Troubleshooting

Common Issues

USB Connection Failure PN-Series GPS Will Not Power On Satellite Fix Compass Calibration Route Calculation Errors Clear Corrupted Data Files Perform System Test Debug Battery Debug Barometer

USB Connection Failure

Error Connecting the Earthmate PN-Series GPS

You may receive an error of "USB Device Not Recognized" or the PN-Series GPS is not detected by Windows when connected to a PC. This issue is commonly caused by dirty contacts on the PN-Series GPS. Follow the instructions below to resolve the issue:   Turn off the PN-Series GPS. Remove the battery or batteries from the device. Clean the eight contacts with an eraser. Wipe contacts with a soft tissue. Replace battery or batteries. Test the connection.

PN-Series GPS Will Not Power On

In some cases a PN-Series device may not power on. Please try the resolutions below to hopefully correct the issue.

Soft reset of the PN-Series GPS   Unplug the PN-Series GPS and remove any batteries. Hold down the PAGE, MENU, ENTER and Mark buttons simultaneously (all at once) for five seconds. Place fresh batteries in the PN-Series GPS. Power the PN-Series GPS on.

Deplete the capacitor   Unplug the PN-Series GPS and remove any batteries. Hold down the Power button for 90 seconds. Place fresh batteries in the PN-Series GPS. Power on the PN-Series GPS.

Timed power drain on the GPS   Unplug the PN-Series GPS and remove any batteries. Leave the device un-powered for 8-12 hours. Place fresh batteries in the PN-Series GPS. Power on the PN-Series GPS.

Satellite Fix

Trouble acquiring a satellite fix or the device resets while viewing the satellite page

Turn the Earthmate PN-Series GPS off. Hold down the PAGE, MENU and Power buttons. Once you see the dark blue Warning screen, release the Power, PAGE and MENU buttons. Press ENTER to Continue. Scroll to System and press ENTER. Scroll to NVM reset and press ENTER. Scroll to Yes and press ENTER. Note: If using a PN-60 or PN-60w, press ENTER when 'Operation Successfully Completed' appears. Press the QUIT button. Scroll to Reboot and press ENTER. Give the device a full ten minutes to download the latest satellite constellation information and to acquire a 3D fix.

Compass Calibration

Troubleshooting poor or incorrect electronic compass readings

Only the Earthmate GPS PN-40, PN-60, and PN-60w devices have an electronic compass. PN-20 and PN-30 devices will not have the ability to debug a compass.   Turn the Earthmate PN-Series GPS off. Hold down the PAGE, MENU and Power buttons. Once you see the dark blue Warning screen, release the Power, PAGE and MENU buttons. Press ENTER to Continue. Scroll to Test and press ENTER. Scroll to Debug Compass and press ENTER. Set the device on a level, non-magnetic surface and press ENTER. After 10 seconds, press the MENU button. After 10 seconds, press the PAGE button. After 10 seconds, press the QUIT button twice. Scroll to Reboot and press ENTER. Calibrate the electronic compass and test the unit.

Route Calculation Errors

Trouble with Route Calculation Errors

Reset Memory   Performing this reset with a PN-20 or PN-30/PN-40 with the 2.6 firmware will delete all tracks, routes, geocaches, and waypoints on the device. Performing this reset with a PN-30/PN-40 with the 2.9 firmware or a PN-60 or PN-60w will delete the active track and all routes on the device. Back up any of this data you are interested in saving!   Turn the Earthmate PN-Series GPS off. Hold down the PAGE, MENU and Power buttons. Once you see the dark blue Warning screen, release the Power, PAGE and MENU buttons. Press ENTER to Continue. Scroll to Media and press ENTER. Scroll to Internal 1(user data) and press ENTER. Scroll to Format and press ENTER. Scroll to Yes and press ENTER. Note: If using a PN-60 or PN-60w, press ENTER when 'Operation Successfully Completed' appears. Press the QUIT button twice. Scroll to Reboot and press ENTER.

Reformat Memory   If the GPS has an issue unresolved by the steps above with the latest firmware already installed, a reformat of the device may correct the issue. Performing this reset will delete all data and maps installed to the internal memory of the device. Back up any of this data you are interested in saving!   Turn the Earthmate PN-Series GPS off. Hold down the PAGE, MENU and Power buttons. Once you see the dark blue Warning screen, release the Power, PAGE and MENU buttons. Press ENTER to Continue. Scroll to Media and press ENTER. Scroll to Low-level Internal Reformat... and press ENTER. Scroll to Yes and press ENTER. Note: If using a PN-60 or PN-60w, press ENTER when 'Operation Successfully Completed' appears. Press the QUIT button. Scroll to Reboot and press ENTER. Install the latest firmware version from the following links:   PN-20 PN-30 / PN-40 / PN-40SE with Topo 7 or Topo 8 PN-30 / PN-40 / PN-40SE with Topo 9 or Topo 10 PN-60 / PN-60w / PN-60wSE

Clear Corrupted Data Files

Errors transferring waypoints, tracks, or geocaches to or from an Earthmate PN-Series GPS

Delete All Tracks   Performing this reset will delete all tracks loaded on the device. Back up any of this data you are interested in saving!   Turn the Earthmate PN-Series GPS off. Hold down the PAGE, MENU and Power buttons. Once you see the dark blue Warning screen, release the Power, PAGE and MENU buttons. Press ENTER to Continue. Scroll to System and press ENTER. Scroll to Delete all Track files and press ENTER. Scroll to Yes and press ENTER. Note: If using a PN-60 or PN-60w, press ENTER when 'Operation Successfully Completed' appears. Press the QUIT button twice. Scroll to Reboot and press ENTER.

Delete All Waypoints   Performing this reset will delete all waypoints and geocaches loaded on the device. Back up any of this data you are interested in saving!   Turn the Earthmate PN-Series GPS off. Hold down the PAGE, MENU and Power buttons. Once you see the dark blue Warning screen, release the Power, PAGE and MENU buttons. Press ENTER to Continue. Scroll to System and press ENTER. Scroll to Delete all Waypoint files and press ENTER. Scroll to Yes and press ENTER. Note: If using a PN-60 or PN-60w, press ENTER when 'Operation Successfully Completed' appears. Press the QUIT button twice. Scroll to Reboot and press ENTER.

Delete All Routes   Performing this reset will delete all routes loaded on the device. Back up any of this data you are interested in saving!   Turn the Earthmate PN-Series GPS off. Hold down the PAGE, MENU and Power buttons. Once you see the dark blue Warning screen, release the Power, PAGE and MENU buttons. Press ENTER to Continue. Scroll to System and press ENTER. Scroll to Delete all Route files and press ENTER. Scroll to Yes and press ENTER. Note: If using a PN-60 or PN-60w, press ENTER when 'Operation Successfully Completed' appears. Press the QUIT button twice. Scroll to Reboot and press ENTER.

System Test

Test device buttons, sounds, display colors, backlight, USB port, SD card, and internal memory

Turn the Earthmate PN-Series GPS off. Hold down the PAGE, MENU and Power buttons. Once you see the dark blue Warning screen, release the Power, PAGE and MENU buttons. Press ENTER to Continue. Scroll to Test and press ENTER. Scroll to Run System Test and press ENTER. Press each button to verify response. Press ENTER to verify each display test in sequence Press ENTER to exit test. View Test Results. Press the QUIT button. Scroll to Reboot and press ENTER.

Debug Battery

Monitor device power source status and voltage levels

Turn the Earthmate PN-Series GPS off. Hold down the PAGE, MENU and Power buttons. Once you see the dark blue Warning screen, release the Power, PAGE and MENU buttons. Press ENTER to Continue. Scroll to Test and press ENTER. Scroll to Debug Battery and press ENTER. When Power Source indicates Battery: View Battery and Internal voltage values. When Power Source indicates External: View External and Internal voltage values. Press the QUIT button twice. Scroll to Reboot and press ENTER.

Debug Barometer

View raw data from barometric pressure sensor

Turn the Earthmate PN-Series GPS off. Hold down the PAGE, MENU and Power buttons. Once you see the dark blue Warning screen, release the Power, PAGE and MENU buttons. Press ENTER to Continue. Scroll to Test and press ENTER. Scroll to Debug Barometer and press ENTER. View current values in: Feet Meters Temperature °C Temperature °F Pressure inHg mmHg PSI Atmospheres Press the QUIT button twice. Scroll to Reboot and press ENTER.