Earthmate PN-40 Firmware Update 2.5 Public Beta

[Jobi Wan Kenobi]

Hello:

DeLorme is pleased to announce that the Public Beta of the PN-40 2.5 firmware update is now available for download.

This initial release of the Firmware Update application is for Windows only. By the end of today, we intend to add a Mac updater which can run on Power PC's and Intel-Macs (OS 10.4 / 10.5).

-New Features/Fixes:

-Geocaching support:

-Geocache/Waypoint Comment character limit increased from 800 to 15,000 characters. This is only for Geocaches sent to the PN-40 using the Send to GPS Plugin (http://www.delorme.com/geocaching/plugin/).

-Added graphics to the Geocache Comment page which indicate Size, Difficulty and Terrain.

-Moved the Hint to the bottom of the Comment for Geocaches sent from the Send to GPS Plugin.

-Added a new Geocaching page, which separates Geocaches from Waypoints. This page allows you to sort Geocaches by Name/Distance/Logged/Not Logged.

-Added new Geocaching Symbols to match those used by Geocaching.com.

-Field Notes support allows you to create field notes directly on the PN-40, which can then be uploaded through your account at www.geocaching.com.

-Geocaching wizard steps you through the process of Routing to a Geocache, Logging your Geocache find, Entering a Field Note then moving on to the next Geocache you want to find (closest, or selected from the list).

-Memory Management

-Added a Memory Use page which allows you to view the number of Waypoints/Geocaches/Tracks/Routes on your device, as well as how much free space you have on both the SD card and Internal Memory.

-Added a Memory Management page which allows you to easily delete all Waypoints/Geocaches/Tracks/Routes.

-Routing

-Added an option to allow the user to specify the speed for Direct Routes.

-Device UI

-Adjustments to font sizes to make data within info fields easier to read.

-Added a setting which allows the PN-40 to automatically switch to Midnight colors at Sunset, and back to normal at Sunrise.

-GPS

-Added support for Predictive Ephemeris. This allows the PN-40 to predict satellite positions up to 2 days out, and within a 100 mile radius, resulting in faster acquisition times at startup.

-Improvements to WAAS which allow the PN-40 to lock onto a WAAS satellite at lower signal strengths.


Known Issues

-The Use Midnight at Sunset setting may not always take affect when starting the PN-40, and may inappropriately take affect when panning the map to the West.

-When Deleting a large number or Waypoints/Geocaches, the PN-40 will appear to not respond. An activity indicator hasn't made it into this version of the firmware yet, but is planned for Release.

-Geocaches sent from DeLorme desktop applications (Topo USA 7.0 / XMap) are still limited to 800 characters in the comment, and do not contain the new graphics in the Comment. You also cannot create Field notes for these Geocaches.

-There is the possibility of a device reset while traveling with Imagery on the map and the device set to Power Save mode. We are investigating this issue based upon comments from our Beta testers.


Important Note: The Earthmate PN-40 2.5 firmware update is beta software. DeLorme does not guarantee that the included enhancements and fixes are complete. DeLorme does not guarantee that the Earthmate PN-40 will function as advertised while using beta software. No Earthmate PN-40 software technical support is available while using beta software. You may revert your Earthmate PN-40 to its original firmware version using the attached Updater application.


Instructions for updating firmware in Windows:

1. Save the PN-40_Updater_(2.5_Beta_3).zip file from this Forum post to your desktop
2. Unzip the file, and save the .exe file (PN-40_Updater_(2.5_Beta_3).exe) to your desktop
3. Connect your PN-40 to your computer
4. Hit Enter for Data Exchange
5. Select Menu…Device Setup…Connect To Computer
6. Change the USB Setting to Firmware Transfer
7. Wait for a new Removable Drive to appear in My Computer
8. If you had trouble at #5, take out the SD Card and place it in a Card Reader. Then proceed to #7
9. Once the new drive appears, double-click PN-40_Updater_(2.5_Beta_3).exe from your desktop
10. Follow the steps in this application to copy the Update to your SD Card
11. When the application is done, click on Finished
12. Select Restart on your PN-40 or…
13. If you had to use the Card Reader, place the SD Card in the PN-40 and Start the device
14. In both cases, the device should go through a process of Validating and Updating the Firmware
15. When that is complete, the PN-40 will reboot, and you can resume normal operations.

If you choose to revert your device back to the original firmware, these same steps should be followed.

If you experience any problems with 2.5_Beta, please reply directly to this topic.

Please note: you must be logged in to the forum to see and access the firmware download.

ETA @4:30 EST. Firmware updates for Mac users. As with the PC firmware updates, we've provided both the 2.5 beta firmware and the 2.4 release firmware should you wish to revert. Instructions for how to install the firmware are contained within the *.dmg files.

[spankyscrc]

Yay. Thanks for all the hard work....Now, I feel sick and think I need to go home early....some pn-40 therapy will probably make me feel much better!

[Jim Williamson]

Download and installation is complete. Now for some geocaching Thanks guys!

[foxtrot_xray]

Upgrade went fine, once I put fresh batteries in.

When my device came up, it automagically switched into Midnight mode and .. for some reason I have ONE bird in view...

Seems to have reset the clock on the device. the screenshot's dated 3/14/99.

[Jobi Wan Kenobi]

Upgrade went fine, once I put fresh batteries in.

When my device came up, it automagically switched into Midnight mode and .. for some reason I have ONE bird in view...

Seems to have reset the clock on the device. the screenshot's dated 3/14/99.

The GPS changes in this firmware are causing this. Once you reacquire a 3-D Fix, turn the device Off, then back on. You will then see your standard WAAS satellite.

Also, the Release version of 2.5 will fix the Midnight issue. The device is supposed to default to your current color scheme when you start up with no fix. Once you acquire a 3-D fix, it will then switch to Midnight if appropriate.

[foxtrot_xray]

The GPS changes in this firmware are causing this. Once you reacquire a 3-D Fix, turn the device Off, then back on. You will then see your standard WAAS satellite.

Yeah, it corrected itself. It gave some VERY odd screen painting when it switched over, however.

Two issues I've had:
Taking the device inside, it was sitting out for about 5 minutes (checking for WAAS). On the satellite screen, I hit "Menu" then "Enter" to disable the GPS. The unit locked up. Hard. Had to remove batteries to regain control. During the time it was on it went from having a blank memory (just upgraded, with the midnight scheme, date & time etc) to getting a fix and sitting for a period of time. Only happened once. Will try again in a bit.

Second, a screen draw issue:
1. Enter the "Device Setup" -> "System".
2. Go into "Memory Use"
3. Go into "manage Memory"
4. Select "Delete All Routes" and "Delete All Tracks" (may work with others, I only tried these.)
5. Select "Delete Now".
6. Select "Yes"
7. Hit "QUIT".
The device will show the time in the upper-right corner like you're on the satellite page, but show your memory information screen. If you wait a handful of seconds, the screen will finally correct itself. I can make this happen about 50% of the time.

Oh, and on the memory use screen, in Midnight mode, the data table at the bottom is VERY hard to read. (White on light grey?)

I'll post screenshots in a quick bit.

Great job, tho! Acquisition of signal was darn tootin' fast!

[Edit: Added screenshots.]

[Vic L]

Thanks guys and gals. I am proud to be a customer of Delorme. Thanks for doing business the way all companies should. I know we don't always make it easy for you.

vl

[cervri]

Field notes only on caches brought in by "send to gps"???????????What? Good job anyway, will play with it some more tomorrow when I get the time.
Thanks again.

[bpcooper14]

Downloaded and updated. No problems. Took outside, acquired fix, now just to find time to play with the new features. Thanks!!!!!!

[vertigo235]

Field notes only on caches brought in by "send to gps"???????????What? Good job anyway, will play with it some more tomorrow when I get the time.
Thanks again.

I'm sure cache register will rectify this.

[Jim Williamson]

Fifteen minutes after installation and reboot, I got one blue bar (in addition to the WAAS bar). Estimated accuracy is +/- 9 feet. That is a definite improvement, at least statistically. Previous accuracy in the real-world has been more than adequate. Of course, it is nice to finally see some WAAS if for no other reason than eliminating the "shame factor" when showing off my PN-40 to caching buddies.

My response typcially goes like this:

" Yeah, yeah ... I know it doesn't say 'WAAS' but they're working' on it. And, yeah ... I know it says '20+ accuracy' but they're real conservative. Hey, I found the cache with it didn't I?!!!"

[dakboy]

Field notes only on caches brought in by "send to gps"???????????What?

Cache Register too, I'll bet, once it's released.

Caches loaded into the unit from Topo7 are, from what I've gathered, more like POI and not so much "geocaches" with geocache-specific data & code behind them.

[foxtrot_xray]

Fifteen minutes after installation and reboot, I got one blue bar (in addition to the WAAS bar). Estimated accuracy is +/- 9 feet. That is a definite improvement, at least statistically. Previous accuracy in the real-world has been more than adequate. Of course, it is nice to finally see some WAAS if for no other reason than eliminating the "shame factor" when showing off my PN-40 to caching buddies.

Same here. My posted tests never got the blue bar and stayed above 15ft. I'm at 8ft now, it'd getting a signal (hasn't applied corrections yet). Much better than before.

[envirogeo]

Just wondering...Does the WAAS fix require more power from the batteries?

[Joshish]

Wow, the screen shots sound is much different, I wouldn't recommend pressing the power button while walking by other people, they might get the wrong idea