DeLorme PN60 vs Garmin 62

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Ok guys I need a little help decided which one to get.. I am wanting this unit for driving and hiking as well. I've read good and bad on both.. Anyone have either one and for a noob to the GPS world what are your recommendations. Thanks in advance

 

[OregonLC]

Have you tried something like MotionX? I can't imagine ever wanting multiple devices again and it's not like my phone won't be with me every time I leave the house. What extra a Garmin may have in features, MotionX makes up for in handiness. Just my opinion...

 

[e9999]

IMHO, hiking and driving needs for GPSes are very different.
I would go as far as saying that using a small screen gps (as in a hiking device) is potentially unsafe for use when driving unless you use a voice-prompting system or have huge alien magnifying eyes.

 

[re_guderian]

IMHO, hiking and driving needs for GPSes are very different.
I would go as far as saying that using a small screen gps (as in a hiking device) is potentially unsafe for use when driving unless you use a voice-prompting system or have huge alien magnifying eyes.

This! Don't try and combine the two. The units you list are best suited for hiking. I have a DeLorme PN-40. Love the hand held unit, and the screen, though small, is very readable in direct sunlight. I friggin' HATE the Delorme software though. For backcountry hiking use, the advantage of replaceable batteries for unlimited, uninterupted coverage over muli-day hikes wins out over using a phone. They are also much more rugged and waterproof. I carry mine in my cargo pocket of my pants while hiking. Driving, you need a bigger screen to be useful, or voice prompts, preferably both, to be used safely. I own a total of 10 different GPS enabled devices ranging from < 1 year old to 6+ years old, from phones to USB antennas, to a TOM TOM, etc. etc. . None of them are "good-for-everything" devices, and driving and hiking have diametrically opposite requirements from a GPS unit.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

As a driving device I'm more interesed in it finding plotted points on dirt roads that my Garmin Nuvi will not pick up. Don't want this device for an in town/hwy gps. The hiking portion I want as just that a plotter of my trails, etc... I understand the small screen and yes I agree it would be unsafe for in town, but for the occasional dirt road pin point what do you think?

 

[Elbert]

as I noted in another thread....not real thrilled with the small screen on the 62 series Garmin. One would htink that devices such at this would have a screen about double that size. Maybe the larger screens consume too much power for a true battery powered device (i don't know). The small screens are hell to read.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Well I went with the Delorme. I willl post up my thoughts once I get to experiment with it a little.

 

[Combat Chuck]

Well I went with the Delorme. I willl post up my thoughts once I get to experiment with it a little.

I've had a PN-20 for years, and I'm very happy with it.

I look forward to your insights on the PN-60.

 

[slickrock]

Have you thought about going to something a bit old school and look into one of the older gpsmaps for marine use? They are a bit bigger than handled, but can work fantastic for trail use. I have a gpsmap 62. It runs off the same software as my GPS V and the screen is larger than an iPhones.