Home > Consumer Reviews > DeLorme AG-8097-000 Earthmate PN Series Power Kit

When I purchased my Delorme PN-40 I was not sure if I wanted this travel kit. However, one feature that I noticed was that NONE of the handheld gps's had a way to re-charge instead of continously always buying AA batteries. I did purchase this travel kit but my friend did not. She has had to change the batteries after each one of our trail rides where I have only had to recharge. If you get a Delorme - definitely get this!

If you have an Delorme Earthmate PN40 then this is a must have. I am thinking of getting additional batteries to keep an extra set charged for days when I might wish to use it for longer than six hours. I could probably get more use out of one charge if I reduced the amount of delay in the backlight turning off.

The not so good stuff.

This is not the easiest GPS and software package to use. That is mainly because the combination does so many things. It is not the best automatic trip route selection software. Not an overly large screen. There, that is all of the less than great stuff.

The good/great stuff.

Topographic maps in your handheld GPS receiver. The ability to download aerial photos, NOAA charts and/or USGS topo maps into your GPS receiver and to see them as layers using the GPS in the field. The DeLorme $30 per year subscription fee gets you unlimited downloads from their library. Very cool stuff there.

The GPS is fast to find it self. The screen is very clear. The battery life is long. With the supplied LiIon battery pack usually more than 8 hours.

Routes and tracks are very editable using the Topo software. Additionally, the software does a great job of calculating trail lengths and resource areas. The feature rich environment provides many more functions than any other GPS receiver I've ever used.

I'm using this on the handlebars of my dual sport motorcycle and for GeoCashe walks. It is working great. This is my 4th or 5th GPS receiver and the quickest working so far. The GPS receiver and the software that is included is one of the best systems for folks who work on the ground. Folks who are doing any sort of natural resource management should investigate this package. Highly, highly recommended.

Do not buy this from AMAZON, I think they are selling used batteries.. The first one would not charge up to 100%. The second one charged up to 100% but in 10 minutes went down to 85%. After that it only lasted 7 hours. I spoke to Delmore and they sell there kits for the same price as amazon. And you can call them and get a person with a heart beat on the end of the phone. I missed the return date by 3 days so I have to eat this battery and will be buying one from delmore.

I read reviews before I purchased my Delorme Earthmate PN-40 that the batteries lasted 10 hours. My first trips were with standard alkaline batteries. Not bad but they did not last for my 8 hour backpack trip. I then purchased Energizer Ultimate Lithium which did better. I had some power left after a 9 hour hike. But shortly after starting another hike the Energizer Lithium batteries gave out. I had more in my packpack so I installed them and continued on my way.

I decided that this was too bothersome so I bought the Delorme PN Series Power Kit. I thought at least I will be able to charge the Delorme batteries without taking them out of the PN40.

The kit came with a standard wall charger, a 12 volt charger system and a 1400 mAh battery. I thought I am ready to go no more issues. Boy! was I wrong! The freshly charged Delorme lasted 5.5 hours.

I contacted Amazon they immediately sent out a new Earthmate PN Series Power kit. Wonderful service! I fully charged the new battery and turned on my Earthmate PN40 and placed on a window ledge and started to time it's lasting power. Within one hour I lost 25% charge. By the end of the second hour the bars turned yellow and and I had lost 50% battery power.

Delorme's Eatrthmate PN series Power Kit did NOT last as long as regular alkaline batteries!

I will be returning this second Delorme Power Kit and start using hybrid rechargable batteries. Don't waste your time!