DeLorme Earthmate LT-40 GPS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a difficult item to review simply....in part because it is threedifferent items (hardware, software, compatibility).I'll review them separately. I am an established Delorme customer, with a long history of their products (10-12 states of TopoQuads, a Xmap license, both 1.0 and 2.0 versions of 3D TopoQuad software).

The GPS unit itself is really a gem of a product in its own right and an update of the earlier Earthmate GPS units.I rate the LT-40 highly (5/5).It is small light and accurate/fast, from my experience.On a cross-country trip, it rarely was off the road centerline.My only gripe is very poor (well -- Non! ) support of this unit in earlier software products XMAP and 3DTopoQuads.This is not documented by Delorme, and in fact there is an Earthmate link and a USB option in the earlier software.Also, their web site suggests it should work, and there are instructions for installing a Serial-USB emulator that will allow it to work as an NMEA device (it didn't work!).I also obtained some support from Delorme trying to get it to operate.But their tech support had to eventually say "we don't guarantee backward compatibility..." for their own product to work with their own product.5/5 (but see compatibility below...)

The software is good to work with in 2-D mode and follows the tried-true Delorme right panel/bottom panel navigation model.The 3-D mode does have a nice "big number" mode that is useful on the road, although the 3-D view reminds one of a bad video game and is only useful for people who absolutely cannot read maps.The routes one chooses do have to be checked and if necessary "fine tuned" by adding "via" points, but that is surely true of all navigation software.I like the customizable preferences for speed/road type.Yes the Microsoft Mary and Mike voices are dreary, but one can't blame that on Delorme (I am waiting for Microsoft Obama.....with proceeds going to the Hillary campaign fund!!).But the voice interface has great potential for vehicle work, and I plan to experiment with a microphone for software control.Voice speed can also be tinkered with, and we found that slowing Mike down made him more understandable.My main complaint is that the top-line interface is non-intuitive, with no "File/Edit" bar and just a bunch of fairly non-customizable icons.4/5

Compatibibility: poor.No, completely lame.I think it is unconscionable how poor the support of the LT-40 is for earlier Delorme TopoQuad software, and, for that matter, why can't Street Atlas support earlier state 3-D topo quads.This is either bad design/engineering by Delorme, or extortion of users to have to re-purchase data products (I have $1500 or so invested now). This is complicated by the fact that the state TopoQuad series no longer exists and one now has to purchase the whole country in DVD (same maps...) to get new software that will work with this GPS.Come on guys -- patch your supported products to allow us to use the LT-40 with Topo Quads, or patch street atlas to work with topo quads.If the LT-40 is not supported by earlier Delorme products then you should at least have the courage (chutzpah?) to state this in black and white in marketing materials and on your web site.0/5

Average 3/5 for an excellent little GPS unit, from a very frustrated Delorme user.....

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Product Description:
Turn your laptop PC or UMPC into a powerful GPS navigator, with voice-guided navigation, automatic back-on-track, GPS Radar to locate travel services, and other top-end features. DeLorme-s newest USB-powered GPS receiver includes a new super-high-sensitivity chipset, support for ultra mobile personal computers, superior on-screen GPS displays, and updated Street Atlas USA 2009 DVD software included. New Sicroelectronics GPS chipset delivers faster satellite acquisition, and DeLorme ConstantLock technology means surefire signal retention even in challenging GPS environments. GPS tracking is easier than ever with NavMode, including optional 3-D perspective and larger, more accessible user controls. Locate over 4 million places of interest (hotels, restaurants, attractions, sports venues, and businesses of all types - most with phone numbers included). Create routes automatically with user controls to ensure you take the roads you want. Calculate fuel usage and costs, and GPS-navigate with total confidence anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, and on major roads in Mexico.

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