DeLorme to introduce Earthmate GPS PN-20 Handheld receiver
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.
Designed to Optimize DeLorme Mapping Content
The Earthmate GPS PN-20 will resolve a central problem facing handheld GPS users—the difficulty and expense of displaying high-quality maps on their devices. DeLorme has designed this receiver specifically to optimize the display of DeLorme mapping content, and to maintain core desktop capabilities such as routing and annotation.
“In recent years, there has been steadily mounting demand for the ability to display DeLorme maps on a color-screen handheld GPS receiver,” said Caleb Mason, Director of Marketing for DeLorme.
“With the Earthmate GPS PN-20, we have maintained our long-standing commitment to innovation, high-end capabilities, and exceptional consumer value.”
On-Device Routing
In addition to standard handheld GPS capabilities, the Earthmate GPS PN-20 will support on-device routing. Using DeLorme’s proprietary software, users can also create routes on their desktop or laptop PC and transfer them to the device. Routes, waypoints, and tracks can be exchanged between receiver and computer with ease, using the standard GPX format popular among outdoors enthusiasts and geo-cachers.
Users will also be able to import, route, and track on DeLorme’s Aerial Data Packet (ADP) imagery, which includes aerial photos, satellite images, and USGS 7.5-minute quads. The maps and ADP imagery may both be viewed in realistic 3-D on the desktop, with full 2-D routing and tracking capabilities on the GPS.
The Earthmate GPS PN-20 comes with an ample 2” by 2” screen, with high visibility settings for easy viewing in any conditions. It is waterproof for up to 30 minutes in one meter of water (IPX7 rating) and ruggedly built to withstand weather and the rigors of outdoor use.
WAAS-enabled for accuracy to within three meters, the Earthmate GPS PN-20 boasts a high volume 10,000 data point capacity. It is powered by ST Microelectronics and SiGE chip technologies for worry-free reliability, and comes equipped with a long-life, re-chargeable lithium ion battery; the device will also run on standard AA batteries.
DeLorme has designed the Earthmate GPS PN-20 for a comfortable grip, with large buttons for ease of use. An exceptional value, it carries a suggested retail price of just $299.95, with Topo USA 6.0 national edition software on DVD included.
Enhanced 3-D, Major Data Updates Highlight Topo USA 6.0 Release
Topo USA 6.0 is the latest release of this popular nationwide topographic mapping software. It delivers a wealth of new features and data updates. In addition, it’s been developed to run flawlessly on the Earthmate GPS PN-20, as well as in a PC or PDA environment.
The program’s 3-D capabilities have been significantly enhanced, most notably with a new “flythrough” feature. Of utmost importance for GPS users, the Topo USA 6.0 waypoint management has been vastly improved and simplified, not only for integration with the Earthmate GPS PN-20, but also for exchanges with third-party devices.
The new data includes 268,000 updated roads, BLM lands nationwide, state hunting lands, updated campgrounds, and additional national scenic and historic trails. In addition, users can access the Aerial Data Packets with a generous free trial program via the program’s NetLink tab.
Topo USA 6.0 will release in Spring 2006. By itself, it carries a suggested retail price of $99.95, and is available in either regional CD-ROM or national DVD versions.
Introducing New Online Community for DeLorme Users
Topo USA 6.0 users also will be able to share their experiences in the new Eartha Community Atlas.
As its name suggests, this online forum will serve as a true community for DeLorme users. Members can easily exchange and display, on worldwide online maps, their local knowledge, recent photos, practical information, and GPS files showing exactly where objects of interest are located. The goal of the Eartha Community Atlas is to be a collaborative online environment for incorporating local individual user geographic knowledge in a way that allows other interested parties to benefit.
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