The Delorme Earthmate PN-60w
DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w review
November 2, 2010 By 47 Comments
DeLorme PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator review
October 12, 2010 By 93 Comments
UPDATE: DeLorme has discontinued the SPOT Satellite Communicator in favor of their own product, the DeLorme inReach, which offers two-way communication and works as a standalone device or can connect with the PN-60w or with the iPhone or Android smartphones.
A serious tool for backcountry adventurers
Call me crazy, but I love all day mountain bike rides where I go so far back that I’m unlikely to see another human; the more isolated and rugged, the better. I prefer to do these with my biking partner (the most wonderful wife in the world), but all too often I’m out there solo. What’s a crash-prone, wilderness-seeking, aging mountain biker to do? Get the Delorme Earthmate PN-60 with SPOT Satellite Communicator
DeLorme PN-60w / SPOT deal and testing update
September 21, 2010 By 6 Comments
UPDATE: I have reason to believe that this deal may be gone by tomorrow. I suspect that DeLorme may have saddled dealers with a minimum resale price, though that is purely conjecture on my part.
UPDATE 2: Hmm, the deal is still there as of 9/22. Maybe I got bad info. The page now says the rebate is in effect through 9/25.
UPDATE 3: Looks like its now priced at $449.00.
UPDATE 4: I’ve posted reviews of the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w and the PN-60w / SPOT Communicator combo
J&R Computer/Music World has the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60W Handheld GPS with SPOT Satellite Communicator on sale for $399.95 with free shipping, $90 less than Amazon’s price
SPOT gets some competition
February 11, 2010 By 8 Comments
The SPOT Satellite Messenger is getting some new competition from personal locator beacons (PLBs). These emergency devices utilize the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system designed to aid in search and rescue missions. The advantage SPOT has enjoyed, is the ability to send non-distress signals. Today, Cobham Life Support-ACR Products announced a new service that will take advantage of PLB’s self-test function to send non-distress messages via text and email.
While PLBs are more expensive than the SPOT Satellite Messenger, this newly-leveraged functionality will be priced at $39.95 to $59.95 per year, significantly lower than SPOT’s $99.99 basic plan. Another differentiating factor is that the PLB can continue to be used for emergency extraction, even if the subscription plan expires. These advantages may help drive sales volume, allowing further reductions in unit costs.
The extent to which messages can be customized is unclear. For the most advanced functionality, the ACR PLB 350C (pictured) is required. The news release cites “the added features of multiple text and e-mail messaging, trip planning, and GPS test location.”
DeLorme PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator
January 5, 2010 By 10 Comments
UPDATE: I’ve posted reviews of the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w and the PN-60w / SPOT Communicator combo.
UPDATE 2: DeLorme has discontinued the SPOT Satellite Communicator in favor of their own product, the DeLorme inReach, which offers two-way communication and works as a standalone device or can connect with the PN-60w or with the iPhone or Android smartphones.
We’ve got some big news for backcountry types today. DeLorme and Spot have jointly unveiled the first combination ruggedized GPS navigator and satellite communicator. The DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator can send customized text messages to individuals or groups. While emergency messaging or personal locator beacon capability is something I’ve been wanting to see in a handheld GPS receiver for awhile, plans are for the PN-60w to offer even more.
