bobandrobin

I have a Lowrance I finder Expedition C. The main reasons I bought it were the large screen (old eyes) and the electronic compass. I can endorse it as dependable and rock solid. However I don't speak very highly of the manual. This was my first gps and the learning process was frustrating, in hindsight I would advise to throw the manual away and search forums for help. The newer hand held units appear to be more user friendly. I am thinking about upgrading in the future to one of the Endura models, I like the convenience of the usb cable but want to keep the ability to store data on memory chips. I will stick with Lowrance, in the past few months we have bought Garmin and Delorme and have had both units fail. The Lowrance never has. The marine software is cool and part of me would love to have it but the practical side just doesn't see the need. I would think it practical for a large vessel restricted to channels and frequenting unfamiliar waters. If you travel outside the channels you need to know the obstructions and other hazards not on the charts or chips. These you have to mark yourself as well as a route around them for fog. I should note I have a small wooden skiff, invisible to radar and don't have the option of using the channel in bad weather. I have only been on a couple of lakes and they were too small to require any navigational aid. Hope this helps.

I fish and cache with the same unit, the data card works very well for me. I keep all my fishing waypoints and routes on one card and my cache data on others, when I'm in the boat I put in the "river chip" and have my rock piles ledges and drop offs marked as well as a route home in case the fog rolls in. I haven't found a need for the marine mapping software or data cards. They are very cool but unless you are visiting strange areas a lot I don't see the payoff. I would advise to save some bucks and invest in a NOAA chart of your area. Back to my line of thought, the ability to transfer and store info on the data card is a handy feature.

Try plugging into another usb port, Robin had the same issues but for some reason it works when plugged into the port on the back of pc.

When I hunt by myself (Bob here) I don't have the benefit of paperless. My I finder Expedition C gives me the hint and little other info. I have often thought it would be a good idea to somehow "flag" the cache name to alert the cacher that important info is available on the cache page. The ability to "raise the the flag" from the cache logging page would be a nice option as conditions change. For example there was a cache in my area that previous cachers had reported finding used syringes. I haven't seen any numbers but I would think a substantial number of folks out there are not paperless, an attempt to notify them of a possibly hazardous situation would be a good idea.

Another thanks for posting. Nice.

Not all micros in the forest are a chore. We have found a few inside ammo cans! One comes to mind, the hint was "magnetic."

I had a PN-40 for a few weeks. I bought it for the rechargeable feature. I would get less than 30 minutes of geo-caching before it would die. I sent it back. I don't see anything wrong here. Normal consumer behavior. Unit was bad and customer sent it back. The problem was battery oriented and IMO not out of line on the thread. Interesting though how a defective PN40 was spun around to become a consumer issue. There were originally no quarrels about the defective unit. This issue occured over more than one thread. WB was provided advise which couldn't be determined if he even follow it, was provided an offer of help from the DeLorme staff which he didn't take up, but directly afterwards turned it into a purchase dispute with his credit card instead of sending it back to DeLorme for a no hassle full refund. This is what I got out of it. I consider this hostile. If you consider this normal... Someone PLEASE explain the mindset to me that as a consumer I am bound to assist the seller to remedy a defective product. IMO that would be a courtesy I extend at my option. He (Wbtaylor) had the PN40 for ten days after asking for help, I would think it a reasonable assumption that he invested some time and effort to resolve an admitted defect of Delorme. The only assistance from Delorme during the ten day period was a post from Caleb, well intended but not helpful. The decision he made regarding the return is between him and Delorme.

I had a PN-40 for a few weeks. I bought it for the rechargeable feature. I would get less than 30 minutes of geo-caching before it would die. I sent it back. I don't see anything wrong here. Normal consumer behavior. Unit was bad and customer sent it back. The problem was battery oriented and IMO not out of line on the thread. Interesting though how a defective PN40 was spun around to become a consumer issue.

Same here, no account but was able to view it. Very well done.

Thanks for the replies. Delorme is obviously a popular unit and I should add Robin really likes hers. Before buying it I read lots of posts here promoting them. After a few trips out the bubble popped and the response - mail it back and we'll fix it just wasn't anything above average. Looking back a few years I've had only had to return a few items for service. One was a HP laptop, they sent me a pre-paid shipping container and arranged for UPS to pick it up at my door. BTW, this laptop was out of warranty but the problem, motherboard issue, was a known defect. The other incident was a Garmin Etrex HC that went out a few days after Amazons thirty day return policy. They sent a pre-paid label, and even issued a store credit to cover the original shipping and my trouble. To me these are examples of outstanding customer service, Top of the ladder merchants. In my opinion Delorme has a popular unit with some nice features. It is buggy though, and their service/support is par. From my perspective some of the comments I read before buying seem a little over enthusiastic.

Some may remember my thread a couple of weeks ago re. our PN40 bricking. Yesterday we received a reply from Delorme and were instructed to ship the unit back in for repair. I can almost understand the delay as I've read this is a fairly common problem but I was expecting a paid shipping label, nope, customer is responsible for shipping. I've read on these forums comments giving Delorme support very high ratings, just curious- where is it? BTW, this is a new unit under warranty. I'm not here to bash Delorme but in the interest of consumer information I don't see the company worthy of such a high rating for their support. I am curious about other experiences.

First, I would do some editing before the kids start waking up, may also improve the tone of your responses.

Woot's at it again, Bushnell Onix 400 $99.99.

These folks seem cycle friendly, Holux.

I will post our experience with Delorme support, I hope this can be worked out as Robin loves the unit. The Delorme was a replacement for the Garmin (a birthday present) which went blank and powered down in the field and would not accept the update. Link.

Here's a map showing which areas of U.S. have the highest risk, apparently the cold temps aren't a factor.

Well we got out and had a great day caching, got home and put some batteries in the PN40 and it powered up! BTW, I don't think the pos/neg markings are the problem that is we can both make them out, I have to squint a tad but yep- they're there allright. I seriously doubt incorrect battery installation is part of the problem. Thanks again for your input folks, We will be in touch with support Tues. Allow me to vent a little, this is twice in three months a brand new unit has failed. First a Garmin HC and now this Delorme PN40. My take is these are navigational tools and should be built to a high standard, people depend on them. I acknowledge the need of a back up unit in a critical situation but I thought maybe in case I drop or lose the primary. Not in the case it's having a bad hair day. I feel better now, thanks.

Well they just came through...Five hours. At least it worked, Thanks.

No luck, it's a brick. Thanks for the help. Good thing the LOWRANCE works.

Hey folks, Any PN40 owners have this problem?

Hi Folks, Anybody else having problems with running a PQ? Worked fine for me yesterday....(not the same query.)

This cache by Mapx is our favorite to date, absolutely beautiful location. After replacing the cache we just spent some time soaking up the view. I don't know the CO but I would imagine this to be a "favorite spot" and geo-caching is way to share it with a select few.

If you have a park in mind your local reviewer can be helpful, mine gave me the requirements, contact name and email.

G'morning LeLe, We were hunting for over a month before another cacher took pity on a parking lot DNF and let us in on the lamp post secret. Going back and logging that cache was a treat. Now lamp post hides are lika a bologna and white bread sandwich, they fill a void but nothing to get excited about. My advise is to just go look- it's fun in itself. Post your DNF's the cache owner or next finder may very well send a hint to you. The more DNF's the better the chances, if I log a find and notice someone has been trying to find the cache MOST of the time I will send a hint. Sometimes the cache is designed not to be found, and I think hints from anyone other than the CO would be inappropriate. Avoid caches with the word "evil" in the description for a while. Good luck!

All good advice, but I will add that if you are not very tech savvy (my case) then get a unit you can easily master. As your geo-caching skills increase you will figure out what bells and whistles fit your style. For example I love an electronic compass, Santa brought my partner Robin a PN40 for Christmas and she doesn't use the compass feature. Your first unit will later become your back up, nothing wrong with a solid basic model. Keep it simple and learn as you play.