I'm looking at it, and it looks like De Lorme might lure me away from Garmin.

What do you think? The ability to send custom text messages to friends either asking for a hand or bragging up a kill is appealing to me.

Calvin,
I don't know much about it, but the De Lorme caught my eye, also.
About 90% of my time outdoors is spent alone and something like that could be a God-send.

So basically, it's a $100 a year for the spot subscriptions. $50 more for Track Progress. 50 Cents per Text Message.

Not bad, if you spend a ton of time in the back country hunting and fishing. Might not be worth it for the guy who does 1 trip a year though.

I spend a good deal of time out in the boat, out of cell range. The ability to send a text message telling a buddy I'm broke down and need a tow, up on the beach caught by the tide, or that I'll be overnighting due to weather is priceless.

I was critical of the 1st Gen Spot because it basically sent a distress message, and that was it.

That is quite reasonable, indeed.
A hell of a lot less $$$ than having your family call out a SAR team because of not coming home on time from a hunting trip or whatever!

I've been using a Spot II for almost a year now and have been very pleased with it. Most of my trips are solo and it gives me and my family a little more peace of mind. I use the tracking feature often. People often assume that they will be alive or able to initiate a rescue. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

If I can come up with the $$, I'd really like to have this setup. The text messages via satellite would be great as well as it appears to me that DeLorme's are about the best for data/map/aerial uploading for a handheld.

Calvin- I've been curious about how your brother's PN-40 compared to your Garmin as far as satellite reception in the thick stuff up there. Also, do I remember correctly that one or both of the Brothers have a SPOT? If so, how reliable has their ability to send OK messages been?

As many know, I'm a DeLorme slut and would like to have the 60/SPOT combo. However, in researching the SPOT I have found mixed reviews regarding its reliability in sending messages due to the satellite system the SPOT uses.

We've used a SPOT here for 2 years now, primarily in the Brooks Range. I can tell you that my wife has received every message we sent - as long as there was no "operator error" (if you get my drift).
Anyway, each time we tried it and we were located in a rather narrow, east/west running valley with a heavy fog cover. Although I personally detest "technology" when I'm out in the bush, I figure it's good insurance for my wife since she will at least know we're ok. We always made sure we had a spare set of batteries and we only used it once a day. Never left it on for continual tracking. Pointless, IMHO.
Bear in Fairbanks

If I recall correctly, my brother's delorme worked great when he was up here last Nov. I'll email him and tell him to log on and chime in.

Big downside to spot is Global Star. (pretty sure that's the sats they are using) Last I heard they were failing in space. Not sure if they corrected it or not. I'll use some google fu and try to find out.

I've used my PN-40 while others run their Garmin 60CSX. I've found they are equally accurate and we ran both in heavy tree cover, bad weather, and in canyons.

The Garmin has an advantage with longer battery life and Delorme's advantage is the ability to incorporate various maps such as arial photos, USGS Quads, & NOAA nautical charts.

I see Delmore states the PN-60 has better battery life than the PN-40. I have no experience with the PN-60, just responding to the reception question.

That's good to hear. Your second sentence is why it's hard to come to hard conclusions using information from the 'net. You never know how competent the person is that's using the gizmo.

That's my apprehension to getting a SPOT. My reasoning for getting some sort of locator is different from yours in that I want it for emergency situations. Therefore, I'm leaning towards a PLB. I guess the new units can now send a canned OK message too.

Agree on all points. My PN-40 will display single digit accuracy while inside the house and I've never had reception issues outside. Those posting rundown times for the 60s on the DeLorme forum are indeed finding substantial increases. There's also a battery called the CabBat, which is a rechargeable Li-Ion that gives quite an increase in run times. I just ordered one so I'll see how it shakes out. I think the Garmins still run longer on a given set of batteries but the gap is shrinking. Garmin must also be feeling some market share loss to DeLorme as their units are becoming capable of displaying imagery. I still wouldn't give up my DeLorme though.

Whttail:
It was me that provided the "operator error". Once the SPOT was set up thru my wife's e-mail & cell phone, she always received our messages thru both media. The "screw-ups" occurred this last Aug. while we were in the Brooks by me with the up graded model - I wasn't allowing enough time for the signal to be transmitted and so, would shut it off too early. We were 100% successful in 2008 which was the first time we used one.
Bear in Fairbanks

I love Garmin... but I'm wondering too...

Globalstar is what it is... anyway we once in AK had a spot message not go that night, waited till the next morning and gone in a few minutes.

We always used the send help context, not the 911 part, to send out a message that we needed something... it gives coords... and say we are on teh way to wherever by boat or such on a hunt... if I had motor problems etc... and needed something... we would send that one... wife knew to get someone or her headed our way. Only issue was WHAT was wrong.... of course the I'm ok goes a long way at home too... and the 911 in case...

I'll be watching anyway.

Roost , the unit that they are talking about now allows you to type in whatever you want as a text message its not generic anymore with the 60n Delorme gps. I just spent a bunch of time this morning reaserching it . From what I read this morning it appears as though this is the GPS to get if you want to have the mapping . For 30 bucks a year you can get what ever map you want down to 1:24,000 for anywhere in NA. Not so with the Garmin. The price of the maps for the garmin easily makes this a no brainer. I'm not sold on the spot thing Most Sat phone packages allow unlimited free out going text and at least you can have a 2 way coversation. If I'm going in by boat or plane I think the Iridium is the way to be . If your going in by foot the spot may have a leg to stand on here just because of its weight savings but that would be it. I have used both sat services , and Globalstar is a [bleep] joke. When the fit hits the shan I want to make the call right now and that is not always the case with the G-star. Iridium is leaps and bounds the leader here, you turn it on and make the call anytime anywhere period !

I'm not a huge fan of my PN-40 GPS wise. The mapping features are nice but the tiny screen makes it hard to use when you're zoomed out to any useful distance in my experience. Mine eats batteries a lot faster than my old Lowrance did as well.

I have the Pn-60 with SPOT,it's a good unit BUT if you want aftermarket downloads for the US and Canada they appear to be available only for Garmin.I have 1:24,000 BLM maps on my unit but only 1:50,000 topos for Canada and Delorme doesn't offer anything with more detail.When I looked into aftermarket private property GPS maps for Montana they were only available for Garmin.Check out all the available downloads you might want before you plunk your money down.I could care less about texting on my SPOT,I'll only use it if I REALLY need it.My Delorme and SPOT were a gift,I would have bought a Garmin and the SPOT seperately if it was up to me. Monashee

You have me confused Monashee, what is this page describing to me then about the 1;24,000 maps?

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=30541&section=10741

As I said for the US Delorme Topo 9 comes with 1:24000 BLM maps.For Canada(where I live)it only has the 1:50,000 Government topo maps.There are lots of aftermarket maps for both the USA and Canada(State by State private property BLM overlays for instance,or the Backroad Map book series for Canada).None of these will load on a Delorme they are for Garmin only. Monashee

wildone- the 1:24K maps available for downloading via the Map Library are scanned USGS quad maps. If you're familiar with the USGS 7.5' quads maps, that is what they are. BLM surface management maps, which are 1:100K, are not available.

Here is a link to a thread where I posted screen shots of a quad, BLM surface management map, and aerial photo from my PN-40. Link

Here is what monashee is referring to as "BLM maps" in Topo 9. The maps aren't really what I'd call BLM maps, at least not what I'm used to with paper BLM maps, but Topo 9 does depict state and BLM as shown below. You can display this on your GPSr too.

The cursor is on a reservation boundary. BLM is the yellowish cross-hatched area.

Thanks Whttail in Montana,those are indeed the maps I was referring to.They were quite useful to me last fall hunting antelope north of Miles City.I came across an aftermarket download that had up to date private property maps along with BLM and State lands marked out,but it is only available for download to Garmin units.There is a download available for here(BC) called Backroads GPS Maps.They show all Forest service rds.,and GM unit boundaries as well as topo,but they cannot be downloaded to Delorme,Garmin only.I like the quality of the Delorme unit but I think the Garmins are more versatile. Monashee

Hell just get the new spot unit that can "bluetooth" with your data device (cell phone) and you can send messages like the spot/delrome unit.

WT- Thank you for the detailed info in both threads as well as the Pics. I have hunted in Dodson, Turner, Livina and Jordan on the east side and Darby on the west side quite a few times and am familiar with the regular blm maps your talking about . I can see where that would be a concern . By the looks of the BLM you posted from topo 9 the biggest thing missing is the section grid which is usefull when your on the ground for distance reference at a glance. Monashee I can see your plight with the Backroads thing up in BC beeing an issue for your application , have you tried calling back roads and seeing if they would wright the script for the Delorme ? If I have a truck with me carrying paper is not a big deal. I'm looking into getting this for Alaska where access is by plane or boat and USGS 1;24 and 1;50 will suit my intended purpose. Good discussion here guys

I know which one they are talking about, its on my list possibly very well. Just had no experience with De Lorme.
30 bucks a year for updated maps isn't bad either.
The globalstar did give that one hiccup on a SPOT message 2 years ago in AK. It went through the next AM though instantly, and I"ve had same from globalstar phone service. Iridium is the key, BUT even iridium has failed in AK a few times for us. But much better than GS....

unfortunately no drawn moose tag for me in AK this year so no testing of new gear either.
Jeff

wildone- the quads have section lines on them though. You can turn off the Topo 9 mapset on the unit and only view the quads. You can have the quads, aerials, and Topo loaded and then select/deselect which to view. The unit can also switch between them as you zoom in/out depending on how the layers are set up. Another way to get section lines on the unit is to get XMap and upload the PLSS shape file. These will then display as an overlay over whatever background you're viewing. Of course you can toggle on/off the PLSS section lines too if they get in the way. With XMap you can also scan in any image you want to use as a background, georeference it, and upload it to your unit.

The ability to upload shapefiles is what has me leaning strongly towards getting a DeLorme. I've done the MN DNR thing with Garmins and find it lacking. I don't know the rules/regs in Canada, but in the US I cannot think of much data that would be needed for hunting that can't be gotten in shapefile format, which I could then load at my choosing to the DeLorme. Much of this info can be had from the federal agencies for free!

I've also been eyeing the De Lorrme/spot combo for a while too. But not ready to part with my Garmin Rino. It sounds like this spring, SPOT is planning on bringing out thier "Connect" bluetooth device. It will be able to be paired with different cell phones, and I imagine down the line, bluetooth enabled GPS's. All the message sending will be keyed in via the iphone/smart phone. The connect will also have a redundant '911' button on the connect unit itself, in case there is a problem with the phone.

I've had the SPOT2 for the last year, and have been happy with it. I'm able to call in packing help when I'm elk hunting on my own. And send the 'I'm OK (not dead) and goodnight" messages to a worrying fiance when I'm in the backcountry. It will be really nice to send specific messages in the future.

Knowing spot it will probably be delayed a fair amount, but I'm willing to wait.

Backpacker mag's gear guide has a write up about it. Just saw the headline and haven't gotten a chance to read it. I think it was an editor's choice of the year.

dean glad to hear you've had good luck with iridium

perhaps i need to see about upgrading my phone

i've had times of "system busy" messages where i've had to redial

also depending upon weather and location have had the signal go weak mid conversation and drop the call

my phone do have some age upon it tho, have had it along time

now runs $43 per month to keep it buzzin

Randy , Like I said I have used both before and Iridium has never let me down once . I went tuna fishing with a buddy of mine who is a globalstar dealer. We spent 2 days about 120 to 150 miles out to sea all the while he is trying to stay in contact with work and I see him turn it on try to call shut it down look at the papers turn it back on try agian. Finally I say to him WTF are you doing ? I'm trying to call work he says, I said whats the paper for he says that when it is the best time to make a call on the phone . So I say to him so if this boat goes under I'm gonna have to wait till its a "good time" to call the coasties to come get me ? He says , come get you? don't you mean us? I said no , me because I'm leaving your stupid ass here maybe next time you'll get a real phone jackkkass! I have tried both phones while out to sea, in AK , BC and northern Que., AZ , NM ,MT, ID , Mexico and not once have I turned an iridium product on and not been able to make my call and connect.

Now back to the Delorme