Earthmate PN-60w SE with SPOT vs. PN60 and spot gen2, what do we think?

[seanz0rz]

thanks for the replies and updates.

i am still undecided between the spot and spotless versions.

[preacherman]

I have my first maiden backcountry trip with it this weekend. I will let you know how it does.

[DrMoab]

Subscribed.

I am so interested in this device. I'm thinking Christmas. I bought my old spot last year in Feb. If I got it for Christmas, I think I could wait two months to activate it thus not needing to swap accounts.

[Arcadian]

Hello all, I am a long time lurker here but I don't post much. Anyway I have been looking at these for a while and really have not been able to find as much information as I would like. I went ahead I bought one and received it yesterday.

Took most of the day to load the software and firmware updates. The Topo 9.0 software will not run in 3d mode on my Lenovo X200 Tablet, appantly some other users are having trouble on some other laptops as well judging from the Delorme forum. It appears to be a videocard or driver issue.

The program runs fine in 2d mode though. The PN6ow seems easy to operate although there is so much you can do with the thing I think it will take a lot of study to use it to its full potential. The Spot combination was the selling point for me. I got the services activated easily and set up some test tracking pages and sent test messages and all worked as advertised.

[DNTL740]

I got my PN-60w about 4 days ago and I love it, bought it from Amazon for $428, great product. The maps are great and the SPOT works wonderful, I will try it out this weekend for the first time. I had a PN-40 before this one and I never cared for it, I believe Delorme really improved their unit.


Great product!!

[85CUCV]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 85CUCV
I just received my PN60wSE three days ago. I'm not one for jumping on the latest and greatest as soon as it is released, but I've been wanting to upgrade my Garmin GPS V for some time and thought this would fit the bill. I wanted the map layering features for work and the Spot for work and family travels.

I'm still tinkering with the GPS. The Spot will not be sent until Aug.

Dan

Any feedback on the new Spot yet?

No. I received the Spot in early Sept. I have not activated it yet. I think I'm going to wait till Jan to activate it now as I will not be traveling anywhere soon.

[preacherman]

After several trip I can honestly say I love this thing. The spot with text feature allows you to send custom messages which is really nice. If you have a breakdown you can text someone " bring gas" or " need a fan belt" a nice feature. You can also osend pre set up notes. *note you can only send text messages to phone numbers you set up ahead of time in the spot software.

Pros
Great maps
Quick loads
Long battery life
Send a text from anywhere
Facebook or Twitter updates from anywhere
Topo 9 software included

Cons
Somewhat small screen (but perfect for a handleld while hiking)
Topo 9 has a big learning curve
It's two units (a gps and a spot)
Spot is hard to set up if you already have a spot account ( see previous post)
When plugged into a 12v source and looses power (turn car off) it does not automatically turn off, you have to switch it off.

Overall i am very happy. I got the ram mount for the gps and it makes a very strong package while off road.


Topo 9 has a big learning curve

[cactusjk]

Any more advice on how to cancel an existing Spot account and set up a new one for the PN-60W? My understanding is Spot will not give you a refund and you pretty much have to let the original Spot account run out.

[preacherman]

The gave me a refund, but it was prorated for the months I have already used since my last renewal. I was very firm with them that this is their problem and that they have failed to advertise anywhere this problem for existing customers and have even been trying to sell this to existing customers. The refund took about 3 weeks to get applied to my credit card. You do have to pretty much cancel you account, get a refund, and then open a new account.

[cactusjk]

I've got about 5 months left on my original account. At least it sounds like I can get that back once I cancel the account!

The gave me a refund, but it was prorated for the months I have already used since my last renewal. I was very firm with them that this is their problem and that they have failed to advertise anywhere this problem for existing customers and have even been trying to sell this to existing customers. The refund took about 3 weeks to get applied to my credit card. You do have to pretty much cancel you account, get a refund, and then open a new account.