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DeLorme TOPO USA 8.0 imminent?

UPDATE: DeLorme is saying that this "time frame is not correct." No indication from them of a ship date though.

I thought this might interest you DeLorme PN-40 users out there. While it hasn’t been announced yet, Cabela’s is showing DeLorme Topo USA 8.0 as backordered but shipping within one week. Perhaps we’ll hear an official DeLorme announcement by early next week, giving us some idea of the forthcoming improvements.

Thanks Chris!

DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 review

The DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 updates the PN-20, which was already one of the most innovative GPS receivers out there. Quite simply, the PN-40 rocks, adding the following new features:

• A dual-core processor makes map redraws and menu navigation very fast, correcting the biggest flaw in the PN-20
• Tri-axial electronic compass (meaning there is no need to hold it dead level)
• Barometric altimeter
• SDHC high-capacity SD card support
• A more detailed base map

DeLorme PN-40 RAM mount

UPDATE: Check out my hands-on review of the DeLorme PN-40.

While working on my DeLorme PN-40 review, I've also been testing a RAM mount for it on my bike. Bottom line -- like most RAM mounts, it's rock solid. I tried a couple of different setups, including a new type of rail mount. Read on for the details...

Handheld GPS news briefs

It's that time of year, when handheld GPS enthusiasts' thoughts turn to tech toys the outdoors. Yes, spring will be here soon, very soon for some of us, and I've got a few goodies for those of you ready to hit the trail:

More free maps for your Garmin GPS

I don't know who John M. is, but he's my hero du jour, because he's posted a southeastern U.S. map with 20 foot contour intervals at GPS File Depot (image at left). The map installs directly to MapSource. There's also one for New England and much of the southwest. As I perused the site, I also noticed an RSS feed, so you can easily be notified as new maps are posted. This is the best single location I know of for downloading free Garmin-compatible maps for the U.S. Now I just need someone to upload a transparent trails map for the southeast!

DeLorme PN-40 in stock

UPDATE: Check out my hands-on review of the DeLorme PN-40.

Tiger GPS has the DeLorme PN-40 in stock for $349.95. That's $10 more than Amazon, but hey, Tiger GPS actually has it. Here's the link...

DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 Handheld GPS with Topo 7.0 & 1GB SD Card with free shipping.

Amazon says they will have it tomorrow -- maybe they will, maybe they won't. They often lag on getting new Garmin units into their system by a couple of weeks.

More DeLorme PN-40 improvements forthcoming

UPDATE: Check out my hands-on review of the DeLorme PN-40.

DeLorme is previewing a bunch of new features, some of which are due in an upcoming firmware update for the PN-40:

• Geocaching improvements
• Send to GPS feature from Geocaching.com
• A "Cache Register" widget (image above) for Mac and PC for creating geocache queries and sync them to PN-series devices.
• PN-40s ship with 1:100K scale map discs that allow for easy transfer for Mac users
• Ability to download imagery directly from data.delorme.com (for Mac and PC users), bypassing the Topo USA interface
• POI layers

First looks at DeLorme PN-40

UPDATE: Check out my hands-on review of the DeLorme PN-40.

I'm fortunate to have a DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 in for testing, and I thought I'd share some initial impressions since this unit is due to become available in the next week or two.

Like the PN-20, this new model lets you view your position on aerial imagery. But a number of upgrades promise to make this an even more popular handheld than the original:

• A dual-core processor makes map redraws and menu navigation very fast, and I can already attest to this; even at 60 MPH, map redraws were nearly instantaneous -- I saw only brief flashes of blank areas on the screen
• Tri-axial compass (meaning there is no need to hold it dead level)
• Barometric altimeter
• SDHC high-capacity SD card support
• A more detailed base map

DeLorme taking PN-40 pre-orders

UPDATE: Check out my hands-on review of the DeLorme PN-40.

DeLorme is now taking pre-orders for their new handhelds, the PN-40 and PN-40 SE. The latter bumps the internal memory from 1 GB to 8 GB. Their site says that both models are expected to ship in late October. If you're interested in the SE model, note that it will only be available from DeLorme. Here are all the details.

Related posts:

• DeLorme PN-40 and new low cost plan for imagery
• DeLorme PN-40 boasts impressive specs
• DeLorme PN-20 review

DeLorme PN-40 date slips to October 15

UPDATE: Check out my hands-on review of the DeLorme PN-40.

DeLorme has posted a "targeted" release date of October 15 for the PN-40 and a "targeted" retail price of $399.95. This is a little worrisome since they were forecasting a September shipping date just a couple of weeks ago.

I don't expect the date to slip very far behind (like the PN-20 did), but I'm hoping they don't rush it for Christmas the way it appears that Magellan did with the Tritons.