Lowrance 2000c 1.7 update

On Sun, 25 Jun 2006 10:48:57 +0200, Thomas Borchert wrote:

Greg,

I can't recommend this GPS enough. In my
opinion, it's the best bang for the buck in aviation GPS.

Did you get the terrain update? It adds a whole new dimension to the unit.


Terrain update? I have the original terrain data, which I bought on a 1GB
card. You're saying the data has been updated? Where might I obtain the
update? Or did I misundertstand you?


Aside from the 1.6 disaster, I only have one minor nit with my 2000c,
which is it does not provide altitude information with its trail data. I
have requested this of Lowrance.

I have, too. It's really too bad since projecting flights on Google Earth
makes reliving those flights a wonderful experience.

Ya, when high density memory cards were expensive, I can understand why
they might want to save space by providing only 2-axises worth of data per
sample. But these days even 2GB cards, which they now support, are
reasonably priced. There is no reason why they can't provide the z-data
too. Assuming the design of the software is descent, the required change
for this is probably 30-minutes or less, including compile time...plus
testing. Ya, that's a big assumption on my part, but we're not talking
about stellar changes.

The only other biggy is that they would have an incompatible file format
with the software they provide. They could address that by allowing for
a menu toggle option; providing for backward compatibility. Just the
same, I believe *everyone* that actually uses trail data in an avaition
GPS expects the data to contain three data points (x,y,z) per sample. I
could understand if this was a GPS for use in a car...or a boat...an
earthbound vehicle, but 2d data for a device specifically designed for
vehicles which travel in 3d space...is just completely back-assward.


Cheers,

Greg

Greg,

Or did I misundertstand you?


You did, or I misassumed. I thought you had an older unit without the
terrain. Those units can be upgraded to have the terrain.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

On Sun, 25 Jun 2006 18:22:10 +0200, Thomas Borchert wrote:

Greg,

Or did I misundertstand you?


You did, or I misassumed. I thought you had an older unit without the
terrain. Those units can be upgraded to have the terrain.

Oh I see. Yes, I bought my unit with the 1GB terrain upgrade. I agree
it's worth the upgrade price.

Speaking of terrain updates...one of the things I've always wondered about
was updates to the terrain database. As the terrain database includes
things like radio towers, tall buildings, water towers, etc... we know new
towers are built all the time. Anyone know how they plan on updating the
database? Do they plan for this to be a subscription service (I hope not)
or simply no updates at all? Anyone know?

Greg

Greg,

Anyone know how they plan on updating the
database?


AFAIK, they do plan upgrades, although not in any way scheduled. Don't
know about cost, if any. Also, the obstrcution database is different
from the terrain database, if I understand it correctly.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)