DeLorme kicks out waterproof Earthmate PN-30 GPS device

It was pretty much a year ago to the day when DeLorme released its Earthmate PN-40, and now the outfit is busting out a lower-end unit that could easily be mistaken for the PN-40 from 2008. Indeed, the PN-30 doesn't deviate from its roots, boasting a peanut-shaped waterproof chassis, a 32-channel Cartesio chipset, a daylight readable LCD and maps of the US, Canada and Mexico. It's also sporting a rubberized housing around the edges to keep it safe from minor bumps and bruises; nothing too fancy here, but it ought to bring a smile to the face of all the argonauts in attendance. You can get one headed your way next month for $299.95, and the full release is after the break.

New DeLorme Earthmate PN-30 Handheld GPS
Delivers High-End Features, Plus Ease of Use

Available Beginning in July 2009, Priced at Under $300

YARMOUTH, ME ― DeLorme, the innovation leader in mapping and GPS technology for outdoor
adventures, today announced its upcoming release of the Earthmate PN-30 handheld GPS receiver. It
offers top-end GPS capabilities, plus the PN-Series' exclusive aerial imagery display features, but it's also
affordably priced and easy to use.
DeLorme PN-Series topographic map DVDS are included for
effortless transfers to the device; users can load the maps they
need and be ready to go within minutes of opening the package.
In the field, users will discover lightning-quick satellite
acquisition, thanks to the high-sensitivity 32-channel Cartesio
chipset. Signal retention is ultra-reliable even in dense forests.
A powerful dual-core processor renders map and imagery screen
views with instantaneous speed.
The PN-30 is waterproof and WAAS-enabled for superior
accuracy, and has a bright-color TFT screen for readability in
any light conditions. With all those features, the PN-30 carries a
remarkably affordable $299.95 suggested retail price.
Detailed Maps, Aerial Imagery, NOAA Nautical Charts
The included PN-Series Map DVDs will transfer maps to the
PN-30 or an SD card, from either PCs or Macs. The up-to-date
detail includes U.S. topography, U.S. and Canada streets,
roads, and places of interest, and Mexico main roads.
Also included is a sample certificate for the online DeLorme
Map Library, where users can go to download aerial imagery,
USGS 1:24,000 topographic quads, and NOAA nautical charts.
All Map Library downloads can be sent directly to, and
displayed on the PN-30. For a low-cost $29.95 annual
subscription, users can download and keep all the Map Library
maps and imagery they want (PC and Mac accessible).
Also available in genuine
Realtree® AP™ camouflage pattern
With all these map and imagery options, the PN-30 offers exceptional versatility for a wide range of
activities, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, kayaking, geocaching, and more. No other
handheld GPS provider can match DeLorme's map and supplemental data offerings.
Support for Navionics Charts
The PN-30 also displays Navionics HotMaps (lake) and Gold (marine) charts, which are sold separately by
major boating and sporting goods suppliers. Widely recognized as the leader in charts by boaters and
Page 2 ― DeLorme Earthmate PN-30
anglers, Navionics charts come on SD cards that are instantly recognized by the PN-30; no setup is
required.
Unique Topo USA Mapping Software Included
For desktop mapping on the PC, the PN-30 comes with newly-released DeLorme Topo USA 8.0 DVD software.
Users can scout their trips in advance, create road and trail routes automatically, print maps, geo-tag photos
with their exact GPS location and much more.
PN-30 Screen Samples
Topo USA also uniquely enables users to import
collected GPS tracks and quickly convert them to
routable roads or trails.
Topo USA generates realistic 3-D views of any
U.S. location, with flyovers, and displays aerial
imagery, USGS quad, and NOAA nautical chart
downloads from the DeLorme Map Library. The
up-to-date detail includes 4 million places of
interest, plus campgrounds, boat ramps, BLM
lands, and national parks and forests. Full print
capabilities are available.
Paperless Geocaching
The PN-30 and Topo USA provide a wide range
of paperless geocaching capabilities. There is a
virtually unlimited character count for cache
descriptions, and the new Cache Register widget
(available only online from DeLorme) enables
fast and easy synchronization of Pocket Query
search results from Geocaching.com.
Navionics Charts
Color Aerial Imagery

USGS 1:24,000 Topo Quads
NOAA Nautical Charts
Rock-Solid Reliability
The PN-30 has an impact-resistant and
waterproof (IPX7) rubberized housing. PN-Series
receivers have performed successfully in some
of the world's most extreme conditions ─ most
recently during this year's Victorinox North Pole
09 expedition, and famed climber Ed Viesturs'
May ascent of Mt. Everest.
Availability
The PN-30 will be available beginning in July 2009 at retail stores and online sites specializing in GPS,
outdoor recreation, and electronics products. It can also be ordered from DeLorme, at www.delorme.com,
or by calling 800-561-5105. Customers can choose the PN-30 in either Safety Green or genuine Realtree
AP camouflage.
About DeLorme
DeLorme is the longtime leader in innovative mapping and GPS solutions for both consumer and
professional markets. Based in Yarmouth, ME, DeLorme offers a unique set of core competencies across
the complex areas of map data creation and management, software development, and integration with
GPS. The ability to develop all the critical components necessary to compete in the fast-changing
navigation world provides a distinct competitive advantage. DeLorme is one of a handful of mapmakers
that still own and produce their own content, and its Street Atlas USA, Topo USA, and Earthmate GPS
products have introduced countless first-to-market innovations. To learn more, go to www.delorme.com.

[TMC Posted Jun 24th 2009 7:06AM]

I know that I am never going to treck far enough to need this, but I still want it :)

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 24th 2009 8:00AM]

Hopefully it won't have the QC problems that plagued the PN-40.

[xCrunk Posted Jun 24th 2009 8:18AM]

Oh man, this is going to give the DSi a run for it's money.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 24th 2009 8:19AM]

I tend to feel that with GPS becoming more and more prevalent on cellular telephones that the time of standalone GPS devices is running out. The assumption here is that the cellular telephone has good quality GPS reception and has the mapping software installed on it. Since you really shouldn't go walking without a phone, just in case, having an all-in-one device is very attractive.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 24th 2009 11:06AM]

Until phones can use the GPS for multiple hours without running out of juice then a standalone GPS unit is what I will stay with. Just keeping a couple extra AA batteries to swap out when the power gets too low is a lot easier than swapping out a Phone battery (If the phone allows that).
I do Search and Rescue and having a true GPS unit that doesn't drain the battery in 2 hours is important. I usually have my phone turned off to save battery life in case I DO need to use it. But I also have a Radio to communicate with other units and with base camp so that works also for communication if needed.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 24th 2009 11:38AM]

Hmm, fair point. I do not currently have GPS on my phone (which I believe dates back to The Dark Ages) so I was not aware that GPS drains the battery so quickly, although I presume that it is not something necessary to have enabled constantly. However, if you have to depend on it for extended periods of time then some way of keeping it running is definitely going to be necessary.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 24th 2009 11:40AM]

Nitro5955,
Which GPS that you know of use AA batteries, or even removable batteries? I'd like to look them up.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 24th 2009 8:56AM]

Waterproof, eh? How many atmospheres is it rated to?

"Dive ten meters and continue West for 4 miles. You have reached Atlantis."

[Wwhat Posted Jun 24th 2009 12:01PM]

"PN-Series receivers have performed successfully in some of the world's most extreme conditions ─ most recently during this year's Victorinox North Pole 09 expedition, and famed climber Ed Viesturs' May ascent of Mt. Everest."

Sounds sufficient to me on the face of it, although it would lie within expectation that they'd give some numbers, like how many atmosphere, you are right in that.

[Wwhat Posted Jun 24th 2009 11:58AM]

'earthmate' haha, cute.

Same guy that thought up 'DeLorme' must have thought that up.

[libelle Posted Jun 24th 2009 12:47PM]

tekdroid: most of the good outdoors-style GPS units take removable batteries, including units from Garmin, Magellan, and others. Most of the Garmins use AAs; not sure if the Magellans do.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 25th 2009 5:51AM]

I'll look into them, thanks.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 24th 2009 2:36PM]

Yeah...but is it STEAMROLLER PROOF