+briansnat Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Got the PN40 as a gift on Feb 14th and within a short time it was dead as a brick. I called DeLorme and they tech said he was sending me another unit and I should have it within 2 days. BINGO the new unit was on my porch 2 days later. I was quite impressed as I hadn't even sent my unit back. Fast forward to Feb 26th. The new unit is dead again. This time it seems to be a sporadic problem. It won't turn on sometimes, then if I play with the buttons enough it will eventually - or sometimes it turns right on. Obviously something is wrong with the on button. I call DeLorme and the tech says he will take a new unit off the shelf himself, test it and send it to me. Two days later nothing. A week later, nothing. Meanwhile I sent my unit back and still nothing. Today I get the same unit back with a note that said "No issue observed, powers on correctly". No mention of any repair. Well duh, it does work sometimes. That is why I sent it back. So I call today and get a guy who keeps asking me if it is "now working". Yeah, it works NOW, but the reason I sent it back was that it doesn't work ALL THE TIME. Sporadic problem, HELLO! He keeps asking me how he can fill "This out" - I guess "this" was some online form. "Does it work or doesn't it?" he repeated over and over. After some questioning he did admit to knowing the meaning of the word sporadic and says he'll get a supervisor to call me. Meanwhile I'm out $25 for shipping the unit back twice and still don't have a unit that I can trust in the wild. Here's to hoping the supervisor can straighten this out and get me a fully functional unit. Quote Link to comment
+Rockin Roddy Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 My, but you have had your share (and some) of problems with your PN-40! Sorry to hear this Briansnat, I hope everything is taken care of to your satisfaction!! Also gla to report this is truly an unusual experience (as far as I have seen anyways), and that my PN40 is working smoothly and flawlessly! (Not rubbing it in, my friend). Waiting to see how DeLorme handle's this one!! Quote Link to comment
+user13371 Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I wouldn't tag this specifically as a problem in their support department. You absolutely did get someone who didn't understand "sporadic" or "intermittent" or "sometimes" -- but that is probably not a symptom of problems in the whole company. Generally they're really very, very good. BUT -- I think the problems you have are a symptoms of significant QC problems in the PN-40 model. Now, before the legions of users who LOVE their little PNs and have never had a problem getting them to come up -- I'm very happy that YOURS is adequate. Not all of them are. Search DeLorme's own forums and you'll find lots of reports about about units not powering up, intermittently or sporadically, or sometimes NOT AT ALL. And about not being able to get WAAS signals. And about some that don't get a lock at all. And the black wearing off the buttons. And so it goes. I am on my second PN-40. The first one wouldn't get a fix at all, except sometimes if I left it on the back porch for half an hour. And it would lose is as soon as I picked it up or moved it. The second one is much better - except that sometimes it won't see any sats when I power it up. Always clears up if I pull the batteries, press the switch to let whatever huge cap is in their drain, and then replace the batteries and power up again. It only happens about once a week and I haven't had a chance to call DeLorme on it. When the thing works it's still amazingly accurate - even without WAAS (which hardly ever works for me). These are MY experiences with the product. Others are delighted with theirs, obviously - and I'm sure some folks who have some of these problems overlook them or work around them without complaining. But consider how many similar issues ARE reported on DeLorme's own boards -- for a unit that's only been shipping for a few months without a large user population yet -- and it's not a pretty picture. Quote Link to comment
Grasscatcher Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Highly unusual. Unusual?………..no, not really……..historically predictable for Delorme. THEY have decided that you don’t need a bigger screen. THEY have decided that their units will only work with THEIR software. (in spite of what the customer needs) THEY have decided that if you want to work with more file types, you must buy more software. THEY have decided that you don’t need longer battery life. (even with small screen) THEY have decided that you don’t need an external antenna. THEY have decided that you really don’t need WAAS…except sometimes. THEY have decided that whatever tracking accuracy you get is “good enough” THEY have decided that you only need a GPS that works sporatically ? Never fear, the Delorme cheering squad will surely try to convince you that “the check’s in the mail”……and remember now, you are supposed to believe it. Even on the Delorme forums, the people that “just love their’s”, and have had no problems, regularly add an “except for……..” qualification. Kinda like reading the fine print on medications. It’s amazing what some people are willing to “settle for”. Yes, I HAD one. (PN-40) No, I don’t HAVE one. RETURNED- Cute little colored TV, but definitely Not a serious tool. Quote Link to comment
MtnHermit Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Yes, I HAD one. (PN-40)No, I don’t HAVE one. RETURNED- Cute little colored TV, but definitely Not a serious tool. Okay, so what is the serious tool that you use? Quote Link to comment
+user13371 Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) ...so what is the serious tool that you use?Y'know, THAT is a subject for a whole different thread. But I own SEVERAL "serious tools" and work with quite a few more than I personally own. The PN-40 is absolutely my choice for Geocaching - even though I hesitate to make that recommendation for all the "new product/QC/teething pain" matters I outlined earlier. Elsewhere, personally? Bicycling/hiking: eTrex Legend HCx. Urban commuting and everything else: iPhone. And if Apple (or anyone) ever figures out how to make a ruggedized iPhone, IPX7 waterproof, with day-long battery life under heavy use, and a way to preload maps instead of relying entirely on the cellular data -- then both the DeLorme and Garmin will be on eBay within minutes. Unless D & G or come up with something even better by then (NuviPhone? PN-100x?). Oh, I'll probably keep my Blackberry too. Not because I ever USE the danged thing, but my boss says I should have it. Edited March 14, 2009 by lee_rimar Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) Well I received a call from the supervisor today. He said they are overnighting me a new unit and I should have it tomorrow. It's just that this essentially what was promised two weeks ago (except for the overnight part). If I receive it as promised and it is a working unit, they are back in my good book. Edited March 13, 2009 by briansnat Quote Link to comment
+Rockin Roddy Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Highly unusual. Unusual?………..no, not really……..historically predictable for Delorme. THEY have decided that you don’t need a bigger screen. THEY have decided that their units will only work with THEIR software. (in spite of what the customer needs) THEY have decided that if you want to work with more file types, you must buy more software. THEY have decided that you don’t need longer battery life. (even with small screen) THEY have decided that you don’t need an external antenna. THEY have decided that you really don’t need WAAS…except sometimes. THEY have decided that whatever tracking accuracy you get is “good enough” THEY have decided that you only need a GPS that works sporatically ? Never fear, the Delorme cheering squad will surely try to convince you that “the check’s in the mail”……and remember now, you are supposed to believe it. Even on the Delorme forums, the people that “just love their’s”, and have had no problems, regularly add an “except for……..” qualification. Kinda like reading the fine print on medications. It’s amazing what some people are willing to “settle for”. Yes, I HAD one. (PN-40) No, I don’t HAVE one. RETURNED- Cute little colored TV, but definitely Not a serious tool. Really? Or was it we who decided we could live with all that you say they decided for us? It is a choice after all, if you don't want that, you're free to make another choice! That's the beauty of personal preference, we can choose what makes us happy! Can I ask though, what is the need for an external antenna? I get 6' accuracy quite often and have seen 5' many times as well. Now, 5' from what will be what many will say, but I am more than happy with my accuracy! One day, I will check it against a benchmark though, so I can answer that question! I am sorry to hear of your problems! I happen to love my "cute little colored TV", but that's my choice! I wonder, did Garmin's releases of the CO and OR go without a snag or two?? Back to the topic though, good luck Briansnat, third time's a charm?? Will keep watching! Quote Link to comment
+user13371 Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 (edited) [delete] Edited March 14, 2009 by lee_rimar Quote Link to comment
+Team CowboyPapa Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 THEY have decided that you don’t need a bigger screen. THEY have decided that their units will only work with THEIR software. (in spite of what the customer needs) THEY have decided that if you want to work with more file types, you must buy more software. THEY have decided that you don’t need longer battery life. (even with small screen) THEY have decided that you don’t need an external antenna. THEY have decided that you really don’t need WAAS…except sometimes. THEY have decided that whatever tracking accuracy you get is “good enough” THEY have decided that you only need a GPS that works sporatically ? Perfect, make your own: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=216581 Quote Link to comment
robertlipe Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Moderator's note This thread is about Delorme's support, not them not building some features they didn't promise and related angst. Please keep it cool. Quote Link to comment
+user13371 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) Well I received a call from the supervisor today. He said they are overnighting me a new unit and I should have it tomorrow. The 13th was Friday -- did you get it on Saturday? Edited March 15, 2009 by lee_rimar Quote Link to comment
+benjamin921 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) Highly unusual. Unusual?………..no, not really……..historically predictable for Delorme. THEY have decided that you don’t need a bigger screen. THEY have decided that their units will only work with THEIR software. (in spite of what the customer needs) THEY have decided that if you want to work with more file types, you must buy more software. THEY have decided that you don’t need longer battery life. (even with small screen) THEY have decided that you don’t need an external antenna. THEY have decided that you really don’t need WAAS…except sometimes. THEY have decided that whatever tracking accuracy you get is “good enough” THEY have decided that you only need a GPS that works sporatically ? Never fear, the Delorme cheering squad will surely try to convince you that “the check’s in the mail”……and remember now, you are supposed to believe it. Even on the Delorme forums, the people that “just love their’s”, and have had no problems, regularly add an “except for……..” qualification. Kinda like reading the fine print on medications. It’s amazing what some people are willing to “settle for”. Yes, I HAD one. (PN-40) No, I don’t HAVE one. RETURNED- Cute little colored TV, but definitely Not a serious tool. WOW man, this is about the customer service, not what you dislike. Brian, did you get it yet? Edited March 15, 2009 by benjamin921 Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Brian, did you get it yet? Not yet. Tracking page says it should be here tomorrow. Quote Link to comment
+user13371 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Tracking page says it should be here tomorrow.Anything yet? Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Tracking page says it should be here tomorrow.Anything yet? Got it yesterday. Now, it's custom map loading time. Quote Link to comment
+Zero Montana Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Yes. Please do keep us all informed of how it goes with THIS one! I've yet to obtain my first GPSr and I've narrowed it down to either the PN40 (ya know.. in the spirit of 'think outside the box') or the 60CSx, so I'm personally quite interested to see how this shakes out. Quote Link to comment
+coggins Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Got it yesterday. Now, it's custom map loading time.Did they reset you 30-day clock or did this just evaporate? Quote Link to comment
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