Customer Reviews
GPS device is decent, software isn't. 
2008-05-26
I have been using Delorme software since Street Atlas 4.0 (1996) and their Earthmate GPS devices since they were released- unfortunately the software interface has barely changed since then and it's difficult to use when compared to much more intuitive mapping software like Google Maps/Earth, Microsoft Live Maps, and Mapquest. In fact after buying Street Atlas 2007 last year and a car with a GPS built in I figured I would probably never buy or need Delorme software again... but then I picked up a boat... in researching products I was back at Topo USA 7 and from both the box of the product and the Delorme website you see it mention NOAA marine charts and I thought that this was the answer I needed, when I saw it packaged with a new Earthmate color screen GPS and considered myself lucky.
I was not. the software came in and I guess I could have lived with the dated Delorme interface, but the program is a memory hog and took close to an hour to install on a decent Sony Windows XP laptop with a gig of ram. Even after being installed the software is slow and "3D" mode whatever that is causes a fatal error, which is strange as Google Earth and other 3D software work just fine. Didn't matter too much, I wasn't interested in 3D, just those NOAA charts.
Unfortunately none of the charts are included... you must setup a web account and buy and download each chart- each one costing $10 and to cover say New York waterways in general would easily cost more than the device itself. No where on the box or website did it mention you had to pay extra for these charts- which is strange since it did mention you had to pay extra for the aerial/satellite imagery.
I purchased the 1 chart I would use the most and the process was fairly straightforward after I gave them all my personal and credit card info... Of course once the time came to put the chart on the GPS I was again stuck in what seemed like a much prolonged process of Topo7 making, saving, and then transferring the data to the device, it was close to another hour.
The Earthmate GPS PN-20 is decent enough. It was able to get a lock when I turned it on in my living room near the window which was impressive. I was sad to see it used 2 AA batteries and not some sort of rechargeable. Further upsetting was the non-standard USB or miniUSB cord but a USB cable specific only to the Earthmate PN-20 so if it is lost or damaged you'll only be buying your replacement from Delorme.
Overall I gave this 2 stars as I was disappointed on all accounts- I would have skipped on this purchase knowing what I know now.
meant for hikers 
2008-04-30
I have been very happy with the Delorme products on my laptop. I have also been quite unhappy with other GPS devices like Garmin and TomTom, so I decided to try the PN-20. This is for use in a vehicle and the display on the PN-20 is too small for use in a vehicle. I have returned the PN-20 and will continue using my laptop.
unstable firmware 2008-02-24
Out of the box, the unit I got kept locking up and rebooting. Very unstable. Delorme suggested I upgrade to firmware 1.3, but the unit was already at that level so N/A. Unuseable.
A really great GPS unit 
2008-02-20
I bought this unit to use outdoors because I have been a big fan of their paper Atlas for more than a decade and more recently of their software. This GPS unit is a real gem! Extremely rugged, water proof (it even floats in case you ever take it with you fishing). Initially, I had planned on only using it recreationally, but I have Delorme's XMap software for work and discovered that I could scan our company system maps and download those onto the PN-20, too.
I do however wish that the screen was a little bigger, sometimes it is a little difficult to see the small screen.
Well thought out design 2008-01-19
I chose PN-20 over Garmin Vista HCx for its overall value. It was a tough choice between the two. Vista HCx is more compact, faster graphics redraw, and more sensitive receiver than PN-20, but PN-20 came with a much better map package, more intuitive and flexible menuing, a better physical design, and a good enough sensitive receiver. I'm very happy with the PN-20.
Time For Change 2008-01-16
DeLorme, famous for its topographic and street map detail, has created a GPS receiver to enable anyone to use a wide variety of detailed maps and aerial imagery for all outdoors activities. The Earthmate GPS PN-20 is a low-cost, high-sensitivity, fully integrated handheld GPS that delivers capabilities previously unavailable at any price. Waterproof to the IPX-7 standard with an impact-resistant rubberized housing for a solid grip Features STMicroelectronics chipset with SiGE RF front-end and DeLorme firmware for outstanding signal acquisition and retention. Works equally well under dense foliage or in-vehicle Easily exchange maps, tracks, and waypoints between your PN-20 GPS unit and your PC with the Topo USA software 75MB of internal flash memory in addition to the preloaded world base map SD Card Slot (1GB SD card included) for additional map, track, and waypoint storage Use the included Topo USA 6.0 software on the PC to create automatic road and trail routes, elevation profiles, and realistic 3-D flyovers
Super GPS - one stop shopping 2008-01-09
I am not a GPS nerd, meaning I haven't had GPS for years and have 5 or 6 models that track the history of the technology. I wanted one for a long time, but none of them were "it". I wanted it all in one box - everything I might need including a waterproof GPS that I could take hunting and kayaking and fishing as well as use in the car for long trips as well as sync with my laptop, etc. etc. Well, this is it. This is one stop shopping as far as I'm concerned. This GPS does absolutely everything I want, right out of the box. DeLorme's products are top drawer. The unit is tough, the screen is bright, the controls are intuitive, the mapping software is incredibly detailed, customer support has been fantastic. I got the PN-20 that came with DVD's, as well as all the possible battery charging cables you could hope for, and I can't think of a situation where I don't have the right stuff. I couldn't be happier.
Very unstable unit 
2007-10-02
I own this device for a week and will send it back tomorrow. It very unstable in most important area - satellite locking. Some times it acquire 3D lock in 1 minute (or less) but some times it does not see even single satellite for hours. Periodically it is showing accuracy 10ft but in same time on map I am 200 feet from my real location.
SOFTWARE INTENSE 2007-08-18
Well...I rated it down due to the very powerful but extremely cumbersome software.I have 17 hours invested and a long ways to go.It will DO what Delorme says as far as functions of the PN-20. Do not buy if you want to take it straight from the box and travel!. The world base map is absolutely
useless. There is more information on a globe. The 16 section USA regional maps that you must load are not much better. For the PN-20 to shine you must
use the software and select the high detail maps to send to the PN-20 via SD card!!. If you dont do this you will not get street level detail. You can still set up a route without the download but why? Isnt that why I bought this unit in the first place.
I did get the PN-20 to lock on 7 satellites inside a commercial industrial building.
If you like to fool with stuff more so than use it for its intended purpose than the PN-20 is for you. It will keep you off the street for a LONG time.
Be very careful about "Whats in the Box" on Amazons site versus what the vendor says is in the box!!! I was very disappointed as I did not get the travel package mentioned here. Live and learn!!
Not all I'd hoped. 2007-08-15
Although I am familiar with the DeLorme Topo software, getting 7 ½ minute maps from Topo 2.0 up and running on the PN-20 was a day-long project. Don't read the manual because the information you need isn't in there. Use the on-screen help. If you want to use both 7 ½ minute and Topo 6.0 map displays simultaneously, there are some software problems that make route planning a frustrating experience. If loading detailed maps, you will definitely want an SD card and reader.
Unfortunately, I expected more than the tiny Earthmate display can deliver. The screen is just too small to see much. Zooming in and out is so slow and scrolling so sluggish that I didn't find the map display very helpful. If you are hiking an unfamiliar area you need a paper map as backup anyway and the paper map is more useful.
Comparing it to my old Garmin eTrex vista, signal acquisition speed is about the same, and the PN-20 is not noticeably heaver, but it's larger and more awkward to use. The Garmin is designed for one-handed operation. You can keep hiking. The PN-20 requires two hands. You have to stop.
If you've never owned a hand-held GPS before, this might be a good choice. If you already have one, it's probably not worth upgrading.
