DeLorme Earthmate --- A GPS Solution Designed From The Ground Up!

By , posted Sunday, Oct. 10th, 2004
Reader Comments: 5

In the handheld version, there were several improvements. The biggest improvement for me was the ability to reverse a route, a feature that was desperately needed and created for the 2005 version. Thank you DeLorme! Creating a route using a contact, as a route start (or finish), was another added feature that I found very useful. There were changes made in how waypoints could be displayed and the search options were vastly improved. To me, the search option was significantly faster than in previous versions! Of course the easy to read turn directions as well as that little lady in my iPAQ made following a new route effortless.

An Earthmate GPS with Street Atlas USA 2005 is a great combination providing you with a great amount of flexibility to suit your specific needs for travel. After using the Earthmate for two months traveling over 3500 miles on several trips, I can tell you that it performed in an extraordinary fashion. Whether it was with my iPAQ or my laptop, the unit was flawless in operation.

For the user that wants the flexibility of using Bluetooth with your iPAQ and the ability to use your non-bluetooth laptop as well, then Earthmate GPS with the DeLorme Bluetooth-capable Earthmate PowerPack is an outstanding choice!

Pro's

Small form factor

Excellent battery life

Multiple Power Sources

Street Atlas USA 2005 is incredible!

Con's

Belt clip is not convienent

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

To find out more about the new Earthmate GPS Receiver coupled with DeLorme's Bluetooth Wireless Earthmate GPS PowerPack, you can visit DeLorme here.

*****

Have you read my review on DeLorme's Blue Logger?

If not, you can find it here.

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...and good thoughts they were Dan!

I use my BlueLogger constantly but it may not be the solution for all which is why I wanted to try the Earthmate. For a GPS solution, the Earthmate met every expectation. If you don't have Bluetooth on your PC, then it is a perfect solution.

Posted by Jack Cook, Tuesday, Oct. 12th, 2004

One huge advantage of the BlueLogger is that you can track where you've been without having to have the PDA or laptop turned on and running the app all the time, just to log a track. Just turn the BL on, throw it in the top of a backpack, or dash and take off. When you want to find out where you are, just pull out your PDA or laptop, and you'll get an almost instant connection because it already has a fix. Check your position and whatever else you need to do, and then turn the PDA or laptop off to save the battery, all the while the BL is still logging for you. I'm pretty sure DeLorme is also working on a PDA version of the BlueLogger Manager software, so you will be able to upload the track from the BL directly to your PDA and see where you've been, and us it to get back.

I actually favor it over my BT PowerPack when using it in the car or RV. Whenever I need to stop, the PDA goes with me, so I have to cut the GPS connection. With the BL, just stop the app, take off, then when you come back just hook up again. The log will now show how long you stopped to, without having to look at two or more logs.

Just some thoughts....Dan

Posted by Dan Lawyer, Tuesday, Oct. 12th, 2004

Thanks for the nice comments guys...I appreciate it!

These unit are really two distinct units. The Earthmate is strictly a GPS solution where as the BlueLogger not only serves as a GPS but has the ability to log where you are and where you go without having an iPAQ with you. At a later point in time, you can download the "points" onto your iPAQ or PC and view it on a map.

The BlueLogger is strictly Bluetooth so you need to have Bluetooth capability not only on your iPAQ but on you PC as well.

You can't go wrong with either...it depends on your needs. I have been using both and am really pleased with their capabilities.

Posted by Jack Cook, Tuesday, Oct. 12th, 2004

Excellent review! I'm still readily considering a GPS solution Jack, but now I'm torn between the Earthmate GPS unit you previewed here and the Blue Logger that I was considering previously.

Under which situations is the Blue Logger a better choice? Or the EarthMate GPS?

Posted by , Tuesday, Oct. 12th, 2004

Great review Jack. This unit looks like it has some great enhancements over previous units. Wish my GPS could do some of the things this unit can do.

Reidan

Posted by Reidan, Sunday, Oct. 10th, 2004

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