Jennifer

I love Flickr. It's great for organizing your photos, putting them in various sets or collections and even geotagging them onto a map (very easy). Here's my site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadtripmemories/

Welcome aboard!!! Glad to have you with us!

Connecticut abolished all of the toll plazas in the state due to several accidents on the CT turnpike...

The Merritt Parkway is actually a very nice drive. I would take it all the time to go into New York City. I used to live in Connecticut, so many weekends I'd make the 1-1/2 drive down to Manhattan. But when there's commuter traffic, it can be a nightmare!!

I just ordered XMap Pro for $99...since you are a registered user of a PN device, you would be able to get it for that cost as well. That's the program that would allow you to import old maps, and transfer them to your PN-20. As you said, I think power might be the biggest difference between the old and new units. All of the VERY COOL firmware enhancements they are going to come out with for geocaching (I don't remember if you do?) are also applicable to the PN-20. I really am pleased with this device. I also sold my Garmin eTrex, so I'm recouping some there; and getting that $50 credit when the price dropped solidified the justification. It really is a useful tool to have on trips!

Hey Dave, I'm sorry, I probably did miss the earlier question...my apologies! I was in the market for 1 GPS that would replace 2...my Palm / DeLorme BT-20 combination and a Garmin eTrex. The Palm had the street maps, but was slow and cumbersome (and didn't allow me to *actually* use my Palm for anything else! The Garmin was good for geocaching, but no street maps. The Palm had zero ability to find POI's and route to them, so the PN-40 will do that, as well as track my trips so I can geotag my photos (big bonus points for this too!). There is a model of the PN-40 called the SE (Special Edition) that has 8 GB internal memory (7.5 GB user-accessible), but also uses an optional SD card, and it can use up to a 32GB SDHC. I bought the regular version, the only difference being 1 GB internal storage. Most of the folks on the DeLorme forums said that even though maps on internal storage is faster, it is not so much so that the regular model is really lesser. It seemed that those who sprang for the additional internal storage just wanted the best money could buy and no problem forking it over. From what I read, the regular PN-40, reading maps from the SD card, is faster at redraws than the PN-40, and there is no noticeable issue reading from the SD card. I have a 16 GB card loaded with the pre-cut maps for AL, AR, GA, IL, MO, KS, TX, IN, OK, OH, TN, KY, totaling 4.7 GB. I still have plenty of room to load more maps, and I could always get another one (I can't imagine when someone would need to have entire US on one card all at the same time), or else I can get a 32 GB card. It's still cheap compared to an extra hundred for the 8GB internal storage. I do have an external power cord - I bought the optional travel kit, which has a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that can plugged in to the cigarette lighter for power, and the screen will remain bright and very visible at night. For battery consumption, my understanding is that the rechargeable lasts 3 hours longer when it is charged using the external charger as opposed to charging in the device. People testing on the DeLorme forums reported 8 hours of power vs. 11 hours. Also, I bought new NiMH rechargables by eneloop. I read on the DeLorme forum that they don't self-discharge, or at least not nearly as fast as normal NiMH batteries. I bought it at J & R for $339, but I got a $50 credit when they dropped the price, so it was $289. The price seems to be fluctuating back and forth between $275 and $339.

The quick overlay that the two folks did on the DeLorme forum was impressive...it will be even more so when the maps are manipulated to further enhance the accuracy. I am not aware of any other GPS units that have the data layering capabilities of the DeLorme units, but I know very little (read: nothing) about any other models. I do know that many other GPS models don't even provide maps (other than a base map) and that you have to buy them separately. DeLorme's Earthmate includes their Topo 7 map program, as well as the data on DVDs for easy transfer to the GPS. It was very easy to get up and running with detailed maps in no time. I might add the XMap program to my arsenal to see how the georegistering of old maps works. Fascinating possibilities for old road junkies!

Hi Denny, of everything you indicated, the lack of voice prompts is probably the only downside - the PN-40 does everything else. While it doesn't provide voice prompts, it does provide audible signals at .25 mile prior to a turn, and continues as the turn is approached. A quick glance to see what that direction is, is usually all that's needed. The XMap cost of $99 is valid, that is the cost for anyone who owns a PN-20 or PN-40.

I don't think I have mentioned my new acquisition yet, a DeLorme PN-40 Earthmate GPS. I know Denny is aware of it - since he also accesses the DeLorme forum, and noticed my posts there, inquiring about the latest device in their product line and if it could fulfill all of my needs in a GPS device. I was assured that it could, and taking a leap of faith, bought one. It not only met, but EXCEEDED my expectations by leaps and bounds! I could go on about it, but I'll spare everyone the details, though feel free to ask any questions. It does everything I want - direct routing for geoaching (which, the device is scheduled for a cool firmware update which will totally enhance the geocaching experience!)...road routing, quick finding and routing to POI's, the ability to save tracks so that I can geotag my photos. But what I thought was interesting about this device is the data management aspect. Using the included Topo 7 software (and an optional, affordable subscription map service from DeLorme), the device can layer various levels of data, which can be easily turned on / off: topo and street maps and all types of aerial and satellite imagery. Another very interesting feature that I figured most folks on this forum could appreciate is that with an optional program DeLorme has called XMap, any paper maps can be scanned, imported, and "georeferenced" to match up with current data. With old maps not necessarily being "accurate" some manipulation of the maps may be required, by stretching or warping the digital image until it lines up with the correct data. Once the georeferencing has been done, the current street data is overlaid onto the old map and can be transferred to the GPS. Then, you can head out, hit the road and follow along that old auto trail or obscure alignment of US Highway, on the GPS. It seems like a fun way to trace those old roads with old maps - but yet - also employing modern technology. For a sneak peek, follow this link. Someone there kindly took an auto trails map of Indiana which I posted and threw it into XMap with no manipulation. Just that result was pretty good. Certainly not DOB accurate, but a good start. The map, incidentally, was one Pat and I used when we collaborated with Thomas Repp on tracing the Ben Hur Route last year. DeLorme Forum Post: Old Maps on GPS

I have days 1 & 2 of our Thanksgiving trip on Route 66 posted on my blog. From there, you can click on a link to all of the photos from my Flickr site (listed at the bottom of each posting). Days 3 & 4 are forthcoming! http://roadtripmemories.wordpress.com/

I received Topo 7 with my new DeLorme PN-40 and as far as its routing capability, it can do road routes or direct routes. For "street routing" functionality, I have seen very little difference between Topo 7 and Street Atlas, but then, I'm hardly a power user!

Pat and I met up with Denny and Road Dog yesterday in Cincinnati for some good food, conversation, art deco architecture and - utter "roadie heaven" - the American Sign Museum. Details of the day from my perspective are here at my website / blog: Road Trip Memories There are also links to my Flickr site for all of my photos from yesterday; at least all the ones I have up so far...

Pat and I had been meaning to make a trip down there to take photos of locations where they had filmed the movie "Some Came Running" with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin...hmmmm...and a Hinkle Burger to boot! There's also Mundt's Confectionery with a great soda fountain and the Madison Fudge Factory, that has the best fudge! Who's up for this weekend?? :D

When I visit the forum, I click on the link at the top that says "View New Posts." That should show you a list of all new posts which have been made since your last visit. I find this helpful, because you can see all the threads with new posts. Pat also said that when you are on the main forum page, that any subforums with new posts will display a dark blue "IPB" logo on the left.

That's a great story! Did you get glasses or contacts after that??

Of course, there's no denying or hiding the current economic situation. However, despite this downturn, many people will need to do something fun. Even if you don't go far, the magazine has tons of great ideas for local getaways, shopping, dining, etc. I'm sure most people can find new things to do and see right in their own state or neighboring ones. The tourism / convention / visitors bureaus are a wealth of information and very helpful (see any issue of AR and start contacting them - you can even do so right from the AR website: American Road Advertiser Request Card. And actually, in economic down times, there can be an advantage to traveling...gas may not change, but there are often deals to be had out there!! In an effort to encourage business, you can often find specials, discounts, incentives, sales...making it very affordable to travel. Also, while there are times that flying has its place, despite gas prices, a road trip can be quite affordable. After all, the airlines are feeling the bite and they want to make a profit, so they're raising all kinds of fees. Especially for a family, who have to pay not only the airfare, but additional taxes, security fees, extra baggage charges, and every other charge that the airlines are now nickel and dime-ing passengers. But with a road trip, you're paying for the gas and motel/hotel (again - you can get some great hotel bargains...) and not alot of added on fees. You can see lots of cool things along the way and be in control of your trip. I think "one tank" getaways are the way to go - be a tourist in your hometown or state and still discover new things! Look no further than AR or the forum for ideas!

Pat and I went to one in Park Rapids, Minnesota back in June:

I read this story this morning and thought everyone here might be interested. South Dakota is considering a tax based upon the amount of mileage you drive on their roads. A device would be installed in vehicles to track usage. Discuss! READ THE ARTICLE HERE: South Dakota Considers Charging Drivers on How Much they Drive

Somewhere, something along the line is getting messed up. There is a setting in the HH version, in the GPS dialog, regarding a time zone offset. The weird thing is, when I travel, the tracks seem OK on the Palm. If we leave at 8, the track starts at 8. But then, on the computer, the same track says 3 or 4 AM. It's weird. I'll have to do a local test and try it out and see if I can fix it. Interestingly, we have a laptop now and it's possible to hook it up by USB, but I don't see myself doing that very often. I might, in a pinch, do a route, or find something using the laptop. Routing on SAHH on a Palm is torture. It takes forever. Search is a little more merciful.

I am currently having geotagging woes. My DeLorme HH software runs on my Palm TX and tracks using the BT-20 GPS. It tracks perfectly and the timing is right - on the Palm. When I transfer the logs back to the computer, the timing is totally thrown off. In wwmx, I can offset the time stamp on all my photos, but the only way to get the time right is to compare the track on the Palm to the one on the computer. It's not impossible, just cumbersome. I need to sit down once and document the process, since I tend to forget it if I haven't done it in a while. The process would be easier if the time on the track wouldn't get messed up on the computer. Unfortunately, I have no idea where to look for support on that issue.

My coworker said the same thing, she didn't feel anything, but woke up at that exact time. We woke up when we heard the bedroom door rattling loudly like someone was shaking it. In a matter of seconds, our thoughts went from assuming it was the cat (who has rattled the door that way when she wants to come in) to realizing that she is locked in a room and couldn't be doing that (bladder / behavioral issues...different story!), to then thinking it was an intruder trying to get into the bedroom. Until Pat turned on the radio and heard the news a minute later, I assumed it was a plane. They sometimes get loud and have rumbled the house - we don't live too far from the airport. Several of my coworkers felt aftershocks about 11:15 this morning, I didn't though. Weird!

Hi Fran, Excellent to hear from you and even more so with GREAT news! :D Hope to see you on the road real soon!!

Maybe...it could sit for a while or it could get picked up in a week...who knows! Keep an eye on it and if you're ever through Odell, feel free to pick it up!

A quick update... My travel bug made its way from Speedway to Crown Point, Indiana. It sat for a couple of months with one person, now another picked it up last month and took it to Chicago and logged it in several caches between Chicago and Odell and took photos too. http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.as...72-060771162807 If that doesn't work: http://tinyurl.com/2ljtmz Jennifer

I love that bridge as well. I just drove it (virtually) to get to Maggie Moo's for a virtual hot fudge sundae! My daughter had a brief stint of employment there. I am actually enjoying <insert shameless plug for Becky here> a hot cup of AMERICAN ROAD's turtle sundae coffee...mmmm!!