PIREP: AirMap 1000 (Long)

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

As mentioned in an earlier thread, I would provide a PIREP with my
initial thought on my new addition.

1- "Wow, that is a big box." The company I purchased the unit from
packaged it exceptionally well. The box was larger than I was
expecting. This was due to the peanuts in the box.

2 - "What is that rattling sound?" After opening the box (from
Lowrance) I was a little disappointed in the packing job they did.
Four batteries just floating around in the box. The GPS unit had
fallen from the cardboard holder down inside the box and was just
floating around in there.

3 - "Geez, what is all that stuff?" I removed the GPS from the box
and kept pulling item after item out of the box. The unit comes
complete with an active remote antenna that has 2 different ways to
mount it! A suction cup mount and a magnetic mount. What a surprize!

4 - "Ah, just as I had been told." The unit include a Yoke mount and
a suction cup mount. That is pretty cool since I do not know which I
will use at this time. The suction cup has some serious power. I
clamped it only my bathroom tile countertop and thought it was stuck
forever! It took me several minutes to remove this thing from the
counter. When it finally came off my fingers were hurting... Geesh,
do not need to worry about that thing popping off due to hard
landing... that is for sure. Note to self, bring a screwdriver to pry
the suction cup off if necessary.

5 - "Let's power this baby up!" Upon initial power up I could not get
the unit to acquire a sat. Took it outside on the porch, and still
only got 2 sats. "Dang, this sucks!" I opened the external antenna
and plugged it in... Got 8 sats now. Only have 46 ft of error, not
bad.

6 - "What is that CD in the box?" The unit came with a custom map
generating program called Map Create 6. I loaded it up and messsed
with the software, it is what I would call not very user friendly. Of
course I am typical guy, don't look at the manual until I get
frustrated. Managed to wiggle my way through the software enough to
generate a map. Cool... now I can just put it on an SD card and pop
it in the GPS!

7 - "What?!? I can't write to the included SD chip!" I powered the
GPS down and removed the included SD Card, which is only 32MB and much
to small to include the obstruction database as well as a customer
map. Should include a 128MB at minimum to be at least a tiny bit
useful. I plugged the SD writer (also included in the box with the
airmap 1000) into MY PC and tried to write my newly generate are
detail map to the SD chip. It did not show up?!?! "Hmmm that is
interesting." Upon further investigation, I find that the included SD
chip is permanently write protected. Still do not know why, but so be
it... What was more odd is the Map generation program acted as if it
had written the data to the SD chip... No indication that the write
had failed. On top of that, the software requires that you "register"
the SD chip to the software. Well I just wasted one registration on a
chip which can not be used. What a load of horse crap.

8 - "Fine, I will use my Mega SD chip" I pull out my 1GB SD chip and
then read the instructions. I mean afterall, I only have 4
registrations left for SD chips. Good thing I did.... 256MB is the
maximum size the AirMap 1000 has been tested with. So... I do nto
have any other chips I can use at this time... They are all used for
cameras, MP3 players etc.... so exploring detailed maps will have to
wait.

9 - "A hard cover and a fake velvet carrying case too." The unit
comes with a hard cover to protect the screen. It just snaps in place
and does NOT rattle around at all. Very cool. It also comes with a
little velvet holder with drawstring to put the unit in to protect it.
Kinda neat, but no place to carry the external antenna, cigarette
lighter power adapter, yoke mount or suction cup mount. Kinda bummed
about that. My flight bag can not handle any more stuff. Would have
been nice if this had a molded case of some type. Maybe I will see if
I can find one somewhere.

10 - "Dang its raining!" Well at least I got the unit and had a chance
to play around with it. Too bad the weather is not good today, maybe
tomorrow I can hit the air and see how well it does without an
external antenna while in the air.

11- "Good deal for the price!" I got the whole thing, brand new,
shipped on Thursday, arrived today (only 2 days!) from across the
country for a really good price. Just over $400 shipping included.
Patience paid off for me in this instance.

That is all my rambling for now. If you have any specific questions I
might be able to answer, fire away!

Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Bob Fry]

Mike 'Flyin'8' > writes:

> A suction cup mount and a magnetic mount. What a surprize!

What a surprise when the airplane's mag compass becomes whack. The
magnetic mount is of dubious value, eh?

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

Ah geesh.... Did not really even think of that problem.. And my
spelling of surprise. Yikes...



On 19 Mar 2005 19:50:33 -0800, Bob Fry
> wrote:

>Mike 'Flyin'8' > writes:
>
>> A suction cup mount and a magnetic mount. What a surprize!
>
>What a surprise when the airplane's mag compass becomes whack. The
>magnetic mount is of dubious value, eh?


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[kage]

"Mike 'Flyin'8'" > wrote in message
...
> As mentioned in an earlier thread, I would provide a PIREP with my


Where did you purchase it?

KG

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

http://www.airplanegear.com

Had a very good dealing with them and they will be the first place I
try when aviation equipment is needed in the future.

On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 20:10:41 -0800, "kage" >
wrote:

>
>"Mike 'Flyin'8'" > wrote in message
...
>> As mentioned in an earlier thread, I would provide a PIREP with my
>
>
>Where did you purchase it?
>
>KG
>


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[mark]

How do you do database updates? how much are they?

I'm looking for something to replace my anywheremap :)

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

$35 a monthm or $299 a year. You can just update the database as you
feel it is needed. I will likely only update annually, or prior to a
long XC trip, whichever comes first.

On 19 Mar 2005 20:45:27 -0800, "mark" > wrote:

>How do you do database updates? how much are they?
>
>I'm looking for something to replace my anywheremap :)


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

Ah.. almost forgot the first part of your question....

You can Downlaod the file and put it on a SD card, or you can just buy
it online and they will send you the SD card. You just return the out
of date SD card....

On 19 Mar 2005 20:45:27 -0800, "mark" > wrote:

>How do you do database updates? how much are they?
>
>I'm looking for something to replace my anywheremap :)


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[mark]

How does that work with the locked MMC card? Or is their software able
to write to it?

[mark]

also, does it have approaches, or just the extended runway centerlines?

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

I think there is approach stuff on there... not messed around with
that yet... It does have extended centerlines....

On 19 Mar 2005 21:04:49 -0800, "mark" > wrote:

>also, does it have approaches, or just the extended runway centerlines?


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

There is software AND a special hardware MMC card writer which comes
with the unit. You have to unlock the database with the software and
write the data to the SD card with the provided MMC writer.

On 19 Mar 2005 21:04:14 -0800, "mark" > wrote:

>How does that work with the locked MMC card? Or is their software able
>to write to it?


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Martin Hotze]

On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 21:01:36 -0800, Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:

>$35 a monthm or $299 a year. You can just update the database as you
>feel it is needed. I will likely only update annually, or prior to a
>long XC trip, whichever comes first.

you paid $400 for the whole thing (with a current database, I guess) and
they take $35x12=$420 or $299 for updates?

are these typical prices?

#m
--
It's not like I'm a terrorist or a hair dresser or anything.
http://www.ensight.org/archives/2005/03/16/issues-with-immigration/trackback/

[Blueskies]

"Martin Hotze" > wrote in message ...
> On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 21:01:36 -0800, Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:
>
>>$35 a monthm or $299 a year. You can just update the database as you
>>feel it is needed. I will likely only update annually, or prior to a
>>long XC trip, whichever comes first.
>
> you paid $400 for the whole thing (with a current database, I guess) and
> they take $35x12=$420 or $299 for updates?
>
> are these typical prices?
>
> #m
> --
> It's not like I'm a terrorist or a hair dresser or anything.
> http://www.ensight.org/archives/2005/03/16/issues-with-immigration/trackback/

Kind of like buying a printer these days!

[Martin Hotze]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 11:54:48 GMT, Blueskies wrote:

>Kind of like buying a printer these days!
>

in new printers the first set of ink is usually only half full.

#m

--
It's not like I'm a terrorist or a hair dresser or anything.
http://www.ensight.org/archives/2005/03/16/issues-with-immigration/trackback/

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

You misread....

If you wish to reamin current on a monthly basis, you pay the $299.
Me, I could not really care about that. I will just pay the $35 when
I feel it is necessary.

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 11:38:00 GMT, Martin Hotze >
wrote:

>On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 21:01:36 -0800, Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:
>
>>$35 a monthm or $299 a year. You can just update the database as you
>>feel it is needed. I will likely only update annually, or prior to a
>>long XC trip, whichever comes first.
>
>you paid $400 for the whole thing (with a current database, I guess) and
>they take $35x12=$420 or $299 for updates?
>
>are these typical prices?
>
>#m


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Peter Duniho]

"Martin Hotze" > wrote in message
...
> in new printers the first set of ink is usually only half full.

Yeah, right.

Where DO you come up with this crap?

[Martin Hotze]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 10:30:19 -0800, Peter Duniho wrote:

>> in new printers the first set of ink is usually only half full.
>
>Yeah, right.
>
>Where DO you come up with this crap?

hm, first hand experience? and: this is a known fact, nothing new.
don't say that this is news to you. *doh*

<http://www.google.com/search?q=new+printer+ink+half+full>

#m
--
It's not like I'm a terrorist or a hair dresser or anything.
http://www.ensight.org/archives/2005/03/16/issues-with-immigration/trackback/

[Montblack]

("Peter Duniho")
>>"Martin Hotze" wrote in message
>> in new printers the first set of ink is usually only half full.

> Yeah, right.
>
> Where DO you come up with this crap?


Office Max clerk can confirm this for you Peter. First set of ink in Canon
printers is half ...empty.


Montblack

[RST Engineering]

Just unpacked my brand new Samsung laser...note on the cartridge is that has
half the expected life of a full cartridge.

Jim



"Peter Duniho" > wrote in message
...
> "Martin Hotze" > wrote in message
> ...
>> in new printers the first set of ink is usually only half full.
>
> Yeah, right.
>
> Where DO you come up with this crap?
>

[Aardvark]

RST Engineering wrote:
> Just unpacked my brand new Samsung laser...note on the cartridge is that has
> half the expected life of a full cartridge.
>
> Jim
>
>

Darn you can only shine it at 1/2 as many planes.... oh , never mind.

[jsmith]

Martin,
- how many miles/kilometers do you get on the set of tires that come on
a new car?
- how long does the original battery in your new car last?
Dud! The manufacturers put the cheapest/lowest cost "consumable" item as
original equipment.

Martin Hotze wrote:
> On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 10:30:19 -0800, Peter Duniho wrote:
>>>in new printers the first set of ink is usually only half full.

>> Martin Hotze wrote:
>>Yeah, right.
>>Where DO you come up with this crap?

[Peter Duniho]

...> Just unpacked my brand new
Samsung laser...note on the cartridge is that has
> half the expected life of a full cartridge.

Laser printers don't use ink, and it's true they commonly come with toner
cartridges that have less capacity than one can buy standalone. That
doesn't mean that the "first set of ink is half full".

[Peter Duniho]

"Martin Hotze" > wrote in message
...
> hm, first hand experience? and: this is a known fact, nothing new.
> don't say that this is news to you. *doh*

I doubt you have purchased enough printers in your lifetime to be able to
state what "usually" happens from personal experience.

In MY personal experience, printers come with brand new ink cartridges,
still in their shrink wrap. They are the same cartridges you buy in the
stores when you get refills, and they last just as long.

> <http://www.google.com/search?q=new+printer+ink+half+full>

I know how to use Google. What in those results verifies your claim? I see
mostly companies selling third-party ink making unverified accusations, and
nothing supporting your claim.

How about you post links to all the printer manufacturers who document that
they sell printers with ink cartridges that are only half full? Offering up
a needle in a haystack proves nothing, other than your own laziness when
your bluff is called.

Pete

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

>7 - "What?!? I can't write to the included SD chip!" I powered the
>GPS down and removed the included SD Card, which is only 32MB and much
>to small to include the obstruction database as well as a customer
>map. Should include a 128MB at minimum to be at least a tiny bit
>useful. I plugged the SD writer (also included in the box with the
>airmap 1000) into MY PC and tried to write my newly generate are
>detail map to the SD chip. It did not show up?!?! "Hmmm that is
>interesting." Upon further investigation, I find that the included SD
>chip is permanently write protected. Still do not know why, but so be
>it... What was more odd is the Map generation program acted as if it
>had written the data to the SD chip... No indication that the write
>had failed. On top of that, the software requires that you "register"
>the SD chip to the software. Well I just wasted one registration on a
>chip which can not be used. What a load of horse crap.

Correction here.... the SD Chip writer needed a firmware upgrade...
Once I upgraded the firmware, the chip was writable... What can one
really write to a 32MB chip which already has 14MB used up. That
limits me to 28MB.... That is not a lot of room to put the detail maps
for my area on..... That is the bad thing about So Cal.... too much
data for a GPS chip... :-)


>8 - "Fine, I will use my Mega SD chip" I pull out my 1GB SD chip and
>then read the instructions. I mean afterall, I only have 4
>registrations left for SD chips. Good thing I did.... 256MB is the
>maximum size the AirMap 1000 has been tested with. So... I do not
>have any other chips I can use at this time... They are all used for
>cameras, MP3 players etc.... so exploring detailed maps will have to
>wait.



Ok... a little update on the SD Chip thing, and some questions for
those that just might know...

I went and purchased a 256MB chip for this AirMap 1000. I thought this
might just slove my problem.... Here is the deal.... Apparently the
Aviation Database provided is locked to a particular SD Chip and you
can not copy the Aviation Database to the larger chip. It seems the
only way around this is to purchase an update from Lowrance and write
the database file to the new 256MB chip... Seems like a load of crap
to me.... Whatever... So I am either limited to the 32MB chip, which I
did figure out how to write to the SD card, or I can pay the $35 to
get the latest Database and write it to my new SD card.

Grrrr.... This flying habit is getting more expensive every day....

Anyone know a way to copy the database file from the 32MB chip to my
new 256MB chip without buying the update from Lowrance?

Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

No thread hi-jacking :-)

True though... I bought a new laser printer and 2 months later the
toner was empty... I decided to read the manual and what!!!!!! only
good for 100 pages on the provided toner.... Of course a toner
cartridge costs about half the price of my printer... Tight wads...



On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 11:54:48 GMT, "Blueskies"
> wrote:

>
>"Martin Hotze" > wrote in message ...
>> On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 21:01:36 -0800, Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:
>>
>>>$35 a monthm or $299 a year. You can just update the database as you
>>>feel it is needed. I will likely only update annually, or prior to a
>>>long XC trip, whichever comes first.
>>
>> you paid $400 for the whole thing (with a current database, I guess) and
>> they take $35x12=$420 or $299 for updates?
>>
>> are these typical prices?
>>
>> #m
>> --
>> It's not like I'm a terrorist or a hair dresser or anything.
>> http://www.ensight.org/archives/2005/03/16/issues-with-immigration/trackback/
>
>Kind of like buying a printer these days!
>


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 17:05:39 -0800, Mike 'Flyin'8'
> wrote:

>B chip which already has 14MB used up. That
>limits me to 28MB.... Th

Make that 18 MB.... Geesh.... I R Engineer......


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Robert A. Barker]

"Peter Duniho" > wrote in message
...
> "Martin Hotze" > wrote in message
> ...
>> hm, first hand experience? and: this is a known fact, nothing new.
>> don't say that this is news to you. *doh*
>
> I doubt you have purchased enough printers in your lifetime to be able to
> state what "usually" happens from personal experience.
>
> In MY personal experience, printers come with brand new ink cartridges,
> still in their shrink wrap. They are the same cartridges you buy in the
> stores when you get refills, and they last just as long.
>
>> <http://www.google.com/search?q=new+printer+ink+half+full>
>
> I know how to use Google. What in those results verifies your claim? I
> see mostly companies selling third-party ink making unverified
> accusations, and nothing supporting your claim.
>
> How about you post links to all the printer manufacturers who document
> that they sell printers with ink cartridges that are only half full?
> Offering up a needle in a haystack proves nothing, other than your own
> laziness when your bluff is called.
>
> Pete
> My HP printer came with half filled ink and so stated.
Don't know about the rest of the brands.

Bob Barker N8749S

[mark]

Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:

> Anyone know a way to copy the database file from the 32MB chip to my
> new 256MB chip without buying the update from Lowrance?


There isn;t. Its tied to the serial number of the SD.. I did some
digging on that..

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

Well now isn't that special.... So I am forced to buy the updated
database so I can have it on my larger chip?


On 20 Mar 2005 18:43:26 -0800, "mark" > wrote:

>
>Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:
>
>> Anyone know a way to copy the database file from the 32MB chip to my
>> new 256MB chip without buying the update from Lowrance?
>
>
>There isn;t. Its tied to the serial number of the SD.. I did some
>digging on that..


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Blueskies]

"Mike 'Flyin'8'" > wrote in message ...
> Well now isn't that special.... So I am forced to buy the updated
> database so I can have it on my larger chip?
>
>
> On 20 Mar 2005 18:43:26 -0800, "mark" > wrote:
>
>>
>>Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:
>>
>>> Anyone know a way to copy the database file from the 32MB chip to my
>>> new 256MB chip without buying the update from Lowrance?
>>
>>
>>There isn;t. Its tied to the serial number of the SD.. I did some
>>digging on that..
>
>
> Mike Alexander
> PP-ASEL
> Temecula, CA
> See my online aerial photo album at
> http://flying.4alexanders.com

Call 'em up and ask?

[Peter Duniho]

"Robert A. Barker" > wrote in message
...
> My HP printer came with half filled ink and so stated.
> Don't know about the rest of the brands.

Which printer? I'd love to see the manual (which I can probably download
from the HP web site) that actually says the printer ships with half-filled
ink cartridges.

HP is the only brand for which I could find a definitive statement saying
they did that, and a) they certainly don't do it for all of their printers
(all four of their "entry-level" printers -- the least expensive -- come
with the same cartridges you buy for refills at the store), and b) for the
ones which they do, the ink cartridge isn't half full, it's just a reduced
capacity cartridge (similar to the smaller toner cartridges that are common
with laser printers).

In any case, I see nothing that suggests this is something that "usually"
happens, even if there are half-filled ink cartridges being shipped with
some printers.

Pete

[John Bell]

> Well now isn't that special.... So I am forced to buy the updated
> database so I can have it on my larger chip?


Mike,

I am 99% sure that your statement is correct.

The level of detail in the base map should be sufficient for aviation.
Thus, I would not worry about the limited amount of maps that you are able
to download to the 32 meg card with the aviation data. For flying, clutter
is generally more of a problem than lack with detail.

Next time you update the aviation database, I would load it to the 256 meg
card. For other uses, you will want the more detailed Map Create maps.
Unfortunately, you will have to switch SD cards to take advantage of them if
you use the 256 meg card.

Thus, the 32 meg should be fine for flying and you can load the non-aviation
maps onto the other SD card.

You might want to take 5 mb and put these maps on the aviation card:
http://www.lowrance.com/Aviation/taxi/taxi.asp

You can get the latest firmware here:
http://www.lowrance.com/Software/Upgrades/AirMap/AM1000_160/default.asp

John Bell
www.cockpitgps.com

[Montblack]

("Peter Duniho" wrote)
<snip>
> In any case, I see nothing that suggests this is something that "usually"
> happens, even if there are half-filled ink cartridges being shipped with
> some printers.


The Office Max guy said, 'This is something companies are doing now.'

We bought a Canon i550 printer a couple of years ago, don't recall how full
the ink cartridge was back then. Now days, half ...empty. At least the
Canons we looked at in December came that way.

It's my one data point and I'm sticking to it.


Montblack

[mark]

Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:
> Well now isn't that special.... So I am forced to buy the updated
> database so I can have it on my larger chip?

Basically. Its their copy protection. It verifies the serial number
on the sd card.

*shrug*

For now, just use the smaller chip, then when you update the database,
256ers should be even cheeper ;) What else were you going to put on it?

[Peter Duniho]

"Montblack" > wrote in message
...
> The Office Max guy said, 'This is something companies are doing now.'

Yeah, "the Office Max guy". I really trust those folks to provide me with
up-to-date technology news.

> We bought a Canon i550 printer a couple of years ago, don't recall how
> full the ink cartridge was back then. Now days, half ...empty. At least
> the Canons we looked at in December came that way.

Which ones? How do you know that the ink cartridges are half full(empty)?

> It's my one data point and I'm sticking to it.

One data point does not show "usually". That's even assuming the data point
is accurate in the first place.

Pete

[Mike 'Flyin'8']

>
>Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:
>> Well now isn't that special.... So I am forced to buy the updated
>> database so I can have it on my larger chip?
>
>Basically. Its their copy protection. It verifies the serial number
>on the sd card.
>
>*shrug*
>
>For now, just use the smaller chip, then when you update the database,
>256ers should be even cheeper ;) What else were you going to put on it?


Well I went and purchased a new 256MB SD last night and found out the
hard way that I can't move the database... Kinda bummed about that
because it is a pain to keep removing the back of the unit to change
the SD card from Aviation to Land databases.

Maybe I will call the people at Lowrance and tell them I just got my
unit and the database is dated from November, I want a free updated
database... Take that database and put it on my 256MB chip. That
would make me happy.... Yeah... That is what I will do tomorrow...



Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Thomas Borchert]

Martin,

> are these typical prices?
>

Yes. Welcome the the world of the Jeppesen monopoly.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Thomas Borchert]

Jsmith,

> - how many miles/kilometers do you get on the set of tires that come on
> a new car?

About 50k?

> - how long does the original battery in your new car last?
>

Haven't changed mine after 7 years.

Don't know when and where you last bought a car, but these things have
changed quite a bit here in Europe.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Thomas Borchert]

Mike,

> the database is dated from November, I want a free updated
> database
>

You should really start reading at least part of the literature coming
with the unit. It tells all about the copy protection in there, so
there is no "hard way" you found out - except for not RTFM. And it
tells about the free upgrade you're entitled to if your database is out
of date upon purchase.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Thomas Borchert]

Martin,

> so in fact you have a ~10% increase in your total price to have a working
> solution. ($400 unit +$35 update +$? new card)
>

Sorry, but BS! The solution he has is perfectly working - with the small
card. The base map in the unit with the Jepp data on the small card is
perfect for flying. Only for street navigation is the more detailed map
useful. And switching SD cards for that isn't too much of a hassle.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Thomas Borchert]

Mike,

> It seems the
> only way around this is to purchase an update from Lowrance and write
> the database file to the new 256MB chip... Seems like a load of crap
> to me..
>

You got it right. It's a one-time 35-$-expense. IMHO, that's not too
bad. I can perfectly understand that they have some copyright
protection on the database - if not, in the age of the Internet, they'd
probably sell no more than 10 per month. Garmin does the same.

OTOH, you're entitled to a free one-time database upgrade if the
database coming with your unit is out of date.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Flyin'[email protected]]

True. The unit will work fine for a flying solution as is.

Thomas Borchert > wrote:
> Martin,
>
> > so in fact you have a ~10% increase in your total price to have a
> > working solution. ($400 unit +$35 update +$? new card)
> >
>
> Sorry, but BS! The solution he has is perfectly working - with the small
> card. The base map in the unit with the Jepp data on the small card is
> perfect for flying. Only for street navigation is the more detailed map
> useful. And switching SD cards for that isn't too much of a hassle.

--
Mike Flyin'8
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Flyin'[email protected]]

I did RTFM, of course this was after it was not working as I wanted it
to... That is beside the point...

I did not find anything about being entitled to a free update. Where in the
documentation might I find the information about the free update?


> You should really start reading at least part of the literature coming
> with the unit. It tells all about the copy protection in there, so
> there is no "hard way" you found out - except for not RTFM. And it
> tells about the free upgrade you're entitled to if your database is out
> of date upon purchase.

--
Mike Flyin'8
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Montblack]

("Peter Duniho" wrote)
> Yeah, "the Office Max guy". I really trust those folks to provide me with
> up-to-date technology news.

Open the cover and pop out the cartridge thingy. Jiggle it around to see how
much ink is in the reservoir.

> Which ones? How do you know that the ink cartridges are half full(empty)?

It wasn't as nice as our Canon i550 (had a lower number) don't recall the
model. Sold for $79 minus a $50 Office Max rebate. ($29 printer baby!! With
half...empty cartridges) Problem was they were always on back-order. After
two months we had them credit our Visa card back the $85 pre-pay amount.

>> It's my one data point and I'm sticking to it.

> One data point does not show "usually". That's even assuming the data
> point is accurate in the first place.

Think Pete, why would we open a printer in the store and look at the
cartridge? Maybe to see how much replacements go for? Hold in hand -
doublecheck - match up with what's hanging on wall...check replacement
costs. Sales people do this every day. Clerks do know some things Pete.

Now, maybe the industry has changed this practice recently. I don't know,
but I bet the store clerks could be of some assistance to you.


Montblack

[Montblack]

wrote)
>I did RTFM, of course this was after it was not working as I wanted it
> to...


Haven't heard that one before. I laughed.


Montblack

[Montblack]

Hey, you might be half right about those printer cartridges after all.


Montblack

[Flyin'[email protected]]

I called Lowrance and they told me how to get the update. Not as simple as
just putting in your serial number and downloading the update, but not to
difficult either. You just order it online with your Credit Card, and then
fax them the receipt from the purchase of the unit, the confirmation number
from the download of the new database, and the serial number of the unit.
Upon receipt of this information they will credit your card back the cost
of the database update.

I can then encrypt the database on the 256MB card. But here is the catch,
the Airmap has known issues with some brands of SD cards and they recommend
using SanDisk brand. The SD card I bought was not SanDisk, but seems to
work just fine. I will try it tonight after calling their tech support
about my SD card brand.

By the way... Manuals are for sissies. :-)





> I did not find anything about being entitled to a free update. Where in
> the documentation might I find the information about the free update?
>
> > You should really start reading at least part of the literature coming
> > with the unit. It tells all about the copy protection in there, so
> > there is no "hard way" you found out - except for not RTFM. And it
> > tells about the free upgrade you're entitled to if your database is out
> > of date upon purchase.

--
Mike Flyin'8
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Blueskies]

> wrote in message ...
>I called Lowrance and they told me how to get the update.

Makes sense...

[Thomas Borchert]

> I called Lowrance and they told me how to get the update. Not as simple as
> just putting in your serial number and downloading the update, but not to
> difficult either. You just order it online with your Credit Card, and then
> fax them the receipt from the purchase of the unit, the confirmation number
> from the download of the new database, and the serial number of the unit.
> Upon receipt of this information they will credit your card back the cost
> of the database update.

Yep, that's how it works.

>
> I can then encrypt the database on the 256MB card. But here is the catch,
> the Airmap has known issues with some brands of SD cards and they recommend
> using SanDisk brand. The SD card I bought was not SanDisk, but seems to
> work just fine. I will try it tonight after calling their tech support
> about my SD card brand.

Yes, that's a problem. However, if your unit has read the card succesfully
already, it will in all likelyhood work with the Jepp data on it, too.

>
> By the way... Manuals are for sissies. :-)
>

Absolutely! ;-)

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Flyin'[email protected]]

> > I can then encrypt the database on the 256MB card. But here is the
> > catch, the Airmap has known issues with some brands of SD cards and
> > they recommend using SanDisk brand. The SD card I bought was not
> > SanDisk, but seems to work just fine. I will try it tonight after
> > calling their tech support about my SD card brand.
>
> Yes, that's a problem. However, if your unit has read the card
> succesfully already, it will in all likelyhood work with the Jepp data on
> it, too.

I called Lowrance last night and they told me as long as I have the latest
FW version on the Airmap the brand of SD card will not matter.
Additionally, as you said, they told me if it already worked once with the
land maps it will not be a problem when I put the aviation maps on it.

So I got the upgrade on the SD chip and put my land maps on there too... I
am pleased to report it all works without any problem!

Thanks for the tip on the free database update. I still could not find it
in the manual. <shrug> oh well...

--
Mike Flyin'8
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
http://flying.4alexanders.com