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EQUIPMENT REVIEWS:
     DELORME EARTHMATE GPS PN-60w with SPOT GPS COMMUNICATOR


As seen in JPFreek Adventure Magazine - Review by Mike Fissel - Contributing Editor


Here Is What They Say About It:
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PREMIUM GPS CAPABILITIES: The rugged, reliable Earthmate PN-60 delivers next-generation GPS capabilities, plus DeLorme's market-leading map and aerial imagery displays. DeLorme Topo North America desktop software and GPS maps are included, with comprehensive detail for all your favorite outdoor activities in the U.S and Canada. Aerial imagery, nautical charts, and supplemental USGS and Canada topo maps are also available.
  • High-sensitivity receiver with predictive GPS for fast satellite fix
  • Elevation profiles with your position pinpointed
  • Battery-saving power management system
  • 3-axis electronic compass; barometric altimeter
  • One-touch synchronization on GPS data exchanges
  • WAAS-enabled for accuracy within 3 meters
  • Customizable activity-based user settings
  • All the memory you need – 3.5 GB onboard, expandable to 32 GB via SD card
  • No waypoint or track limits – send to, read from SD card
  • Crystal-clear sunlight-readable screen; ergonomic design for one-handed operation
  • One-touch synchronization on GPS data exchanges
  • Easy push-button interface, proven reliable at the North Pole and Mt. Everest
  • Use the PN-60w internal keyboard to transmit wirelessly to the SPOT Communicator and send text messages via satellite around the globe. (SPOT Subscription Required)
  • Send updates to family, buddy lists and social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, SPOTadventures.com and Geocaching.com
  • Organize your messaging with up to 10 contact groups in your online profile at findmeSPOT.com)
  • Waterproof



Here Is What WE Say About It

Equipment Image Jeep Expeditions was lucky enough to get one of the first PN-60w units available with the SPOT GPS Communicator. Trying to us just plain talk, because how many of us understand the techie stuff, here is what we think about it.

To begin with, the PN-60w has a very bright color screen that is readable in the brightest sunlight, much like prior PN units (also reviewed in this section). Secondly, is that Delorme uses the same high resolution Topo software that you use on your home PC or laptop. Unlike the "competition", you can also download USGS Topo Quads and high resolution aerial images by purchasing a $29.95 subscription. Plus, you can switch from map to map, look at your position from the Topo software view, switch to the Topo Quads, then switch to the high resolution aerial images. This is the fastest PN device yet!

The PN-60w has increased internal flash memory of 3.5GB takes SD cards up to 32GB to store all the maps you will ever need on any trip. In addition, it sports a three axis electronic compass. One of the most impressive features is that there are no limits as to number of tracks or waypoints you can store with this unit, try finding another GPS that can state that!

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The included Delorme Topo software has the same street level info as the Delorme Street Atlas software so your PN-60 will always let you know where you are without having to switch back and forth from Topo to Streets. Try that with any other Topo software product on the market today. To give you and example of just how much more detailed the maps of Topo are than the Topo 100K maps available for your Garmin, you can put half the country on a 1GB SD card for your Garmin GPS. For the same 1 GB of memory, you can squeeze in all of Arizona with little room left over. While that might be good for a trip down the interstate from sea to shining sea, it won't satisfy your needs for GPS in the back country. Now to be fair, you could spend $100 for just one region of Garmin Topo 24K and have very detailed maps for your Garmin but to have the whole country you will spend $500 for the Garmin product vs. the FREE Delorem Topo included with your PN-60w. The Delorme software is so detailed that a 32GB card will hold only about 80% of the US. Do the math and you're decision to buy Delore will be very easy.

Did I mention that it was easy to use? I took my PN60 out of the box, loaded the Topo software onto a 32GB SDHC card and in less than an hour (I don't read manuals) I was an "expert" in how to use it. Pairing the GPS unit with the SPOT was a little more tricky but nothing I could not handle on my own. With the Topo software loaded onto your home PC or laptop, you can plan out a trip or review past trips. It's easy to upload and download from the PN60 to your PC and from you PC to the PN60. Plus you can share tracks and waypoints with your friends that use "Brand X" via GPX files.

The Delorme PN-60w with SPOT normally retails for just above $450. Compare with the Garmin Colorado series at $600. The Colorado seems to be closest in features from what I can tell BUT you cannot send texts, custom messages, call for help or even have family and friends see your tracks and near real time position online. There are few if any GPS units that I've tried that can stand up to a head to head match with the PN-60w/SPOT combination in my opinion. It's clearly a better unit for the money based on it's highly detailed maps, the availability to download USGS 1:24,000 Topo Quad and high resolution aerial images plus there is no extra expense to buy routable street maps with the included Topo software. Add to all that the safety and security factors you get with the SPOT Communicator with the SPOT subscription service and this unit is a Grand Slam!

Equipment Image Here is a global coverage map for the SPOT Communicator. The darkest orange color represents areas with a 99% or better chance of sending a message within 20 minutes. In the lighter, yellow color, this drops to 96-99%. Dark grey is reduced or no coverage, while there is no coverage to be expected in the light grey areas.

I haven't been in any area yet from the Continental USA to Canada (including the Yukon and NWT's), Alaska (right up to the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay), Mexico or in any part of the Atlantic or Pacific where cruise ships normally navigate that I didn't have SPOT coverage. In a recent trip to Europe, the SPOT service worked just fine too. So if you travel like me or spend most of your time in North or Central America within a few hundred miles of the coastlines, SPOT will definetely have you covered.

Equipment Image Now I know there are those of you out there wondering about sending text messages or posting messages to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. It works and when you do not have cell phone service, it works quite well too. Unfortunately, you can't receive text messages, Tweats or updates on Facebook but still having the capability to send custom messages from virtually anywhere is a huge benefit. To the left are some examples of messages/messaging screen on the PN60w.

Tech support and customer service? Second to none! Delorme techs and customer service people are based here in the USA. They are friendly, patient and know what they are talking about.

Power and speed, features, ease of use and Topo software along with the safety, security and features of the SPOT Communicator coupled with the SPOT service make the new PN-60 the true leader of GPS units! The ONLY thing it is missing to make it "perfect" is a touch screen.

UPDATE: DeLorme has discontinued the SPOT Satellite Communicator in favor of their own product, the DeLorme inReach, which offers two-way communication and works as a standalone device or can connect with the PN-60w or with the iPhone or Android smartphones

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Products that we feel are useful to off-road travel whether it be Jeep related or camping related will not only be posted on our website but we will submit them to one of several magazines for more possible exposure.

Email info@jeepexpeditions.org with detailed information about your product and your interest in working with our organization.


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*The opinions expressed in this product review are the opinions of the writer and are based on the writers tastes and preferences. The writer may have and in most cases invited other people to participate in this review. Despite the review (favorable/unfavorable) you are encouraged to try out any product that you might be interested in.

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