Got a good Tweet today from DeLorme on some folks biking and paddling the coast of Alaska and updating with the Delorme PN-60W via the SPOT satellite communicator. If you want to follow the trek, follow their Tweets or check into their Blog, Biking the Lost Coast, where they have also listed some details about their trip including gear. From their website, the basic plan is this:

   * Depart Bozeman, MT for Seattle, on to Anchorage, then Cordova and finally Yakutat, AK. Bikes in tow.

   * Monday morning we’ll assemble our bikes and get our gear ready.

   * A quick stop at Alsek Air Service to drop off our re-supply package.

   * Begin riding.

6-9 Days Later

   * Roll into Cape Yakataga where we’ll pick-up our supply drop; food, fresh clothing and some spare parts if needed. The package is being flown in by Alsek Air Service and left in a bear-proof container.

6-9 Days Later

   * Arrive in Cordova, AK.

   * Take a ferry from Cordova back to Anchorage.

   * Fly back to Bozeman, MT.

Looks like fun.

Source: GpsLodge
Read more here:Biking in Alaska – Updates Via Delorme & SPOT

DeLorme has the PN-60 unit out and for sale in the wild after its announcement earlier this year, while also actively taking orders for their cool new SPOT enabled PN-60W unit at their website.

While the PN-60 (pictured above) does not have the satellite capabilities that the PN-60W has, it’s no slouch. The color screen, 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, ability to download satellite images onto the screen to navigate across the landscape more easily, paperless geocaching and a cool ambient light sensor to automatically set the screen brightness in order to save on the battery life.

The PN-60W (pictured right) is a step beyond with SPOT technology where the SPOT technology allows you to send messages out via SMS, Twitter or Facebook to friends and family in the “outside” world even when you are out of range of mobile phone service. The system seems like a must-have for any serious back country adventurer and those who venture out on weekend warrior status into the wild. The service costs money and there are various plans available from annual subscriptions for basic services $99 a year, Track Progress $49 a year or $49 a year for 500 type and send messages down to a la carte messages at $0.50 each; not a terrible cost considering the communicate anywhere capability.

See the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60 at Amazon or pre-order the Delorme PN-60W at Delorme

New Earthmate PN-60 and PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator, updated topographic detail for U.S. as well as Canada, and the addition of DigitalGlobe satellite and aerial imagery to GPS data offerings.

DeLorme, the innovation leader in mapping and GPS technologies, is showcasing its newest PN-Series GPS receivers and related products at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show, now through August 6 at the Salt Palace here in Salt Lake City.

Also on display is DeLorme Topo North America 9.0 GPS maps and PC software, and DigitalGlobe worldwide aerial and satellite imagery for display on PN-Series receivers.

The headliner for DeLorme is still the Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator, which has generated enormous interest since its pending release was announced earlier this year.

Peace of Mind Wherever You GoPN-60w with SPOT

The PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator is the world’s first handheld GPS with Type & Send outbound text satellite messaging, enabling users to stay connected with friends, family, and emergency services, from locations around the world.

Users can navigate with confidence, with their position pinpointed on DeLorme Topo North America GPS maps (included). If their adventures take them beyond cell phone range, they can still send their text messages to recipients’ cell phones and email addresses, and to networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Fire Eagle,
SpotAdventures.com,or Geocaching.com. In addition, family and friends can track a user’s progress via Google’s free online maps.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is $549.95. SPOT services are activated via subscription.

Next-Generation GPS FeaturesPN-60

DeLorme has also released the Earthmate PN-60. While it’s not enabled for satellite communication, it does (like the PN-60w) offer a wealth of next-generation GPS features. They include GPX file support for superior flexibility in managing and saving waypoint, geocache, and track files; an elevation profile tool that pinpoints user location; new power management and display options that significantly extend battery life; and a full 3.5 GB of onboard memory, ample enough to store maps and aerial imagery for countless outdoor adventures. MSRP is $399.95.

Both PN-60 models offer an icon-based interface for easily moving around the devices’ map, function and activity screens.

The PN-60 models are the latest in the DeLorme Earthmate handheld lineup, which also includes the popular PN-40 (MSRP $299.95).

All PN-Series receivers are ruggedized, waterproof (IPX-7), WAAS-enabled, and equipped with a high-sensitivity 32-channel GPS chipset, and dual-core processor for blazing-fast performance. They come with new DeLorme Topo North America 9.0 GPS maps and PC software included, and offer the widest available array of supplemental map and imagery display choices (more information below).

Up-to-Date Topographic Detail for the U.S. and CanadaTopo North America

DeLorme Topo North America 9.0 software is the successor to Topo USA. As the new name suggests, it now includes detailed topographic and street detail for both the U.S. and Canada, along with places of interest including attractions, restaurants, lodgings, and businesses of all kinds.

The updates include over 210,000 new or updated roads, 11,000 U.S. national forest trails, and BLM and State Trust lands.

A new one-button synchronization feature makes GPS file exchanges (maps, aerial imagery, waypoints, geocaches, tracks, and routes) fast and effortless. For geocachers, Pocket Query downloads are now automatic.

DeLorme Topo North America 9.0 is available by itself for PN-Series users who wish to upgrade their maps and GPS file management capabilities, or anyone who wants a standalone PC mapping program. MSRP is $99.95.

High-Resolution DigitalGlobe ImageryDigitalGlobe

With this latest product release, DeLorme also announces the availability of DigitalGlobe satellite and aerial imagery for display on PN-Series receivers. DigitalGlobe provides imagery for locations worldwide, at ultra high-resolution (as high as 30 cm per pixel). The DigitalGlobe imagery is available from DeLorme via a low-cost $29.95 annual subscription, which entitles unlimited downloads. DigitalGlobe subscription cards can be purchased from authorized DeLorme resellers.

For even more map and imagery choices, the DeLorme MapPack offers multiple U.S. aerial imagery types, official USGS 1:24,000 (7.5-min.) and Natural Resources Canada (1:50,000) topographic detail, and NOAA nautical charts.

MapPack maps and imagery are also available for a $29.95 annual subscription, with unlimited downloads, and can be purchased from authorized DeLorme resellers.

Product Availability

DeLorme PN-Series GPS receivers, Topo North America 9.0 software, and DigitalGlobe and MapPack subscription cards, can be purchased from online resellers, and at leading outdoor retailers and electronics stores. For more information, call 800-561-5105.

Source: GpsLodge
Read more here:DeLorme releases the PN-60 and Talks Up the PN-60W

The landscape and boundaries of the handheld GPS market are about to change dramatically. DeLorme, America’s leader in laptop GPS technology, will introduce its first handheld GPS device this year with the launch of the Earthmate GPS PN-20.
The announcement came today, on the eve of the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. DeLorme unveiled the Earthmate GPS PN-20 during the PepCom Digital Experience media event at the Bellagio Hotel.
During the show itself, scheduled for January 5-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the device will be on display at the LeadTek exhibit, South Hall 4, Booth 36524.
Scheduled for release in mid-2006, the Earthmate GPS PN-20 will be the only handheld receiver on which users can run DeLorme’s best-selling mapping software, including Topo USA® 6.0 and future releases of the Street Atlas USA® product line.

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With the release of its new Street Atlas USA 2006 software suite, digital mapping pacesetter DeLorme continues to lead the way in both data accuracy and up-to-date travel technology.
Each of the titles in the 2006 product suite—Street Atlas USA 2006, Street Atlas USA 2006 Plus DVD, and Street Atlas USA 2006 Handheld—has been engineered to meet the demands of today’s advanced digital map users.
“The mobile mapping trend continues to expand with more and more consumers now equipped with laptops, handheld computers, mobile phones, and GPS receivers,” said DeLorme Marketing Director Caleb Mason. “The demand for GPS capabilities means maps and points of interest must be more accurate than ever.”

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