embra
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Posts posted by embra
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Since they did *not* include PN-40/Topo8 bundles in the list, I read the discontinuation to apply to PN-30s across the board. It doesn't seem like supporting something so similar to the PN-40 would be very costly, so I am left presuming that sales did now warrant continuing the line now that the PN-60 variants are being added. I guess that most people tend to opt for the PN-40 over the PN-30.
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It's normal for that first bar to drop off very quickly. If you set one of the data fields to display battery strength, it will drop from 100% (if you can even get that) to 85% almost immediately. I think it's because the power curve for that kind of battery is pretty flat over the earlier part of the discharge cycle, and is consequently difficult to measure precisely. Also, it appears that charging the battery in the PN device doesn't top it off quite as much as if you recharge in a power sled.
Four hours is a bit on the low side. I used to get better when my battery was new, and with age and use I think it's getting down to that. You could give DeLorme a call to see if they think you're getting what you should out of it; maybe they'll send you another to try.
More information and suggestions for extending operation life here.
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Looks like Tim has a preview of the PN-60w/Spot combo up on his site. It doesn't sound like he's had a chance to dig too deeply just yet, but he seemed to have some positive impressions to convey.
We should start to see more now that the PN-60 is starting to get into users' hands.
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Not clear to me what fix you're asking for...can you say more? On the face of it, it sounds like you're asking if there's a specific thing to do to get significantly more battery life...and I'm not aware of any such magic bullet.
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Seeing as the two of you are experts on everything Delorme (refering to dak and cowboy) - I buy CR for $10 and that will allow me to pile PQs onto my SD card, correct? How about my maps downloaded with my subscription with Topo 8?
I did pay for the map sub and Topo 8, there was nothing free.
That's the understanding I have of it...although until 2.8 is out or a DeLorme rep so states, we don't know for sure.
Since Topo8 only knew about waypoints and geocaches in active internal memory, I don't think it has any way about knowing about such files on SD card. But it does maps to SD or internal memory just fine--I haven't heard of any change with 2.8 on that count.
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Elsewhere (in their blog or on the Delorme User forum, I can't remember which), DeLorme reps have said they are currently shipping inventory to retailers (e.g., Amazon, REI, Cabella's), so I would expect that they will begin shipping product very soon. Amazon states 1 to 3 weeks, REI didn't give an indication that there was a delay--although I didn't take the checkout process very far. I would expect the larger volume retailers to get product first, so I would think placing an order through someone in the category would get results pretty quickly. You could shop around and phone in an order to verify availability if it's important to you.
...and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but whatever you buy this year there probably will be a new and improved bauble that calls to you next year. Ya just gotta bite the bullet!
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There's also some good information in the wiki links in my signature below. If you're puzzled about something after making a good-faith effort to figure it out on your own, please feel free to float your question in the DeLorme forum--or here (there's usually more people familiar with the DeLorme units over in that forum). Some people find it pretty straight-forward, while others find starting up a bit complicated--most of the complication is associated with learning the TopoUSA software.
Also, keep a close eye on the DeLorme forum for a free upgrade to TopoNorthAmerica 9. If you're buying now, you should be in the window for the free upgrade when the new program comes out later this month.
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I'm a DeLorme fan; I'd also nominate the PN-40 or soon-to-be-released PN-60 as devices that would meet your criteria--especially if paired with the Navionics charts or the NOAA Nautical Charts available through the annual download subscription.
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You raise a good argument if GPS is the only need you have for batteries. I use batteries in so many things that I'm pretty sure the scale tips for the rechargeable economics...although it could be one of those things where I made up my mind first and I select facts to support my case (and reject those that don't).
I think it's also of value that rechargeables reduce the number of batteries sent to landfills (although someone on these boards once raised a good counterargument contending that the production and use of rechargeable batteries was not so green-friendly as it would seem on the surface).
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I'm an advocate for the more expensive chargers (both LaCrosse and Maha are good) for the following reasons:
(1) They will tell you the actual capacity of your batteries. E.g., I found that the Powerex batteries I had rated at 2900 mAh actually were more like 2100 mAh. OTOH, the 2100 mAh Kodak hybrids came in at a little over that (something like 2150).
(2) The conditioning cycles of the better chargers will insure your batteries are in optimal condition.
If cost is the biggest concern, it's a rational decision to get batteries with a good reputation and a cheap charger, and just use them until they don't seem to work as well as they used to. But if you're concerned about getting the most out of your batteries, then the extra money seems to me well justified (plus, you save a fortune over disposables...I use them in GPS, flashlights, remote controls, mice, keyboards, toys, clocks, and several other things I can't think of offhand).
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DeLorme has issued updates about the release date, speaking in general terms of mid-June as the release for the PN-60 and early July for the PN-60w. Amazon has been presumed to be the best indicator of specifics.
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I take that to mean that the data coming straight from a Pocket Query is loadable as is into the PN-60. No?
I think everybody's right...the goal would be the capability of dragon dropping a PQ onto a PN's SD card. But as pointed out, slight variations to whatever is considered "standard" can break things. I would expect that to whatever degree of success that Garmin has been able to accomplish this, DeLorme should be able to match. They both see geocaching as more than incidental to their feature lines, and make it a priority in their firmware design.
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I wonder if anybody ever bought an external battery pack that plugs into the PN-40, to charge up the rCR-V3 ?
I like the idea of not having to open up a GPS, but to plug in an external pack on occation. This way you are not having to open up the GPS, in messy weather, to change batteries.
I know that some have used those 4 AA or 5 AA packs that have the standard 5.0v USB output (or whatever it comes in at). Since the PNs will run on external power if their cable is connected to a USB source, it does indeed run the GPS and recharge the rCRV3 Li-Ion. However, it takes a long time to recharge, I doubt that it's very efficient (I would think power is lost in the transfer), and it's messy with all the wires. One is almost always better off just switching the batteries in the PN out for fresh ones.
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If you need help figuring anythiing out, look at the wikis in my sig line and/or ask here or at the DeLorme Users Forum.
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What Rich said...aerial imagery for heavy forest is pretty worthless; it all looks the same. OTOH, if you are using it in the more open areas it can be pretty helpful at times. For example, it's very apparent from the display when pulling into a parking area at the rear of a business establishment to locate a cache where to park and where to look. You can figure that stuff out without aerial imagery, of course, but the imagery can make it a snap.
One thing to beware of is that the memory needs of the imagery can be intense. I discipline myself in terms of coverage and detail. On my PN-40, for example, I cut aerial imagery for two zoom levels only (the ones where it looks the best and is most helpful). And I try to be selective; just because I can download and cut imagery map files for everything within a hundred miles of home doesn't mean I do it. Like all tools, you learn to use it for your own needs.
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I don't know that anything was finalized, but a January post on the DeLorme Weblog said this:
The standard SPOT annual subscription costs $100 with Tracking and Messaging for roughly $50 each. -
My complaint was more aimed at the trend of electronic devices moving towards using proprietary battery packs or built in batteries etc. This is where I draw the line and say no. As long as manufacturers give us the option, I am all for it.
I can agree with that wholeheartedly. Like CowboyPapa, I don't get to the point of boycotting them...but it definitely irks me for the reasons you cited.
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To each his own...one of the things I particularly admire about the PN series is that DeLorme doesn't shoe-horn users into any one battery type...Alkiline, Lithium, NiMH, rechargeable Lithium-Ion...whatever floats your boat.
I favor rechargeables over disposables for the cost savings and the lesser impact on landfills. I like the r-CRV3 because I can charge it in the device...there will be months where I don't have to remove the cover. So for me the biggest plus of the r-CRV3 over the NiMHs is the convenience. That's worth some money to me.
The higher-capacity Ni-MHs such as the one linked by jsdad are good for longer run times if you are organized enough to charge them up before going out, but will suffer some over time from higher incidental drain. The low-discharge NiMHs don't lose power over time as badly, but don't offer the higher capacities.
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Hope we allowed you to feel you are making a more informed decision. I'm pretty sure you'll love the GC. If you ever get to the point where you feel you've outgrown it, there will be even better options to choose from and you'll have a much better idea of what is and isn't important for your needs.
Enjoy!
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Pax42 laid out the options. Here is a little tutorial for using the TopoUSA softtware. It adds a few screenshots to the directions already described.
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One thing I particularly like for a geocaching run is that the PN-40 will provide street navigation to the next cache you want to pursue, and then easily converts to a hiking route for the final leg. I believe at least some models of the Endura will do that, too, but I think it requires extra bucks for the street routing software.
Here are some screenshots of the PN-40's paperless geocaching features in action.
The Magellan sounds like a great geocaching device, especially for beginners...by not having extra features, it simplifies function to the task at hand. I would agree the previous post suggesting that a little more money brings greater capabilities for potentially broader use.
Edit to add: the PN-40 is among those having shorter battery run spans...maybe the shortest. However, this usually is only a significant issue for those wanting multi-day operation (e.g., long-distance hikers). For most of us, two sets will get you through a day's use. And it is (or should be) standard practice to bring along a backup set. So while I, too, would like longer battery life in my PN-40, I haven't really experienced it as a limitation.
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They've got one of those standard disclaimers stating that the use of non-Delorme approved batteries may void the warranty--for those unlikely situations where someone might insert a defective third-party battery. That much seems fair to me--they should back up their product but if someone used a non-proprietary item that was the cause of the damage, I wouldn't think the GPS manufacturer should be liable for the damage.
The way this seems to play out, aftermarket r-CR-V3 battery packs usually seem to work ok in the PNs. There are some that don't work (a little too big to fit in, or just don't work reliably) but these seem few and far between. Furthermore, if they didn't work, it didn't seem to be a matter of damaging the GPS...they just didn't function acceptably. I want to emphasize that I'm not expressing any official DeLorme policy, but rather am just reflecting what I perceive as having played out over time. I've been hanging out on the DeLorme board since the PN-20 came out something like 4 or 5 years ago, and I don't recall ever seeing any issues about a non-standard rCRV3 causing damage to a PN device.
I have personally used the Delkin rCRV3 successfully, and of course the great rCRV3 made on the kitchen table by DeLorme user Cabornay. He has talked about doing another run through his eBay store, so if you ever hear of some of his being available I heartily recommend getting one or two. I *think* I heard that the Lenma rCRV3 does *not* work.
I agree with the OP's valuation of rechargeable lithiums in the PNs. I'm a little perplexed by the report of 5 hours run time out of 2000 mAh batteries. IIRC I got 8 hours or so out of my official DeLorme battery, which was supposedly a 1300 mAh battery. I know my observed run times tended to be at the upper end of the range reported by others, and some people did get run times more like 5 hours. But it would seem that something with 50% more capacity than mine ought to be better than 5 hours. Odd.
I get upwards of 12-14 hours in a PN-40 with my Cab-bat, but I don't recall the mAh rating. I know he was striving for as much as he could get.
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I wonder if those FW updates are available at Magellan's site or somewhere else? I've never owned a Meridian, but I hope to run into one some time. I heard they are good units and are easy on batteries.
A quick peek at the Magellan site suggests that it's completely off their radar. However, it looks like the 5.40 is available on Allory's Magellan firmware archive.
rickdude, the only word of caution on the firmware upgrades is to make sure you get the right firmware for your particular flavor of Meridian...there were a couple available. If you're not sure, check back with us for a consult.
As for your offset...it sure *sounds* like a classic datum mismatch. OTOH, your check of the coords seems to rule that out. How about entering (or re-entering) another one?
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Actually, they're tuned into the problem. They have said that the PN-60 will have activity setting profiles, so I take that to mean that you can set info fields in the manner you have described and they can be retained and recalled for later use.
I don't know whether or not that will make it to the PN-30/40, as it may be limited to the new interface coming with the PN-60.
Delorme PN-40
in GPS technology and devices
Posted
I wonder if that was jr.com as they listed the subscription for $20...don't know if or what the shipping would have been.