you likely will not get 7 hours out of the PDA battery, but you'll have $2,000 extra dollars in your pocket.
Compared to a $370 Garmin 60CSX with $100 in "not very good" Garmin topo software, the PDA is in the same price range, except you have a small personal computer with WiFi.
Arguably one of the best handhelds you can buy is the Trimble GeoXH/XT/XM units, ranging from $2,600 to $8,000. Compared to say....a Dell X51 PDA ($319) with a GlobalSat bluetooth GPS receiver ($89). Figure $100 for on-road software like TomTom or IGuidance and another $100 for good offroad/topo software and you basically have a budget Trimble XH (which I am ordering for work, BTW). Because both units run on Windows mobile, you could run the same advanced ESRI ArcPad software on the PDA that you could on the Trimble. You will not get the rugged Trimble case and you likely will not get 7 hours out of the PDA battery, but you'll have $2,000 extra dollars in your pocket.
Compared to a $370 Garmin 60CSX with $100 in "not very good" Garmin topo software, the PDA is in the same price range, except you have a small personal computer with WiFi.
Last edited by paddlenbike; 02-09-2007 at 12:04 PM.
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02-10-2007, 08:21 AM
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i have the x30h (faster processor, unofficial designation) its been going for 3 years now strong, great pda, and the x51v's are just amazing with that vga screen.
you can also do an indash pc with gps, mp3, odbii, etc for about 800
you can also do an indash pc with gps, mp3, odbii, etc for about 800
02-14-2007, 12:08 PM
#10
sean--glad to hear it; just ordered my X51V. I got the i-Blue bluetooth GPS receiver and iGuidance 3.0 software for voice-guided road travel. For offroad I am going to give Backcountry Navigator a try. I want to take advantage of all of the free 1:250K, 1:100K and 1:24K topo quads available online, so if BCN doesn't work, Memory-Map or Ozi Explorer should fulfill my needs.
Here are some screen shots from iGuidance:
It has wifi too (when available)
The larger screen and much faster processor sold me on this over the Delorme (which is also a nice product).
Here are some screen shots from iGuidance:
It has wifi too (when available)
The larger screen and much faster processor sold me on this over the Delorme (which is also a nice product).
Last edited by paddlenbike; 02-14-2007 at 12:12 PM.
02-16-2007, 09:52 AM
#15
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Today's Dell codes. Looks like you got a good deal:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/p...n&s=dhs&~tab=3
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/p...n&s=dhs&~tab=3
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