DeLorme Earthmate PN-20 Waterproof Hiking GPS
by Delorme Mapping
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List Price: Our Price: $189.00 You Save: $10.95 (5%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of DeLorme Earthmate PN-20 Waterproof Hiking GPS
Customer Review: DeLorme's first handheld effort a great value.
Summary: 4 Stars
**** (4) stars from me for price-performance value.
***+ (3.5) stars for overall performance.
If you are looking to buy your first handheld GPS and want a solid performer that's loaded with features, this is a terrific buy. With the 2008 release of DeLorme's PN-40, the upgraded version of this unit, the PN-20 is a veritable steal. You won't find another feature-rich color handheld GPSr at this price.
I'll get right down to what I consider the important points of the PN-20:
GREAT STUFF:
* Maps are colorful and easy to read.
* Layered imagery...you can layer topo over SAT-10 images of your terrain.
* Bright LCD display, even in bright sun.
* Accuracy.
* Mapping software (Topo 7) is excellent.
GOOD STUFF:
* Solid, robust construction.
* Buttons give a good response and provide easy navigation through menus.
* It's waterproof and works well in all sorts of weather.
* SD card slot is tucked away and not exposed to the elements.
* On-screen help in software is more useful than the manual.
* Digital compass is steady and more accurate than the Garmin.
* Alkaline batteries provided plenty of power for three solid treks, approximately 15 hours.
* DeLorme firmware upgrades (free) have fixed some early issues.
DISAPPOINTMENTS:
* Reception is good, but not as sensitive as it could be. (This was fixed with the release of the PN-40.) A Garmin 60CSx was able to pick up satellites in my basement and even in my dining room when the PN-20 would not. Once the PN-20 does lock on, it's quite accurate. (The Garmin had trouble keeping one set of coordinates and bounced around a lot.)
* Screen refreshes are very slow. The processor in the PN-20 simply could not keep up with scrolling and movement the way it should. This was also fixed in the PN-40.
* Ergonomics. This is a compact unit, lengthwise, but is thicker than other GPSr units. It does fit in your hand well and has a rubberized texture over most of the unit that should help keep your grip even in damp conditions. Also, why do manufacturers put the lanyard loop at the top of a unit? If you hang this around your neck while hiking, you have to lift it up and turn it around to view it. With the lanyard connected to the bottom, you would simply lift the unit to look at it.
* Screen size is smaller (2.2") than the Garmin 60CSx (2.6"), it's closest competitor.
* In order to have USB connectivity you must attach a separate adapter piece that snaps on to the back of the unit. If you are a person with limited organizational skills, this is likely to become lost.
* For geocaching, it is not as friendly as the Garmin, although (again) the PN-40 is quite geocache-friendly and easy to use. There are workarounds for the PN-20 that can be found on forum sites.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you are considering the purchase of a GPSr as an entry-level user, this is a fabulous value. The learning curve for the software is a bit steep, but do not be intimidated. You will get a lot of GPS for the money; a solid performer that is hard to beat at this price point.
Customer Review: PN-20 GPS
Summary: 4 Stars
After researching handheld GPS units, I chose to buy a Delorme PN-20, and I am very happy with it. Delorme has THE BEST customer service I have ever dealt with!!! I bought a referbished unit because I don't have a lot of money...when the unit got to my house I plugged it into my computer and the GPS froze! I was bummed. I called Delorme tech support and they took me through the steps to fix the unit. It still did not work so they sent me a new USB cable. When I recieved that I tried again, with no luck. This is the risk you take when buying refurbished electronics. By now it is almost time for my backpacking trip that I had planned to use the GPS on, and I really wanted the GPS for this trip. I told tech support this and they OVERNIGHTED me a new unit! They saved my trip! Besides the customer service, the unit comes with awesome software and maps, which you would have to buy separately if you had bought another brand of handheld GPS. If I had to do it all over again, I would deffinately not buy refurbished, but I would ABSOLUTELY buy Delorme! My next GPS is going to bethe Delorme PN-40.Customer Review: The Best for Back Country Travels
Summary: 4 Stars
I just got back from the better part of a week out in the back country of southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. The PN-20 is an amazing device and did everything that I wanted for off-highway, 4WD touring, sightseeing and geocaching in those remote areas.
The DeLorme Topo maps have long been recognized by back country hikers, campers and 4WD folks as having the best features and capabilities for their activities. And now the PN-20 handheld GPS unit is available to make those maps even more useable.
Do not confuse this device with those stick on the windshield devices or GPS NAV units that come as options on new cars nowadays. I have that also on my new Jeep and it is useless off-highway. That thing will not show any road or trail that is not paved. I don't even run that thing when I'm in the back country.
So if you want a handheld GPS unit that is as good, if not better, than all the others and the best in maps, the Earthmate GPS PN-20 is the ticket. I don't leave home without it, not even in town!
Customer Review: Earthmate pn-20
Summary: 4 Stars
I had previously bought a Magellan in the same price range from a local "big box" store. Only to find out it didn't have local roads, contours, or anything much,and those couldn't be added, due to lack of memory.
The Earthmate comes with maps on DVD (which would have been $99 extra for the Magellan) showing back roads, hiking trails, streams, railroads. Quite useful.
PN-20 works well, seems pretty accurate - within 50 - 75 feet when driving, closer when walking or not moving. Altimeter and speedometer seem very accurate. Takes a while to "find itself" when first turned on, but keeps up after that.
I'd rate it "very good" - does all I could expect for the price.
Customer Review: Good Value
Summary: 4 Stars
I've used this unit for geocaching and it takes me right to the cache. After rebate the unit will end up costing $129, so for the price it is a good value. Do not load all the software if you don't need it. I only entered a few of the maps of places I go or plan to go, not all of them, so this cut down considerably on map loading time. The first time I loaded all the maps onto my computer, it took about 30 minutes. Loading straight from the geocaching site is very easy, and the unit holds the cache description as well. I find the screen visually appealing. I'm very pleased and prefer it over my Garmin E-trex Legend.